When I was buying airline tickets, I usually always check the cheapest fares around. But going to Tokyo, has some things to consider. Greater Tokyo has two airports that serve the metropolis; Haneda airport (HND) situated in Ota, Tokyo, while, Narita Airport (NRT) located in Narita City in Chiba Prefecture. This entry will be helpful for first time visitors who wants to visit Tokyo.
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| credits: Google Maps |
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| Philippine Airlines' flight PR428 bound for Tokyo-Narita |
Distance to city?
In terms of distance, Haneda airport is inside Tokyo area, while Narita is about 70kms from the city. Transport options going to or leaving from Tokyo in both airports, for trains; Tokyo Monorail and Keio Line for Haneda, Skyliner, Keisei Line, and Narita Express for Narita Airport. Buses are relatively cheap but it depends on the destination. Buses going to Narita Airport from Tokyo Station will only you cost 1000 JPY or approximately 446PHP. If you want comfort and ready spend a hefty cash, Taxis is for you. Take note that Taxis has surcharges especially late nights.
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| A Philippine Airline Check-In Counter at Haneda Airport |
How about Airlines going to Tokyo?
Many Philippine and Japanese based airlines had routes in both airports to / from Manila. Legacy airlines such as All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Philippine Airlines serve both airports but Low Cost Carriers (LCC) such as Cebu Pacific and JetStar Japan only serves Narita. Cebu Pacific has more destinations going to Narita Airport such as from Clark (CRK), Cebu (CEB), and Manila (MNL). Philippine Airlines serves the same destinations as Cebu Pacific except for Clark, while ANA and JAL only serves Manila airport.
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| Narita International Airport Terminal 1 for all All Nippon Airways flights |
How about timetable of flights going to Tokyo and returning to Philippines?
Time schedules and frequencies of airlines going to Manila / Tokyo per day varies, but if you are taking a Philippine based airline, flights are usually in the morning and its return flight commence in early afternoon. If you opted to leave Tokyo / Manila late night, Philippine Airlines (HND - MNL) and Japan Airlines (MNL - HND) offers a redeye flight.
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| Airside at Haneda International Terminal (will renamed as Haneda International Airport Terminal 3 starting March 2020) |
What would be the best option in my opinion
The best option would be taking a multi-airport itinerary if you want maximize your stay up to the last minute in Japan. Like arriving in Narita and departing in Haneda or vice versa. I had been to Tokyo twice and I have doing this kind of multi-airport itinerary so that I can enjoy both airports whether I am arriving or departing.
