I hate arriving late-night at airports. You’re tired, you’ve just been through a long flight, and now you have to figure out how to get to your accommodation. So in this guide, I’ll show you all your available options if you’re arriving late-night at Haneda airport.
What Is Considered Late-Night Arrival at Haneda?
Your arrival time on your flight tickets is your plane’s landing time. Which might be completely different than the time you are actually able to exit the airport.
- First, you’ll spend some time deboarding – usually 15 minutes.
- Then comes the walk through the terminal, which at Haneda can be quite a trek – count 10 more minutes.
- Next up is immigration, and how long this takes can be a bit of a wildcard – it really depends on how many other flights have landed at the same time as yours. It can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours, although since the end of COVID I’ve never waited more than 30 minutes.
- Finally if you’ve checked in luggage, you’ll need to wait at the carousel too. If you had a long line at immigration, chances are you luggage is already on the carousel. If not, add 10 to 30 minutes.
- And you’ll have to pass the customs too, but usually this step takes less than a minute.
All these steps can add up quickly, and delay your airport exit time by 45 minutes to 1h30+.
So, if your flight’s scheduled to touch down after 11 PM, you can consider it as a late-night arrival. You’ll be stepping out into the arrivals hall when fewer transportation options are available, and the ones that are still running might be on their last rounds for the day.
In the next sections, we’ll explore the late-night transfer options that are available to you, so even if you do arrive when Haneda is winding down, you’ll have a plan to get to your next stop without too much hassle.
How to Check Your Late-Night Transport Options From Haneda
Before we jump into the core of the article, let me make a slight digression. You probably already know this (and in this case you can skip to the next section) but: Google Maps is your best travel buddy.
Here’s what to do:
- Open Google Maps and enter your hotel’s name in the destination field ;
- Set Haneda Airport as your starting point ;
- You’ll want to set your departure time to 11:30 PM or later to see what options are available around that hour ;
- Hit the ‘Directions’ button.
Like magic, you’ll see a list of possible routes. Google Maps will display train and taxi options, complete with estimated travel times and costs. It’s straightforward and gives you a clear picture of your choices, so you can travel with confidence, even late at night.
But I know you’re not reading this guide for me to tell you to use Google Maps. So below I’ll detail all late-night transfer options from Haneda airport to Tokyo.
Late-night Transfer Options From Haneda:
Please take note that times might change in the future. Always double check with Google Maps or the booking websites before making any decision.
| Mode of Transport | Final Departure | Cost Estimate | Travel Notes | How to Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Monorail | 11:44 PM | ¥500 (3.3 USD) | Ends at Hamamatsuchō; might be tight for connections | Buy a ticket at the airport |
| Keikyū Railway Line | 11:51 PM | ¥300 (2 USD) | Reaches Shinagawa at 00:10; watch out for connection times | Buy a ticket at the airport |
| Standard Airport Limousine Bus | 10:15 PM to 11:40 PM | ¥1,400 (9.5 USD) | Last departure times vary by destination | Available on Klook |
| Midnight Airport Limousine Bus | 00:20 to 2:20 AM | ¥2,400 (16 USD) | Four buses, every forty minutes, stopping at Shinjuku and Ikebukuro | Buy a ticket at the airport |
| Regular Taxi | — | Around ¥10,000 (67 USD) | Fares will will vary depending on your destination | Queue for taxi line at the airport |
| Pre-Booked Private Taxi | — | From about ¥12,000 (80 USD) | Fares will will vary depending on your destination | Cheapest price on Klook |
| Pre-Booked Shared Taxi | — | ¥6,000 (40 USD) per person | You might not be able to choose the exact departure time | Cheapest price on Klook |
Now let’s look in more details each of these options. Then we’ll look at a completely different alternative that you might want to consider.
Trains:
At Haneda Airport, your train options include the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyū Line. Trains in Tokyo are usually the cheapest mode of transports and are famously reliable, but all services actually take a nightly break from around midnight until 5 AM.
The last monorail departs from Haneda Airport’s International Terminal at 11:44 PM, arriving at Hamamatsuchō Station in under 20 minutes. This is a viable option if you have a place to stay nearby, but transferring to the JR Line for further travel might not be possible due to the similar service halts.
Similarly, the Keikyū Line’s last train leaves at 11:51 PM, reaching Shinagawa station at 00:10. Shinagawa is a major station with several train and metro lines so make sure to check the last train time of the specific line you need to use. If you cannot make it in time, you will need to take a taxi to continue your journey (which will be pretty easy to find in Shinagawa, and less expensive than from Haneda).
But to avoid any late-night logistical challenges, you might consider booking a bus or a taxi service in advance. This is what we’ll see below.
Buses:
Standard Airport Limousine Bus
‘Airport Limousine Buses’, despite their name, are standard buses that operate until as late as 11:40 PM for various destinations.
This is my favorite type of airport transfer, and the one I use all the time and recommend when possible. It avoids getting confused with trains and metro transfers, especially when you’re in a rush with a 500kg luggage.
Be careful though, the last bus for Shinjuku departs at 11:40 PM, but some others are much earlier, like the one for Shibuya (10:35 PM), or the one for the Tokyo City Air Terminal (near Nihonbashi, at 10:15 PM). You can check the timetable on the official website.
The ride to central Tokyo takes around 50 minutes, but may vary depending on your destination. Tickets to downtown Tokyo cost ¥1,400 (9.5 USD), and ¥700 (4.5 USD) for kids. Booking online in advance on Klook can streamline your departure from the airport.
Midnight Airport Limousine Bus
For post-midnight travel, the airport has night service running up until 2:20 AM, but only for Shinjuku and Ikebukuro.
At the time of writing, there are four buses, at 00:20, 1:00 AM, 1:40 AM, and 2:20 AM. More may be added in the future, so I advise you to check the timetable on the official website.
You can buy your tickets on-site at the airport for ¥2,400 per person.
Taxis
Regular Taxis
A taxi ride from Haneda is straightforward, with a queue of cabs at the ready. Depending on the timing of your arrival and the number of flights landing simultaneously, the wait could stretch up to 30 minutes.
Although not the most economical choice (¥500 (3.3 USD) for the first kilometer, then around ¥400 (2.6 USD) per kilometer) , taxis are reliable and maintain high service standards. Keep in mind the night rate surcharge of 20% applied from 10 PM to 5 AM.
With a ride around 20-25km long (to central Tokyo) and a 20% surcharge, total price should average ¥10,000 (67 USD).
Pre-booked Private Taxis
Pre-booking a taxi can avoid the waiting time and include a personalized meet-and-greet service, but the prices will be slightly more expensive (usually starting at around ¥12,000 / 80 USD).
Multiple websites offer you book a private taxi airport transfer, but you will find the cheapest rides on Klook.
Pre-booked Shared Taxis
If you’re budget-conscious and travelling alone, consider pre-booking a shared taxi. With rates beginning from approximately ¥6,000 (40 USD) per person, these shared rides are not subject to late-night charges and include a personalized meet-and-greet service.
Please note that departure time might not be as flexible as regular taxis or private taxis due to the shared nature of this service.
Shared taxis can be arranged beforehand through Klook.
Alternative: Staying For The Night in Haneda
I’ve been keeping this alternative for last as it will only suit those who haven’t booked their accommodation yet. If this is your case, after a late arrival at Haneda, you might prefer the convenience of staying close by rather than venturing into Tokyo at night.
Haneda offers practical options that range from on-site capsule hotels to comfortable rooms just a stone’s throw from the airport.
One notable choice for a short but comfortable rest is the First Cabin Haneda, located within Terminal 1. It offers a modern twist on the traditional capsule hotel, providing slightly more spacious accommodations where you can recharge in privacy and comfort. A room will cost you around ¥10,000 (67 USD) for the night.
For those seeking the amenities of a full-service hotel, several establishments in the vicinity cater to late-night arrivals, ensuring that your transition from landing to relaxing is as smooth as possible. Opting for a nearby hotel means you can delay the journey into the city until the morning, potentially avoiding the late-night surcharge on taxis and experiencing the city fresh-faced after a good night’s rest.
Final Words
If you’re arriving late-night at Haneda, most likely you will not be able to get the last trains or buses. If you’ve already booked your accommodation, the only option left will be taxi. If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, you can consider staying at a nearby hotel or try the capsule hotel experience inside Haneda’s airport and cross that off the list on your first night. Whatever you choose, I’d recommend booking in advance for peace of mind!
