How I Arrive Downtown Smoothly from Haneda Airport After the Last Train Using NearMe: A Cheap Airport Taxi Service – Usage Guide, Safety Tips, and My Experience
I tried using NearMe to conquer Haneda Airport’s late-night flights!
Have you ever wondered how to get home from Haneda Airport late at night? Especially when you’ve missed the last train, taxis are expensive, and bus or train options are limited. In such situations, the budget-friendly shared taxi service “NearMe” comes in handy. In this article, I’ll explain in detail how to use NearMe, precautions to take, and safety considerations based on my actual experience using it to get home from Haneda Airport to my place in central Tokyo.
What is NearMe?
NearMe is a shared taxi service operating in specific areas such as the Kanto and Kansai regions. By making a reservation in advance, you can share a ride with other users and travel comfortably to your destination at a reduced cost. It’s particularly valuable during late night or early morning hours when public transportation is unavailable.
For example, a late-night ride from Haneda Airport to an address in central Tokyo costs just 1,980 yen (when using a discount). Being able to travel for less than 2,000 yen on a route that would easily exceed 10,000 yen with a regular taxi is incredibly appealing.
Reservation Process
First, register as a member through the app or service page
I recently used NearMe when I had an international flight arriving at Haneda Airport at 11:30 PM. Since this was after the last train had departed, I made a NearMe reservation in advance. The reservation process was very simple—I just used the smartphone app to enter my desired time and destination.
Making a NearMe reservation is straightforward. First, download the app and register as a member. Next, enter your departure and destination points, and select the date and time of use. After confirming the displayed fare, complete the payment to finish your provisional reservation. Note that at this point, your reservation is not yet confirmed as availability depends on the route’s capacity. You’ll need to wait about a day for confirmation. If all goes well, you’ll receive a confirmation notice within 24 hours (be aware that making reservations at the last minute reduces the success rate).
You’ll receive an email when your provisional reservation is complete
Then you’ll receive a confirmation notice about 24 hours later
At the reservation confirmation stage, only approximate departure and estimated arrival times are provided. Note that detailed times aren’t confirmed until the day before your ride, so keep this in mind.
The day before your ride, you’ll receive detailed meeting time information and instructions
Home Within an Hour After a Late-Night Flight
On the day of your ride, head to the designated meeting point at Haneda Airport at the specified time. In my case, I went to the taxi drop-off area just outside the 1st floor of Terminal 3. The location was a bit confusing, but there was no issue following the directions sent to me in advance. After arriving, I met the driver and got into the car. Note that one large suitcase per person can be transported free of charge.
You’ll receive a notification when the driver arrives at the meeting point. Meet with the driver and complete the boarding process.
After that, we zipped through the late-night roads and arrived at my home in no time. I was able to get home within about an hour after my plane landed at Haneda. This was significantly faster than taking the train normally would be, which was a physical relief as well. After boarding, we dropped off other passengers one by one on the way to my home in central Tokyo, but the roads were clear and the journey was smooth.
Important Notes
While NearMe is very convenient, I discovered several things to be aware of after actually using it, which I’d like to share.
Service May Not Be Available for Some Locations or Times
Since NearMe operates within specific areas, service may not be available at your desired time depending on your destination or departure point. It’s important to check this in advance.
Early Reservations Have a Higher Success Rate
I recommend making NearMe reservations well in advance. Last-minute reservations may not be successful if your desired service is already fully booked. I once tried making a reservation two days before my trip but unfortunately received a notification that my reservation could not be confirmed.
You’ll receive a rejection email if your reservation cannot be confirmed
Meeting Points Can Be Slightly Confusing
Although you’ll receive detailed instructions in advance, the meeting points might be a bit difficult to find for those unfamiliar with them. To avoid rushing at the last minute, it’s reassuring to check the location on the app beforehand.
Risk of Missing Your NearMe Ride if Your Flight is Delayed
If your flight is delayed, you might miss your NearMe ride. While it’s necessary to set your departure time with plenty of buffer, you should also be aware that in the worst-case scenario of unexpected circumstances, you might not be able to use your NearMe reservation at all.
Privacy Concerns Depending on Boarding and Alighting Order
Since this is a shared taxi, you’ll be riding with other passengers. Depending on the order of boarding and alighting, you might end up revealing your home address to other passengers, which could raise privacy concerns. If you’re worried about this, I recommend specifying a boarding or alighting point slightly away from your home.
Use a NearMe Referral Code!
First-time NearMe users can receive a discount by using a referral code. Please enter the following code in the form when registering your account!
Referral Code: kra5pq
Conclusion
NearMe is an extremely convenient option for comfortably getting home from the airport late at night. As long as you keep in mind the important points about making reservations in advance, confirming meeting locations, and preparing for flight delays, you can use the service with peace of mind. The next time you plan a trip where you might miss the last train, consider using NearMe.
