Which airport is better to fly out from in Tokyo, Narita or Haneda?

Great question! If I had to pick between Narita and Haneda airports flying out of Tokyo under the same conditions, I’d personally recommend Haneda without hesitation. Here’s why:

Haneda Airport is much closer to central Tokyo, while Narita Airport is located quite far away in neighboring Chiba Prefecture. Although Narita was originally built mainly for international flights and Haneda for domestic, in the past decade both have expanded to handle domestic and international flights. Still, Haneda’s location makes it way more convenient for most travelers who want to save time.

That said, Narita often offers cheaper flights, so if your priority is saving money on airfare rather than time, Narita might be better.

In short: if you value your time and convenience, Haneda wins. If you want to save on flight costs and don’t mind a longer trip to the airport, Narita.

What’s the actual difference in travel time from central Tokyo to each airport?

Haneda is about 15-30 minutes from central Tokyo by train or taxi, depending on where you are. For example, from Tokyo Station, it takes around 20 minutes on the Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu Line to Haneda.

Narita is much farther—about 60-90 minutes by train or bus. The Narita Express train from Tokyo Station takes about 60 minutes, but it’s more expensive (around ¥3,000 ≈ $22 USD one-way). Buses take about 90 minutes and are slightly cheaper.

So, Haneda is a huge time saver, especially if you have early flights or tight schedules.

Are there differences in facilities or services between the two airports?

Both airports are modern and well-equipped with shops, restaurants, lounges, and duty-free stores. Haneda has improved a lot in recent years to serve international travelers better, and its terminals are newer and more compact, which means less walking compared to Narita.

Narita can feel more spread out since it was designed for international flights only and handles a huge volume of passengers. Sometimes, transferring between terminals can take extra time.

From my experience, Haneda’s smaller size means less hassle, especially if you’re traveling with family or lots of luggage.

Can I easily get public transportation to and from both airports?

Yes, both airports have good public transport links. Haneda is served by the Tokyo Monorail and Keikyu Line, which connect quickly to major hubs like Shinagawa and Tokyo Station.

Narita has the Narita Express train and several bus services. The trains are comfortable but pricier and take longer.

Taxis to Narita can be quite expensive (upwards of ¥20,000 ≈ $150 USD) because of the distance, while taxis to Haneda cost much less (around ¥5,000 ≈ $37 USD) from central Tokyo.

Is there any difference in flight availability or price between the two airports?

Narita generally handles more long-haul international flights and tends to have more budget airline options, which can mean cheaper tickets.

Haneda has increased its international flights but still focuses more on domestic routes. Flights from Haneda can sometimes be more expensive but are often more convenient for quick connections.

If you have flexibility in your airline choice and want to save money, check Narita options. But if convenience is key, Haneda is usually worth the extra cost.

What Japanese people actually do

Most locals choose Haneda if they can because it’s close to home or work and reduces travel time. Flying out of Narita is more common if you live in eastern Tokyo or Chiba Prefecture, or if you find a good deal.

On busy travel days, Haneda can get crowded, but it’s still preferred for quick business trips or weekend getaways. Narita is often the airport families use for long international trips, especially if they’re coming from outside Tokyo.

Practical tip: If you’re flying out of Tokyo, check flight times, prices, and train/bus schedules carefully. Sometimes a cheaper Narita flight isn’t worth the extra two hours of travel. For me, saving time and stress usually wins, so Haneda is my go-to.