Your first hour in Japan is usually the most confusing: two airports, several train companies, buses that stop at hotels, a rechargeable card called Suica, and a rail pass whose price just went up. This guide puts the choices side by side so you can decide before you land, not at a ticket machine with a suitcase in each hand.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links (marked with a button or "book on Klook"). If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, schedules and rules change often, so always confirm the latest details on the official or booking page before you pay.
Narita or Haneda: what changes for your arrival
Tokyo has two international airports. Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo, so getting into the city is quicker and simpler. Narita is further out in Chiba Prefecture, so the choice of train or bus matters more and the trip takes longer. Check which airport is on your ticket before you plan anything else; travelers do sometimes mix them up.
Narita Airport to Tokyo: your options compared
Travel times below are rough guides from the operators and depend on your terminal, destination and traffic. Fares change, so check the current price when you book.
| Option | Goes to | Rough time | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keisei Skyliner | Nippori and Ueno | About 40 minutes to Nippori | Fastest to the Ueno and Asakusa side of the city | You change trains at Nippori or Ueno for most hotels |
| JR Narita Express (N'EX) | Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and more | About an hour to Tokyo Station | Direct to the main JR hubs, all seats reserved | Fewer departures than city trains; can be busy at peak times |
| Airport limousine bus | Major hotels and stations | Often 60 to 90+ minutes, traffic dependent | Heavy luggage, staying at a hotel on the route | Road traffic, especially weekday evenings |
| Private transfer | Your hotel door | Traffic dependent | Families, groups, late arrivals | The most expensive option for one or two people |
Book ahead options: Keisei Skyliner tickets, N'EX round-trip ticket and the Narita limousine bus.
Check Skyliner tickets on Klook →
Which one should you pick?
- Staying around Ueno, Asakusa or Akihabara: Skyliner.
- Staying near Tokyo Station, Shinjuku or Shibuya: N'EX goes direct.
- Big suitcases and a hotel on the bus route: limousine bus.
- Three or more people with luggage, or arriving late: compare a private transfer.
Haneda Airport to Tokyo: your options compared
Haneda is the easy airport. Two rail lines and a network of buses connect it to the city.
| Option | Goes to | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Keikyu Line | Shinagawa (JR connection) and through services toward Asakusa | Most hotels in the south and east of the city; Yokohama |
| Tokyo Monorail | Hamamatsucho (JR Yamanote Line connection) | Hotels near Hamamatsucho, Shimbashi and the Tokyo Station side |
| Airport limousine bus | Major hotels and stations | Heavy luggage, early or late flights |
The Haneda limousine bus is worth a look if you have heavy luggage. If you are flying into one airport and out of the other, there is a direct bus between Haneda and Narita.
Suica and IC cards: how visitors pay for trains
An IC card is a rechargeable transit card you tap at the gate. Suica (from JR East) and PASMO are the Tokyo ones, but they work on most trains, subways and buses in Japan's big cities, and in many convenience stores. With one, you never need to work out fares at a ticket machine.
Option 1: Suica on iPhone (Apple Wallet)
Recent iPhones can add a Suica card in Apple Wallet and top it up with a card in Apple Pay. This works on iPhones sold outside Japan too.
Option 2: Welcome Suica Mobile (iPhone app for visitors)
JR East's Welcome Suica Mobile app is built for visitors. According to JR East, it needs an Apple Pay-compatible device, users must be 13 or older, and the Suica is valid for 180 days from issue. The remaining balance is non-refundable and expires at the end of validity, so do not top up more than you need. The app can also book some Shinkansen and limited express seats, including the Narita Express.
Option 3: a physical card
Physical IC cards for visitors are sold at airports and major stations. Rules for refunds and validity differ by card type, so read them at purchase.
Tokyo Subway Ticket: unlimited subway rides
The Tokyo Subway Ticket gives unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for 24, 48 or 72 hours from first use. Tokyo Metro lists the adult prices as 1,000 yen (24 hours), 1,500 yen (48 hours) and 2,000 yen (72 hours), with child fares at half price. It is for overseas visitors and domestic visitors from outside the Tokyo area.
The catch: it does not cover JR lines, including the Yamanote loop line. If your days are mostly subway hops between Asakusa, Ginza, Roppongi and Omotesando, it can pay off. If you mostly ride JR, a Suica is simpler.
Check the Tokyo Subway Ticket on Klook →
JR Pass: the October 2026 price change
The nationwide Japan Rail Pass gives unlimited rides on most JR trains, including most Shinkansen, for 7, 14 or 21 days. On October 1, 2026 the prices went up. Japan's official tourism organization lists these adult prices:
| Pass (adult) | Before Oct 1, 2026 | From Oct 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary, 7 days | 50,000 yen | 53,000 yen |
| Ordinary, 14 days | 80,000 yen | 84,000 yen |
| Ordinary, 21 days | 100,000 yen | 105,000 yen |
| Green Car, 7 days | 70,000 yen | 74,000 yen |
| Green Car, 14 days | 110,000 yen | 116,000 yen |
| Green Car, 21 days | 140,000 yen | 147,000 yen |
The same source says the official Japan Rail Pass website kept the old prices for a limited time, with no end date announced. Check the official site before you buy.
The fastest Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen trains can be used with the pass only if you buy an additional supplement ticket.
Is the JR Pass worth it for your trip?
The pass only saves money when you make several long JR journeys within its validity. A simple test:
- Write down every long-distance JR trip on your plan (for example Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Hiroshima, back to Tokyo).
- Look up the normal fare for each on a route planner.
- Add them up and compare with the pass price above.
A Tokyo–Kyoto round trip on its own does not come close to the 7-day pass price, so a Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka trip with no other long journeys usually works out cheaper with individual tickets. Trips that loop further, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and back, or Tokyo to Kanazawa and on to Kyoto, are the cases where the pass is worth calculating.
Check the Japan Rail Pass on Klook →
Regional passes: often the better deal
JR companies also sell passes that cover one region. They are usually cheaper than the nationwide pass and fit trips that stay in one part of Japan.
| Pass | Covers | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| JR Tokyo Wide Pass | JR East area around Tokyo | Day trips from Tokyo, for example Nikko or Karuizawa |
| JR East Pass | Wider JR East regions | Tohoku or Nagano and Niigata trips from Tokyo |
| JR West Kansai Area Pass | Kansai region | Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe |
| JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass | Kansai to Hiroshima | Adding Hiroshima and Miyajima to a Kansai trip |
| JR Kyushu Rail Pass | Kyushu | Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kagoshima trips |
Check exact coverage before you buy: JR Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East Pass, JR West Kansai Area Pass, JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass and JR Kyushu Rail Pass.
Shinkansen luggage rules for big suitcases
On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen (the Tokyo–Osaka–Hiroshima–Fukuoka line), bags with total dimensions (length + width + height) over 160 cm need a seat reserved with an oversized baggage area. Bags over 250 cm are not allowed. If you board with a large bag and no such reservation, you may have to pay an extra fee. Smaller suitcases fit on the overhead rack.
A practical alternative is luggage forwarding ("takkyubin"): many hotels and convenience stores can send your suitcase to your next hotel, usually arriving the next day. That lets you ride the train with just a day bag.
Common mistakes to avoid
Buying a JR Pass "because everyone does"
Since the price rises, the pass suits fewer itineraries. Do the fare check first.
Assuming the Tokyo Subway Ticket covers the Yamanote Line
It does not. JR lines are separate.
Topping up too much on Welcome Suica Mobile
The balance is non-refundable and expires, so top up a little at a time near the end of your trip.
Arriving at Narita late at night with no plan
Late arrivals have fewer options. Check the last train or bus time for your terminal in advance, or book a transfer.
Having no data when you land
Route planners and transfer instructions need mobile data. Sort that out before you fly with our guide to eSIM, pocket WiFi and SIM cards in Japan.
Where to book
Once your transport is sorted, see our Tokyo tickets to reserve ahead, or go back to the English guide index.
Summary
- Haneda is close to the city; Narita needs more planning.
- From Narita: Skyliner for the Ueno side, N'EX for the main JR hubs, bus for heavy luggage.
- Get a Suica (iPhone Wallet, Welcome Suica Mobile, or a physical card on Android).
- The Tokyo Subway Ticket does not cover JR.
- JR Pass prices rose on October 1, 2026; add up your real fares before buying.
- Book an oversized baggage seat for big suitcases on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, or forward your luggage.
FAQ
What is the fastest way from Narita Airport to Tokyo?
Can I use Suica on an Android phone from abroad?
How long is Welcome Suica Mobile valid?
How much is the JR Pass from October 2026?
Does the Tokyo Subway Ticket include JR trains?
Can I bring a large suitcase on the Shinkansen?
How we researched this guide and sources
Prices and rules were taken from official operator and tourism sources where available and were current at the time of writing. Travel times are approximate. Always confirm on the official or booking page before you travel.
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Japan Rail Pass price increase from October 1, 2026
- JR East: Welcome Suica Mobile information page
- Tokyo Metro: Tokyo Subway Ticket information page
- Klook product listings for airport transfers and rail passes (checked November 2026)
