Taking the Airport Limousine Bus to/from Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo – All your Questions Answered

Hi there, fellow explorers! For those gearing up for their adventures in Tokyo, Japan, and finding themselves in a mild panic and confusion about the whole Narita International Airport to central Tokyo hustle – this one’s for you.

Now, we’ve all heard the horror stories from jet-setters about the potential wallet massacre and logistical nightmares when you’re a Tokyo newbie. Especially after a long-haul flight, under jet lag, juggling oversized luggage, or shepherding around a squad of little ones. Ringing any bells?

A taxi ride from Narita airport to central Tokyo will set you back 200 USD or more, depending on the time of day. An unnecessarily expensive way to get to Tokyo, and one you don’t want.

Take a deep breath, because the Airport Limousine Bus from Narita airport to central Tokyo is going to save you the energy of trying to figure out Japanese public transport under jet lag in those first hours of landing in Japan, and spare your wallet as well.

Get ready – I will answer all questions you could have regarding the Airport Limousine Bus to/from Narita or Haneda airport here.

By the end of this post, you will be fully informed of the Airport Limousine Bus (ALB), what it does, where it takes you to (anywhere between the 2 airports and central Tokyo), where the bus picks you up and drops you off, how to buy a ticket, how to board it, and other logistical questions concerning using the bus in your travel.

Question 1 : What Is the Airport Limousine Bus (ALB) ?

The Airport Limousine Bus (or ALB) is your easy and convenient ride to and from Narita International Airport, Haneda International Airport, and many key hubs of Tokyo.

In other words, it is your perfect and stress-free way to get from Narita or Haneda airport to central Tokyo, or to return to the airport at the end of your Tokyo adventure.

• Imagine a spacious, white-and-orange bus, with comfortable seat and good legroom.

• Oh, did I mention the amenities on the bus? Free Wi-Fi, charging ports at your seat, and toilet onboard, because we know the struggle is real.

• Securing a seat on the ALB is a breeze. Snag your tickets in advance online, or grab them right at the airport ticket counter (both at Narita and Haneda airports), or any ALB bus stop.

• The buses are like clockwork, zipping across Tokyo’s major train stations and ALB bus stops multiple times per day, all day, every day.

• Adult fare? Very reasonable : 1,300 yen between Haneda airport and Tokyo, and 3,200 yen between Narita airport and Tokyo. With kids under age 12 ride for half of the adult fare.

• What about luggages, you asked? You can bring 2 large-sized checked bags, which will be stored in the bus luggage compartment. A carry-on luggage or small backpack can be brought with you to your seat, and stored on your lap, in front of your feet, or laid on the luggage rack on the bus.

Question 2 : Why Should I Use the Airport Limousine Bus (ALB) ?

1 . Easy and Inexpensive Mode of Transport to and from Tokyo

If you need an easy and wallet-friendly way to get from Narita airport (or Haneda airport) to Tokyo, the ALB is your go-to. The ALB ticket counter is right inside the Arrivals area of the airport, so convenient to walk over, purchase a bus ticket, and get to the nearby bus stop right outside the door.

2 . Many Buses throughout the Day to Catch

Worried about delayed flights causing you to miss the bus?

What about long lines at Airport Customs and Immigrations taking longer than expected?

Or just feel like checking out the airport, getting some errands done, and being fashionably late to the bus stop?

No worries! Airport Limousine Buses (ALB) run every 20-30 minutes throughout the day. Just get on the next one, relax, and let it take you to your chosen destination.

Take your sweet time exploring the airport or savoring a quick bite because, with buses running all day, you’re in the driver’s seat of your schedule.

3 . Several Bus Stops in Tokyo for Pick-up and Drop-off

ALB stops are plenty and strategically sprinkled across Tokyo, including train stations, bus terminals, and, hold your excitement, right in front of many central Tokyo hotels.

Now, here’s the pro-tip to up your convenience game – check out the major hotels in Tokyo which are listed as ALB bus stops on their website. Book a stay, and voilà! A seamless journey awaits as you effortlessly hop on the bus at the airport, and get dropped off at the front door of your hotel in Tokyo. All without breaking a sweat.

4 . Hassle-Free Transport

No more wrestling with hefty suitcases or weaving through people at crowded train stations on your first day in Japan. All while battling jet lag and long flights.

Hand your ticket over to the ALB staff at your bus stop, take your pick of the many seats, and let the driver handle the luggage stowing for you.

The Airport Limousine Bus provides an easy, comfortable, and stress-free ride, allowing you to kick back, unwind, and rest a while until you reach your hotel in Tokyo. It’s the simplest and most convenient transport mode to the city without the first-day-in-Japan chaos.

Question 3 : How Exactly Does the Airport Limousine Bus Help Me in Japan ?

You can use the Airport Limousine for any of these purposes :

• To get from Narita International Airport to your hotel in Tokyo, Japan

• To get from Narita International Airport to a major train station in Tokyo, Japan (such as Shinjuku station, Tokyo Station, Shibuya station, Ginza station, and so on)

• To get from Haneda International Airport to your hotel in Tokyo, Japan

• To get from Haneda International Airport to a major train station in Tokyo, Japan (such as Shinjuku station, Tokyo Station, Shibuya station, Ginza station, and so on)

• To get from your hotel in Tokyo back to Narita International Airport

• To get from your hotel in Tokyo back to Haneda International Airport

Question 4 : Where Can the Airport Limousine Bus Take Me ?

The Airport Limousine Bus (ALB) is your key to get to and from Tokyo with ease. It has many stops covering both Haneda Airport, Narita International Airport, and various areas of Tokyo, including train stations, bus terminals, and even directly in front of many central Tokyo hotels.

This means you can travel conveniently without the hassle of navigating bustling city streets or trains, or worrying about finding your way to your hotel.

Whether you’re heading to major transportation hubs or central Tokyo neighborhoods, the Airport Limousine Bus has you covered. Check their official website for a detailed list of bus stops and plan your ride stress-free!

Question 5 : Where Do I Buy an Airport Limousine Bus Ticket ?

Buying a bus ticket for the Airport Limousine Bus (ALB) is a breeze, and you’ve got multiple options :

• Buying Online : Snag a ticket with a sweet discount by booking online through the official Airport Limousine Bus ticket reservation link here. Convenience at your fingertips!

• At Any ALB Bus Stops : Stop by any bus station listed on the ALB website, be it a train station, bus terminal, or listed hotels from the comprehensive bus stop roster available on their official website. Choices, choices!

• ALB Ticket Machine : Hit up the automatic ticketing machines at Haneda or Narita airport (next to the staffed ALB ticket counter), complete with multiple-language options. Spot them by the prominent “Airport Limousine Bus” label and their snazzy orange hue. Easy-peasy booking in just about 5 minutes!

• Ticket Counter : Prefer the human touch? Head to the ALB Bus Ticket counter (located in the Arrivals area of the airport) for a stress-free purchase experience, where the staff will help advise and book your tickets to your destination for you.

• BONUS PERK ALERT : If you grab your ticket here on the day of travel and plan a return journey, score the Airport Limousine Bus 14-day Return Voucher (Haneda or Narita – Tokyo round trip) for a hefty discount, compared to buying two separate one-way tickets.

• At Any ALB-Bus-Stop Hotel : If you stay at a hotel that is listed as an official ALB bus stop (check the link for their bus stop list above), your hotel staff will gladly help you book a bus ticket. Just make sure to let the hotel staff know 24 hours before your bus ride, or at least 20 minutes ahead of time.

• Buy directly from Your Bus Driver at Your Bus Stop : You can always buy your ticket directly from your bus driver, when the bus arrives. As exact change is required, you can only do this with a cash payment or IC card (Suica, Pasmo, Welcome Suica, Pasmo Passport, Icoca, etc.) payment.

Easy as pie, right?

Question 6 : Where Does the Airport Limousine Bus Make Stops at ?

Whether you’re heading to major transportation hubs or central Tokyo neighborhoods, the Airport Limousine Bus has you covered. Check their official website for a detailed list of bus stops and plan your ride stress-free!

Question 7 : What Time Do Airport Limousine Buses (ALB) Run/Operate Everyday ?

Buses roll in and out like clockwork throughout the day, starting as early as 5 AM, and as late as around midnight every day. Buses run every 15-20 minutes. So you can catch one at any time throughout the day.

Now, here’s the cherry on top – It also means no need for getting ticket ahead of time, and no stressing out about whether your flight is doing the time warp.

What if you pre-booked your bus ticket online, and missed your scheduled bus? No biggie! There’s always another one revving up, so you can chill and savor a stress-free journey. Just go to the ticket counter and ask the staff to help adjust your bus time.

Feel like being fashionably late to the bus stop? Absolutely fine! Take your sweet time exploring the airport, savoring a quick bite, or take restroom breaks, because, with buses aplenty, you’re safe.

Question 8 : My Flight Lands at Narita International Airport. Will I Be Able to Use the Airport Limousine Bus to Get from Narita Airport to my Tokyo Hotel ?

YES. Airport Limousine Buses going from Narita International Airport to Tokyo start running around 7 AM (in the morning), and runs every 15-20 minutes, all day. The last bus of the day is around 11:55 PM (at night).

So if your flight arrives at Narita Airport, and you clear Immigrations and Customs any time between 6 AM to around midnight, you can easily catch the bus to go to Tokyo then. This sounds great, doesn’t it?

If your flight lands outside of the bus’ operation hours, it’s still not the end of the world. You can either take a taxi to Tokyo (expensive!), or book one of the hotels around the airport (much cheaper and more comfortable), get a good night rest, and catch the bus in the morning.

Question 9 : My Flight Lands at Haneda International Airport. Will I Be Able to Use the Airport Limousine Bus to Get from Haneda Airport to my Tokyo Hotel ?

YES. Airport Limousine Buses going from Haneda International Airport to Tokyo start running around 6:45 AM (in the morning), and runs every 10 minutes, all day long The last bus of the day is around 2:20 AM (early in the morning).

So if your flight arrives at Haneda Airport, and you clear Immigrations and Customs any time between 6 AM (morning) to 2 AM (morning), you can easily catch the bus to go to Tokyo then. This sounds great, doesn’t it?

If your flight lands outside of the bus’ operation hours, it’s still not the end of the world. You can either take a taxi to Tokyo (expensive!), or book one of the hotels around the airport (much cheaper and more comfortable), get a good night rest, and catch the bus in the morning.

Question 10 : How Much Does an Airport Limousine Bus Ticket Cost to Go from Narita Airport to Tokyo ?

For an adult ticket, it costs around 3,200 yen to go from Narita International Airport to central Tokyo area.

It also costs the same amount to go in the opposite direction, from Tokyo back to Narita Airport.

For kids (age 6 to 12), a bus ticket costs half of the adult fare, which is 1,600 yen.

Children under age 6 get to ride for free.

Question 11 : How Much Does an Airport Limousine Bus Ticket Cost to Go from Haneda Airport to Tokyo ?

As Haneda Airport is located within Tokyo, and is much closer to central Tokyo (compared to Narita Airport), for an adult ticket, it costs around 1,300 yen to go from Haneda International Airport to central Tokyo area.

It also costs the same amount to go in the opposite direction, from Tokyo back to Haneda Airport.

For kids (age 6 to 12), a bus ticket costs half of the adult fare, which is 650 yen.

Children under age 6 get to ride for free.

Question 12 : How Many Pieces of Luggage are Allowed Per Passenger on the Airport Limousine Bus ?

Great news for those traveling with multiple or heavy luggage! The Airport Limousine Bus allows each passenger to bring 2 pieces of large luggage (large suitcases or checked-bag size) to be stowed in the designated storage area beneath the bus.

The driver and the staff at the bus stop will help you store the large luggage away for you, and take them out for you at your destination bus stop.

Additionally, you can bring 1 piece of carry-on luggage (small purse, backpack, small suitcase) onboard with you. This can be stored in the area in front of your feet, or on the small overhead rack inside the bus.

In the scenario that the bus is not filled with passenger, and that you have more than 2 suitcases, you could try asking very nicely, and the driver might accommodate by putting your third bag in the designated baggage compartment too.

(This might or might not work, and also depends on the situation and the driver, but I know some people have successfully done this before, so you could attempt if you are in a difficult spot with luggage)

Question 13 : Should I Reserve my Airport Limousine Bus Ticket Online Ahead of Time ?

You certain can reserve your bus ticket online in advance.

However, it is not necessary to buy ticket online in advance, unless you are traveling during the peak holiday season (Japan’s Golden Week or Christmas and New Year).

There are plenty of buses running every 10-20 minutes between the airports (Narita or Haneda) and central Tokyo. And the bus itself is spacious and with lots of seats inside, guarantee availability all the time.

Also, if you reserve a specific bus time in advance, you add on the anxiety and worry of flight delays affecting your bus schedule.

And if your flight delays, you still need to make it to the bus counter upon your arrival in order to change your bus time. Same as if you would have to go there to buy a ticket to begin with.

So don’t worry about booking in advance. Save yourself some time and stress, and just wait until you land in Japan to get a bus ticket at the Airport Limousine Bus ticket counter in the Arrivals area of the airport.

Question 14 : Can the Airport Limousine Bus Take Me to Other Places in Tokyo, Other than the Airport ?

Absolutely! The Airport Limousine Bus isn’t just limited to shuttling you to and from Narita or Haneda Airport. The bus will take you to many spots all over central Tokyo.

With an extensive network of stops covering train stations, bus terminals, and central Tokyo hotels, the Airport Limousine Bus allows you to get to and explore Tokyo with convenience and ease.

Whether you’re heading to :

the bus has a well-connected route. Check out their detailed list of bus stops on the Airport Limousine Bus official website, and you’ll find that the Airport Limousine Bus is an inexpensive and convenient mode of transport, ready to take you wherever your Tokyo adventures lead!

Question 15 : Is It Best to Pre-Book a Bus Ticket and Seat Before Arriving in Japan ?

No. There are many buses, and they pick up and drop off passengers at bus stops very often throughout the day, one every 10-20 min, from 6 o’ clock in the morning all the way to midnight.

So just wait until you arrive in Japan, clear Immigrations and Customs, then go to the Arrivals area of the airport.

There, you’ll see the Airport Limousine Bus ticket counter. Buy tickets there, walk right outside for the Airport Limousine bus stop (nearby), and wait to board your bus.

No need to stress about not being able to get on a bus, as there are many buses, and many seats on board. You certainly can pre-book online, but I wouldn’t do that, in case there is delays with flights.

Question 16 : Can I Buy My Airport Limousine Bus Ticket at One of the Hotels on the Official ALB Bus Stop List ?

Yes. Go straight to the hotel reception area, and ask to buy a ALB ticket on the day of your travel (or within 24 hours of the time you want to take the bus), and the staff will help you reserve/purchase one.

Make sure to show up at the bus designated area (in your hotel) 15 minutes before your departure to line up and wait for the bus’ arrival.

Question 17 : Can I Buy an Airport Limousine Bus Ticket at a Hotel on the ALB Bus Stop list, Without Being a Staying Guest at That Hotel ?

Absolutely. Many people do this, actually.

These ALB bust-stop hotels are often larger and upscale hotels, and the hotel price could be on the higher end. Not everyone could afford them, or feel comfortable with the hotel costs.

You can easily book a more inexpensive hotel nearby, and walk to one of these hotels to buy your ticket on the day of your travel.

The hotel staff will help you get the ticket, and you just wait a few minutes in their reception area until the bus arrives to pick you up.

Question 18 : What If I Am Not Able to Buy a Ticket at the Airport Limousine Bus Counter ?

It is highly unlikely, but if for any reason you are not able to buy a ticket at the ALB ticket counter at the airport (the counter was unexpectedly close, no staff around, etc.), don’t stress!

• Look to the Airport Limousine Bus ticket vending machine nearby, and make a purchase there with cash, your IC card (Suica, Pasmo, Welcome Suica, Pasmo Passport, Icoca, etc.) or any debit/credit card. Multiple languages to choose from, making it very easy to buy from the machine.

• You could also purchase a ticket straight from the bus driver when the bus arrives. Payment must be either cash (exact amount) or IC card with this option. No change is available.

Question 19 : How Do I Pay for My Airport Limousine Bus Ticket ? What Are the Accepted Forms of Payment ?

You can use cash, an IC card (Suica, Pasmo, Welcome Suica, Pasmo Passport, Icoca, etc.), or any debit or credit cards to pay for your ticket.

If you choose to purchase a ticket directly from the bus driver, make sure to have cash (exact amount) or an IC card with you. Other forms of payments (such as debit or credit cards) might not be allowed.

Read my “The Best Way to Pay When Traveling Japan: Cash, Credit Card, or IC Card?” post to understand more about the repeatedly-asked-about “cash or card” question, and where you can use them in Japan.

Question 20 : How Do I Figure Out If My Hotel is on the ALB Bus Stop List ?

ALB has all its bus stops listed on their website. If you hotel name is on this list, the bus will stop there to pick up or drop off passsengers.

If your hotel is not on the list, it means the bus will not stop at your hotel.

Question 21 : My Hotel I Booked Turns Out to Not Be in the Airport Limousine Bus Stop List. Can I Still Use the Bus to get to/from Tokyo ?

Yes, you can still use the ALB. Figure out the closest ALB bus stop to your hotel (be it a train station, bus terminal, or another hotel), and take the bus from the airport to that bus stop.

Then walk the rest of the way to you hotel, or grab a taxi at that bus stop to get to your hotel. This is still much cheaper than a taxi from the airport, which costs around 200 – 250 USD one-way.

If you need to be picked up by the ALB bus and go back to the airport, go ahead and walk to the closest bus stop or take a quick taxi ride there, and catch the bus at that bus stop back to the airport.

Question 22 : Which Hotels in Tokyo Does the Airport Limousine Bus Stop at ?

Here is the entire list of all Tokyo hotels which the ALB stops at. As the ALB routes might vary based on seasons and other factors, please check the most updated stops on their website again, close to your day of travel, to make sure nothing changes.

The easiest way to check is to look for your hotel area. Let’s say you plan to stay in the Shinjuku area. You will want to look at all the bus stops for Shinjuku area, and go down the list to see which hotels the bus stops at.

This way ,you can choose to stay at one of those hotels for convenient and easy bus drop-off or pickup, if you wish.

If not, and if those hotels are out of your price range, you can always book a more affordable hotel nearby.

Then get dropped of at the bus stop hotel, and walk or take a short taxi ride to your hotel. Much less expensive than taking a taxi ride all the way from the airport to your hotel (average 200-250 USD). Problem solved, and wallet happy!

Question 23 : What Is the Number 1 Tip Regarding the Airport Limousine Bus ?

The # 1 Tip is : Don’t buy ticket ahead of time. Just wait until you arrive at the airport, and buy your ticket at the ticket counter.

You don’t want to be anxious about whether your flight will be delayed or arrive late, and you missing your bus.

(You can still get the bus time changed, but you’ll need to go to the counter for that. So might as well just go there to buy a bus ticket when you land at the airport.

Question 24 : What Is the Number 2 Tip Regarding the Airport Limousine Bus ?

Check your bus schedule, and check again close to your travel date.

After COVID, the bus companies are still recovering, thus many have temporarily suspended several bus routes and a number of bus stops.

Check ahead to make sure the bus stop you want to get dropped off or picked up at is still operational and active. Also check the time when the bus stops there, to make sure your travel is not disrupted.

Question 25 : I Am Worried that a Specific Bus will be Full if I Don’t Pre-book it Ahead of Time. Should I Wait to Buy upon Arrival, or Book Ahead Online now ?

See Questions 13 and 15 above, which addresses this very same concern.

Question 26 : How Late Does the ALB Bus Run ? I Have a Flight Arriving Late in the Evening. Will I Make the Bus ?

See Questions 8 & 9 above for your answer.

The last ALB bus ride from Narita leaves the airport at around midnight, so if you are at the airport bus stop and ready to get on a ALB bus before midnight, you are good to go.

The last ALB bus ride from Haneda leaves the airport at around 2:20 AM, so if you are ready to catch a bus before 2:20 AM, you are golden!.

Question 27 : How Early/Late Does the Airport Limousine Bus Run ? I Need to Catch It to Go to Back to the Airport.

See Questions 8 & 9 above for the exact answer to your question.

Make sure to check with timetable on the official ALB website for your specific route and time close to your travel day, to ensure that nothing changes close to that day.

Question 28 : How Long Does It Take to Clear Immigrations & Customs and Collect My Luggage at the Airport ? I Am Trying to Estimate How Soon I Could Catch the ALB at the Airport Going to Tokyo.

It could take as fast as 15 min (if you have all your documents and VisitJapan QR codes ready for Immigrations & Customs). Or it could take as long as 2 hours (peak holiday and busy traveling time).

It is hard to tell, as the total time it takes to clear these procedures really depends on multiple factors : how many flights arriving the airport around your arrival time, number of passengers in line, the time of day at the airport, holidays, the number of airport staff at Immigrations, etc.

You can make this process as fast as possible by going online ahead of time and filling out the Immigrations and Customs forms and get your QR codes ready.

That way, when you arrive at Immigrations or Customs, you can bypass the very long paper declaration line (with everyone else in it), and go straight to the QR Code line (much shorter, and super quick), and get yours done fast.

Question 29 : I Am Pondering Whether to Take the Airport Limousine Bus (ALB) or Narita Express Train (N’EX). How Do I Choose ?

The Narita Express (N’EX) train is an excellent bullet train to get from Narita Airport to central Tokyo.

However, it will require you to lug all your luggages from the Airport Arrivals area to the airport train station area, drag them all into the train, and find appropriate space on the train for those bags.

And if there are any train transfers between the airport to your destination, you will need to drag them with you across train stations, and hop onto another train. It’s a lot of work if you have multiple luggages.

With the ALB, you get a ticket at a ALB ticket counter inside the Airport Arrivals area, then walk right outside a nearby door to your bus stop.

At the bus stop, the driver and staff will help load all your luggages into the bus luggage compartment, and take your ticket, guiding you onboard.

There, you get on the bus, find any available seat, and relax until your destination is reached. At that time, the driver will unload your luggage and hand them back to you. And you’re done! Easy peasy, and NO SWEAT.

Do you see why I love the convenience of the ALB?

If you have any questions or just want to share your own travel stories, I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out to me at evelyn@japanoncloudnine.com, and let’s chat.

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