Narita taxis to Tokyo are eye-wateringly expensive. Haneda is much better. Here's what each costs and the smarter alternatives.
Tokyo is served by two main airports: Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND). The taxi equation is completely different for each. A taxi from Narita to central Tokyo is one of the world's most expensive airport journeys — JPY 20,000–30,000. From Haneda, which is much closer, the fare is a far more reasonable JPY 4,000–8,000. Understanding which airport you are flying into dramatically affects your transport planning.
For Narita, taxis are almost never the right choice for solo or couple travellers. The Narita Express (N'EX) is fast, comfortable, and takes 60 minutes to Shinjuku for approximately JPY 3,070. The Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in 36 minutes for JPY 2,570. Even group travellers would struggle to justify JPY 25,000+ on a taxi when these excellent rail alternatives exist. The only exception is if your hotel is very remote from a train station, you have extreme luggage, or you are travelling as a large group splitting the fare.
Haneda's proximity to central Tokyo (15–20 km) makes taxis a genuinely sensible option, particularly late at night when trains are less frequent. JPY 4,000–8,000 for a metered taxi to most central areas is reasonable. Japanese taxis are impeccably maintained and drivers are honest — the meter is always used. Luggage is handled with care and the experience is smooth.
Japanese taxi doors open and close automatically — do not touch the passenger door. The driver controls it with a lever. This surprises many visitors but is standard across all Japanese taxis.
How much is a taxi from Narita to Tokyo?
JPY 20,000–30,000 — it is very expensive. The Narita Express train (JPY 3,070) is almost always the better choice.
How much is a taxi from Haneda to Tokyo?
JPY 4,000–8,000 to most central areas — reasonable and practical, especially late at night.
Are Japanese taxis reliable?
Extremely. Japanese taxi drivers are professional, the meters are accurate, and overcharging is essentially unheard of. The experience is high-quality across the board.
Book a pre-arranged transfer in Tokyo
Fixed price · no meter disputes · book in advance
Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure
That's the general range — what's YOUR route?
Fares shift by exact pickup point, time of day, and traffic. Get a personalised estimate for your specific journey in Tokyo, plus scam warnings and the phrase to say to your driver.
Check My Exact FareFlying into Tokyo?
See the full HND airport taxi fare table — route-by-route estimates, scam warnings, and cheaper alternatives.
Tokyo Haneda Airport taxi faresGet travel tips in your inbox
No spam — just occasional guides on taxi fares, tipping customs, and getting around without getting ripped off.
