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Tokyo Monorail Guide: How to Get from Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo
For travelers arriving at Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport), the Tokyo Monorail is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to reach central Tokyo. It connects the airport directly with Monorail Hamamatsucho Station, where travelers can transfer smoothly to major destinations such as Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa. In this guide, we cover Tokyo Monorail travel times, routes to popular areas, ticket options, JR Pass coverage, and how to use Suica or PASMO for a smoother arrival in Tokyo.
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What is the Tokyo Monorail?
The Tokyo Monorail is a direct rail link connecting Haneda Airport with Hamamatsucho in central Tokyo, one of the city’s key business and commercial districts. Serving all three airport terminals and a total of 11 stations, it provides a simple first step into Tokyo’s wider transportation network.
The ride itself is also part of the appeal — running along Tokyo Bay for most of the journey, the monorail’s elevated track offers sweeping views of the city skyline and Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba, with planes taking off and landing at Haneda visible in the distance.
Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Station
Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station
Another practical advantage of the Tokyo Monorail is how often it runs. Trains depart every three to five minutes on average from morning until midnight, meaning there’s rarely much of a wait after clearing customs. For first-time visitors in particular, this adds up to a notably low-stress arrival:
- No complicated first transfer: The monorail boards directly from within the terminal building, with no outdoor connections or confusing interchanges before reaching central Tokyo.
- Straightforward onward access: Arriving at Hamamatsucho puts travelers immediately within reach of the JR Lines and Toei Subway Lines, which together cover the most visited parts of the city.
- Frequent service: Short intervals between trains mean there’s no need to time your arrival around a fixed schedule — trains come and go reliably throughout the day.
- Luggage-friendly: The cars are designed with onboard luggage areas in mind, making the journey comfortable even with heavy suitcases in tow.
From Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo by Tokyo Monorail
From Haneda Airport, the Tokyo Monorail reaches Hamamatsucho in as little as 13 minutes on the Haneda Express, or around 17 minutes by local train from Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station. Once at Monorail Hamamatsucho Station, transferring to the JR or Toei Subway Lines opens up easy access to popular destinations like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa — with total travel times varying depending on your onward route from the hub.
*Travel times below are calculated from Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station via the Haneda Express.
How to Get from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho Station
Monorail Hamamatsucho Station is the Tokyo Monorail’s primary gateway into central Tokyo. Every airport terminal connects directly with no transfers required, making it one of the most straightforward arrival options available.
- Route: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station → Monorail Hamamatsucho Station
- Time: about 13 minutes
*Travel time is calculated using the Haneda Express - Fare: ￥520
How to Get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station
@TCVB
From Hamamatsucho to Tokyo Station, both the JR Yamanote Line and the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line run directly to Tokyo Station without an extra transfer.
- Route: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station → Monorail Hamamatsucho Station → JR Hamamatsucho Station → JR Tokyo Station
- Time: about 19 minutes
*Travel time is calculated using the Haneda Express - Fare: ￥720
How to Get from Haneda Airport to Shibuya Station
To reach Shibuya, take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho, then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line for the rest of the journey. For many travelers, this is a straightforward route to one of Tokyo’s best-known areas for shopping, sightseeing, and nightlife.
- Route: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station → Monorail Hamamatsucho Station → JR Hamamatsucho Station → JR Shibuya Station
- Time: about 30 minutes
*Travel time is calculated using the Haneda Express - Fare: ￥780
How to Get from Haneda Airport to Shinjuku Station
@TCVB
Travelers heading to Shinjuku follow much the same approach — take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho, then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line for a direct ride to Shinjuku Station.
- Route: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station → Monorail Hamamatsucho Station → JR Hamamatsucho Station → JR Shinjuku Station
- Time: about 37 minutes
*Travel time is calculated using the Haneda Express - Fare: ￥780
How to Get from Haneda Airport to Asakusa Station
For those heading to the historic Asakusa, the journey starts with the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho. From there, Daimon Station, just a short walk away, provides access to the Toei Asakusa Line for a relatively simple onward trip to Asakusa.
- Route: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station → Monorail Hamamatsucho Station → Toei Subway Daimon Station → Asakusa Station
- Time: about 45 minutes
*Travel time is calculated using the Haneda Express - Fare: ￥740
📒Note on Alternatives:
The Keikyu Line connecting Haneda Airport directly to Shinagawa Station on the JR Yamanote Line is another useful rail option from Haneda Airport to central Tokyo, and sometimes the better choice often depends on your final destination.
Tokyo Monorail tends to suit travelers heading to Hamamatsucho or Ginza — particularly those looking to drop off luggage at our Hamamatsucho-based hotel before exploring — while the Keikyu Line can be a better fit for those heading directly to Shibuya, Shinjuku via Shinagawa or for travelers connecting to the Shinkansen there.
Tokyo Monorail Ticket Guide and Q&A
For first-time riders, the main questions around the Tokyo Monorail usually come down to tickets and payment — where to buy, whether a JR Pass is accepted, and if IC cards like Suica or PASMO work on the line. Fortunately, the answers are straightforward, and the system is easy to navigate even on a first visit.
How do I buy a Tokyo Monorail ticket?
Tickets can be purchased at station ticket machines near the gates. To buy one, select your destination on the screen and pay the fare shown. The machines offer English display options, but credit cards are not accepted.
💡Pro trip: Traveling on a weekend or public holiday? The Monorail and Yamanote Line Discount Ticket (¥590) offers a discounted combined fare covering a one-way journey on both the Tokyo Monorail and the JR Yamanote Line — valid for any stop along the Yamanote Line at a single flat fare. Tickets can be purchased at any Tokyo Monorail station. Full details are available on the official website.
Can I use Suica or PASMO on the Tokyo Monorail?
Yes, Suica, PASMO and other major transportation IC cards such as ICOCA and TOICA are accepted by the Tokyo Monorail. Simply tap your card at the ticket gate, and the fare will be deducted automatically from your balance.
Can I use a JR Pass on the Tokyo Monorail?
Yes, the Tokyo Monorail is covered by several JR Passes, including the JAPAN RAIL PASS, JR EAST PASS, and JR TOKYO Wide Pass, making it one of the non-JR-operated railway lines included in these passes.
Tokyo Monorail is also covered by regional passes such as the Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass which span multiple prefectures.
That said, coverage can vary depending on the specific pass, so it’s always worth double-checking before travel.
Does Tokyo Monorail support tap-to-ride service?
No. As of May 2026, the Tokyo Monorail does not support contactless payment or tap-to-ride service.
Tokyo Monorail Makes Hamamatsucho a Convenient Place to Stay
Hamamatsucho is one of the most convenient arrival points for travelers flying into Tokyo via Haneda Airport. The Tokyo Monorail connects the airport directly to Hamamatsucho, letting visitors step off their flight and reach central Tokyo without dealing with a complicated first transfer. From there, JR and subway lines make it easy to continue on to major areas such as Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa.
That same convenience makes Hamamatsucho as a practical base for your travels. For visitors who wish to simplify their airport transit without compromising access to the rest of the city, this area offers an excellent balance. HOTEL TAVINOS Hamamatsucho is an accommodation that naturally complements such an environment, situated just a 9-minute walk from the terminal Monorail Hamamatsucho Station. Its charm lies in being a comfortable hub within easy reach, allowing you to deposit your luggage and promptly embark on your Tokyo explorations.
Tokyo Monorail
Website: https://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/
HOTEL TAVINOS Hamamatsucho
Access: about 9-minute walk from Monorail Hamamatsucho Station