Looking to get from Haneda Airport to Shinjuku quickly and affordably? The monorail is your go-to option! With departures every 5 minutes and an exciting ride that’s a hit with first-time Tokyo travelers, you’ll be in Shinjuku in no time. Plus, it’s cheaper than a taxi!
Make a simple transfer at Hamamatsucho to the JR Yamanote Line, and you’re just 20 minutes away from the heart of Shinjuku. Choose the monorail for a smooth and scenic start to your Tokyo adventure.
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What’s Haneda?
Haneda Airport (羽田空港, Haneda Kūkō) (IATA: HND, ICAO: RJTT) is one of the two primary airports serving the Tokyo metropolis, along with Narita International Airport. It is located in Ōta, Tokyo, and is 14kilometers (9 miles) south of Tokyo Station.
The Airport HND was originally built in 1931 by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service as a naval air base. In 1943, it became an army air base and later an airfield for the US Air Force during World War II. The airport began to be used as a commercial airport in 1951 and became Tokyo’s main airport in 1958 when international flights were moved from Narita Airport. Haneda overtook Narita as Tokyo’s busiest airport in 2010.
Haneda was the fourth busiest airport in Asia and the fifth busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic in 2015. Since 2012, Haneda has been the primary base of Japan’s flag carrier, Japan Airlines (JAL), and All Nippon Airways (ANA), the largest airline in Japan by revenue.
In 2015, a record 50 million passengers used the airport, representing an increase of 20% from 2014. Haneda is also a hub for Air Do, Skymark Airlines, Solaseed Air, and StarFlyer.
In addition, it serves as an alternate gateway to Tokyo and Japan for many international airlines, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air, and Qatar Airways.
Haneda opened a fourth runway (Runway A) in 2010 to help relieve congestion on its other runways and provide more flight slots for domestic and international services. To increase capacity, the airport plans to construct a fifth runway (Runway B) by 2030.
Haneda Airport has 3 passenger terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3. International flights mostly use Haneda’s newer International Terminal, while domestic flights use the older Domestic Terminals 1 and 2. Haneda also has general aviation facilities at both the International and Domestic terminals.
How far Haneda from Shinjuku?
Tokyo Haneda Airport is about 22 kilometers (13 miles) from Shinjuku. It’s one of the oldest airports in Japan.
There are several transport options to get from Haneda Airport to Shinjuku, including by train, bus, and taxi.
The quickest option to get from Haneda Airport to Shinjuku is by train.
The Tokyo Monorail connects Haneda Airport with Hamamatsucho Station, one stop from Tokyo Station on the JR Yamanote Line. From Tokyo Station, it is a short ride on the JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station.
It takes about 30 minutes and costs 610 yen.
There are several ways to get from Haneda Airport to Shinjuku, depending on your budget and preferences. The most popular options are by train or bus.
There are several options for HND to Shinjuku. However, the most popular options are usually the four that most tourists prefer.
- Taxi/Car
- Keikyu Line
- Monorail
- Limousine Bus
a) Taxi/Car:
Time: 20 minutes
Cost: 7,000-12,000 Yen
Taking a taxi is the easiest option among the four most popular options.
It takes about 20 minutes. However, it may take 30 minutes during rush office hours.
At the same time, this 20 minutes journey costs a minimum of 7,000 Japanese Yen.
But, hiring a taxi is the best option to get to Shinjuku. It’s convenient and worry-free to get lost in your destination.
Some of the car or taxi companies offer even better service. The driver waits for the passengers at the airport arrival lobby holding welcome cards.
The taxi driver will drop you from Haneda Airport Terminal to your hotel lobby. In a word, it’s a door-to-door service.
Hiring a taxi between the two locations may cost 7,000 to 12,000 yen, depending on your hotel location.
However, hiring a taxi may sound expensive. However, it’s the best and most convenient option.
The benefit of taking a taxi:
- Convenient
- Easy access
- Safe
- Save time
Tip#
You can book a taxi or car in advance
b) Keikyu Line:
Time: 40 minutes
Cost: 490 Yen
Operation hours: 5:30 -mid-night
There are good train services from the airport to central Tokyo. However, the Keikyu Line is the fastest Public Transportation.
Keikyu Line skips all the small stations. But, on the other hand, it stops Shinagawa, Shinjuku, and Tokyo Station.
If you prefer to go to the Shinjuku from the airport, then taking Keikyu Line is the best.
Take the Keikyu Line from Haneda Airport Terminal 1 or 2 to Shinagawa Station and then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line for four stops to Shinjuku Station. It takes about 40 minutes and costs ¥ 490.
Besides, one of the best things is the Keikyu Line stop is just on the right-hand side of the Arrival Hall. There is a signpost in English and Japanese about the stop.
At the same time, airport staff are very helpful and guide travelers to the doorsteps.
Moreover, compared to taxis and Monorail, the train is much cheaper. But the arrival time by Monorail and Keikyu Line is almost the same.
You can purchase tickets at the Airport station from Train Ticket Vending Machines.
It’s important to note that the train services start early, from 5:30 until midnight. So if you arrive early in the morning, you have two options, staying at the airport till train services start or hiring a taxi.
Benefits of taking the train:
- Cheaper
- Fast
Tip#
c) Monorail:
Time: 51 minutes
Cost: 690 Yen
Operation hours: 5:30- midnight.
Haneda Airport only doesn’t operate the usual trains but also Monorails.
You can take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho Station and then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station. It takes about 30 minutes and costs ¥ 690.
Every Monorail has a connection to Hamamatsucho. It stops at three terminals (Terminal 1, 2, and 3).
Monorails leave the airport every 5 minutes, typically reaching Hamamatsucho in around 10 minutes, although it could take up to 15 minutes during peak times. To get to Shinjuku, you’ll need to transfer to the JR Yamanote Line at Hamamatsucho, which adds another 20 minutes to the journey.
Taking the monorail from Haneda Airport to Shinjuku is a popular and efficient choice, offering its own sense of excitement. It’s a favorite mode of transport for first-time visitors to Tokyo, not just for the thrill but also for being more cost-effective than taking a taxi.
Besides, the ride provides a glimpse of modern Tokyo. So, choosing Monorail to Central Tokyo is fascinating and perfect for families with kids.
However, the monorail operation hours are the same as Keikyu Line. It only operates from 5.30 to midnight.
So, if you arrive early in the morning, you must stay at the airport until the train operates, or taking a taxi to your hotel is the choice.
Benefits of taking Monorail:
- Safe
- Cheap
d) Limousine Bus:
Time:45 minutes
Cost: 1,300 Yen
Operation hours:
The last option for getting to Shinjuku from Haneda is taking the airport Limousine Bus.
It takes about 45 minutes and costs 1,300 Yen.
However, the benefit of taking the Limousine Bus from Haneda Airport International Terminal is huge. You can arrive at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo gate, Hilton Tokyo, Keio Plaza Hotel, or Nishitokyo City Office.
Of course, all these properties are a short walk from Shinjuku Station.
Buses stop at various locations in Tokyo, including hotels. However, the cost varies depending on your drop-off location.
But it may cost 600-2,500 Yen and take 25-90 minutes according to locations and traffic conditions.
Limousine Bus service has a good name for its good operations. Drivers are well-trained.
Besides, they are very professional and experienced.
The buses operate from Haneda Airport from 4:30 until midnight.
However, Limousine Bus is very popular. So, you must book a bus ticket in advance to secure your seat.
In short, the benefit of taking buses is a great chance to see around on the way to your hotel.
In addition, you don’t have to pull your luggage in the crowd. Besides, you wouldn’t have to worry about getting lost on the way to your hotel.
Benefits:
- Good service
- Crowd free
# Tip:
You can book a bus ticket in advance
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Conclusion
The best option to get from Haneda Airport to Shinjuku is to take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho and change to the JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station.
However, it takes about 30 minutes and costs 690 Yen per person.
On the other hand, the second option is to take the Keikyu Line from Haneda Airport (Terminal 1, 2 & 3) to Shinagawa Station and change to the JR Yamanote Line for four stops to Shinjuku Station.
However, it takes about 35 minutes and costs 490 Yen.
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that if your arrival at the airport is early in the morning, there will be no train or bus services. Instead, you have to hire a taxi or car from the airport station to Shinjuku.
Note:
Buy Prepaid Smart Card like Suica or Pasmo Card for a smooth transaction in Tokyo. You can use the card on the bus, trains, and shopping.
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