
Narita Express may be your first train in Japan. It is operated between Narita airport and Greater Tokyo area, such as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Shibuya. And also service is extended to Yokohama, Totsuka, Ofuna and Omiya. This train stops both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 in Narita airport.
After you arrive Narita airport, you can exchange your Japan Rail Pass and take this train to downtown Tokyo. Narita Express takes you to Tokyo station in 53 minutes by the fastest one. It is so fast and convenient. But this train does not take you to the door of Hotel. If you want to get the front door of hotel, I recommend you to take the Limousine bus. You also have a choice to take other private railway, Keisei line to Ueno and Nippori, and the cheapest way “Super Shuttle”. Please see the comparison at “How to access from Narita airport to downtown Tokyo“. And also if you stay several days in downtown Tokyo, please think about saving your rail pass days. Please refer this tips.
Find more information dynamically about this train
You can find this train’s information in the movie below more dynamillay.
Route and Schedule
Narita Express is operated 27 round trains daily, mostly every 30 minutes between Tokyo and Narita Airport. Most of Narita Express do not stop at any stations between Tokyo and Narita airport. These trains are divided into two trains (or connected with other train) at Tokyo Station. One train goes to Shibuya/Shinjuku/Takao or Ikebukuro/Omiya. But most of these trains go to Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. Only 2 round trips to Omiya or Takao. The other train goes to Yokohama/Ofuna. 8 of 27 round trips go to Yokohama only. This train connects Narita airport with Tokyo in 53 minutes to 1 hour, with Yokohama around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and with Shinjuku around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
View Narita Express in a larger map
You may find the timetable in JR East official site in the link below:
JR East official site – the timetable
Stations
Stations | to Omiya via Shinjuku/Ikebukuro | to Takao via Shinjuku/Hachioiji | to Ofuna via Yokohama |
---|---|---|---|
Narita Airport (成田空港) | x | x | x |
Airport Terminal 2 (空港第2ビル) | x | x | x |
Narita (成田) | * | * | * |
Yotsukaido (四街道) | * | * | * |
Chiba (千葉) | * | * | * |
Tokyo (東京) | x | x | x |
Shibuya (渋谷) | x | x | – |
Shinjuku (新宿) | x | x | – |
Ikebukuro (池袋) | x | – | – |
Omiya (大宮) | x | – | – |
Kichijoji (吉祥寺) | – | x | – |
Mitaka (三鷹) | – | x | – |
Kokubunji (国分寺) | – | x | – |
Tachikawa (立川) | – | x | – |
Hachioiji (八王子) | – | x | – |
Takao (高尾) | – | x | – |
Shinagawa (品川) | – | – | x |
Musashi-Kosugi (武蔵小杉) | – | – | x |
Yokohama (横浜) | – | – | x |
Totsuka (戸塚) | – | – | x |
Ofuna (大船) | – | – | x |
x=all trains stop *=Train to Tokyo stop at these stations in Morning peak hour and to Narita in evening peak hour only

Hotels in Narita International Airport
Hotels in Shinagawa Station – Tokyo
Hotels in Tokyo Station – Tokyo
Hotels in Shinjuku Station – Tokyo
Hotels in Tokyo Disney Resort – Maihama, Tokyo/Chiba
Hotels in Yokohama
Accommodation
E259 series was introduced in October 2009. It was completed to replace from previous train 253 series in June 2010. Green class in this train has 2+2 seat configuration. This Green seat is the leather seat and gives you very comfortable seating. But 2+2 seat configuration is same as Ordinary class. Both Green and Ordinary have the power outlet for the laptop or charging the batteries and WI-FI access (not free. starting from 600 yen) in the train. Green class has 1160 mm seat pitch. Ordinary class has 102 0mm seat pitch. This Ordinary seat pitch is wider than JR East standard seat pitch, 910 mm. So there is not much difference between Green and Ordinary in my opinion.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
Train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
R | R | R | R | R | G | R | R | R | R | R | G |
G=Green seat R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non-Reserved ordinary seat
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Comments
Hi,
Does the JR Kanto Area Pass cover the Narita Express trip from Tokyo to Narita?
I am having difficulty finding this information.
Hi Kat,
Yes, it does. You can use the pass for taking Narita Express.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I have purchased the Ordinary Japan Rail Pass and awaiting for it via mail to my place.
I came to know that Narita Express only takes reserved seats and when I tried reserving the seats via (http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/JRTicket/SeatReservation/RouteSearch.aspx) departing Narita Terminal 2 at 1148am onwards to Shinjuku, all the available seats for reservation are Green Seats only.
Could you advise how do I go about reserving ordinary seats online from Narita Terminal 2 to Shinjuku station?
Or can I just reserve the ordinary seats via the JR East
If it means that I am only left with green seats, what is the additional cost to top-up?
Hi Daphne,
Actually it just shows an option. Ordinary seat is available too.
Click the train name and continue. On next page, you will choose pick up window and pick up time. And next page, you can choose ordinary or green.
Just keep doing, you will find it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
On a trip back to the Sates, I will have a waiting time of 9 hours at Narita Airport.. I have plan to take advantage of this short time to explore Tokyo and surrounding area ..of course, by train. Do you have any advice for me on this “adventure” ? Which train, and which area are the best ?
Thank you very much
Hi Jason,
I recommend you to visit Asakusa.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3004.html
If you still have time in Asakusa, you can add Skytree.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3064.html
If you go these places, take Keisei skyliner to Ueno.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-narita-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
Because Asakusa is only 4 stations away from Ueno by subway and takes 10 minutes.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Is Japan Rail Pass can use to travel between Tokyo and Osaka, Tokyo and Hiroshima, Tokyo and Mt Fuji, Tokyo and Nagano City etc. ? Can we buy JR pass in Narita Airport? Can we extend the 7 days pass to 14 days in Tokyo?
HI Moe,
Everything is covered except trip to Mt. Fuji. Please see the following:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
If you check your schedule at Hyperdia and can be accessed by JR trains, JR Pass cover your trip. Most of places in Japan can be accessed by JR Pass.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
If you cannot find how to use Hyperdia, please see the following:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/japan-railways-timetables.html
JR Pass cannot be purchased in Japan and cannot extend in Japan either.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
http://www.japanrailpass.net/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
We are going to visit Japan on 10 Dec 2013 for 10 days. We will arrive Narita Airport and have a booking at Hotel Kitano Arms at 2-16-15 Hirakawa-cho,Chiyoda. We are planning to visit around by Japan Rail Pass. If we buy the Japan Rail Pass from Narita Airport, for 7 days pass, can we use that pass from airport to hotel and visit around Tokyo by train? Can you tell me which rail lines are valid to use by Japan rail pass?
Hi Moe,
Yes. You can use Japan Rail Pass right after you turn in at Narita Airport if you want. Please see the following links to find more info about coveage:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-narita-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
We will be going to Japan this coming Sept 12. We’re planning on using the Narita Express from Tokyo to Narita Airport. Does it have a non-reserved ordinary seat? Or do all NEX seats are reserved? Since we have the ordinary pass, how much do we have to pay if we reserved the green seat or the reserved ordinary seat?
Can we reserve our seats for NEX when we exchange our vouchers upon arrival at Narita Airport? We plan on activating our JR pass on Sept 17. We arrive Sept 12.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
JR Pass covers all ordinary reserved seat without any extra. Narita Express has only reserved seat, but you can take it, of course by JR Pass. If you have green pass, of course you can take green seat.
You can book all trains throughout Japan. When you exchange the pass in Narita, you can book all trains which you will take if you want.
If you don’t want to use JR Pass on the day when you take Narita Express from Narita to Tokyo, you can use Suica & N’ex:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/suica-nex-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-tokyo.html
It gives you a great deal. It’s much better than purchasing single ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, my family and I are planning to go to Tokyo next year. Sinc ethis will be our first time to go there 8I am starting to plan our trip as early as now. What I would like to ask you is this…what is the easiest and fastest way to travel dorm narita airport to shinjuku? Our hotel is in Shinjuku district and I have been researching through the transport system and it seems there are so many options to choose that I actually am mixed up already. I want to maximize our time in Tokyo as best as possible and since we will be arriving late in the afternoon, I want to know which mode of transportation can bring us to our destination as fast as possible but at the least amount payable. If you could help me I would really appreciate it.
Grace
Hi Grace,
As you read this post, Narita Express is one of your option to get Shinjuku directly. This is the fastest transfer. Some hotels in Shijuku can be accessed by limousine bus. If you stay in high end hotel, bus goes to the door at the hotel directly.
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bus_services/narita/shinjuku.html#timetable
If you cannot find your hotel at the list above, Narita Express is faster than limousine bus. But you may need to walk from the station. Because Shinjuku district is a quite big. You can ask your hotel or check hotel website.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
We will be staying in Japan Aug 26th to Aug 30th. Our flight arrives at Narita Airport at 20:30. We are not sure if we will have enough time to get a train for Tokyo, after putting our luggage in Airport storage.
Could you please tell us the website for JR schedule for 2013 and including Fare rates?
Do you think we should stay Narita Airport hotel and take train on Aug 27th in the morning?
Hi ata,
You can find the info at the following site:
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/train/index.html
If you don’t care to ride regular commute trains, there are some more trains available until 22:30. Check it at Hyperdia:
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
We are using JR Pass to travel between Narita and Tokyo on NEX. But our accommodation is close to Ueno Station. Can we use a JR train from Tokyo to Ueno?
Hi Johnboy,
Yes, you can.
After arrival at Tokyo station by N’ex, transfer to Yamanote line or Keihin Tohoku line. These are commute trains in Greater Tokyo. Ueno is just 10 minutes away from Tokyo. See the following links to get more details:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/tokyo-station-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-shinkansen-narita-express-and-other-local-trains.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks for that. After looking at the link regarding “Tokyo station guide”, I’m wondering if it would be better to transfer to Tokaido Shinkansen st Shinagawa?
Hi Johnboy,
Why do you transfer to Shinkansen? If you need to go to Ueno, you can transfer to local train, Yamanote line or Keihin Tohoku line at Shinagawa. But Shinagawa is 5 more stations away from Ueno than Tokyo. If you need long distance transfer, you can transfer to Shinkansen at Shinagawa. Otherwise transfer at Tokyo is better.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Sorry, I was confused. We travel Narita to Kyoto first.
Later, we travel Kyoto to Ueno. You’ve answered all my questions now, thanks. Your site is so very helpful!
We are planning to use the Japan Rail Pass this June from Tokyo to Hokkaido and return. But looking at JR East’s Shin-Aomori Station map, platforms 11 thru 14 are the Tohoku Shinkansen, and platforms 1 and 2 are the Ou line. The map also shows a Shinkansen Transfer Gate. But where are the platforms for the Hakucho and Super Hakucho trains to Hakodate? Sometimes the Hyperdia time table gives only 8 minutes for the transfer. How far will we need to walk?
Hi Jim,
At Shin-Aomori station, #11-14 are for Shinkansen and #1-2 are for the regular train. Basically #1 is the train bound for Akita and #2 is the train bound for Aomori and Hakodate.
And 8 minutes is fine. Shin-Aomori station is not big one. Shinkansen platform is located at 3rd floor and other platform is located at 2nd floor.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you so much for the information. I am finding so much useful information on your site.
I am sorry – I really should have posted my original question under another article.
Hi Jim,
Don’t worry about your question.
And I would like to mention to you one more thing. You can see the English map of major stations in JR East area, like Shin Aomori.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/index.html
I hope it will help you more!
Takeshi / JP Rail