Getting from Japan's airports into the city: Narita, Haneda and Kansai compared

First, choose by the area you're staying in, not by speed. The fastest train may drop you at a station that still needs two more changes, while a slower bus may stop at your hotel door. Compare door-to-door time, not time on rails.

Second, group size changes the answer. Alone or as a pair, the train usually wins. Four or more with large suitcases, and an airport bus or a fixed-fare car is often cheaper per head and spares you the stairs.

Third, arrival time matters more than people expect. Several airport express services stop fairly early at night. If your flight lands late, check that a service still runs — otherwise only taxis remain, at a much higher price.

Narita is not in Tokyo; it is in Chiba Prefecture to the east. That makes it the airport where the difference between methods is largest of the three.

There are three main options: the Keisei Skyliner express into the east side of the city at Nippori and Keisei-Ueno; the JR Narita Express (N'EX) into Tokyo Station and onward to Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku; and the Airport Limousine bus, which stops at many large hotels.

The simple rule: staying east (Ueno, Asakusa) — look at the Skyliner first. Staying west (Shinjuku, Shibuya) — look at N'EX first. Lots of luggage or a group — look at the bus first. There is also an ordinary Keisei local train, slower but much cheaper, which suits anyone not in a hurry and travelling light.

Haneda sits inside Tokyo to the south, which automatically makes almost every method cheaper and faster than from Narita. If you can choose your flight and the fares are similar, landing at Haneda usually works out better once you count the transfer both ways.

The two main routes are the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho, changing to the Yamanote Line, and the Keikyu line straight into Shinagawa — itself a Yamanote and Shinkansen station. Both are ordinary trains with no seat reservation needed.

The catch at Haneda is the overnight flights. The terminal is open, but the trains do not run all night. Arriving or leaving at 2 or 3am, check the timetable and consider a night bus or a night near the airport.

Kansai Airport is built on an artificial island offshore, connected by a bridge. Whatever method you use, there is a fixed distance you cannot shortcut — always allow more time to get there than a maps app suggests.

The main options are the JR express into Osaka, which continues to Kyoto; the Nankai line straight into the Namba district, ideal if you're staying around Namba–Shinsaibashi; and airport buses serving several districts including Umeda.

If Kyoto is your destination, there is an express that runs from the airport to Kyoto without a change, which usually beats going into Osaka and connecting. Check current times and fares on JR West's site before you travel.

First, an IC card (Suica or PASMO in the east, ICOCA in Kansai). They now work across regions almost everywhere, and many travellers run them from a phone rather than a physical card. Having one makes everything simpler.

Second, some express services need a seat reservation, and seats really do sell out at peak times. Arriving on a Friday evening or during a long weekend, have a fallback.

Third, station lockers fill up in the tourist seasons. If your day-one plan is to stash bags and head straight out, check whether your hotel will hold them before check-in — safer.

Fourth, with a very early departure, compare the cost of a last night near the airport against a 4am taxi. Sometimes moving hotel for one night is both cheaper and gets you more sleep.