Pregnant travel to Japan: Narita vs Haneda drive times, how Japanese police advise wearing a seatbelt in pregnancy, and arranging a rest stop on the way.
This article covers the ground journey between the airport and your accommodation only and is not medical advice. Please check with your doctor and airline about flying and your health while travelling.
For pregnant travel to Japan, the three things you most want to avoid after landing are standing for long, walking a long way with luggage, and feeling unwell in a car that can't stop. Here is how to plan the ride from the airport to your hotel.
Pregnant travel to Japan: Haneda is the shorter drive
If you can choose your flight, the drive into Tokyo takes about 30–45 minutes from Haneda and 60–90 minutes from Narita, depending on traffic. A shorter ride is less tiring, which makes Haneda worth considering, especially later in pregnancy. For the full comparison see Narita or Haneda: time and fare to the city, and for every route from Haneda see private transfers from Haneda.
One fare covers anywhere in Tokyo: Alphard ¥15,000 from Haneda or ¥22,000 from Narita (per vehicle, tax included). See Haneda to Tokyo and Narita to Tokyo.
Seatbelts: what Japanese police advise
Kanagawa Prefectural Police advise pregnant passengers to:
- Sit well back in the seat, without reclining it too far.
- Wear both the lap belt and the shoulder belt. A lap belt alone can make the upper body fold forward in an accident and press on the abdomen.
- Keep the lap belt below the bump, as low on the hip bones as possible.
- Run the shoulder belt over the shoulder and between the breasts, away from the abdomen and neck.
Everyone is different, so check with your doctor whether wearing a seatbelt is right for you.
A little more room
With a small group, an Alphard (7 seats) lets you have a row to yourself, making it easier to get in and out and shift position. Your luggage travels in the same car, so you don't have to lift it. Mention what you need when booking, and our team will confirm the vehicle and seating.
Need a break on the way? Tell us in advance
Leaving from Narita, or heading further to places like Hakone or Atami, means a longer ride. If you would like to stop on the way to rest, let us know in advance and we will arrange it; our team confirms the stop and timing. See adding a stop to your airport transfer for how it works.
Timing on arrival and departure
- Immigration and baggage reclaim are hard to predict; airport pickups include 90 minutes of free waiting, so there is no need to rush.
- Late arrivals are covered — service runs 24 hours, taking you straight to your accommodation with no last-train dash.
- Your return can be booked too, from your accommodation straight to the airport with no luggage on trains.
Tell us about your pregnancy and what you need, and the vehicle and any stops can be arranged in advance. Send your details on the booking page.
FAQ
- Should I wear a seatbelt while pregnant, and how?
- Japanese police advise pregnant passengers to wear one: use both the lap and shoulder belt, keep the lap belt below the bump and as low on the hips as possible, and run the shoulder belt between the breasts and away from the abdomen. Check with your doctor about your own situation.
- Narita to Tokyo is over an hour. Can we stop for a rest on the way?
- If you would like to stop on the way, let us know in advance and we will arrange it; our team confirms the stop and timing.
- Who do I ask about flying to Japan while pregnant?
- Airline rules for pregnant passengers vary, so check with your doctor and your airline. This article covers ground transport only.
- For pregnant travel to Japan, is Narita or Haneda better?
- The drive into Tokyo takes about 30–45 minutes from Haneda and 60–90 minutes from Narita, depending on traffic. A shorter ride is less tiring, so if you can choose, Haneda is worth considering, especially later in pregnancy.