Wondering how to get from Narita Airport to central Tokyo? 🚉🚗🚌
In this guide, we’ll break down the different options—express trains, local lines, and buses—so you can pick the one that’s best for your travel style and budget!
- Japanese Trains: Super Handy, Super Confusing 🚉😵
- How to Get from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station
- No Transfers, No Stress! Take the Narita Express
- Taking the Narita Express? Don’t Miss the “N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket”!
- Important Things to Know About the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket
- Seat Reservation Tips for the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket
- Fast & Comfortable! The Keisei Skyliner Is Another Great Option
- Looking for the Cheapest Way? Try the Access Express or Local Trains!
- Easy Ride by Bus: Airport Bus or Limousine Bus
Japanese Trains: Super Handy, Super Confusing 🚉😵
Trains in Japan are incredibly punctual and make it easy to reach major tourist spots—so they’re great for travelers!
But here’s the catch: many stations are shared by different train companies (like JR and private railways), and sometimes the same station name has totally different platforms.
So while the system is super convenient, it can also be super confusing for first-timers. Be ready for a few head-scratching moments!
When I took the Narita Express to Tokyo myself, I saw several travelers from overseas who had accidentally boarded the wrong train or looked totally lost trying to find their seats.
I really wished I could help them out and explain things in English… but let’s be real—I didn’t have the language skills to pull that off 😅
It still stings a little that I couldn’t do more to help.
So in this guide, I’ll break things down clearly for:
- First-timers flying into Narita Airport
- Anyone who wants to explain how to get into Tokyo to friends or family visiting from overseas
Let’s make your (or their!) arrival in Tokyo as smooth and stress-free as possible 🚃💨
How to Get from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station
There are several ways to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station:
- JR Narita Express (N’EX)
- Keisei Skyliner + JR Yamanote Line
- Access Express or other local trains
- Bus (Airport Bus or Limousine Bus)
- Taxi
Assuming you’re starting from Terminal 2, here’s a quick comparison chart to help you choose the best option ✍
| Transportation | Time to Tokyo Station | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Narita Express (N’EX) | ~1 hour | 3072JPY |
| Keisei Skyliner + JR Yamanote Line (transfer required) | ~1 hour | 2734JPY |
| Access Express / Local Train (transfer at Funabashi) | ~1 hour 30 min | 1164JPY |
| Airport Bus | ~1 hour 15 min | 1500JPY～ (early/late buses: up to ¥3,000) |
| Limousine Bus | ~1 hour 45 min | 3100JPY |
| Taxi | ~1.5 to 2 hours | From 25000JPY～(approximate) |
In my opinion, the most confusing part is taking the train.
There’s a station called “Airport Terminal 2 Station” (also serves Terminal 2 & 3), and here’s the tricky bit—both JR and Keisei Railway operate from this same station.
Even more confusing? Their platforms are right next to each other!
It’s super easy to hop on the wrong train if you’re in a rush. So take a breath, double-check the signs, and board with confidence 💡
No Transfers, No Stress! Take the Narita Express
If you’re heading from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, the Narita Express (N’EX) by JR East is one of the easiest options.
It takes about 1 hour, and best of all—no transfers needed!
The one-way fare is 3,072JYP, and don’t forget: you’ll need to buy both a basic train ticket and a limited express ticket.
This is a great choice if you’re worried about navigating transfers or if you’ve got a lot of luggage to carry. Just hop on and relax until you reach Tokyo Station!
Taking the Narita Express? Don’t Miss the “N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket”!
There’s a special discount ticket just for international travelers (non-Japanese passport holders):the “N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket”
It’s way cheaper than the regular price, which is why it’s super popular among visitors to Japan!
This deal gives you a round-trip ride on the Narita Express between Narita Airport and central Tokyo.
It’s valid for 14 days, so it’s perfect if you’re flying into Narita, sightseeing in Tokyo, and flying back out from Narita again ✈️
Important Things to Know About the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket
- Only for international travelers holding a non‑Japanese passport. Passport showing is required at purchase.
- Valid only for round‑trip rides between Narita Airport (Terminals 1 or 2/3) and central Tokyo areas (e.g., Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yokohama). No stopovers or route changes are allowed.
- Valid for 14 days from purchase; both outbound and return rides must be used within this period.
- More on seat reservations coming up next!
- Must be purchased in Japan at Narita Airport stations only—cannot be bought outside Japan, though online booking with in-person pickup is possible.
- You may change trains within JR East lines (e.g., from Narita Express to a local JR line) without extra fare, as long as you don’t pass through ticket gates and stay within eligible JR stations.
Seat Reservation Tips for the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket
The Narita Express (N’EX) is a fully reserved train.
Even if you’ve purchased the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket, your seat isn’t automatically reserved—you’ll be in an “unreserved status” unless you specifically choose a seat in advance.
This has led to real-life mix-ups, like:
- A traveler sitting in someone else’s reserved seat
- People thinking “This ticket lets me sit anywhere,” which isn’t the case
To make things trickier, even many locals in Japan don’t fully understand how this ticket works.(´;ω;｀)
I once went to my reserved seat and found a traveler already sitting there.
I could only say, “Sorry, this is our reserved seat.”
They looked confused and said, “I thought this ticket meant I could sit anywhere.” It was a bit awkward and stressful for both of us.
It’s a shame when visitors who came all the way to Japan get confused by something like train seating.
And for us locals, it feels bad to realize, “If I’d known more, maybe I could’ve helped…”
So here’s what you should keep in mind when using the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket👇
- Without reserving a seat, your ticket puts you in an “unreserved” status—you can sit anywhere only if it’s free, but must move if someone has booked that seat
- You can (and should!) reserve a seat for free at a JR ticket counter or machine before boarding. You can even book both directions at once!
With this little bit of knowledge, your ride from Narita to Tokyo can be smooth and stress-free 😊
And if you see someone confused at the station, maybe you’ll be the one who can help them out!
Heads-up: Most other JR passes require a separate express seat ticket for the Narita Express
JR East offers a variety of rail passes for international travelers.
Among them, the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket includes both the base fare and the express seat fee, so you can ride the Narita Express with no extra charges.
| Usage | Express Seat Ticket Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Purchase | Yes | Base fare + express ticket both required |
| N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket | No | Includes express ticket (round trip) ※Seat reservation is not included automatically. If you board without a reserved seat, you can sit in any empty seat, but you’ll need to give it up if someone else has a reservation. 👉 To avoid having to move, reserve your seat in advance at a JR ticket counter or machine—it’s free! |
| (e.g. JR TOKYO Wide Pass） | Yes | Pass covers base fare, express ticket must be purchased separately |
Fast & Comfortable! The Keisei Skyliner Is Another Great Option
The Keisei Skyliner, operated by Keisei Railway, is another super convenient way to get from Narita Airport to the city.
Like the Narita Express, it’s fully reserved seating, so you’ll need to buy a liner ticket (express ticket) in addition to your base fare.
From Nippori Station, you can easily transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to reach Tokyo Station.
Since the Skyliner is usually a bit cheaper than the Narita Express, it’s a great choice if you want a comfortable, reserved seat without spending too much☺✨✨
Looking for the Cheapest Way? Try the Access Express or Local Trains!
If you’re on a budget, the Keisei Access Express or JR local trains are great options to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station.
This route is the most cost-effective, perfect for travelers trying to save money!
Despite the name, the Access Express doesn’t require an express ticket—you just need a regular train ticket, which makes it a great deal.
That said…
During the morning rush hour, trains can get super crowded.
If you’re carrying a large suitcase, it might be tough to move around.
So if you’ve got lots of luggage, we recommend traveling during off-peak hours or considering a different option 💦
Easy Ride by Bus: Airport Bus or Limousine Bus
You can also take a bus from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station—
and both options go directly to Tokyo Station (Yaesu Exit) with no transfers needed!
Perfect if you have large luggage or feel nervous about navigating trains.
- Airport Bus: From 1,500JYP (early morning/late night: 3,000JYP)
https://tyo-nrt.com/en - Limousine Bus: 3,100JYP one-way
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
Just a heads-up—traffic conditions can really affect travel time when taking the bus.
So it’s best to use this option when you’re not in a hurry and have some extra time to spare 🕒
Wishing you a wonderful time exploring Japan!💗☺✨
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