How to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport

Narita International Airport, located in Chiba Prefecture, is one of the main airports for reaching Tokyo. It is quite far from the city center, and depending on where in Tokyo you're headed to, the trip can take from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours! Plan ahead, so you can save time, money, and the hassle.

From Narita Airport to central Tokyo, there are two major modes of transport: by train and Limousine Bus. Trains takes you to the city center mostly on time, and the bus will have more destinations to choose from, so if you have luggage and have a flexible schedule, it may be easier to go by bus. You can also choose to take the taxi but rates will be higher.

Narita Express (N'EX) by JR and Keisei Skyliner are the two express trains running between Narita Airport and Tokyo.

Narita Express stops at major JR stations within Tokyo, including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, or Shinjuku, and some runs past Tokyo to Kanagawa, with stops atYokohama and Ofuna.

However, major stations can be quite chaotic so be prepared to walk with your bags through a lot of people. Prices are usually 3,000 yen, but you can ride this train with the Japan Rail Pass.

In order to ride the Narita Express you will need to purchase a reserved seat at the counter or with a ticket machine. If you plan to travel by train, we suggest purchasing a Suica e-money card which you can use to ride trains with.

If you're going to Nippori or Ueno stations (or near them) you'll be able to make the trip on the Skyliner at 40 minutes at around 2,200 yen. The Skyliner is particularly useful for those staying in North or East Tokyo, and you'll need to purchase as reserved seat at the counter before boarding.

Staying in Oshiage, Asakusa, Nihombashi, or Higashi-Ginza? The Access Express will get you there in 47-64 minutes at lower prices (around 980-1,400 yen). See the chart linked to below for more details, and keep in mind that this particular route cannot use credit cards. This train is especially good if you're staying in North or East Tokyo, or the business districts in the city center. No need to purchase a reserved seat, so it's best to buy an e-money card from the ticket machine and use that.

While trains will get you to other train stations, the Limousine Bus service will often bring you much closer to your hotel, if not directly to the hotel entrance. For those who don't want to carry their bags much and have a hotel near one of the arrival points, this is the way to go. A one-way trip is usually around 3,100 yen, but there are often good deals available at Narita for purchasing round-trip tickets at a good discount. If you buy a round-trip ticket be sure to make sure to confirm at the ticket desk that a timely return trip is available from your area.

Narita is FAR from downtown, so you could easily pay over 25,000 yen for a one-way trip into the city in a taxi, plus highway tolls. However, sometimes it makes sense depending on your situation, so it's best to book in advance with a service like Tokyo MK at fixed fares ranging from 16,000 to 22,000 yen, plus highway tolls (max 2,650 yen). Pickups from Narita can also incur placard fees around 3,000 yen.

Renting a car at the airport makes your trip easy going by forgetting about your luggage after you store it in the trunk, and not caring about time tables of transportation.

After stepping out from the arrival gate, go to the service counter and apply for your own car for your stay in Japan. Don’t forget to bring you passport and a valid international driving license. Nippon Rent-A-Car is available 24 hours so even if you arrive at the airport by a late or early morning flight, there are no worries to wait for the trains and buses to start operating. It is possible to return your car to another location too.

For the most standard type of mobile, the fee is approximately 10,000yen per day, and each additional day will cost 8,000～9,000yen. If you are traveling in a big party, this will be a choice to consider.