If you’re a first-time visitor to Japan, chances are you’ll choose Tokyo or Osaka as your destination. Of the two major airports near Tokyo, Haneda Airport is the largest and closest to the heart of the city, connecting Japan to the rest of the world through both international and domestic flights. But once you’ve arrived at Haneda Airport, how do you get to Tokyo and the surrounding areas? What transportation options are available? And how do you get to Haneda Airport after picking up your luggage and passing through customs?

For Narita Airport, please take a look at: First Time in Japan Must-See! Narita Airport Transportation Guide

Basic facilities of Haneda Airport

Let’s start by looking at Haneda Airport’s terminal buildings.

There are three terminal buildings, which used to be labeled as Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the International Terminal (or “I”), but the International Terminal has recently been renamed Terminal 3. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll refer to it as Terminal 3 (International) in this article.

The first terminal is located between the other two and is mainly for domestic flights.

The second terminal, located to the east (at the top of the picture), also primarily serves domestic flights, but also has some international flights.

The third terminal (international) is located to the west (bottom of the picture) and mainly serves international flights.

As most visitors to Japan will likely land in the third terminal, the rest of this article will focus on Terminal 3 (International).

From Haneda Airport to Tokyo and Surrounding Areas

Getting from Haneda Airport to Tokyo and the surrounding areas is easy with three types of public transportation available: the Tokyo Monorail, Keikyu Line, and Limousine Bus.

【Public transportation 1】Tokyo Monorail

The Tokyo Monorail runs at short intervals, with trains departing every five minutes on average, connecting Hamamatsucho Station on the Yamanote Line to the three Haneda Airport terminals.

If you’re arriving at the third terminal (international), you can find the monorail ticket vending machines and ticket cutters to your left on the second floor of the lobby, and it takes only a minute to get on the monorail to Tokyo.

The monorail also offers joint tickets with the Yamanote Line, providing priority fare reduction for passengers traveling to Tokyo, Akihabara, Ueno, and other areas on the Yamanote Line. The Tokyo Monorail also offers transfers to the Rinkai Line at the “Tennozu ISLE” station, which is convenient for Odaiba and TOKYO BIG SIGHT.

【Public Transportation 2】Keikyu Line

The Keikyu Line departs on average once every 10 minutes during the day, and there are various types of trains with different destinations. If you’re familiar with Tokyo’s trains, the Keikyu Line offers more choices than a single monorail. However, if you’re not familiar with Tokyo, the Keikyu Line may not take you to your desired destination.

The Keikyu Line has both automatic ticket machines and human counters located at the Arrivals Hall (2nd floor) of Haneda Airport Terminal 3 (International Line).

【Public Transportation 3】Limousine Bus

If you’re staying in Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, or nearby areas and want a direct transport to your ryokan’s entrance, then the Limousine Bus is the ideal choice. It may cost a bit more than the monorail (500 yen) and the Keikyu Line (300 yen), with fares of around 1,300 yen to Ikebukuro and Shinjuku, and 1,100 yen to Asakusa.

But since it eliminates the need for train transfers and takes you straight to the hotel entrance (only for a few large hotels), it’s a great option for travelers who don’t want the hassle of changing trains and have lots of luggage.

To purchase a Limousine bus ticket, head to the bus counter on the left side of the arrival gate in the arrival lobby or use the vending machine on the right side. If you opt for the manual bus counter, check the Keikyu Line map above at position 6, and look for the white wall next to position 1 and 5, where the ticket vending machine is located.

For those from mainland China, the Limousine Bus accepts Alipay and WeChat payments.

Public Transportation Summary

Access to railroad floors and bus stops

How to get to the Tokyo Monorail

When you enter the lobby, go to the left hand side. There is also a sign overhead.

You can see the indication of the monorail.

If you walk close to the information desk, you can see the ticket machine of the monorail in the picture below.

Monorail signage.

Monorail ticket machines.

On the right side of the ticket vending machine is the validation gate for the Tokyo Monorail. If you’re heading to Hamamatsucho station, take the tram by boarding the platform to your right.

How to get to the Keikyu Line

When you enter the lobby, go to the right hand side. There is a sign overhead that tells you where to go.

If you keep walking, you’ll come across the ticket validation gate, automated ticket vending machines, and manned ticket counters for the Keikyu Line (from left to right in the picture).

How to get to the Limousine bus

Upon entering the arrival hall, if you look to your left, you will immediately see the ticket counter for buses. On the wall behind the counter is a timetable that shows the schedule for the next buses.

If you go right upon entering the arrival hall (towards the Keikyu Line), you will see a row of automated ticket vending machines. The yellow part on the right side is for the Limousine Bus, and you can choose English to purchase tickets.

If you are taking the bus, you need to go straight to the back of the second floor. You can think of the second floor arrival hall as a maple leaf shape, with the Tokyo Monorail on the left leaf, the Keikyu Line (including the automated ticket vending machines for the bus) on the right leaf, and the middle leaf is the bus boarding area if you go straight.

You will find the waiting hall behind the stairs.

There are elevators and escalators on both sides leading to the bus platforms. The escalator is on the right, and the elevator is on the left.