Travelers heading to Haneda Airport should familiarize
themselves with parking and transportation to and from the busiest
airport in Japan. Travelers who know how to navigate the airport will
be able to get to their next destination as quickly and efficiently as
possible.
Parking at the Airport
Tokyo is home to one of the most efficient
and pervasive public transportation systems in the world, so renting a
car there is not always the most efficient idea for navigating around
the city. Nevertheless, travelers interested in driving themselves to
and from Haneda Airport will find four principal parking areas, two
near Terminal 1 and two near Terminal 2. There is also a smaller
parking area near the International Terminal, with flights principally
to Korea and China. However, most likely even the foreign traveler
using Haneda is booking a domestic flight, as Narita Airport handles
the bulk of international travel.
Costs for parking start at 4550 yen (about
$50 US) for the first 24 hours and an additional 80 yen (90 cents) per
hour thereafter. One-day parking coupons are also available in books of
10 for 2000 ($23) yen each.
Car Parks
There are also parking services near the airport that provide
shuttle buses to and from the airport, free of charge. These car parks
charge less for parking than Haneda itself, particularly for
multiple-day parking. Be sure to ask if the parks are friendly to
foreign travelers, as not all car parks will accept cars from travelers
who don't speak Japanese fluently, for legal purposes.
Monorail and Trains
Easily the most effective way to get around
Tokyo, the city's widespread train system includes a connection
straight to Haneda Airport. The JR Yamanote Line connects Tokyo Station
to Hamamatsucho Station, from which travelers can transfer to the Tokyo
Monorail and head straight to Haneda. There is also a transfer path
between the Keihin-Tohoku Line stop at Shinagawa Station and the Keikyu
Airport Line to Haneda.
The JR Yamanote Line path to Hamamatsucho
takes about 16 minutes and costs 470 yen ($5.20) and the Keihin-Tohaku
Line to Shinagawa takes around 19 minutes and costs 400 yen ($4.50)
Limousine Bus
Travelers who are leery of attempting the
fast-paced train system can opt for limousine bus service from Haneda
Airport, which includes a stop at Tokyo Station (a primary train
transfer hub) and about three dozen other major locations in the city
throughout the day. The limousine bus allows travelers to take luggage
on at no additional charge. Fares fluctuate depending on destination.
The trip to Tokyo Station takes about 40 minutes, and costs 900 yen
($10).
Taxis
Taxis are available at all times from Haneda. Although pricier than the
limousine bus or monorail, the cabs can take travelers directly to
their destinations with minimum fuss. Drivers at airports can usually
speak enough English to communicate with foreign travelers.
Parking at and transportation from Haneda Airport offers travelers
multiple options, from the least expensive to the most convenient.
However, Japanese public transportation is known for its punctuality,
and even the least expensive of options is still an incredibly
convenient method to get around the city.