Narita International Airport
How to get to Tokyo
Narita International Airport is one of two airports serving the city of Tokyo. This airport is located about 70 km east of the capital. Narita Airport mainly handles international flights, while the other airport, Haneda, is mainly used for domestic flights, although international flights have recently increased in large numbers.
The airport has 3 terminals (as of 8 April 2015)
Nanashinodensyaku, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
JR Narita Express
(from 3070 Yen to 3250 Yen – 60-80 minutes)
This is the most ‘famous’ train to get to Tokyo. It connects Narita Airport with Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro stations. The single ticket costs 3070 yen to Tokyo Station and 3250 yen to Shinjuku.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass you can take this train.
Seat reservations are required on this train.
N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket
This ticket costs 5000 Yen and can only be purchased at Narita Airport at the JR ticket counters and offices.
Only foreign tourists and foreign residents can purchase this ticket. You must present your passport at the ticket office to purchase.
The N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket is valid for roundtrip travel from Narita to Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shinagawa, Ikebukuro, Yokohama, Omiya and Ofuna, and also allows you to use some JR lines such as Yamanote Line, Chuo Line and others to get to your hotel.
IMPORTANT: the return journey must be made within 14 days of the outward journey.
Sui-setz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Keisei Skyliner
(2580 Yen – 36 minutes)
A good alternative to the Narita Express, the only drawback is the terminus, Ueno station. To get to other Tokyo stations you have to get off at the penultimate stop Nippori and then change trains (e.g. take the Yamanote Line to stations such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, etc.) The journey to Ueno takes 41 minutes and costs 2570 yen. As Keisei is a private company, the Japan Rail Pass is NOT valid.
You can buy a pass valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours that includes a one-way or return ticket plus a day pass for all 13 underground lines. The price is 2900, 3300 and 3600 Yen for the one-way ticket and the 24-, 48- and 72-hour pass, and 4900, 5300 and 5600 Yen for the round-trip ticket and the 24-, 48- and 72-hour pass. The pass can be purchased online.
IMPORTANT: It is possible to buy the Skyliner ticket directly from the website (for foreign tourists only) at a price of 2310 Yen instead of 2580 Yen. The return ticket costs 4500 Yen instead of 5160 Yen
Official page of the Keisei Skyliner
Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket page
Link to book your Skyliner ticket
Rsa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
JR Sobu Line
(1340 Yen – 86 minutes)
This train connects the airport with Tokyo Station and then continues on to Yokohama. It is slower than the Narita Express, taking about 90 minutes, but much cheaper (1340 Yen).
You can also use your Japan Rail Pass on this train.
銚電神 (Chodengami), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Keisei Limited Express
(1050 Yen – 80 minutes)
This is the cheapest train from Narita Airport to Keisei Station in Ueno. The one-way ticket costs 1050 yen and the train takes about 80 minutes. To get to other parts of the city simply get off at Keisei Nippori Station and then take the Yamanote Line.
2for6, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Keisei Access Express (Access-Tokkyu)
(from 1280 Yen – 60 minutes)
toshinori baba, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Limousine Bus
(from 3100 Yen – 85 to 145 minutes)
The limousine bus connects the airport with the city of Tokyo and the main hotels in the capital. The cost starts at 2900 Yen and goes up to 3600 Yen and takes between 85 and 145 minutes depending on the area.
For young people aged between 12 and 25 and the over-65s there is a discount of between 550 Yen and 1100 Yen depending on the destination.
You can take the limousine bus even if your hotel is not on the list of stops. Just choose one that is close to your hotel.
You can buy a pass that includes the route from the airport to the city and back, and a 24, 48 or 72-hour pass for all metro lines. There are 3 passes available.
One single trip (between airport and city) with limousine bus and 24-hour metro pass for 4000 Yen
Two single trips (between airport and city) with limousine bus and 48-hour metro pass for 7200 Yen
Two single trips (between airport and city) with limousine bus and 72-hour Metro pass for 7500 Yen
Official page of the Limousine Bus
Page with all discounted tickets
Comyu, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airport Express Keisei Bus
(1300 Yen – 90 minutes)
This Keisei company bus connects the airport to Tokyo and Ginza station. The ticket costs 1300 Yen. If you take the bus early in the morning or late at night, the ticket costs 2600 Yen (before 5am and from 11pm).
Comyu, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Taxi
(20000 Yen – 60 to 90 minutes)
If you have a lot of money, you can use the taxi. It takes about the same time as the other means, but costs 20 times more than the Keisei Limited Express.
Comyu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons