Choosing between Hakone and Lake Kawaguchiko for your first Fuji trip? Compare drive times and private car fares from Narita and Haneda: Hakone Alphard from Haneda ¥50,000 (tax included), Kawaguchiko from ¥55,000 (reference starting fare).
Hakone and Lake Kawaguchiko are both popular hot-spring and Mt. Fuji destinations from Tokyo, but they lie in different prefectures and different directions: Hakone is in Kanagawa, Kawaguchiko in Yamanashi. Neither is in Tokyo proper, and each has its own private-car fare. This guide assumes you go straight from the airport to your inn and compares drive times and fares to help you decide where to stay.
At a glance
One-way, per-vehicle. Drive times are rough off-peak estimates and vary with traffic, holidays and mountain weather. Tolls and parking are included.
| Hakone | Lake Kawaguchiko | |
|---|---|---|
| Prefecture | Kanagawa | Yamanashi |
| Drive from Haneda | 90–120 min | 100–150 min |
| Drive from Narita | 150–180 min | 150–210 min |
| Fare type | Tax included | Narita: tax included; Haneda: reference starting fare |
Fare comparison
| Airport / vehicle | Hakone (tax included) | Kawaguchiko (Narita tax included; Haneda reference, from) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haneda, Alphard (7 seats) | ¥50,000 | from ¥55,000 | about ¥5,000 |
| Haneda, Hiace (10 seats) | ¥55,000 | from ¥60,000 | about ¥5,000 |
| Narita, Alphard (7 seats) | ¥70,000 | ¥70,000 | same price |
| Narita, Hiace (10 seats) | ¥80,000 | ¥80,000 | same price |
- ECO (5 seats): Hakone from Haneda on request and from Narita on request (tax included); Kawaguchiko from Narita on request (tax included), from Haneda no public ECO fare — please contact us.
- Per-vehicle pricing: 6 people in an Alphard from Haneda pay about ¥8,333 each to Hakone and from about ¥9,167 each to Kawaguchiko.
- Late-night surcharge: a flat ¥4,000 for 22:00–06:00.
- Child seats available: up to 3 child safety seats and 2 booster seats per booking.
For route details see Haneda to Hakone, Narita to Hakone, Haneda to Kawaguchiko and Narita to Kawaguchiko.
How to choose
- Landing at Haneda and want the shortest, cheapest drive: Hakone has a slight edge on both.
- Landing at Narita: Hakone is slightly closer, and the ECO, Alphard and Hiace fares are currently the same for both, so choose by what you want to see.
- Must see Fuji from a lakeshore: Kawaguchiko is the most popular of the Fuji Five Lakes, and the lake view is its main draw.
- Want hot-spring inns and varied sights close together: Hakone suits a one- or two-night stay.
- Group of ten: compare the Hiace fares for both destinations in the table above first.
Both destinations need changes by train or bus. Timetables and fares vary by season, so this guide gives no figures; please check the official sources:
- Odakyu Electric Railway: https://www.odakyu.jp/english/
- Hakone Tourist Association: https://www.hakone.or.jp/en/
- Fujikyu: https://www.fujikyu.co.jp/
What to prepare before booking
- Date, arrival flight and expected departure time.
- Inn name and address (a Japanese name or map link helps).
- Number of passengers, pieces of luggage, and whether children are travelling.
For heavy luggage or larger groups, choose by suitcase count: the Alphard seats 7 with 6 suitcases, the Hiace seats 10 with 9.
Book your transfer
Submit your request on the booking page and our team will confirm the vehicle and fare. Haneda–Kawaguchiko fares are reference starting fares; all quotes are subject to confirmation by our staff.
FAQ
- Which is closer and cheaper from the airport, Hakone or Kawaguchiko?
- By our private car: from Haneda the drives are similar (Hakone about 90–120 min, Kawaguchiko about 100–150 min) and the Alphard fare differs by about ¥5,000, with Hakone the lower of the two. From Narita, Hakone is slightly closer (about 150–180 min versus 150–210 min), and the ECO, Alphard and Hiace fares to the two are currently the same. Hakone fares and Narita–Kawaguchiko fares include tax; Haneda–Kawaguchiko fares are reference starting fares. All quotes are subject to confirmation by our staff.
- Is the fare to Hakone or Kawaguchiko the same as within Tokyo?
- No. Neither is in Tokyo proper (Hakone is in Kanagawa, Kawaguchiko in Yamanashi). Each route has its own fare, and the central Tokyo flat fare does not apply.
- Can I visit Hakone and then Kawaguchiko on one trip?
- We do not publish a fare for a transfer between the two or a combined quote. Describe your plan on the booking page and our team will confirm feasibility and price.
- Can the ECO 5-seater go to Hakone or Kawaguchiko?
- Hakone has ECO fares (Haneda on request Narita on request tax included). Kawaguchiko ECO is on request from Narita (tax included); from Haneda there is no public ECO fare, so please contact us.
- Can you provide child seats?
- Yes. Child safety seats and booster seats are available, up to 3 child safety seats and 2 booster seats per booking.