How To Get From Haneda Airport To Shinjuku (Quickest & Cheapest!)

Haneda Airport, previously known as Tokyo International Airport is one of the oldest airports in Japan, having been there since 1931.

Many people prefer this airport because of its close proximity to central Tokyo, which is just approximately 30 minutes away on public transportation. 

This airport mostly caters to domestic flights (unlike the nearby Narita Airport) however, it’s still considered to be one of the busiest airports in the world. 

Haneda Airport is located 22km south of Shinjuku, in the heart of Tokyo. There’s a number of different ways you can commute between the two locations.

The quickest way to get from Haneda Airport To Shinjuku is on the monorail. The journey costs 490 yen per person and takes around 30 minutes. The train is the cheapest method at 300 yen per person but takes slightly longer at 55 minutes.

Below we’ve covered each of the methods available to ensure you can make an informed decision when travelling between Shinjuku and Haneda airport.

Monorail

Haneda Airport has a monorail that stops at the International Terminal, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 before going onto Hamamatsuchō where you can connect to a commuter train.

You will find that the entrance to the monorail is clearly signposted in the arrivals hall of each terminal.

Single tickets for the monorail cost 490 yen and can be purchased from one of the vending machines at the entrance. You’ll be required to present your ticket or travel card at the turnstile for it to open.

Consider purchasing a Suica or Pasmo IC card if you are planning on doing a lot of travelling by train during your visit to Tokyo (I recommend it as the most affordable and convenient way to explore the city) then you’ll benefit from discounts.

Monorail trains leave every 5 minutes and the journey takes between 10 and 15 minutes. Upon arriving at Hamamatsuchō you’ll be able to change onto the JR Yamanote Line. From there it’s just 10 stops to Shinjuku which will take around 20 minutes.

Again, all this is clearly signposted in English, and as Shinjuku is a major station it’s often included on the maps and signposts.

The monorail runs between 5.30am and midnight. If you arrive between these times you’ll either have to wait or pay thousands of yen extra to travel via taxi.

Train

Traveling by train is slightly cheaper than the monorail at just 300 yen. However, while the journey time is relatively similar the trains aren’t as frequent.

The Keikyu railway line is located inside the arrivals hall on the right-hand side. It’s clearly signposted above in both English and Japanese. If you get stuck ask one of the airport staff who will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Much like the monorail in order to board the train platform, you’ll need to scan your ticket. Tickets can be purchased using vending machines or using pre-paid Suica or Pasmo IC cards.

Trains on the Keikyu line run in both directions so be sure to board the train going in the direction of Shinagawa as this will take you to Shinjuku.

Again these trains don’t run 24/7. Services stop at midnight and start again at 5.30am, therefore if you’re arriving during the night / early morning you’ll have to pay an additional cost to travel from the airport to your hotel via taxi.

Limobus

A limousine bus is a shared bus that transports travellers from the airport to various major locations across Tokyo including hotels and train stations.

There are a number of different bus companies that you can research and book in advance online or upon your arrival at the airport. Our personal favourite is the Airport Limousine.

When travelling to Shinjuku on the limo bus you should expect to pay between 630 to 2000 yen (the exact amount depends on the drop-off location, time of day, and the company you’re travelling with).

As the bus stops at multiple locations the journey can take anything from 30 to 80 minutes.

The last bus leaves the airport at midnight and the first bus leaves around 4.30am. Therefore if you arrive at the airport between these hours you’ll either have to wait or pay extra to travel between the airport and your hotel via a taxi.

Taxi

The most expensive way to travel between Haneda Airport To Shinjuku is by taxi. A ride between the two locations will cost anything from 5,000 yen to 11,000 yen depending on the time of day you’re travelling.

There’s a 20% surcharge during evenings between 10pm and 5am, however, if you travel during the daytime you may end up paying just as much due to the amount of traffic on the roads.

While this is a direct way to travel between the airport and your hotel it certainly comes at a cost.

One free alternative to a taxi is hitchhiking. I’d have never thought of hitchhiking in Japan but my friends over at Untold Wanderlust did it multiple times with great success.