Journey from the UK
How long is the flight to Japan?
About 14 hours direct from London to Tokyo right now. The straight-line estimate is 12¼ hours, but flights avoid Russian airspace, which adds time. Japan is 9 hours ahead in winter, 8 in summer.
- Under 3 hours
- 3 to 6 hours
- 6 to 10 hours
- 10 hours or more
Flights from London land at Haneda or Narita. Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo.
Getting there
- Tokyo Haneda (HND)10 hours or more
Closest to the city.
- Tokyo Narita (NRT)10 hours or more
About an hour from central Tokyo by train.
- Osaka (KIX)10 hours or more
Usually one stop from the UK.
The journey at a glance
Straight-line estimate for a direct flight from Heathrow. Real flights often take longer.
Getting from the airport
- From Haneda: Monorail or Keikyu train, about 20 to 30 minutes to central Tokyo.
- From Narita: Narita Express or Skyliner, about an hour.
- Airport limousine buses run to major hotels from both airports.
- Get a transport card (Suica or Pasmo) at the airport for trains and shops.
Beating jet lag in Japan
Flying east, you land with a body clock telling you it's the middle of the night. Overnight flights help: try to sleep on board, then get outside in morning daylight and stay up until a normal bedtime. Most people feel normal after two or three days.
Before you go
- Eastbound jet lag is tough. Get morning daylight on arrival.
Stay and do
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