Should I take a taxi from the airport?

Only if you're arriving late at night (after 11 PM when trains stop), have extremely heavy luggage, or your company is paying. Taxis are reliable but expensive — expect ¥20,000+ from Narita, ¥6,000+ from Haneda.

Do I need to reserve train seats in advance?

Not required, but recommended for Narita Express if you have large luggage or want to guarantee a seat during busy periods. Haneda trains don't have reservations — they're frequent enough that you'll get on the next one.

What if my flight is delayed and I miss the last train?

Last trains from both airports leave around 11 PM. If you miss them, take the airport limousine bus (runs until midnight) or bite the bullet on a taxi. Many business hotels offer airport shuttle services — check when booking.

Can I use my foreign credit card on trains?

IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) can be loaded with foreign cards at newer machines, but not all stations have them. Cash is still king for transportation. Load ¥2,000-3,000 on an IC card for local trains after your airport journey.

How to Get from Tokyo Airport to Your Hotel Efficiently on a Business Trip

Skip the taxi queue and take the Airport Express trains — Narita Express from Narita (¥3,070, 60 minutes to central Tokyo) or Keikyu Airport Express from Haneda (¥300, 30 minutes). Book a reserved seat if you have luggage and need to work during the ride.

Check which Tokyo airport you're flying into. Narita (NRT) is 60km east of Tokyo, mainly international flights. Haneda (HND) is 20km south, closer to the city center. Your boarding pass and booking confirmation will show the airport code.
From Narita: Take the Narita Express (N'EX). Follow signs to 'JR Narita Express' in the terminal. Buy tickets at the JR East counter or machines (¥3,070 to Tokyo Station, ¥3,250 to Shinjuku). Trains run every 30-60 minutes. Reserve a seat if you have large luggage.
From Haneda: Take Keikyu Airport Express. Follow signs to 'Keikyu Line' from any terminal. Buy tickets at machines (¥300 to Shinagawa, ¥330 to Shimbashi). Trains run every 10 minutes during peak hours. No reservations needed.
Alternative from Haneda: Tokyo Monorail. Take the monorail to Hamamatsucho Station (¥500, 20 minutes), then transfer to JR Yamanote Line. Good option if your hotel is near Yamanote Line stations like Shibuya or Ikebukuro.
Get cash before leaving the airport. Use 7-Eleven ATMs in the arrival hall — they accept foreign cards. Taxis and some trains still require cash. Withdraw ¥10,000-20,000 for your first day.
Navigate to your final destination. Download Google Translate with camera function and Hyperdia app for train schedules. Most hotel business cards have the address in Japanese — keep this handy for taxi drivers if needed.

Should I take a taxi from the airport?: Only if you're arriving late at night (after 11 PM when trains stop), have extremely heavy luggage, or your company is paying. Taxis are reliable but expensive — expect ¥20,000+ from Narita, ¥6,000+ from Haneda.
Do I need to reserve train seats in advance?: Not required, but recommended for Narita Express if you have large luggage or want to guarantee a seat during busy periods. Haneda trains don't have reservations — they're frequent enough that you'll get on the next one.
What if my flight is delayed and I miss the last train?: Last trains from both airports leave around 11 PM. If you miss them, take the airport limousine bus (runs until midnight) or bite the bullet on a taxi. Many business hotels offer airport shuttle services — check when booking.
Can I use my foreign credit card on trains?: IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) can be loaded with foreign cards at newer machines, but not all stations have them. Cash is still king for transportation. Load ¥2,000-3,000 on an IC card for local trains after your airport journey.