Suica & N’ex ticket. Very flexible and good deal for tourist who stay in Tokyo.

Rail pass for visitors
Suica & N'ex ticket and brochure. (C) SUICA&N'EX套票_01, SUICA&N'EX套票_02 by Span X

Now round trip deal, only N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket is available. There are no one way deal and Suica combo deal available any more.

You may find other deals of Narita airport access and deals in Tokyo at the links below:
The list of deals for access to downtown Tokyo from Narita airport
Guide to take trains in Tokyo. How to choose the best deal and the best route by train to get the major spots?

If you will arrive in Narita and stay in Tokyo for several days, Suica & N’ex may be suitable for your stay. This ticket includes Narita Express ticket and 1500 e-money in IC card “Suica”. Suica can be used for both JR train and subways in downtown Tokyo. You can use this ticket for almost any trains when you stay in Tokyo.

I will tell you what this deal is and how to use it.

What is N’ex (Narita Express)?

Narita Express is covered by both Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Narita Express is covered by both Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass (C) Sonic Rail Garden

N’ex is abbreviation of Narita Express. It is a limited express train that gives you direct transfer from Narita International Airport (NRT) to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Yokohama and many more stations. If you go to Ueno or Nippori, Keisei Railway is faster and more convenient because it has direct train service. But I am sure this train is the fastest and most convenient choice to most part of Tokyo and Yokohama. And also this ticket includes not only Narita Express route but also many more stations in Greater Tokyo area. You can still use this ticket after you get off Narita Express and transfer to local trains. Please see the map at JR East official Suica and N’ex site to get more information about designated area. And please see the post, Limited Express Narita Express to get more details about this train.

What is Suica

It is e-money IC card that is issued by JR East. This deals included 1500 yen e-money.

You can use this e-money not only JR trains but also both subway systems in Tokyo (Toei and Tokyo Metro), most of private train companies (Odakyu, Tobu, Seibu, Keikyu, Tokyo and many more). Please see Suica and Pasmo official map to get more information about area where you can use Suica.

Suica can be used for even coin operated locker. (C) Tennen-Gas / Creative Commons
Suica can be used for even coin operated locker. (C) Tennen-Gas / Creative Commons

You can use it for shopping in kiosk in the station, nation wide convenience store (Lawson, Family Mart, Seven Eleven) and even some of major electronics retail store. You can see the list of stores at page 9 of ICOCA and Haruka user manual (PDF).

If you go to other major cities, like Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Sapporo, Hakata, Hiroshima after staying in Kansai area, you may still be able to use Suica. So you can take subway in Kyoto and Osaka, JR train in Sapporo and many more.

Price

TypeOrdinaryGreen
One way type3500 yen5000 yen
Round trip type5500 yen8000 yen
  • One way type ticket is only available Narita airport to Tokyo direction. One way type ticket cannot be used for opposite direction.
  • One way type ticket must be used on the day of purchase. Round trip ticket is valid for 14 days.
  • Suica can be used whenever you want. Suica will be expires in case that you will not use ICOCA in 10 years at all. If you will come back to Japan in next 10 years, you still will be able to use same Suica.
  • This deal can allow you to use non reserved seat of Haruka or other local and rapid train. You cannot use reserved seat or Green seat of Haruka and other limited express trains, such as Shinkansen.
  • Narita Express has only reserved seat on both Ordinary and Green. Reservation can be made when you purchase this ticket.
  • Child rate is not available. But child N’ex open ticket is available. I will tell you later.

I will tell you price comparison later.

How to use Suica

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Shinjku station
Hotels in Shinagawa station
Hotels in Ginza station
Hotels in Tokyo station

Most of you use Suica to take a train. The biggest advantage of this card is that you don’t need to purchase the ticket when you enter the station and take the trains. All you have to do is touch your Suica card at the ticket gate when you enter/exit station. It is automatically calculated and subtract the fare from your Suica card. You can save the time when you take a train. Please see page 14 of Suica & N’ex user manual (Page 8 of PDF) to get more information about using Suica at the ticket gate.

Even if you don’t have enough fund in your Suica, you can still enter the station and take the trains. (But you must have minimum fares plus 500 yen deposit in this card) You can charge some more fund before you exit the station when you arrive. You can get more information about charging atpage 16 of Suica & N’ex user manual (Page 9 of PDF). You can charge some more fund in your Suica at other major cities where other IC cards are available, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama, Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Hiroshima and Hakata. These cites have own IC cards. But since March 2013, major 10 different IC cards were standardized.

Actually this deal says 2000 yen e-money included in this deal. But it also includes 500 yen deposit. Therefore your fund in your Suica is 1500 yen. If you empty this card and do not use it any more, you can get this 500 yen deposit refund at the station. But if you want to keep Suica card itself for your souvenir, you cannot get refund. Especially ICOCA card for this deal is designed for overseas tourist. It looks different from common ICOCA card. Please get more information about refund at page 17 of ICOCA and Haruka user manual (Page 9 of PDF). And you cannot get any refund in other areas. If you go to other than Tokyo and want to get refund, complete to use this Suica when you stay in Greater Tokyo area and get refund. You cannot get it in other cities, like Osaka.

How to use this deal

Suica & N'ex ticket and brochure. (C) SUICA&N'EX套票_01, SUICA&N'EX套票_02 by Span X
Suica & N’ex ticket and brochure. (C) SUICA&N’EX套票_01, SUICA&N’EX套票_02
by Span X

This deal includes 1,500 yen ICOCA e-money and one way/round trip to Greater Tokyo area. You can use N’ex ticket if you don’t take Narita Express, such as Sobu Rapid train. And even though Narita Express does not go to Shin-Yokohama, Ueno, Maihama (TDL), Kawasaki and many stations in Greater Tokyo area, you can use N’ex ticket as long as you don’t exit station. Please see the map at a href=”http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/s-n_users_guide.pdf” target=”_blank”>page 5 of Suica & N’ex user manual (Page 3 of PDF).

For example, if you go to Maihama station (the nearest station to Tokyo Disney Resort), take Narita Express to Tokyo and transfer Keiyo line local train at Tokyo station. Of course this ticket covers all part of this trip. But don’t exit a station. Once you exit a station, N’ex ticket is not valid any more.

Price comparison to basic fare

Upper rate is basic fare and lower rate is reserved seat limited express surcharge.

 Adult(12 yrs and upChild (6-11 yrs)
Narita – Tokyo1280 yen
1660 yen
640 yen
830 yen
Narita – Shinagawa1450 yen
1660 yen
720 yen
830 yen
Narita – Shinjuku1450 yen
1660 yen
720 yen
830 yen
Narita – Yokohama1890 yen
2290 yen
640 yen
1140 yen

Even if you travel to the closest point, Tokyo by Narita Express, total fare 2940 yen plus 2000 yen is cheaper than one way ticket at 3500 yen. If you get 500 yen refund, actual price of Suica & N’ex will be 2500 yen. So it is no doubt this deal gives you a huge value. Especially if you go to Yokohama, this ticket is unbeatable.

Child rate

Apart from that, how about child? Some of you will travel with your family. Suica & N’ex is not available for child but there are N’ex Open ticket for child.

TypeOrdinaryGreen
One way type1200 yen2200 yen
Round trip type2400 yen4400 yen

This ticket is available for child with adult who travel by Suica & N’ex. This ticket does not include Suica. But as you see above single fare rate table, total fares to Tokyo is 1470 yen. This open ticket is cheaper than single fare. You can purchase “My Suica” (common Suica for child) at 2000 yen (1500 yen + 500 yen deposit) beside this open ticket. But you may not need to purchase My Suica.

Because remember that child fare is half price of adult fare. If you have 1500 yen worth trip, child fare is only 750 yen. You might not be able to empty child Suica before you will leave if you use same trip as you. You cannot use your Suica for your child. You cannot use child Suica for you either. In worst case, you can use child ICOCA to shop in convenience store. So please make sure you can make it empty before you buy.

Sample fares in Greater Tokyo

When you travel in Tokyo, single fare is not costly.

  • Tokyo – Yokohama : 450 yen (JR)
  • Shinjuku – Yokohama : 540 yen (JR)
  • Shinagawa – Yokohama : 290 yen (KeiKyu)
  • Shibuya – Yokohama : 260 yen (Tokyu) / 380 yen (JR)
  • Shibuya – Minatomirai (Yokohama bay side) : 440 yen (Tokyu-Minatomirai line)
  • Tokyo – Shijuku : 190 yen (JR / Subway Marunouchi line)
  • Tokyo – Ueno : 150 yen (JR)
  • Tokyo – Akihabara 130 yen (JR)
  • Shijuku – Akihabara : 160 yen (JR)
  • Shinjku – Asakusa : 290 yen (Toei and Metro subway)
  • Tokyo – Asakusa : 310 yen (JR and Metro subway)
  • Shinjuku – Shibuya : 150 yen (JR)
  • Shinagawa – Shinjuku : 190 yen (JR)
  • Tokyo – Maihama : 210 yen (JR)
  • Shinjuku – Maihama : 380 yen (JR)

If you stay in Tokyo for several days, 1500 yen e-money can be used very easily. Especially if you go to Yokohama, 1500 yen e-money will be spent quickly. If you want to use Suica more efficiently, consider to combine to use other passes and deals, like subway pass.

And if you go to somewhere outside of Tokyo, like Mt. Fuji, Nikko or Atami, don’t use Suica. There are other deals, like Kanto Area Pass.

Comments

  1. dianne says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I would like to clarify if I can use the NEX tokyo direct ticket (oneway) to travel from Narita Airport terminal 2 to Suidobashi station. From what I understood I can travel to valid JR lines as long as I stay within the train stations.

    If travelling to Suidobashi station is possible, alighting at Tokyo station do I just normally insert my NEX ticket to the wicket gates to travel to Akihabara station? Then from Akihabara station, I change to Sobu line and finally alight at Suidobashi station?

    This would be my first time travelling in Japan. Thank you very much.

  2. anne says:

    Hi another question. We will be travelling this April and will arrive in Haneda 930. I would think we will be able to arrive in Taito by 1130pm. Can we use Suica? (similar to my previous question).

    Also, in my Itinerary while in Taito and since i am not familiar with the traffic, etc, will this be possible to achieve/visit for a day:

    Day 1 (from Taito): Tokyo Skytree, Edo Tokyo Museum, Sumo Museum, Asahi/Sumida park
    Day 2 (from Taito): Ueno Park, Kappabashi dori, Bandai, Sensoji
    Day 3 (from Shinjuku): Akibahara, Ropponggi hills, Shibuya
    Day 4 (from Shinjuku): Tokyo Disneyland (can we use Suica here?)
    Day 5: (from Shinjuku): Rainbow bridge/Odaiba (can we use Suica here)
    Day 6: Shinjuku Gyoen, Ghibli museum

    Can we use Suica in all our Itinerary?

    Please help 😀

    • anne says:

      Hi Takeshi, do you think this itinerary is possible for a day? I am not familiar with the traffic, train etc. please advise. thanks again

  3. anne says:

    Hi, we will be in Japan but in Haneda. Is there Suica there? FRom Handea, we will go to Asakusa. Can I use Suica? If we are 5 travellers (3 adults, 2 kids) do i need to buy each of us Suica Cards?

    • Hi Anne,

      You can’t purchase only Suica. Suica and Monorail can be purchased at Haneda Monorail station.
      http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-monorail/index.html

      But if you want to go to Asakusa, Keihin Kyuko is better. Some of the Keihin Kyuko train go through Toei subway Asakusa line and take you to Asakusa directly. You can use Suica for Keihin Kyuko and subway. But you can’t purchase Suica itself at Haneda. If you take these trains, you have to pay single fare.

      You can purchase PASMO instead of Suica. PASMO is issued by non JR railways. It’s almost same way to use as Suica. You can purchase it at Keihin Kyuko Haneda station.
      http://www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/transport/pasmo.html
      Both Suica and Pasmo cannot be shared with other person.

      I checked your itinerary in another comment. You can use Pasmo for JR trains too. So you can use Pasmo for all places where you intend to visit.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • anne says:

        Thanks Takeshi. If PASMO and SUica are the same, why do I need to purchase PASMO instead of SUICA? Sorry for my confusion. For my itinerary, will PASMO cover everything and not suica? Can I use PASMO in buses?

        • Hi Anne,

          Pasno is not exactly same as Suica. Suica is issued by JR and Pasno is issued by non JR, like Keihin Kyuko. These cards cannot be used each other before. But since March, 2013, most of the IC cards can be used each other. That’s why you can use Pasno for JR and Suica for non JR.

          You can purchase either Suica or Pasmo. Coverage is exactly same. The only difference is charging location. When you want to put more fund into your cards, you can do it at Non JR stations to Pasmo and JR stations to Suica. I recommend you to purchase Pasmo because you can’t purchase Suica itself at Haneda.

          There are so many bus services in Tokyo. You can use Suica / Pasmo to take some of bus services. If you find Pasmo or Suica mark on the bus, you can use it. I don’t think you can use it for taking the bus to Ghibli museum.

          You can find more info about Pasmo at the following link:
          http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/index.html

          Your itinerary is tight a bit but it’s feasible and good to go.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

  4. Polu says:

    Can I buy the Suica & N’ex with a Visa credit card at Narita? Could I also add extra Yen to the Suica at the same time using my credit card?

    Thanks

    • JPRail says:

      Hi Polu,

      You can purchase Suica and N’ex by credit card. I don’t think you can add some fund into Suica at same place. Usually you need to use ATM machine at the station that is called “VIEW ALTTE”. You will find this machine at Narita airport station (#1 terminal) and other major stations in Tokyo. (No machine at #2 terminal station of Narita)
      But I’m not 100% sure. You may be able to do it at same place. Please ask when you purchase it.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  5. Mike says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    If I buy the Suica+NEX offer at Narita, can I take the NEX from Narita to Shinjuku station, then transfer to a local train to Takadanobaba Station? If I don’t leave the station, will it still work under the NEX ticket, or will it fall under the Suica card?

    Thank you!

    • JPRail says:

      Hi Mike,

      Everything will be covered by N’ex ticket. You don’t need to pay additional as long as you don’t exit a station.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  6. Siobhan says:

    Dear Takeshi

    I am traveling to Tokyo from 10 Oct to 20 Oct and I am staying in Asakusa.

    My itinerary is as follows:

    10 Oct – Arrive at Narita and travel to Asakusa
    11 Oct – Tokyo
    12 Oct – Hakone
    13 Oct – Yokohama
    14 Oct – Nikko
    15 Oct – Nikko
    16 Oct – Nikko and return to Tokyo
    17 Oct – Tokyo (Mitaka etc)
    18 Oct – Kawagoe & Tokyo
    19 Oct – Tokyo
    20 Oct – Departure to Narita

    I am planning to buy the following passes:

    1) Purchase N’ex and Suica at Narita
    2) Hakone Free pass
    3) All Nikko pass

    I need your advise on the following queries:

    1) Does N’ex card allows me to travel to Asakusa Station?

    2) Understand that all seats on the Narita Express require prior reservation. Do I need to pay reservation fee on top of 5500yen?

    3) Is the combination of the passes I mentioned above feasible for my trip?

    Thank you.

    • JPRail says:

      Hi Siobhan,

      I haven’t heard from you for a long time. How was the trip in last year?

      1) JR line does not have any station in Asakusa. The nearest station to Asakusa is Ueno. So if you take N’ex, Narita to Tokyo by N’ex, Yamanote line to Ueno, and then subway Asakusa line to Asakusa from Ueno. N’ex ticket will cover the trip to Ueno. But you have to pay subway fare 160 yen.
      You may use Keisei Skyliner and subway deal.
      http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/special/
      Skyliner takes you to Ueno directly. Skyliner is quite fast and very comfortable. I have taken this train and wrote about it at the following post:
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/trip-to-tohoku-and-nagano-in-2013-winter-part-1-from-narita-airport-to-ueno.html

      2) No. It’s included.

      3) I can’t find any problems. That’s good to go.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Siobhan says:

        Dear Takeshi

        The trip last year was fantastic. That’s why I’m going this year again (^^).

        If I am taking Roundtrip Skyliner Ticket + Two-day Tokyo Metro Pass for the first two days (10 Oct to 11 Oct), does the Tokyo Metro Pass covers my journey from Ueno to Asakusa?

        I intend to use the Roundtrip Skyliner Ticket to go to Narita on my last day and I would like to make use of its subway deal as well. But it seems like the package does not allow me to buy additional Two-day Tokyo Metro Pass for my usage on the last two days.

        Therefore, may I confirm that the I will need to use Suica for the rest of the journey on 13 Oct and 17 Oct to 20 Oct?

        Thank you.

        • JPRail says:

          Hi Siobhan,

          Yes. If you activate your subway pass on arrival day, you can get Asakusa by this pass.

          You have to purchase Suica or single ticket anyway, because subway does not run outside of Tokyo. You cannot get Miyaka, Yokohama and Kawagoe by subway. You can purchase Suica itself. Or you can simple purchase single ticket.

          If you travel in just downtown Tokyo, you can purchase subway one day pass on the spot:
          http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day/index.html

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

  7. Joolian says:

    Sorry to ask so many questions, just need one more clarification about the Suica card.
    When I buy it in Tokyo, if I charge more money in it, can I use it for the Narita Express when we are leaving? Or do I have to get the Narita Express ticket separately? Thanks for your patience.

    • JPRail says:

      Hi Joolian,

      You can use Suica for basic fare only. You have to purchase Narita Express surcharge ticket separately. When you take this train, you just touch Suica at ticket gate. And show your Suica and express surcharge ticket in the train to conductor.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  8. Joolian says:

    Hello, am I right in understanding that the Suica card is not suitable for someone who wants to go from Tokyo to Narita one way? It seems to be only from Narita to the city for one way.

    • JPRail says:

      Hi Joolian,

      Suica card itself can be purchased anywhere. But Suica & N’ex can be purchased in Narita airport only. And it must be starting to use in Narita. It cannot be used for opposite way.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. Ron Germeaux says:

    If I purchase a shinkansen ticket and my plans change is it possible to get a refund for unused ticket?

    Thank-you

    • JPRail says:

      Hi Ron,

      It’s refundable, but handling charge will apply.

      Reserved seat : 320 yen until 2 days before departure date, 30% after that.
      Non reserved seat : 210 yen before expiry date.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Baka_toroi says:

    Hey, I have a question!

    Since there are problems with foreign cash in my country, I was wondering if the Suica card can be charged with an international Visa card.

    Thank you!

    • JPRail says:

      Hi, Baka_toroi,

      It is very limited. Only ATM machine that is called “VIEW ALTTE” can take credit card. It’s not available at all stations. Only major stations have this ATM machine.
      However sometimes credit card that is issued in foreign country cannot be accepted. And also this ATM machine seems to show only Japanese. It may be hard to use it.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

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