How to Buy Flights and Book Hotels

Tokyo flights: Narita vs Haneda

Tokyo has two main airports: Narita and Haneda. The biggest difference is their distance from central Tokyo.

Narita is farther from central Tokyo, while Haneda is much closer.

Depending on your country, there may be no flights into Haneda. If your country has flights to both Narita and Haneda, it is best to compare the pros and cons before booking.

• Narita is a major hub airport, with many routes across Asia, North America, and more, while flights into Haneda can be more limited.
• From central Tokyo, Haneda is about 30 minutes one way, so it is closer than entering via Narita and usually cheaper for transport.
• If a Narita ticket is about USD 50–100 more expensive than a Haneda ticket, choosing Haneda may be the more reasonable option.

The best way to choose a Tokyo hotel

1) Where should you stay in Tokyo?

In central Tokyo, major areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Ueno, and Ikebukuro sit along the JR Yamanote Line (山手線), which is a loop line. For first-time visitors, staying near a Yamanote Line station is usually the easiest option.

Hotels around the Yamanote Line can be grouped into three main areas:

• Around Shinjuku (Ikebukuro, Harajuku, Shibuya, etc.)
• Around Shinagawa & Tokyo Station (Akihabara, Hamamatsucho, Shimbashi, etc.)
• Around Ueno (Nippori, etc.)

A full loop on the Yamanote Line takes about 1 hour, so it is hard to say one area is always “the best.”

Instead of insisting on Shinjuku just because it is lively, it is more practical to choose a hotel that fits your budget and daily routes.

• For example, if you plan to visit Tokyo Disney, staying near Tokyo Station is convenient because you can reach Maihama Station without transfers.
• Good-value hotels are often concentrated around Ueno Station.

Since Shinjuku is a busy core area, hotel prices there tend to be higher. For the same price, you may find better facilities in other areas, so it is best to compare before booking.

You might worry that staying outside the Yamanote area will be inconvenient, but that is not always true.

Tokyo’s subway map looks complex, but it also means many lines are well connected. If you understand the basic transport system explained in TourCast, you can travel smoothly just by checking routes.

2) Is it better to book multiple hotels?

Unless you want a special stay—such as a Hakone ryokan, Odaiba, or a Tokyo Tower-area hotel for the atmosphere—staying in one hotel is usually more efficient.

Tokyo’s city area is smaller than Seoul, so you can travel comfortably without moving hotels.

If you change hotels, you repeat packing and unpacking, plus check-in and check-out, which can increase travel fatigue.

That said, it can be a good idea to book a “special” hotel or ryokan for 1–2 nights for both value and experience. If your trip is 6 nights or longer, splitting your stay into two areas (for example, 3 nights + 3 nights) can also work well.