Narita Express, JR’s express train service between Narita airport and Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shinagawa, Yokohama

Narita Express, the newest car E259 seriesLimited Express
Narita Express, the newest car E259 series
E259 series is the fleet for Narita Express.
E259 series is the fleet for Narita Express.

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

Stationsto Omiya
via Shinjuku/Ikebukuro
to Takao
via Shinjuku/Hachioiji
to Ofuna
via Yokohama
Narita Airport (成田空港)xxx
Airport Terminal 2 (空港第2ビル)xxx
Narita (成田)***
Yotsukaido (四街道)***
Chiba (千葉)***
Tokyo (東京)xxx
Shibuya (渋谷)xx
Shinjuku (新宿)xx
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

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

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

123456789101112
RRRRRGRRRRRG

G=Green seat R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non-Reserved ordinary seat

Images

Green class seat (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Green class seat (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Green class seat (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Green class seat equips a power outlet. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Ordinary class seat (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Ordinary class seat (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Ordinary class seat (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Ordinary class seat also equips a power outlet. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Sanitary space (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Sanitary space (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Baggage storage space (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Information screen (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Comments

  1. Jo says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be arriving Narita airport on 30 Oct and travelling to Shinjuku station and will be leaving for Narita Airport from Tokyo station on 8 Nov.

    Can I purchase a N’EX round trip ticket for this combination?

  2. Jonjay says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I’ll be leaving Tokyo from Shin-Okubo Station to Narita airport on Monday, 11 June 2018 at 07:00 am. I’ve checked the schedule and It’s written that from Shin-Okubo station, at 07:23 am I should take JR Yamanote Line for Shinjuku, Shibuya Platform :2 to Shinagawa station for 23 min. At 07:46 am, I’ll be arrived at Shinagawa station and continue to Narita Express at 07:51 am. Here is my question. How far is Narita Express platform from the place that I ‘ll be arrived from Shinjuku due to the time limitation is only 5 min (from 07:46 am to 07:51 am) for me to catch Narita Express train?

  3. Bi Yun Zhen Wu says:

    Dear,
    I am planning to visit Japan for 6-7 days trip at the end of March. The 3 cities I want to visit are Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka. I have the choice to fly to either Tokyo or Osaka.
    My questions are:
    a. should I get a Rail Pass or get city/regional pass or is is better to take air flights?
    b. is it more convenient to fly to Tokyo and from here to travel to the other cities or
    c. is it more convenient to fly to Osaka and from here to travel to the other cities
    The place where I want to stay more nights (2) is Osaka, and in the other cities around 1 night. My best choice is the more time and money savings according to the availability of transport operation schedule and facility.
    Many thanks for your attention and suggestions!

  4. Jason says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I will be arriving in Osaka this year and Osaka is my first stop before i travel to our next stop, Tokyo via Shinkansen. Hence, I would like to check with you Narita Express Ticket can be purchase at JR-WEST ticket office in Kansai-airport station.

    Thanks.

    Regards
    Jason

    • Hi Jason san,

      Yes, you can. You can purchase all JR trains ticket throughout Japan.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Jason says:

        Hi Takeshi San,

        Thanks. By the way, there is a metro ticket namely “Tokyo Metro Special Open Tickets for Tourists” is available to purchase at Kansai International Airport?

        The tickets cost 980 yen for 2 days unlimited ride. If these Ticket is available then can I get it at Kansai International Airport ?

        Thanks

        Regards
        Jason

        • Hi Jason,

          No, you cannot purchase it at Kansai. Please see the link below:
          http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/featuredarticles/JN/tokyo_metro/img/with_map.pdf

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Jason says:

            Hi Takeshi San,

            I’m will be going to Kamakura via JR Shonan-Shinjuku Train and I have understand from Hyerdia that the train from Shinjuku to Kamakura got 2 types of train services available. One with 1 train transfer and the other, no train transfer toward Kamakura.

            Based on Hyperdia, Kamakura can be reach by JR Shonan-Shinjuku via Yokosuka Line or Tokaido Line.

            If I am taking JR Shonan-Shinjuku via Yokosuka Line for Ofuna and it mean I need to alight at Ofuna and wait for another train, JR Shonan-Shinjuku via Yokosuka Line for Zushi to arrive and take me to Kamakura?

            On the other hand, if I am taking JR Shonan-Shinjuku via Tokaido Line from Shinjuku station then, same thing apply again where I need to wait at Ofuna for JR Shonan-Shinjuku via Yokosuka Line for Zushi ?

            If there is a train transfer at Ofuna then which train platform I need to wait for JR Shonan-Shinjuku via Yokosuka Line for Zushi ?

            Best Regards
            Jason

            • Hi Jason san,

              Some of Shonan Shinjuku line train go to Kamakura directly. If the destination is Zushi, you don’t need to change trains at Ofuna. Otherwise you need to change train at Ofuna.

              Please see the link below to find the map of Ofuna station.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Sarah says:

    Hi:
    I’m traveling from Narita to Totsuka on the NEX. It looks like there are some cars on the same train number that go to Totsuka and some that do not. How do I know what car I should get in when boarding? Thanks for your help!

  6. Simon says:

    Hi takeshi
    Thanks for all the information. One question, how long it takes from ikebukuro to narita airport?

    Simon

  7. daniel wong frandsen says:

    Dear takeshi
    We will be staying in Tokyo for 4 nights, then onto Kyoto for 3 nights and then last stop in Osaka for 2 nights before flying out from Kansai International airport in Osaka. As we are travelling only 1 way onwatds, I gathered it is not economical to purchase the Japan Rail card ? and from Narita to Shinjuku hotel, what is the easiest and best way to travel? Narita Express?

  8. Matthias says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    tried to order a N’EX ticket online, but face a restriction that the ticket needs to be picked up the day before departure (which is impossible since I only arrive that day from oversees.
    Is there a method to reserve a ticket in advance via an online portal (similar to the Haruka in Osaka) ?
    Many thanks

    Matthias

    • Hi Matthias,

      Unfortunately there is no ways to book online for Narita Express.
      But I have never book for Narita Express online before even in I could. Because I was afraid flight delayed. I booked it after I arrived in Japan, but I have never had problem before. Narita Express is not such a hard to book even if you book it after you arrive.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

    • Jimi says:

      You can purchase NEX tickets at station machine. The machines are offered in English and very easy to purchase with Japanese Yen. Be aware that you will need to purchase reservation seat and ticket and that prices may vary for destinations. The machines are located at Narita terminal 1&2, just look for the JR rail or NEX ticket machines.

  9. Ed Wong says:

    The Narita Express round trip ticket is valid for 14 days according to the JR East website. I will arrive in Narita on April 29 at 17:00h and leave on May 13 at 18:00h. So if you count the number of days for my return, it is technically 15 days. But if you count by hours it is less than 14 days. Can you tell me if the round trip ticket validity is based upon the number of days regardless of what time it is purchased and used. Or if the validity is based upon the hour of purchase and use?
    Thank you

  10. Lisa says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    1st day in Japan:
    From Haneda Airport Terminal 1, what is the best way to travel to Kyoto? I have a JR Pass.

    Last day in Japan:
    If I’m travelling from Shibuya to Narita Airport Terminal 1 by Narita Express, do I need to pay anything else? Or is it part of the JR Pass already?

    Thank you.

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