Narita airport is one of two main airports serving Tokyo. At just over 60km east of the city centre, the commute in takes anywhere from 53 minutes by the Narita Express train to well over 90 minutes by bus, and that’s before you factor in getting to your final hotel.
In my opinion, there are two situations where staying near the airport makes real sense.
The first is a late arrival: if your flight lands at 10pm or later, dragging luggage across Tokyo to a hotel you’ll barely see before sleeping isn’t appealing, and a long commute after a long flight is not appealing to many.
The second is an early departure: if you have a 7am flight or earlier, staying near Narita the night before means no 4am taxi from central Tokyo, no stress about the first train, and a much nicer end to your holiday.
All 11 hotels below offer a free shuttle bus to Narita airport. Shuttles typically run on a fixed schedule rather than on demand, so it’s worth asking the hotel for the timetable when you check in.
My Top Tip! These hotels are not the right base for the bulk of your Tokyo trip. They are too far from the areas you’ll want to explore. Use them for one night, two at most, when the logistics of your flight make it worth it. For where to stay in Tokyo itself, my guide to the best areas to stay in Tokyo covers all budgets and neighbourhoods.
More of my Japan guides to plan around your trip
- Family friendly Tokyo hotels — Bigger rooms, great locations and more amenities
- How many days in Osaka — An itinerary for the best things to see in Osaka
- Tokyo 3 day itinerary — A guide to the best sights and hidden gems.
- Kyoto in 2 Days — A guide to everything you will want to do in Kyoto
- Perfect Hakone Loop — What to do and how to get around when you are in Hakone
- Japan Two-Week Itinerary — How to plan a wider route without backtracking.
- Kamakura day trip from Tokyo — One of the most rewarding trips from Tokyo
In a hurry? My quick picks
- Late arrival, don’t want the Tokyo commute: Toyoko Inn Narita Airport Honkan. Reliable, free breakfast, five minutes from the terminal.
- Tightest budget: International Garden Hotel Narita or APA Hotel Keisei Narita Ekimae. Both from ¥8,000 (approx £40).
- Early flight, want a proper sleep: Hotel Nikko Narita. Highest rated on this list, good dining the night before.
- Want proper comfort for one night: Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport. Full resort facilities and a bit of luxury.
Narita airport hotels with free shuttles
Here’s a quick comparison table of the hotels I recommend, with the key details behind each below.
| Hotel | Shuttle time | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyoko Inn Narita Airport Honkan | ~5 min | from ¥9,000 (£45) | Budget, no frills |
| International Garden Hotel Narita | ~15 min | from ¥8,000 (£40) | Quieter setting, good rooms |
| APA Hotel Keisei Narita Ekimae | ~10 min | from ¥8,000 (£40) | Budget, onsen access |
| ANA Crowne Plaza Narita | ~10 min | from ¥12,000 (£60) | Mid-range with pool and spa |
| Hotel Mystays Premier Narita | ~10 min | from ¥10,000 (£50) | Pool, sauna, good facilities |
| Hotel Nikko Narita | ~10 min | from ¥12,000 (£60) | Best dining options |
| Narita Tobu Hotel Airport | ~5 min | from ¥11,000 (£55) | Pool and fitness, close to the airport |
| Richmond Hotel Narita | ~10 min | from ¥12,000 (£60) | Near Narita station |
| Art Hotel Narita | ~15 min | from ¥10,000 (£50) | Hot spring bath |
| Narita Gateway Hotel | ~10 min | from ¥8,500 (£45) | Budget, fitness centre |
| Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport | ~10 min | from ¥27,000 (£140) | Premium, full resort facilities |
Toyoko Inn Narita Airport Honkan
Rating: 8.3 From ¥9,000 (approx £45)
Toyoko Inn is a well-known Japanese business hotel chain, and this Narita branch does exactly what the brand is known for: clean, compact rooms, efficient service, and a free breakfast included. It’s not a hotel you’ll remember for the room, but you won’t need to. The shuttle to the airport takes roughly five minutes.
Pick this if you want the cheapest reliable option and you’re happy with a no-fuss overnight before your flight.
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International Garden Hotel Narita
Rating: 8.5 From ¥8,000 (approx £40)
Good value for what you get. The rooms are larger than you’d expect at this price, which is a bonus if you’ve spent the previous week in compact Tokyo hotel rooms. The landscaped grounds give it a nicer feel than your typical airport hotel. The shuttle to the airport takes around 15 minutes.
Pick this if you want a bit of breathing room and a quieter setting. The 15-minute shuttle is one of the longer ones on this list, so factor that in if you have a very early departure.
APA Hotel Keisei Narita Ekimae
Rating: 8.1 From ¥8,000 (approx £40)
APA is another widely recognised Japanese business hotel chain. This one sits near Keisei Narita Station, which means you have the option of taking the Keisei line into Tokyo if plans change. The stand-out feature is the public bath, a communal onsen-style bath that’s a good way to decompress after a long flight. The shuttle to the airport takes around ten minutes.
Pick this if you want the cheapest option with a hot bath included. One thing worth knowing for first-timers: you wash thoroughly before entering the shared pool. It’s straightforward, just good to know before.
Get prepared for your Japan trip with my first-timer starter kit
- Break down the language barrier: key phrases and tech for an easy first trip
- How to stay connected: the cheapest data and easiest setup
- Avoid currency fees: the best cards for spending and cash
- 25 apps that make your trip easier: the best free downloads
- Save 30 to 90 minutes at the airport: the free Visit Japan Web QR code
- Etiquette do’s and don’ts: what to know on your first visit
ANA Crowne Plaza Narita
Rating: 8.1 From ¥12,000 (approx £60)
A step up in comfort, with a spa, fitness centre, and indoor pool. The shuttle to the airport takes ten minutes. Dining runs from casual to a sit-down restaurant with airport views. Rooms are spacious by Japanese hotel standards.
Pick this if you want mid-range comfort with proper facilities and you’d rather spend a little more to sleep well before a long flight.
Hotel Mystays Premier Narita
Rating: 8.5 From ¥10,000 (approx £50)
One of the better mid-range options on this list. A fitness centre, sauna, and indoor pool make it feel more like a proper hotel stay than a transit stop, and the buffet restaurant is a good option if you want a relaxed dinner. Ten minutes to the airport by shuttle.
Pick this if you want decent facilities at a fair price and you’d like the stay to feel like more than just a bed for the night.
Hotel Nikko Narita
Rating: 8.7 From ¥12,000 (approx £60)
The highest rated hotel on this list. The shuttle serves both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and takes around ten minutes. The dining options are the standout: Japanese, Chinese, and international restaurants on site, plus a convenience store for last-minute snacks or a chance to spend leftover yen. The garden area is a nice touch if you want some fresh air before an early morning.
Pick this if you want the most reliable overall experience and good food matters to you even on a one-night airport stay.
Narita Tobu Hotel Airport
Rating: 8.4 From ¥11,000 (approx £55)
Five minutes from the airport, one of the quickest transfers on this list. Indoor pool, fitness centre, and sauna, plus a restaurant and convenience store on site. The rooms are clean and a good size.
Pick this if you want a short shuttle, solid facilities, and a reliable mid-range stay without paying premium prices.
Richmond Hotel Narita
Rating: 8.7 From ¥12,000 (approx £60)
Richmond sits close to Narita Station, which gives you a bit more flexibility if you want to explore Narita town before heading to the airport. The town has a well-preserved old street called Omotesando, worth a wander if you have a few hours to fill before check-in. The restaurant covers Japanese and Western dishes and the service gets consistently good reviews.
Pick this if you want a hotel with a bit more going on in its surroundings and you’re happy with a ten-minute shuttle to the terminal.
Art Hotel Narita
Rating: 7.3 From ¥10,000 (approx £50)
The main draw here is the hot spring bath, an outdoor onsen that’s a relaxing way to end a trip. It’s 15 minutes from the airport by shuttle, one of the longer transfers on this list. The buffet restaurant covers Japanese and Western options.
Pick this if ending your trip with a proper hot spring soak matters to you and you don’t mind the slightly longer shuttle.
Narita Gateway Hotel
Rating: 7.7 From ¥8,500 (approx £45)
A straightforward budget option with a fitness centre and a shuttle that also runs to nearby shopping areas, useful if you have time to fill before your flight. Ten minutes to the airport.
Pick this if you want to keep costs down and don’t need pool or spa facilities.
Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport
Rating: 7.8 From ¥27,000 (approx £140)
The premium option on this list, and the price gap versus everything else is significant. Landscaped gardens, a spa, fitness centre, indoor pool, and a choice of Japanese, Chinese, and international dining. Multilingual staff, which is useful if this is your first trip to Japan. Ten minutes to the airport by shuttle.
My Top Tip! The shuttle stop isn’t always obvious. At Terminal 1, look for Bus Stop 16. At Terminal 2, it’s Bus Stop 26.
Pick this if you want a proper hotel experience and budget isn’t a concern.
Map of hotels in Tokyo with shuttle to Narita Airport
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FAQs about Narita airport and its terminals
Yes, you can sleep in Narita airport. Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have dedicated rest areas with reclining chairs. Terminal 1 has better facilities, including a 24-hour convenience store. Security staff are tolerant of overnight sleepers. That said, it’s a long night on a chair, and one of the hotels above is a much better option if you have any flexibility on cost.
You don’t need to tip. Tipping is not customary in Japan, the bill is the bill. Attempting to tip can cause genuine awkwardness, so don’t worry about it.
Narita is about 60 km from central Tokyo. By train, it takes 53 minutes on the Narita Express to Tokyo Station, or about 90 minutes by bus.
Haneda is the better airport for most first-time visitors. It’s closer to central Tokyo, the transfer is faster and cheaper, and late arrivals are far less painful. Narita still wins in some cases though, particularly on fare and carrier choice. My full Haneda vs Narita guide covers the comparison and tells you which airport suits your trip.
The highway bus is cheapest, costing around ¥1,000-1,500. It takes longer than the train (90+ minutes) but costs less than half the price of the Narita Express (which is about ¥3,000). Here is a guide to all the best ways to get from Narita airport to Tokyo centre.
If you need to get to Haneda rather than central Tokyo, see my Narita to Haneda transfer guide, which compares all the options.
Final thoughts on Narita airport hotels with a complimentary shuttle bus
These hotels do a specific job well: they take the stress out of awkward flight times and make the morning commute to the terminal as simple as it can be. Every hotel on this list has a free shuttle, so once you’ve checked in, you don’t need to think about logistics until it’s time to leave.
One thing worth being clear about: none of these are hotels I’d recommend for the main part of your Tokyo trip. They’re too far from the areas you’ll want to spend your time. If you’re planning where to base yourself in the city, my guide to the best hotels in Tokyo covers all budgets and neighbourhoods properly.
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