Narita airport access guide. Narita airport to Tokyo deal guide

Narita (NRT)
2014.06.25
Narita express
Narita Express is one of the train which runs between Narita airport and Tokyo.

Narita Airport is one of two international airports in Tokyo. You may arrive in this airport from your country. There are many ways to get downtown Tokyo by the train and the bus.

If you use JR Pass, JR East Pass and other JR deals right after you arrive in Narita, you may use it to get Tokyo. But some of you do not intend to use the pass right after the arrival. Or you may stay in Tokyo only and are looking for the deal which covers Narita airport to/from Tokyo only.

In this post, I will show you the access route between Narita airport and Tokyo. I will also explain you about the deal and the discount fare, and the budget type bus services.

Overview

Narita airport access map
Click to view large

Narita Airport is sometimes called New Tokyo International Airport. But this airport is not located in Tokyo. It is located at Chiba prefecture and it is about 1 hour away from most part of downtown Tokyo.

As you saw the train route map above, JR and Keisei Railway connect Narita Airport and downtown Tokyo. I will explain what kind of trains are operated by JR and Keisei Railway. And there are many bus lines available too. I will tell you the bus service later in this post too.

First of all, I would like to explain you about Narita airport stations.

Narita airport arrival level and the stations

Narita airport
Arrival gate at Terminal 2

There are three airport terminal buildings in Narita airport, Terminal 1, 2 and 3. The trains stations are located underground of Terminal 1 and 2. These are called Narita Airport Terminal 1 station and Narita Airport Terminal 2 station. If you depart/arrive in Terminal 3, you have to walk from Terminal 2 station. It takes 15 minutes from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3.

It is quite easy to get the stations from the terminal. You can find the signage which says “Railway” at the arrival level very easily. You can go down by the escalators to get the stations quickly.

Narita airport
You can find this signage easily.

Both JR and Keisei Railway use same stations at both terminals. There are the ticket windows for the foreign tourists. But in these days, Japan has been very popular destination and the ticket window is very busy. You may find some more information at JR East and Keisei Railway official sites:

JR East Travel Service Center (Narita)
Keisei Railway Information Center

If you exchange the rail pass, please expect to spend at least 20 minutes. In my experience, 20 minutes is minimum. You may spend more. I have spent 45 minutes before to exchange the pass and book the train seats. Please do not make a tight travel plan.

Narita JR East
JR East Travel Center is the exchange place of JR Pass, JR East Pass. You may pick up online reservation ticket.
narita airport terminal 2 station
Narita Airport Terminal 2 station ticket gate. Keisei railway (left) and JR (right)

If you take a bus, you can find the bus ticket counter at the arrival level.

Narita limousine
Limousine bus ticket counter

It is located near the gate after the custom. You can find it easily.

I recorded the movie from the arrival of the flight to the station in the terminal 2 of Narita Airport. Please find the movie below to find the route more clearly:

JR trains

JR train lines are shown by the green line in the map above. If you go to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yokohama, JR line is better choice. There are two kinds of trains running from/to Narita airport by JR. These are Narita Express and Yokosuka-Sobu line rapid train. Both trains are covered by JR Pass, JR East Pass Nagano Niigata, JR East Pass Tohoku, Tokyo Wide Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass.

Narita Express

Narita Express is JR limited express train. It connects Narita airport, Tokyo, Shinagawa, Yokohama, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ikebukuro. Some trains go to Omiya, Takao and Ofuna. Please see the link below to find more information about Narita Express:

Narita Express, JR's express train service between Narita airport and Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shinagawa, Yokohama
Narita Express connects Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinjuku, Yokohama and many stations in these areas. This post will tell you about Narita Express.
jprail.com
2011.03.20

By the way, if you have a plan to go to Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka from Narita airport, you can take Narita Express to get Shinagawa. And you can catch the Shinkansen at Shinagawa. You can change Narita Express and the Shinkansen train at Tokyo too. But Shinagawa is easier.

Please find how to change the trains in Shinagawa station in the movie below:

Recommended deal – N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket

This is the round trip deal between Narita airport and Tokyo, surrounding area by Narita Express and the ordinary train. This round trip deal, “N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket” is sold at 4000 yen. It is valid for 14 days. You may change the trains as many as you want in the designated area and go anywhere in coverage area, such as JR stations in downtown Tokyo, Yokohama, Omiya, Kamakura, Maihama (Tokyo Disneyland) and many more places.

You can find the coverage map and more information about this deal in the link below:

N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket, JR East official site.

Unfortunately there is no one way deals available.

Yokosuka-Sobu line rapid train

This rapid train was called “Rapid Airport Narita”. This train runs on same route as Narita Express between Narita airport and Ofuna. But this train is a sort of the commute trains. You can take this train by a base fare ticket only. But you cannot reserve a seat and you may have to stand up.

If you go to Chiba, this train is your choice. But if you go to Tokyo or further stations, Narita Express is better choice.

Please see the link below to find more information about Yokosuka-Sobu line rapid train:

Rapid Train on Yokosuka-Sobu line running between Tokyo, Yokohama, Narita Airport, Chiba and Kamakura
This rapid train connects Tokyo, Narita airport, Chiba, Yokohama and Kamakura. It is very convenient way to get these places.
jprail.com
2011.04.17

There is no deals available which cover only Yokosuka-Sobu line rapid train. If you use JR pass or other JR deals, of course you can take this train by these passes.

Keisei Railway

Keisei Railway is one of the major private railways in Kanto region. It connects Narita airport and Ueno, Nippori. And also some trains go through Tokyo Toei subway and Keikyu Railway. You can get Oshiage (Tokyo Skytree), Asakusa, Shimbashi, Haneda airport directly.

Keisei Railway is not covered by any JR deals, such as JR Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass. But there are some deals available to take Keisei Railway limited express “Skyliner”.

Skyliner

Keisei Railway Skyliner
Keisei Railway Skyliner is the fastest train other than Shinkansen.

Skyliner is the fastest train of Keisei Railway. And this train actually is the fastest train in all Japan trains except the Shinkansen.

This express train is the fastest way to get downtown Tokyo. It takes only 36 minutes to Nippori and 41 minutes to Ueno. Especially if you go to Ueno or other stations on north part of Yamanote line, this train is the best way.

e.g.
JR’s Narita Express connects Narita airport and Ikebukuro directly. But if you take Skyliner to Nippori and change to Yamanote line ther to Ikebukuro, it is faster than Narita Express.

You may find much more information about Skyliner in Keisei Railway official site:

Keisei Skyliner official site – Skyliner

The seat is not very high-end but it is comfortable for 45 minutes ride.
The seat is good and comfortable for 45 minutes ride.

By the way, if you want to change the trains between Skyliner and Yamanote line, Nippori is better transfer station than Ueno. Keisei Railway and JR stations have the platforms side by side. You have to exit and enter stations but these are same location. If you change the trains at Ueno, you have to walk a bit. Nippori is much more recommended than Ueno.

Keisai Railway is one of major private railway companies in Tokyo area. This railway’s limited express train that is called “Skyliner” is the fastest train service to get downtown Tokyo. It connects Narita and Ueno in about 45 minutes.

Recommended deal – Skyliner discount ticket and subway combo ticket

There are a few deals which covers Skyliner.

The basic one is Skyliner discount ticket:

Skyliner discount ticket, Keisei railway official site

One way special discount fare is 2,200 yen. This is higher than half amount of N’ex Tokyo Round Trip Ticket. But you can purchase either one way or round trip. One way deal is available for either directions, Narita to Nippori/Ueno or Ueno/Nippori to Narita. This deal is very flexible.

Klook.com

Keisei Railway also offers Skyliner and Tokyo Subway Ticket combo deal. There are both one way and round trip available as well. One way deal can be used for either way, to Narita airport or from Narita airport. And you may choose 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours subway pass. The price is starting from 2,800 yen. Please see the link below to get the details.

Keisei Skyliner and Tokyo Subway Ticket, Keisei railway official site

The subway lines cover most part of downtown Tokyo. You can get most of places by subway. So Tokyo Subway Ticket is very convenient. The following link shows you how to use Tokyo Subway Ticket:

Tokyo Subway Ticket is most useful deal for sightseeing in downtown Tokyo.
Tokyo Subway Ticket gives you unlimited ride of all subway lines in downtown Tokyo. This post gives you the detailed information of this pass.
jprail.com
2012.01.16

Keisei Access Express

Some of Keisei Railway Access Express go to Haneda airport directly from Narita airport via Toei subway line.
Some of Keisei Railway Access Express go to Haneda airport directly from Narita airport via Toei subway line.

If you want to access to Asakusa, Ginza, Haneda or other places along Toei Subway Asakusa line, Keisei Railway’s Access Express takes you these places directly. Keisei Railway line is connected with Tokyo Toei Subway Asakusa line at Oshiage. Many Keisei Railway trains go through subway line. You can get Asakusa, Nihombashi, Higashi-Ginza without changing the trains. Toei Subway Asakusa line is also connected with Keikyu Railway at Sengakuji. Some Access Express go through Keikyu Railway line as well and get Haneda airport via Shinagawa.

This is a sort of commute train. It does not offer the luxury interior. However any express surcharges are not required. You can take this train by a base fare ticket only.

There is no deals available to take this train but the base fare is quite reasonable. The fare is around 1,300 yen from Narita airport to these areas. Please find the link below:

Keisei Railway official site – Access Express fares from major station

This train connects Narita and Nippori, Ueno too. If you want to save your travel cost, you may choose this train instead of Skyliner.

Airport Limousine bus / Limousine and Metro deal

Narita airport limousine
Narita Airport Limousine Bus departs from just outside of the terminal building.

Airport limousine is most convenient option if you stay in the major high-end hotel in Tokyo. You can get the hotel door directly from Narita Airport. And also the bus depart/arrive in Terminal 3 too. There is no train stations at Terminal 3.

Limousine bus stop signage
Limousine bus stop signage

The fare to most places in downtown Tokyo is 3,100 yen. It is expensive choice. But there are lots of deals available to cut your cost.

Recommended deals – Limousine and Tokyo Subway Ticket, Return Voucher and combo deals

There are many deals available.

The first one is “Multi voucher” and “Return voucher”. These are two round trips and round trip discount ticket. If you look for the deal which covers only Limousine bus, this deal is recommended.

The second one is Limousine and Subway pass. This is same type of the deal as Keisei Skyliner and Tokyo Subway Ticket which I explained above in this post.

I picked only two deals here but you can find all deals in the official site :

Airport Limousine official site – Discounted Ticket

Low Cost Bus TYO-NRT

Keisei Bus Tokyo Shuttle (C) Keisei Bus H636 Tokyo Shuttle - Comyu
Keisei Bus Tokyo Shuttle (C) Keisei Bus H636 Tokyo Shuttle – Comyu

The bus connects Narita airport and Tokyo station at only 1,000 yen. This is most affordable way to get downtown Tokyo.

This bus service is operated by a few bus companies. But it doesn’t matter to take any company’s bus. All you have to do is purchasing a ticket in the terminal building and get of the bus.

I used this bus from Narita airport terminal 2 to Tokyo station. Please find my review in the movie below. You may find where and how to purchase a ticket, the interior of the bus, facility and scenery on the way to Tokyo from the bus:

Please find the fare and the timetable in the official site below:

TYO-NRT official site

Check it on the short movie

I picked top five ways to get Tokyo from Narita on the movie below. Please check it up.

There are many ways and many deals from/to Narita airport. I hope that you have found the best one for your trip and it will save your cost.

Comments

  1. Judi Suarez says:
    March 3, 2019 at 11:04 am

    Hi
    My husband and I will be arriving/departing from Narita for 7 nights. We have 2 nights in Tokyo; 1 night Hakone; 4 nights in Kyoto before heading black to Narita for a 6p flight. Can we do this all with a 7 day pass?

  2. Anne says:
    January 26, 2019 at 1:10 am

    Hi Takeshi-San

    Would like to ask for your opinion on the pass and deal which suit for my trip. This is my first trip to Japan and traveling solo.

    Day 1 to 3 Arrive at Narita (morning) to Tokyo Station. Travel mostly around East & west central of Tokyo.
    Day 4&5 – Hakone & Mt Fuji
    Day 6&7 -Kyoto, Nara & Kobe
    Day 8&9 – Osaka
    Day 10&11 – Hiroshima back to Osaka (noon)
    Day 12 – Fly back from Kansai

    Your help is much appreciated and I’ve booked return flight and accommodation.
    Thank you in advance.

  3. Geogianna Abellana says:
    November 25, 2018 at 9:30 am

    Hello Takeshi! I bought the 7 day JR pass. I intend to use it for our airport transfers too from Narita to Tokyo. I read that you are supposed to make a reservation on the NEX. Can we do that when we arrive in Narita? So if we arrive at 1:25pm, maybe I can reserve to take the NEX like 3pm?

  4. jet says:
    April 23, 2018 at 5:04 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Its Jet here again. I am planning a one day Hakone trip from Setagaya area and unfortunately I would need to return to Setagaya at the end of the day.

    What’s the best deal I should get? If I get the Hakone round trip from Shinjuku plus a romancecar booking, is that the fastest way to get to hakone to save time so I have the whole day to spend in hakone?

    Also, getting back from hakone, where do we normally catch the train back to shinjuku? is that from odawara train station as well?

    Thanks in advance.

  5. Jet says:
    April 23, 2018 at 4:58 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    It’s Jet here and I am arriving at Narita Airport at 8pm on a Friday and would like to travel to Kamimachi station. I have no JR pass activated and therefore would like to check as to what is relatively time efficient and cost effective way to get from Narita to Kamimachi station.

    I would like somewhere in between where it’s not too expensive and doesn’t take too long.

    Hope you could help.
    Thank you.

  6. Narain v brijwani says:
    January 16, 2018 at 11:23 pm

    Hello dear,
    am planning to visit on 02/02/2018 will be at narita terminal 2 by 7:50 am till we are back to mumbai by 11:30 am ana flight on 09/04/2018
    Can you please share me the eternity am new and daring first time to visit on my own not by packages as always
    Help if possible with best plan we are two as couple to japan for first time

  7. PeiJy says:
    November 13, 2017 at 5:31 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Would like your clarification. I’ll be travelling to Narita T3 to fly to Sapporo on a Tuesday. I’m staying near Kanamecho station, near to Ikebukuro station as well. My flight is 9am in the morning. I thought to depart from Ikebukuro taking the Narita Express. After a few search, found that this is not possible due to the timing. We’re foreigners thus I think we’ll need to arrive the airport by 730 latest. Is it confirm that I can’t take the Narita Express from Ikebukuro station as it’ll only depart at around 640am? Nearest station I should go is Shinjuku? We have 7-day JR Pass.

    Thanks in advance.

  8. Belle says:
    October 15, 2017 at 9:41 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    My bnb host had advice me to take the limousine bus from Narita T1 direct to kichijoji. I had check the above web but realize that the bus route only reach shinjuku. How do I check whether the bus will arrive Kichijoji?

  9. KY says:
    August 20, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    Two of us have booked our air tickets to fly in to NRT at 2:30pm on Sunday and fly out at HND on the following Sunday at 11:00pm (8 days). We are planning to stay about 4 days in Kyoto area and 3 days in Tokyo area. We are going to buy our 7-day JR pass. We will try to squeeze in a day trip either 1. Kyoto to Hiroshima/Miyajima, 2. Tokyo to Nikko, or 3. Tokyo to Kamakura/Hakone.

    Questions:

    1. After arriving 2:30pm at NRT, is it reasonable for us to assume that we can check in to a hotel in Kyoto by 10PM?
    2. We will have a large luggage each, will we able to get space for those luggages in the Narita Express, in connecting Shinkansen Hikari train to Kyoto and in the local train to the Kyoto hotel?
    3. Is it better for us to stop at Odawara for a night, visit Hakone/Kamakura and then go to Kyoto the next day?
    4. Is there a place to store our large luggages in the train station for few hours so we can go out to visit some places?

    Thank you for your help.
    KH

  10. Bel says:
    July 24, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San

    I would like to ask for your opinion the best ground transportation for my trip in August:

    Day 1 – Arrive at Narita to Shinjuku Station
    Day 2 – 4 Tokyo
    Day 4 – Fly Haneda to Okinawa (Naha) (booked)
    Day 7 – Fly Naha to Osaka (KIX) (booked)
    Day 8-10 Kyoto w/ side trip to Hiroshima
    Day 10 –Kyoto to Hakone
    Day 12 – Hakone to Haneda to fly out

    I’ve looked at the full JR Rail Pass but I’m not sure if I need the full pass for 14 days. We are 6 including children and my mother so I want to keep it easy on everyone (and less expensive!).
    If not the JR Rail Pass, I can’t figure out the best way to get to Shinjuku from the airport.
    I’ve also looked at the Kansai Thru Pass and definitely the Hakone Free Pass but I can’t seem to figure out the Kyoto to Hakone to Haneda part of the trip.

    Thank you so much for any help!

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