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. Fyon says:

    Dear Takeshi san

    Can I buy the NEX round trip ticket if I am departing from Narita airport to Shinjuku, but I am going back to Narita airport from Yokohama instead of Shinjuku?

    There seems to be a clause “After boarding the N’EX, passengers may transfer to another JR East train (excluding limited express trains) to any JR East station within the designated Tokyo train area. ” So it should be applicable right? Thanks for the advice!

  2. Mandy Tan says:

    Dear Takeshi San,

    I bought round trip N’ex ticket but unfortunately today I got the mail mentioned that my flight reschedule so returning I can’t use N’ex to airport. Is that possible to refund? Going sector used but return sector still valid to travel.

    Waiting your reply,

    Best regards,
    Mandy

    • Hi Mandy san,

      Unfortunately you cannot refund it because you have already used one way portion. According to official site, “If desired, refunds are available at sales locations. The ticket must be unused and the use period still valid on the day the refund is made. There is a surcharge for refunds.”

      So all part of ticket must be unused but you have already used. Sorry but there is no way to refund.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Mikhail says:

    Hello!

    I am arriving to Narita at 14:30 sunday 26th of March 2017 and depart 2 weeks later at 15:00 sunday 9th of April 2017. Can I buy return ticket in this case OR it would be expired at in 8th of April 2017?

  4. Airton says:

    Hi, I am going to Tokyo and Osaka. Can I use NEX to go Tokyo to Osaka?

  5. hanoz says:

    If i take the NEX round trip option (for Shinagawa), where is the schedule of the NEX trains for the return journey to Narita airport ?

  6. legouas says:

    Hello
    I will be in Tokyo on next october. Could you tell me if the
    “Suica & N’EX” card can still be purchased ?
    Thanks in advance

  7. Verl says:

    Hi. Like to check if there is promo price for suica card as i plan to stay in ueno area for a week. Can suica card be used on skyliner? Is there a round trip ticket from narita to ueno? What should i purchase at narita so that i can travel daily around tokyo?

  8. tan says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    I’m going to tokyo and fly back from osaka in may.
    i am dilemma on how to save on the transport. i will be staying in shibuya and shin osaka. how can i plan for the transport by taking train.

  9. Reyhana Noorsham says:

    Hello Takeshi, i’m going to Tokyo at the end of this April. At first, i decided to buy the one day free kippu pass where i can ride both JR trains and public trains. But then i discovered that not all public trains is valid for this pass, which they only for Toei line and Tokyo line. So, as i researched along, i discover Suica is much more easier to used. But my question is, does it really available for all kind of train? I’m just going to travel all around Tokyo. I understand that it cannot be used for the long journey travel, but i really hope it covered up all the subways and JR trains in Tokyo. Thank you.

  10. Arman says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    you wrote me: “Can you show me your plan with the date and place to stay, like following?
    3/18 Narita-Ofuna (stay in Ofuna)
    3/19 Ofuna-Tokyo sightseeing-Tokyo (stay in Ofuna)”

    Since I’m traveling from Tehran, There is no office to purchase JR Pass and it is not possible to buy it online too (maybe because of Iran IP).
    My plan is: 3/18 Narita-Ofuna (staying in Kamakura city for 2 days)
    3/21 Kamakua-Tokyo (sightseeing)-Kamakura
    3/22 Kamakura-shin Yokohama (or Tokyo station)-Kyoto (staying in Kyoto for 3 days)
    3/22&23&24 Kyoto & Nara&Osaka sightseeing (no fixed plan but the hotel is in Kyoto)
    3/24 Kyoto-Kamakura
    3/25 Kamakura-Tsukuba city
    3/25&26 Tsukuba
    3/26 Tsukuba-Kamakura
    3/27 & 28 Kamakura & Tokyo
    3/28 Kamakura-Ofuna-Narita
    I’m thinking to buy a Kyoto round trip non-reserved seat sinkansen with one day pass from JAPANican and a N,EX & Suica in Narita.
    Thanks in advance for you kind advise.

    • Hi Arman,

      I understand that you cannot purchase JR pass. So your choice is correct. You may purchase it at Japannican.
      But Suica and Nex is not available any more. Your choice is NEX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket.
      http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_round.html

      You can get Ofuna by NEX and also can take local train to Kamakura from Ofuna by this ticket if you want.

      Suica can be purchased beside this deal if you want. It’s convenient choice for you to get Tokyo and Tsukuba from Kamakura.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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