Transport
Getting from Japan’s Airports to the City
Use simple maps to choose routes from Haneda, Narita, Kansai, Chubu, and Fukuoka airports.
Official information checked: 2026-07
Getting from Japan’s airports to the city
Compare routes from Japan’s major international airports using simple transport maps.
From Haneda Airport to Tokyo and Yokohama
Haneda is close to central Tokyo and works well for Shinagawa, Hamamatsucho, Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Yokohama.
Main transport choices
Keikyu LineRailGood for Shinagawa connections to Tokyo, Shibuya, and Shinjuku, and also convenient for Yokohama.
Travel time
About 13-20 min to Shinagawa, 25-35 min to Yokohama
First service
Many services start around the 5 a.m. hour.
Last service
Roughly until around midnight; last trains vary by destination.
Ticket
Regular fares work with IC cards or ticket machines. Check conditions if using paid reserved seats.
Tokyo MonorailRailTransfer at Hamamatsucho to JR lines for Tokyo Station and other central areas.
Travel time
About 13-20 min to Hamamatsucho, around 30 min to Tokyo Station with transfer
First service
Many services start around the 5 a.m. hour.
Last service
Roughly until around midnight; also check the last JR connection.
Ticket
Easy with an IC card or ticket machine. Check train type such as airport rapid services.
Airport busBusUseful with large luggage or when a stop is near your hotel. Road traffic can change travel time.
Travel time
About 35-75 min to Shinjuku/Shibuya, 45-70 min to the TDR area
First service
Early services vary a lot by destination.
Last service
Last buses vary by destination, and late-night buses are limited.
Ticket
Some buses are reserved-seat or capacity-controlled. Check or buy on the official site before boarding.
From Narita Airport to Tokyo, Ueno, and Shinjuku
Narita is east of Tokyo and farther from central Tokyo than Haneda. Choose N'EX, Skyliner, or airport buses by destination.
Main transport choices
Narita ExpressLimited express railGood when you want fewer transfers to Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, or Shinjuku.
Travel time
About 50-60 min to Tokyo, 80-90 min to Shinjuku
First service
Services often begin between 7 and 8 a.m. Check other routes for very early arrivals.
Last service
Roughly the 9-10 p.m. hour. Confirm by date and destination.
Ticket
All seats are reserved. Confirm the limited express ticket via JR official booking, machines, or counters.
Keisei SkylinerLimited express railFast for Ueno and Nippori. Transfer at Nippori to the JR Yamanote Line.
Travel time
As fast as about 36 min to Nippori, about 41 min to Ueno
First service
Services often begin between 7 and 8 a.m.
Last service
Roughly until around 11 p.m. Check the official timetable.
Ticket
All seats are reserved. Buy a liner ticket online or at the station.
Airport and highway busesBusUseful for Tokyo Station, Ginza, and hotel areas when you want fewer transfers. Watch for traffic.
Travel time
About 65-90 min to Tokyo/Ginza; hotel routes vary with traffic
First service
Early services differ by route.
Last service
Last buses differ by route, and late-night services are limited.
Ticket
Some buses require reservations or have fixed capacity. Check or buy on the official site before boarding.
From Kansai Airport to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe
Kansai Airport sits south of Osaka Bay. Nankai is good for Namba, JR for Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto, and buses for hotels and Kobe.
Main transport choices
JR HarukaLimited express railGood for Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, and Tennoji. Shin-Osaka is useful for Shinkansen transfers.
Travel time
About 35 min to Tennoji, 50 min to Shin-Osaka, 75-80 min to Kyoto
First service
Roughly from around the 6 a.m. hour.
Last service
Usually until sometime between 10 and 11 p.m. Check carefully for Kyoto-bound trips.
Ticket
A limited express ticket is required. Confirm via JR official booking, machines, or counters.
Nankai RailwayRailA straightforward route for Namba, Shinsaibashi, and Dotonbori.
Travel time
About 35-40 min to Namba by Rapi:t, around 45 min by Airport Express
First service
Many services start around the 5-6 a.m. hours.
Last service
Roughly until around midnight; the last Rapi:t may be earlier than regular trains.
Ticket
Airport Express is easy with an IC card; Rapi:t requires a limited express ticket.
Airport limousine busBusUseful for Osaka hotels, Kobe, and Nara when you want fewer transfers.
Travel time
About 50-120 min to Osaka city, Kobe, or Nara, depending on traffic
First service
Early services differ by destination.
Last service
Last buses differ by destination. Check before relying on buses after late arrivals.
Ticket
Some buses are capacity-controlled or reservation-based. Buying or checking seats on the official site is safer.
From Chubu Centrair to Nagoya and Tokai
Centrair is south of Nagoya. Meitetsu is the main route to Nagoya Station, and a high-speed boat can help for Mie.
Main transport choices
Meitetsu RailwayRailThe main route to Nagoya Station, where you can transfer to Shinkansen, JR, and subway lines.
Travel time
About 28 min to Nagoya by μ-SKY, 35-50 min by limited express or semi-express
First service
Many services start around the 5-6 a.m. hours.
Last service
Roughly until around midnight. Confirm the last μ-SKY service separately.
Ticket
Regular trains and some limited express cars are easy with IC cards; μ-SKY/special cars require a μ-ticket.
Airport busBusAn option for direct access to some city hotels and regional destinations. Frequency depends on destination.
Travel time
About 50-90 min to Sakae/hotel areas, often 80+ min to Gifu
First service
Morning services differ by route.
Last service
Last buses differ by route.
Ticket
Some destinations require booking or ticket purchase. Check the operator from the official airport access page.
High-speed boatBoatCan be convenient for Mie. Check weather and operation status before relying on it.
Travel time
About 45 min to Tsu Nagisamachi. Also check onward travel from the port.
First service
First departures vary by date and operating status.
Last service
Some days end in the evening or night. Check cancellations due to weather.
Ticket
A boat ticket is required. Check operation status and purchase method on the official site.
From Fukuoka Airport to Hakata, Tenjin, and Kyushu
Fukuoka Airport is very close to the city center. Use the subway to Hakata or Tenjin, then connect to JR and highway buses across Kyushu.
Main transport choices
SubwayRailThe basic fast route to Hakata and Tenjin. Transfer at Hakata to Shinkansen and JR lines.
Travel time
About 5 min to Hakata, 11 min to Tenjin
First service
Many services start around the 5 a.m. hour.
Last service
Roughly until around midnight.
Ticket
Easy with an IC card or ticket machine. Also check the transfer from the international terminal to the subway station.
Local and airport busesBusMay go directly to city destinations or sightseeing areas. Confirm platform and destination signs.
Travel time
About 20-60+ min to city or Dazaifu areas, depending on traffic
First service
Morning services differ by route.
Last service
Last buses differ by route.
Ticket
Many city buses accept IC cards. Check purchase rules for highway or reserved buses.
JR and highway bus connectionsConnectionFrom Hakata Station or Tenjin Bus Terminal, continue around Kyushu by Shinkansen, limited express trains, or highway buses.
Travel time
From Hakata or Tenjin, about 40 min to 2+ hours for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Beppu, and other areas
First service
Varies widely by destination and transport type.
Last service
Long-distance services may end earlier. Confirm on your travel date.
Ticket
Shinkansen, limited express trains, and highway buses may require reservations or separate tickets.
Tips
- First confirm your arrival airport and terminal. Confusing Haneda with Narita, or Kansai Terminal 1 with Terminal 2, can change travel time a lot.
- Rail is usually best for speed. Airport buses can be easier when you have large luggage or want to go near a hotel.
- Late-night and early-morning services are limited. Check the last train or bus before choosing a route.
- Some services accept IC cards, but limited express trains and reserved-seat buses may require separate tickets.
- One city can have multiple stations or bus stops. Check the nearest stop to your hotel address, not only the city name.
Useful Japanese phrases
Finding the platform or stop
空港バスの乗り場はどこですか。
Kuko basu no noriba wa doko desu ka.
Where is the airport bus stop?
Checking the destination
この電車は東京駅に行きますか。
Kono densha wa Tokyo eki ni ikimasu ka.
Does this train go to Tokyo Station?
Checking the bus
このバスは新宿に行きますか。
Kono basu wa Shinjuku ni ikimasu ka.
Does this bus go to Shinjuku?
Buying a ticket
チケットはどこで買えますか。
Chiketto wa doko de kaemasu ka.
Where can I buy a ticket?
Checking the last service
今日の最終は何時ですか。
Kyo no saishu wa nanji desu ka.
What time is the last service today?
Official sources
Article updated:
Official sources checked:
Review status: Provisional translation
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Editorial responsibility: JAPAN LIFE GUIDE editorial team
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