With the favourable exchange rate, more Singaporeans are going to Japan to shop and experience the rich culture. But not everyone might know there are two airports serving Tokyo  – Haneda and Narita. While both airports serve Tokyo and receive direct flights from Singapore, each airport offers different advantages in terms of location, convenience, and experience. This article will talk about which Tokyo airport is better for travellers flying in from Singapore, based on their itineraries and preferences.

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Narita International Airport (NRT), historically known as New Tokyo International Airport, has served as Tokyo's primary international air gateway since its opening on May 20, 1978. Located in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, approximately 60 kilometres east of central Tokyo, it was built to relieve the heavily congested Haneda Airport.

The airport is located in Chiba Prefecture and is roughly 60 km away from central Tokyo. It handles a large number of long–haul international flights, including many operated by budget airlines and premium carriers. Singapore Airlines, Scoot, ZIPAIR, and ANA operate flights to Narita.

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Routes and airlines

The common carriers flying from Singapore to Narita are Singapore Airlines, Scoot and ZIPAIR. Narita is Japan’s largest airport and often serves as a destination for budget airlines and codeshare routes from partner airlines. Most carriers still prefer it for its availability of long-haul routes globally, although the airport’s focus is shifting to medium-haul routes from All Nippon, Japan Airlines and other airlines. NRT has three terminals, with Terminal 1 being the largest and Terminal 3 being primarily used for low-cost carriers, just like Singapore’s Terminal 4. A free shuttle bus connects the terminals.

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Transportation options to and from NRT

The easiest way to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo is by train, which takes about 60-90 minutes, depending on the type of train you take.

If you intend to take the train, you have these options:

• Keisei Skyliner: The fastest express train to Nippori or Ueno stations in northern Tokyo. Ticket prices to Ueno are around $23 (2,520 yen). The train is based on reserved seating, so buy your tickets online or at the rail ticket counters. Tickets on the Keisei are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

• Narita Express: A fast and comfortable way to get to Tokyo Station. It takes up to 60 minutes to get to Tokyo and tickets start around $28 (3,070 yen) each way. You can use your Japan Rail Pass to take the Narita Express at no extra charge.

If you are going to be travelling in Japan, the Japan Rail Pass offers unlimited travel on most Japan Railways (JR) national trains, including Shinkansen bullet trains (with some exceptions), limited express, rapid, and local trains, as well as some JR buses and ferries, for a fixed period.

For buses, the Airport Limousine Bus connects Narita to major Tokyo hubs like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, Ginza, Akasaka, Ikebukuro, and even specific hotels. International tourists get discounted tickets that start around $17 (1,900 yen) each way. The travel time from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station is about 65 to 70 minutes, although the time might be affected by traffic conditions.

If you are arriving late at Narita Airport, you may have limited access to public transport. The last Narita Express train departs at around 10pm, while the Keisei Skyliner’s last train departs at around 11.20pm. The Airport Limousine Bus operates late into the night, but some buses have late–night fares.

For travellers arriving late, it's advisable to check the latest train schedules and consider alternative transportation options like buses or taxis.

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Haneda Airport (HND), officially known as Tokyo International Airport, holds a significant position as Tokyo's more centrally located airport. It is about 15–30 minutes from the city centre and this proximity means shorter and often less expensive travel times.

The airport has three terminals. Terminal 2 underwent an expansion which was completed in late 2023, and is now serving more international flights, especially premium and business–class routes. Singapore Airlines and ANA fly direct from Singapore to Haneda.

Although Narita has larger flight capacity, Haneda’s more central location and newer infrastructure tend to give travellers a more premium and efficient airport experience. Haneda is also known to get more crowded than Narita during peak hours.

Routes and airlines

Three airlines fly from Singapore to Haneda Airport – Singapore Airlines, ANA and Japan Airlines. Business travellers tend to prefer flying Singapore Airlines to Haneda Airport because of its proximity to the financial district in Tokyo.

In 2020, the Japanese government introduced more international flight slots to Haneda in preparation for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. This trend has continued as most full–service carriers currently use Haneda Airport for their flagship flights.

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Transportation options to and from Haneda Airport

Haneda is accessible to key Tokyo neighbourhoods such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza. The fastest way is by train.

Tokyo Monorail

The Tokyo Monorail has three types of trains, differentiated by how quickly you want to get to Tokyo from the airport. The travel time ranges from 13 to 17 minutes: 

• The Haneda Express is the fastest and travels directly from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho Station. It costs $4.50 (490 yen).

• The Rapid Train service costs $5 (540 yen) and stops at major stations, including Hamamatsucho, Tennozu Isle, Oi Keibajou Mae, and the Haneda Airport terminals.

• The Local Train stops at all stations on the Monorail route, including the Haneda Airport terminals and other stations along the way.

All Tokyo Monorail trains accept the Japan Rail pass.

Keikyu Line

The Keikyu Line is the other train option. It costs $3 (330 yen) and it takes just 20 minutes to reach Shinagawa Station. There are also Airport Limited Express trains that run a few times daily. These trains have fewer stops and can get you to Shinagawa within 11 minutes.

The Keikyu trains do not accept the JR Pass. 

Compared to Narita, Haneda is easier for travellers to get in and out of at odd hours due to its closer proximity to central Tokyo and more comprehensive transportation options operating outside of daytime hours. This is a big plus for Singaporeans arriving on red–eye flights.

The airport lounges in Haneda are generally seen as more modern, particularly in its newer international Terminal 3. The lounges tend to feel more integrated and accessible due to the airport's more compact layout.

In Narita, which used to be the primary international hub, there is a wider variety of lounges spread across its three terminals. While some are excellent, the overall experience can feel more spread out, and navigating between terminals to access specific lounges might be less convenient.

In Haneda, the ANA Suite Lounge is available for Star Alliance Gold members and boasts a panoramic view of the runway. In Narita, there is a I.A.S.S Superior Lounge in Terminal 1 and 2 for Priority Pass holders.

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Here are the use cases to help you decide between flying to Narita or Haneda:

Also consider the length of your trip – if you are going to Japan for a short getaway, it is better to fly in via Haneda. If you are planning a multi-city tour, Narita would be more economical and convenient.

Due to its size, Narita is better known for its larger and more diverse shopping areas, particularly in Terminals 1 and 2. You will find a variety of duty-free shops, brand boutiques, electronics stores, souvenir shops, bookstores, and more.

Haneda is compact and has more streamlined passenger flow. It is known for its quicker immigration procedures compared to Narita due to its more recent infrastructure, efficient processing, and potentially fewer simultaneous large international flight arrivals compared to Narita.

Overall, business and first-class travellers may favour Haneda for speed and convenience, while budget travellers might lean towards Narita because of lower flight prices and a wider variety of flight choices.

How to maximise your rewards

Before you fly to Japan, check out these credit cards to maximise your rewards:

• The Trust Cashback Card offers a 1% cashback on overseas spending. The card also has no foreign transaction fees. 

• The Citi Cash Back Card gives you 6% cashback at restaurants and cafes worldwide, and up to $1 million complimentary travel insurance when you charge your travel tickets.

• The HSBC Advance Card has up to 3.5% cashback on eligible spends, and up to S$500,000 complimentary travel insurance for you and your family

• The CIMB Visa Infinite Card has an unlimited 2% cashback on travel, overseas spend and online spends in foreign currencies. It also gives you 3x complimentary airport lounge visits per annum.

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