The Cheapest Time to Fly to Tokyo: Fares by Month from 15 Cities
When are flights to Tokyo cheapest? We tracked round-trip fares month by month from 15 cities worldwide, compared Haneda with Narita, and found how much cherry blossom season and summer add to the price.
Tokyo is one of the world's most popular cities to visit, and flights there are rarely cheap. But depending on when you go and where you fly from, the same trip can cost hundreds of dollars more or less.
We tracked the lowest round-trip fares to Tokyo month by month from 15 cities across Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Australia, and compared Tokyo's two airports. Here's when to go, and where to land.
The cheapest month to fly to Tokyo from 15 cities
The table shows the cheapest month we found for each city, and the lowest round-trip fare that month:
| From | Cheapest month we found | Round trip from |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | November | $181Cheapest |
| Hong Kong | November | $243 |
| Bangkok | December | $340 |
| Singapore | November | $391 |
| Dubai | July | $596 |
| Sydney | February | $604 |
| San Francisco | December | $629 |
| Istanbul | January | $633 |
| London | November | $640 |
| Frankfurt | December | $651 |
| Amsterdam | January | $723 |
| Los Angeles | January | $736 |
| Paris | December | $764 |
| New York | December | $797 |
| Toronto | December | $914 |
How we got these numbers. They are the lowest round-trip fares in the TravelFlow price calendar for trips lasting 7 to 14 days, month by month from November 2026 to October 2027, as recorded on November 6, 2026. These prices come from recent searches by other travelers, so treat them as a guide to price levels, not guaranteed fares.
What do these numbers tell us?
- Cherry blossom season costs extra: fares rose in April from most cities. From San Francisco, April cost $961 against $629 in December, 53% more. From Amsterdam, $1,019 against $723 in January.
- Summer is the priciest time from Europe: from Amsterdam, August started at $1,423, almost double January's fare. From Paris, July started at $1,175, against $764 in December.
- From Asia, Tokyo is a short, cheap hop: from Seoul, round trips started at $181, and from Hong Kong at $243.
- Dubai is the exception: fares from Dubai were cheapest from April to July, at around $600, and highest in November at $811.
Haneda or Narita?
Tokyo has two international airports. We compared the cheapest fare to each from 12 cities, over the same months as above:
| Flying from | Haneda (HND) | Narita (NRT) | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | $640 | $669 | Haneda |
| Frankfurt | $651 | $694 | Haneda |
| Istanbul | $633 | $660 | Haneda |
| Dubai | $596 | $623 | Haneda |
| Sydney | $604 | $624 | Haneda |
| Paris | $766 | $764 | About the same |
| Singapore | $402 | $393 | About the same |
| Hong Kong | $244 | $243 | About the same |
| New York | $808 | $797 | About the same |
| Los Angeles | $785 | $736 | Narita |
| Bangkok | $399 | $340 | Narita |
| Seoul | $271 | $181 | Narita |
Haneda is the better landing spot if the price is similar: it's much closer to central Tokyo, about 15 to 30 minutes by train or monorail. Narita is around an hour away by express train, so add that time and fare when you compare. From Seoul or Bangkok, though, Narita's lower fares can easily outweigh the longer journey.
Find the cheapest month from your city
The calendar shows fares to Tokyo from your nearest city, or pick a city from the buttons above it:
Prices are based on recent searches and may change. You always see the final price on the seller’s website before you pay.
Tokyo's seasons and prices
| Period | Fares in our data | Weather and events |
|---|---|---|
| December to February | Among the cheapest from Europe and North America | Cold, dry and clear; the start of the year is a busy holiday period in Japan |
| March and April | Rise sharply around cherry blossom time | Mild; cherry blossoms usually peak in Tokyo in late March and early April |
| Late April to early May | High | Golden Week, a cluster of national holidays when much of Japan travels |
| June to August | The priciest months from Europe | Rainy season in June and early July, then hot and humid |
| September to November | Mixed; November among the cheapest | Typhoons are possible in September; autumn colors in November |
How to pay less for your Tokyo flight
- Fly between November and January if you can: fares from Europe and North America were usually lowest, and autumn colors and clear winter skies make it a great time to visit.
- Compare Haneda and Narita: search for "Tokyo" rather than one airport, and add the cost of getting into the city before you choose.
- Consider a connection: on long-haul routes, a flight with one stop can be far cheaper than a nonstop one, as we found in direct or connecting flight?
- Avoid the peak months: see how much peak seasons add on other routes in the cheapest months to fly.
- Book early for spring: our guide to when to book flights explains why the cheapest seats go first.
Before you travel
Entry requirements for Japan depend on your nationality. Many travelers can visit without a visa for short stays, while others need one. Check the current rules on the official website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest month to fly to Tokyo?
From Europe and North America, the cheapest months in our data were mostly November to January. From Asia, November and December were cheapest. Dubai was the exception, with its lowest fares in spring and summer.
Is cherry blossom season expensive?
Yes. Fares rose in April from most cities we tracked. From San Francisco, a round trip started at $961 in April against $629 in December, and from Amsterdam at $1,019 against $723 in January.
Should I fly into Haneda or Narita?
Compare both. In our data, Haneda was the cheaper airport from Europe, the Middle East and Australia, while Narita was cheaper from Seoul, Bangkok and Los Angeles. Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo, which saves time and money on arrival.
Is summer a good time to fly to Tokyo?
Not if you're flying from Europe on a budget. July and August were among the priciest months from Paris and Amsterdam. Summer in Tokyo is also hot and humid, and early summer is the rainy season.
Do I need a visa for Japan?
It depends on your nationality. Many travelers can visit Japan without a visa for short stays, while others need one. Check the current rules on the official website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book.
