Tokyo is served by two airports: Narita International Airport, which handles mostly international flights and is the arrival point of most foreign visitors, while Haneda Airport, located on Tokyo Bay across from Kawasaki City handles mostly domestic flights.

Narita ( NRT )  Airport : Narita is located in Chiba Prefecture in the city of Narita, which is about 60 kilometers (35 miles) outside Tokyo.  You can take either train, bus, car or taxi transportation to and from Narita and central Tokyo.

Rail Service  (Narita and central Tokyo)

1.  JR Narita Express (NEX)  -  This fast, but expensive, way to travel takes approximately 60 minutes from the airport to Tokyo Station.  All trains go through Tokyo Station, where the train splits in two with one end usually going to Omiya in Saitama Prefecture by way of Shinjuku and Ikebukuro and the other end going to Ofuna in Kanagawa Prefecture by way of Yokohama.   It costs 2940 Yen to Tokyo Station while other destinations are slightly higher and it departs every 30 minutes (every 60 minutes during non-peak times).  All seats are reserved.

2.  JR Airport Narita Line (Rapid Service) – This train service is the budget alternative to JR Narita Express.  It takes approximately 85 minutes for the one way trip to Tokyo Station and departs every hour.  It traverses three sections of track, two owned by JR and one private spur owned by the Narita Airport Rapid Railway.   The JR sections traverse the Sobu Line tracks from Narita to Tokyo and the Yokosuka Line tracks from Tokyo to Yokohama and Ofuna in Kanagawa Prefecture.   This line is usually a through (direct, no changes) train during commute hours but requires a transfer during non-peak times between the airport and Tokyo stations.   It connects the airport with Tokyo Station and Yokohama.  It costs 1280 yen and there is no reserved seating.

3.  Keisei Skyliner  -  This all-reserved seat train takes approximately 55 minutes from the airport to the Ueno and Nippori stations.   It costs 1920 Yen and departs every 40 minutes.  Reserved seating is required.

3. Keisei Limited Express - This is the most inexpensive way to travel from Narita Airport to central Tokyo costing 1000 yen and taking approximately 75 minutes.  Departures are approximately every 20 minutes.

Bus Travel :  Generally, limousine busses run more frequently but are more expensive than the Keisei trains, averaging about 3,000 yen.  Also, many bus companies pick up and drop off passengers at major hotels and at selected stops like Tokyo Station or the Tokyo City Air Terminal. They may be a better option than the train if you are going to one of the specific destinations that they serve, but try to avoid rush hours because traffic can cause erratic delay times.  For example, the Keisei Limited Express (a cheaper alternative to the Keisei Skyliner rail service)  departs every 20 minutes and takes around 75 minutes to central Tokyo.  It costs about 1000 Yen. 

Taxi service:  Taxis are not recommended for travelers because it is very expensive (it costs about 20,000 Yen one way) and may take longer than rail travel (60-90 minutes to central Tokyo) but usually the same or quicker than using the bus from portal to porta.  A group of three people wishing privacy, usage of cell phones or smoking privileges may find a taxi desireable and cost effective. 

Haneda ( HND ) Airport:  Arrival and departure passengers have a choice of monorial, train or bus service (and taxi cabs, of course).

Tokyo Monorail: From Hamamatsucho Station, take the Tokyo Monorail to Haneda Airport (20 minutes). The one way fare is approximately 620 Yen.

Keikyu Railways : From Shinagawa Station, take the Keikyu Airport Line to Haneda Airport (20 minutes). The one way fare is approximately 560 Yen.

Limousine Bus: Busses depart from Tokyo Station, Shibuya station and Shinjuku to Haneda every 30 to 60 minutes; the trip takes about 40 minutes and costs between 900 – 1200 Yen (depending on the station).