When heading to Haneda Airport for a business trip or vacation, you probably want a smooth way to travel if you have a lot of luggage or are bringing children.

Trains can involve annoying transfers, and limousine buses don’t always run at convenient times.

Now, a new mode of transportation is drawing attention: “NearMe,” an airport transfer shuttle that takes you door-to-door from your home—or any location you choose—all the way to Haneda Airport.

In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at what makes NearMe appealing and how to use it.

The hassles of getting to the airport

When heading to Haneda Airport from home, there are various transportation options available—trains, limousine buses, taxis, and more—but you may have run into the following frustrations.

Transfers are a hassle

When using public transportation such as trains to get to Haneda Airport, you often need to transfer. This means moving between platforms or different lines, using stairs, escalators, or elevators, which can be a major source of stress during crowded times.

Traveling with heavy luggage is exhausting

When traveling for leisure or business, moving around with a large suitcase or multiple bags is exhausting. On buses and trains, the space for storing luggage is limited, which can make traveling with baggage difficult.

Wanting to make the most of travel time

Many business travelers want to make good use of even a short commute—checking email or getting a bit of work done.

But when using public transportation, crowding, noise, and transfers can make it hard to use this time effectively.

The new transportation option drawing attention: NearMe

NearMe is a door-to-door taxi service offered by NearMe, Inc.

Because you share a large taxi that seats up to nine passengers with other riders, the fare is kept low.

Reservations must be made by 6:00 PM the day before travel, but same-day bookings may be possible if seats are available. Children ride at half the adult fare.

Features of NearMe

The main features of NearMe are as follows:

• More affordable than a regular taxi
• Pickup from any location you choose
• Earn miles with online payment

Let’s look at each in more detail.

More affordable than a regular taxi

The appeal is that you can use the service at a more reasonable price than a regular taxi. Fares are also fixed, which makes it easier to budget for your entire trip.

Since larger vehicles such as vans are arranged, even when riding with other passengers, you can travel comfortably in a spacious cabin.

Pickup from any location you choose

With NearMe, you can be picked up from wherever you like—your home, a hotel, and so on. Since it’s door-to-door, you’re freed from the hassle of carrying heavy luggage around.

Online payment available & earn miles too

On the day of your ride, payment is charged to the credit card you registered at the time of booking, so there’s no need to pay when you get off. That means you can get on and off smoothly, without any fuss, even when you’re in a hurry. You can also earn miles with ANA, JAL, and StarFlyer.

NearMe pricing

Fares vary by area. Below is an excerpt of the fare table.

The first suitcase is free; from the second suitcase onward, an additional fee of ¥1,000 per bag applies.

Traveling to Haneda Airport

Pickup/Drop-off Area	Adult
Ota, Shinagawa	from ¥1,980/person
Chiyoda	from ¥2,480/person
Koto, Shibuya, Chuo, Minato, Meguro, Setagaya, Bunkyo, Taito, Edogawa, Shinjuku, Sumida	from ¥2,980/person
Arakawa, Nakano	from ¥3,480/person
Suginami, Toshima, Katsushika, Adachi, Kita, Itabashi	from ¥3,980/person
Nerima, Mitaka, Musashino, Chofu	from ¥4,980/person
Nishitokyo	from ¥6,980/person
Kawasaki, Kanagawa (Kawasaki Ward, Nakahara Ward, Saiwai Ward)	from ¥2,980/person
Urayasu, Ichikawa, Chiba	from ¥2,980/person
Funabashi, Chiba	from ¥4,980/person

As an example, here’s a comparison of fares and travel times for other modes of transportation when heading to Haneda Airport from Shinjuku Station.

	Train	Limousine Bus	NearMe	Taxi
Fare	¥535 (IC card)	¥1,250	from ¥2,980/person	from approx. ¥7,300
Travel time	approx. 45 min	approx. 60 min	approx. 45 min	approx. 30 min
Can check large luggage	×	×	○	○
Door-to-door	×	×	○	○
Travel at a time of your choosing	△	×	○	○
No need to worry about other passengers	×	×	×	○

Fares vary depending on the number of passengers booked, the route, the area, and other conditions. For details, please try the simulation on the official website.

For fare details for other airports, please check the link below.

https://guide.nearme.jp/1b8a13e3-c670-4086-84d0-f01ad49587c1

How to book NearMe

NearMe is a fully reservation-based service, and bookings can be made up until 6:00 PM the day before your ride.

For Haneda Airport routes, same-day bookings are also accepted if seats are available.

Enter the following information via the official website or app:

• Destination
• Pickup location (choose any location you like)
• Date of travel
• Arrival time or flight name
• Number of passengers
• Number of bags

After submitting your booking request, you’ll find out whether it’s confirmed within 24 hours.

Once your reservation is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with details such as the pickup location, vehicle information (license plate details and a photo of the vehicle model), and pickup time.

Please note that cancellations are free up until 48 hours before your ride; a 30% fee applies within 24 hours, and the full fare applies after that.

*If the flight is cancelled or delayed due to the airline, the cancellation fee will be refunded.

Summary

In addition to trains, limousine buses, cars, and taxis, there’s now a new way to get to Haneda Airport: the shared taxi service “NearMe.”

You can be picked up whenever and wherever suits your schedule, whether early morning or late at night, with no hassle of transfers or hauling luggage around.

Since you can ride in larger vehicles like the Hiace or Alphard, it’s a comfortable option for families or group travel, or even when you have large bags for an extended business trip.

And compared to a taxi—the other door-to-door option—it’s remarkably affordable. You can book easily with just your smartphone, so why not give it a try?