Ground Transportation
Our recommended routes for ground transportation to Tachikawa and Shinjuku.
With a transit system as vast as Tokyo's, there are numerous routes between any two points in the city. Many routes may include crowded commuter trains that visitors may wish to avoid when transiting to hotels from the airport with luggage. The recommended routes below have been selected for their convenience, with reserved seating and designated areas for luggage storage.
Tokyo has two international airports: Narita International Airport, located east of Tokyo in Chiba prefecture, and Haneda International Airport, located within the southern section of metropolitan Tokyo. Shinjuku and Tachikawa are located in the western side of the city. Transit from Narita to Tachikawa takes approximately two hours, traveling by way of Shinjuku which is about 90 minutes from Narita. Transit from Haneda to Shinjuku takes about 45 minutes, to Tachikawa about 90 minutes.
From NARITA
Narita — Tachikawa
approx. 2 hours
approx. 2 hours
Train: The smoothest and most comfortable route from Narita to Tachikawa involves a pair of JR all-reserved Express trains: 1) Narita Express from Narita Airport to Shinjuku; 2) Azusa or Kaiji Express from Shinjuku to Tachikawa. Tickets, including a special discounted N'Ex Tokyo Round trip ticket available only to international visitors, can be purchased from the JR Ticket desk or from the nearby automatic ticket machines located beneath the airport, accessible via escalators in the Arrivals Hall.
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Note: Tachikawa Bus service and Airport Limousine coach service to Tachikawa was suspended during the period when Japan was closed to visitors because of the COVID-19 pandemic and service has not yet been restored.
Train: A less expensive route (¥2070 one-way) is available on regular unreserved trains, departing from the Keisei Electric Railway platform, also accessible by the same escalator to trains beneath the airport. SUICA and PASMO transit passes accepted on all trains. The route involves 2 connections (i.e., 3 trains). Also, note that trains on this route may be crowded with standing room only during peak travel times, and no designated luggage areas are available. The route is as follows:
Narita — Shinjuku
approx. 90 minutes
approx. 90 minutes
Coach bus: The private bus company Airport Limousine provides convenient transfers to Shinjuku station, with stops directly at many area hotels, including Century Southern Tower, Shinjuku Washington Hotel, Keio Plaza Hotel, and Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku. Tickets can be purchased from the Airport Limousine Bus Ticket Counter in the Arrivals Hall immediately after exiting the Customs Inspection area.
Train: The JR Narita Express provides service to JR Shinjuku Station via Tokyo and Shinagawa stations. Tickets, including a special discounted N'Ex Tokyo Round trip ticket available only to international visitors, can be purchased from the JR Ticket desk or from the nearby automatic ticket machines located beneath the airport, accessible via escalators in the Arrivals Hall.
Train: Train service is also provided by the Keisei Electric Railway Company on the rapid Skyliner to Nippori Station and Ueno Station on the Yamanote Line, where transfers for Shinjuku are available. Trains on the Yamamote line may be crowded with standing room only during peak travel times, and no designated luggage areas are available.
From HANEDA
Haneda — Tachikawa
approx. 90 minutes
approx. 90 minutes
Coach bus service is provided from Haneda airport to Tachikawa through a partnership between the Tachikawa Bus Company and the Keikyu Bus Company. Tickets may be purchased from Keikyu ticket machines near the arrivals lobby in each Terminal.
Train: Train service between Haneda Airport and Tachikawa is available using the Tokyo transportation network including rail, subways, and monorails. Travel time is approximately 75 minutes and it costs approximately ¥1000 (one-way). Trains may be crowded with standing room only during peak travel times, and no designated luggage areas are available.
Haneda — Shinjuku
approx. 45 minutes
approx. 45 minutes
Coach bus: The private bus company Airport Limousine provides convenient transfers to Shinjuku station, with stops directly at many area hotels, including Century Southern Tower, Shinjuku Washington Hotel, Keio Plaza Hotel, and Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku. Tickets can be purchased from the Airport Limousine Bus Ticket Counter in the Arrivals Hall immediately after exiting the Customs Inspection area. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes to Shinjuku station.
Train: Train service between Haneda Airport and Shinjuku is available using the Tokyo transportation network including rail, subways, and monorails. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes and it costs ¥540 (one-way). Trains may be crowded with standing room only during peak travel times, and no designated luggage areas are available.