Haneda Airport (HND), sometimes called Tokyo-Haneda Airport, is consistently regarded as one of the top airports in the world for customer experience, with great service and unique amenities that make navigating it straightforward. Serving just under 80 million annual passengers, it’s also among the world’s five busiest airports. These expert tips will help you make the most of a visit to HND.
Getting to and from HND by public transportation
Public transportation in Tokyo is exceptional, and the airport is well connected to the city center via both monorail and train.
Both the monorail and train stop at HND Terminal 3 and will get you to the main JR train lines in about 13 minutes. The Airport Limited Express train goes to Keikyu Shinagawa Station, while the Haneda Express monorail heads to Hamamatsucho Station. They run on schedules so precise you could set your watch to them.
If you’re headed to Tokyo Station, the monorail gets you a bit closer before you need to switch to a JR train. The whole trip takes about 25 to 35 minutes depending on transfer time, and from there, the rest of the city is your oyster.
Haneda is even more extensively connected to Tokyo and other regions in Japan by bus. The options here can be overwhelming, with buses leaving the airport for literally dozens of destinations, and many different bus stops available onsite. At the airport, bus pick-ups are on the first floor of each terminal.
To get to Tokyo Station, you can grab an airport shuttle bus or one operated by Keikyu. Both stop at this central station, as well as many major hotels in the city center, so you may actually make it straight to your door. I recommend this option for maximum convenience, provided you have no more than two suitcases per person (that’s the limit).
Both of these types of buses are known as ‘limousine buses’, and tickets are available from the bus ticket counter and machines at the airport. Rides typically take between 30 and 60 minutes.
Getting to and from HND by car
Taxis are waiting for you at every terminal, though be warned, they aren’t cheap. They can be a lot less stressful than navigating the train or bus ticket machines if you’re not a Japanese speaker. Sometimes, convenience is worth the price.
You can hop in a cab right at the curb, but I strongly advise using an official taxi stand. They offer flat rates to most places in Tokyo, which keeps the cost from getting out of hand. It won’t make the ride cheap, but it will prevent any nasty surprises on the meter.
Rideshares like Uber are also available but are not necessarily cheaper, and you’ll have to wait for your car to arrive. For first-timers, I’d stick with a taxi. They’re easy to spot and always available.
Wait times at Haneda Airport
Haneda is an efficient airport that handles lines well, though international passengers (both arriving and departing) will need to go through some extra steps that add a bit of time to the wait, like you’d find in any airport. For arrivals, I always complete my immigration paperwork in advance on the Visit Japan website, where I receive a QR code that seriously speeds up the arrivals process. I strongly recommend doing the same.
Both check-in and security lines. They’re a bit of a mystery. Wait times vary depending on the season and time of day. There’s no real rhyme or reason to it, so I always budget for the longer side just to be safe.
When you’re flying out of Japan, you’ll go through customs and immigration after security. It’s usually quick, and arriving two hours before an international flight is almost always enough time. But if you like to relax and not rush, the standard three hours is a good bet.
Dining at HND
You can still have one last memorable Japanese meal at Haneda before heading home. The airport has many restaurants and bars, including quality Japanese offerings from sit-down to fast casual, as well as grab-and-go shops. My favorite is Hitoshinaya in the international departures area of Terminal 2, perfect for passengers heading back to the US. The menu here focuses on Wagyu beef and rice bowls.
For something quick, ANA Festa has high-quality soba and udon noodles near Gates 53 and 60 in Terminal 2. There’s no shortage of Japanese cuisine in the other terminals either, with a total of 17 Japanese restaurants throughout Haneda.
If you’re looking for something different after your time in Japan, rest assured there are plenty of international, fast-food and bar options too. All in all, Haneda has around 90 places to eat and drink, so you won’t go hungry.
Airline lounges at Haneda
Most international flights leave from Terminal 2 or 3, and Terminal 3 is where you’ll find the motherlode of airline lounges. Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Delta Air Lines all have elegant spaces here.
If you have access, the Delta Sky Club is excellent. In addition to one of the most beautiful airline lounge bars in the collection, there’s also a free made-to-order ramen shop, an endless supply of sushi and, often, roving carts offering pop-up specialties. I come earlier than necessary to Haneda just to spend more time here.
I’ve been known to get to the airport unnecessarily early just to spend more time here.
Other lounges at Haneda
For those without airline lounge access, there are an additional 10 lounges throughout the three terminals at Haneda Airport. All of these offer day passes (often for three hours of entry) and several grant free entry to those with qualifying credit cards or membership in programs like Priority Pass.
While I’m personally more of a full-service lounge lifer, I love that Haneda offers a light version for a much smaller fee. The Sky Lounge in Terminal 3 has complimentary soft drinks, comfy seats, and a cash bar for less than you’d pay for a sandwich at the food court.
Pet services at Haneda
Traveling with your furry co-pilot? Haneda doesn’t just have pet relief areas, it has a full-on pet hotel connected to Terminal 2 in the P4 Parking area. While this is more practical for Japanese residents looking for somewhere to board a non-flying pet while traveling, your dog, cat, or other small pet can check in at any terminal and spend your vacation in a variety of room categories with perks like daily runs, grooming or even a first-class suite upgrade.
Laundry and storage services at Haneda
If you’re traveling around Asia long-term and will be coming back through Haneda, you can leave extra luggage in storage *and* get your clothes cleaned. Just drop your laundry at the storage facility, and it will be washed and folded for you when you return (they need at least four days).
Medical services at HND
While I have fortunately never needed to use these, there are medical clinics in each terminal for any walk-in concerns. Haneda even has a dentist in Terminal 1. You’ll also find a drug store in each terminal, with several in Terminal 3.
Wi-Fi at HND and beyond
Of course, there’s free Wi-Fi, this is Haneda we’re talking about. It’s fast and reliable, and you can reconnect as needed.
But here’s my real pro tip: rent a pocket Wi-Fi device for your trip. You can pick one up at the airport when you arrive and drop it off before you leave. It gives you a personal hotspot wherever you go for a daily rate that’s way less than what your cell carrier will charge for international roaming. Trust me on this one.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
