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
2013.06.24

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. Lotta says:
    August 20, 2015 at 6:58 am

    Hello, I don’t know if this question was asked but can you use the NEX ticket also for other JR EAST lines? For example the Yamanote Line? We are going to stay for two weeks in Japan, first Tokyo, then Kyoto and then again in Tokyo. We want travel around Tokyo and did I understand it right that we have to reserve the seats for the NEX train every time we want to use the train?
    Would it better and cheaper if we use the Japan Rail Pass for these two weeks?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      August 20, 2015 at 12:52 pm

      Hi Lotta,

      NEX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket gives you the ride anywhere in coverage area by Narita Express and other JR trains until you exit the station. For example, if you want to go to Ueno, you can take Narita Express to Tokyo and transfer to Yamanote line to get Ueno. Once you exit the station, the ticket is expired.

      JR Pass 7 days is almost same cost as Tokyo-Osaka round trip by Shinkansen. I recommend you to visit Kyoto (and maybe other places around Kyoto, such as Osaka, Nara) in first half or last half of your trip. You may use 7 days pass for trip to Kyoto. In this case, you may use JR Pass to take Narita Express on arrival day or departure day. You may use other deal instead of NEX Round Trip Ticket. You can find more info at the link below.

      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Lotta says:
        August 20, 2015 at 1:21 pm

        Hey, me again (Lotta)!
        What do you mean by expired? My English isn’t so good. I mean I know what the word means but does it actually mean that I can use this NEX Round Trip ticket only one time? If yes, why is it then for 14 days? Does it also mean that I can’t use it more then one time while I am in Tokyo and also not use it for the way back?

  2. Shirley says:
    July 20, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    Hi,
    I plan to take narita express from Narita airport to Tokyo station. However, I will need to take Narita express from Yokohama to Narita airport. In this case, is it possible to buy the promotional Narita express round trip ticket?

    For your advice, thanks.

  3. Mary says:
    July 9, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    My plan is to purchase the 7-day JR Pass. Once I arrive in Narita, I will activate my pass and use it to ride the N’EX to Tokyo. However, I saw that N’EX only sells roundtrip tickets now. I will stay in Japan for 9 days. Will my JR Pass still cover my N’EX return ticket on the 9th day if I get the roundtrip tickets?

  4. Victoria says:
    July 5, 2015 at 11:23 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m planning to travel Tokyo on August 21 and will stay there until the 31st. We are most likely going to travel on the Yamanote line during this time. From the 31st we will be travelling to Kyoto until the 6th, when we need to return to Narita Airport on the 7th for our flight.

    Would you recommend the 14 day JR pass, Suica card, or both?

    Thank you!

  5. honeymooner says:
    June 17, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    hello Takeshi,
    Please kindly advise as per below:
    1. should I take JR rail pass for 7days for my trip below:
    8-oct @1730 – arriving NRT, staying in Odaiba area
    9-oct – still staying in Odaiba area
    10-oct – moving to Osaka for Universal studio, staying in Osaka
    11-oct – staying in Osaka, day trip to Kyoto
    12-oct – back to Tokyo, sightseeing in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Akibahara, Ikebukuro, Asakusa. staying in Tokyo
    13-oct – still staying in Tokyo for further sightseeing
    14-oct – still staying in Tokyo
    15-oct – back to Narita
    16-oct – depart NRT @2050

    2. can u please advise good itinerary to make my honeymoon trip better?

    3. I am in doubt in selecting either to use suica, pasmo, icaco or the JR Pass for 7days. Please advise.

    Thanks in advance.
    Awaits your prompt feedback and suggestion.

  6. Ami says:
    January 20, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    Hi, Takeshi..
    Just do the random blogwalking, and found your website is very interesting. Really help me a lot to get information about train station and other things
    Would like to ask several things about Suica.
    I will be traveling to Tokyo on February 2015. Consider to use Suica.
    I’m traveling with 5 adults and 1 children.
    Where is the location counter ticket to buy suica in Haneda Airport?
    I heard information that children suica need to be bought in JR office in Haneda.

    We’ll be staying in Minato Area, and the nearest train station is Shibakoen.
    Could also i use the suica if use train from Shibakoen?

    Thank you..

  7. Nicola says:
    December 29, 2014 at 4:59 am

    Hi

    Am planning to travel to Tokyo with my husband and 2 children (12 & 17) and am trying to work out the cheapest way to travel around.

    We will be traveling from Narita to Asasuka where our hotel is. We think to use the Access Express from airport to Asasuka? We have 3 days in Tokyo before returning to Narita. One of those days we are doing a tour to Mount Fuji which means us being collected from Hamamatsucho bus terminal and being dropped back to Tokyo station.

    We intend to visit Harajuku, Ueno, Shibuya, Ginza and possibly Rappongi. What would be the best type of rail card to get bearing in mind we will be starting and returning in Asasuka?

    Many thanks in advance for your help.

  8. Sabrina Lee says:
    November 16, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    Hi,

    I will be leaving for Tokyo this coming sunday 24/11, stay 4 nights in Tokyo and leave Tokyo for Osaka on 28/11 and stay 5 nights in Osaka.

    Thinking of buying a JR 7 days pass but wandering if there’s any other cheaper way than buying the 7 day pass at Y29110.

    In Tokyo, besides visiting within Tokyo, I intend to visit Yokohama and maybe Mount Takao. In Osaka i will like to visit Kyoto – Hozu Valley on the Sagano Romantic Train, Arashamiya and Koyimizu Temple. I will like to visit Kobe – Hyogo and Universal Studio and if time permits Nara & some time in Osaka shopping and eating.

    I am confused by all the passes available and I would like to maximise and pay cheaper options. Can you advise me? As I will be arriving on 24/11 at Tokyo and leaving 3/12 from Osaka, I am in a fix regarding the passes to buy.

    I will be arriving Narita at 0655 hrs, Please also advise can i buy tickets on the Narita Express on arrival and for Shinjuku station, do I need to change train at Tokyo station for the NEX or it is direct from Narita to Shinjuku with no change in train.

    Thank You.

    Sabrina

  9. Isabelle says:
    October 18, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    Hi my children are 5 years old, 15 years old and 17 years old, can I buy child suica card for them?

    I heard must buy from ticket office and need to fill form in Japanese? Especially the name must be in Japanese.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      October 18, 2014 at 8:20 pm

      Hi Isabelle,

      5 years old child is free with adult passenger. So Suica is not required.
      15 and 17 year old are not child. Adult fare apply to more than 12 years old. So you don’t need any child Suica. Suica can be purchased in even vending machine. If you purchase Suica with commute pass, you have to fill form. But travellers don’t need it. You can purchase Suica at Narita or Haneda airport station when ticket office is open.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Judy says:
    April 30, 2014 at 11:43 pm

    Hello Takeshi,
    Thank you very much for these information. Your website is very helpful!

    I will go to Japan for the first time with two other adults and I’m confused about all the types of passes in different regions! I read your other posts but choosing a pass is what’s difficult.

    Our trip will be from 23rd may-17th June

    We will arrive in KIX and stay in Osaka only for 5 days.
    Then Kyoto for another 5 days + one day trips to Nara and Hiroshima.
    Finally we will stay in Shinjuku, Tokyo for 15 days + one day trips to Yokohama, Hakone, Shizuoka and Kamakura. Then depart from Narita Airport.

    We’re thinking about getting a JR pass but it might not be a good choice inside Kyoto and Osaka. So we’re thinking about getting:

    -Rainbow card or multiple ride card for Osaka.
    -Traffic Kyoto card or Kyoto sightseeing card for Kyoto.
    or the Surutto Kansai Miyako Card for Osaka/Kyoto/Nara

    -one-day passes for Yokohama and Kamakura.

    And now that I read about this Suica card, it looks like a convenient and great deal for Tokyo! Can we use it for all our trip? Or use ICOCA instead? And at the end you mentioned that we better combine it with other passes and deals..what did you mean by that?

    Thank you again!

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      May 1, 2014 at 12:04 am

      Hi Judy,

      Thanks for your comment about my website. 🙂
      I will tell you the recommended pass / deal one by one.

      KIX – Osaka
      If you stay in Namba, you can use Kanku Tokuwari Rapi:t ticket. If you stay around Osaka subway station, Kanku Chikatoku ticket is good choice. These passes can be found at the following:
      http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/

      If you stay around JR station, you can use ICOCA and Haruka:
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
      It includes ICOCA. Actually both ICOCA and Suica are same thing. ICOCA is issued by JR West (kansai area) and Suica is issued by JR East (Tokyo area). If you want to return these card and get refund 500 yen deposit, you have to return it in the area where the card is issued. So you can use ICOCA in Tokyo but you can’t get refund in Tokyo. But you can purchase Suica in Kansai. Coverage is same. But you can use these cards in short transfer only. You can’t use it for long distance. So you can use it for the trip to Nara but you can’t for trip to Hiroshima.

      Kyoto and Osaka
      As you think, some subway or bus deals are good choice. Surutto Kansai card is too much.

      Trip to Hiroshima and transfer to Tokyo.
      You can use JR Pass 7 days for these trips. You can do trip to Nara, to Hiroshima, to Tokyo from Kyoto and maybe trip to Shizuoka, Kamakura in 7 days. This is the best way to use JR Pass 7 days. Please don’t think about 14 days pass. It’s too much. Try to do these trips in 7 days.

      Hakone
      JR Pass does not cover all part of Hakone anyway. So you don’t need to do this trip in JR Pass 7 days period. You can use Hakone Free Pass. This pass includes all transportation in Hakone area and gives you the best deal:
      http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/

      Cheers,

      Takeshi JP rail

      • Judy says:
        May 1, 2014 at 1:27 am

        Thank you very much! Now I think I can choose right!

        Your idea of the 7 day JR pass is great! We think it’s the best choice for us!

        In Osaka, we’ll stay at Nankai Namba so we decided to take the Rapi:t β Airport Express!

        So from what you wrote, for sightseeing inside Osaka and Kyoto, we can use the subway/bus deals you wrote about in other posts but the problem is that they are only for 2 or 3 days so our options above (rainbow card, etc.) are maybe better. Can we use Suica for Osaka/Kyoto instead of all these deals?

        And for transportation inside Tokyo, we think the best way is Suica!

        Thank you again!

        • Takeshi / JPRail says:
          May 1, 2014 at 7:10 am

          Hi Judy,

          Do you need Rainbow card and Miyako card? Eco card (one day Osaka 800 yen) and all day bus pass (one day Kyoto 500 yen) will be okay.
          Especially in Osaka, even single fare will be cheaper.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

          • Judy says:
            May 1, 2014 at 1:29 pm

            Hello Takeshi,

            We thought the rainbow card is best because the eco card and such are only for one day while we will use transportation for 5 days in osaka and same in kyoto.

            We might use rainbow card for osaka and traffica for kyoto or just a suica for both for convenience!
            Or if we can, we will buy the one day pass everyday for 5 days but it might cost us more.

            • Takeshi / JPRail says:
              May 1, 2014 at 9:53 pm

              Hi Judy,

              If you take subway more than 4 or 5 times a day, Eco card is cheaper. Eco Card (800 yen / weekend 600 yen) gives you unlimited ride, but rainbow card does not.
              ex) Umeda – Namba 240 yen

              In Kyoto, all day bus pass (500 yen) gives you very good deal. City bus single fare is 230 yen. So if you take a bus more than 3 times a day, this pass is cheaper.

              Of course you can use rainbow card or miyako card. But you will spend same amount as cash pay if you use this card. So you should check your itinerary and find how many trips you will take a day. If you visit many places, you can use these unlimited ride ticket.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JP Rail

              • Judy says:
                May 1, 2014 at 10:41 pm

                Hello,

                I see. We already finished planning our itinerary so we can start calculating every day transportation costs 🙂
                Also, we checked single tickets costs for our side trips and compared them to the 7 day JR pass you suggested and found we will save about 55,000 yen so thank you again for your help. We appreciate it!

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