If you’re flying into Tokyo from outside of Japan, you may end up coming in through Narita International Airport depending on your airline. Once called New Tokyo International Airport, it is not as centrally located as Haneda Airport, which handles most of the domestic traffic and is taking on more and more international flights as well.
Narita handles international flights as well as low-budget airlines. If you are keeping your travel in Japan on a tight budget, you might end up flying out of here to another city.
There are 3 Terminals at Narita International Airport
While not huge, it is still a modern airport. There are three terminals, all of which are connected. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected through a railway found in their basements, while Terminal 3 is connected to Terminal 2 by a pedestrian walkway.
There are also free shuttle buses between the three terminals. If you have a connecting flight in Narita International Airport, it is easy to get around. Because the airport does not handle all the domestic traffic in the city, it is not so busy as Haneda Airport (though it is still bustling) meaning that you can get around without too much trouble with crowds.
The Following are the best and reliable means of transport to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport
Narita is in the city of Narita, about 60 kilometers outside of Tokyo. Visitors to the thriving metropolis have many options for getting to central Tokyo, though, so no worries! There’s an option for everyone that can work with your budget and schedule.
A bit of research and planning ahead will go a long way to making the start (and even end) of your trip much more relaxing and simple.
1. Keisei Skyliner Express
Quick and stylish, the Keisei Skyliner Express will zip you over to Nippori Station from the airport in about 40 minutes. Once at Nippori station, transfer to the JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line to get to Tokyo Station, a journey of around 10 minutes.
All seats are reserved. Tickets for the Keisei Skyliner Express cost around 2200 yen if bought outside of Japan.
2. Narita Express (N’EX)
This comfortable train takes around one hour to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station. The Narita Express departs every 30 to 60 minutes. It costs about 3000 yen one-way, but it is also covered by many different rail passes: the Japan Rail Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Area Pass, and a few other JR passes.
You should always double-check in advance to see if your rail pass covers any train. All seats are reserved seats. The Tokyo Round Trip Ticket is a good option for tourists; it offers a discounted round trip from the airport into Tokyo and back within a selected 2-week period. The Tokyo Round Trip Ticket will cost you 4000 yen.
3. JR Sobu Line
The JR Sobu Line is a good budget option. It will take you to Tokyo Station from Narita Airport in about 90 minutes. A ticket costs 1320 yen.
Be warned, this is a regular commuter train, so it can get crowded during rush hour. It does make several stops around the city, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your itinerary.
4. Express Bus
There are many bus companies that will get you to Central Tokyo from Narita Airport. Some will even take you directly to your hotel if it is one of the major ones in the city.
“Limousine buses” will cost you around 3200 yen for a trip into the city, though several cheaper options have started to become available for as little as 1500 yen or so. You can book bus tickets in advance, which often allows you to get some discounts on the service.
For most travelers, there are two considerations when it comes to transportation from any airport: speed and expense. Many of us have an itinerary when traveling, especially when we’re visiting a country with so much to see like Japan.
International travelers may want to consider reaching their hotel as soon as they can before heading out. At the same time, most of us have a budget on our trips and we prefer to minimize costs as much as we can so we can have more money for meals and souvenirs.
The Fastest, and Cheapest way to Access Tokyo from Narita Airport
Here are our picks for the fastest way from Narita Airport to Central Tokyo and the cheapest way from Narita Airport to Central Tokyo:
1. Fastest
This is the fastest way to get to Central Tokyo, moving you from the airport to Nippori Station in about 40 minutes with no stops. It’s ideal for travelers operating on a tight schedule or for those who just want to start their vacation already.
2. Cheapest
This one requires a bit of research to get the best price, but you can find a shuttle bus for 1500 yen and sometimes less depending on the timing of your bus ride. During the day, these budget buses are cheaper than late at night or early in the morning.
You can typically get discounts if you purchase tickets in advance online or over the phone. One company we recommend for the budget-minded is Airport Bus TYO-NRT. This shuttle bus connects between Tokyo Station and Narita Airport. The one way fare is 1500 yen during the day, and 3000 yen for late-night and early-morning departures.
If you are looking to find buses from Narita Airport to Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo, then check this website. Besides, there are also limousine buses available for travelers.
One thing you should not do if you are trying to stay within any budget is taking a taxi from Narita Airport to Tokyo. The airport is so far away from the city that a taxi is both much more expensive and not much quicker than the Skyliner.
Also, taxis from Narita Airport charge per person, not per ride, making the price even higher. With so many other budget-friendly options available, there is no reason to do this, even if you are tired of waiting for a train or bus.
While a quick look at a map can make it seem like Narita Airport is very far from Tokyo, the many wonderful transportation options available make it a wise option for travelers. If your flight lands you in Narita International Airport, it will only take you a few hours at most to catch a train or bus into the busy, vibrant heart of Tokyo.
