What’s the best way to get from Narita Airport (NRT) to Tokyo? How can you get on airport trains without waiting on lines? Here are the tips for getting into Tokyo fast and easily.
The Takeaway
- Fast: Narita Express (N’EX) or Keisei Skyliner trains.
- Easy: Airport limousine bus.
- Private: Regular taxi, pre-booked taxi.
- Cheap: Low-cost bus.
- Tip: Use a digital Suica to avoid lines.
- Tip: Use luggage shipping services to travel bag-free.
- Scroll down for all the details.
What’s The Best Way to Get from Narita into Tokyo?
The answer is: It depends. First, which of the following best describes you?
- You want to get to Tokyo as fast as possible.
- You don’t want to carry your bags through train stations.
- You don’t want to carry your bags and/or you don’t like public transport.
- You want to get there as cheaply as possible.
Let’s discuss each of these one at a time.
1) You Want to Get There as Fast as Possible
If speed is your priority, then take one of the following trains:
- Narita Express (N’EX): Direct service to Tokyo Station (about 1 hour, ¥3070). Some trains continue to Shibuya (about 1 hour 20 minutes, ¥3250) and Shinjuku (about 1 hour 25 minutes, ¥3250).
- Keisei Skyliner: Direct service to Ueno (about 50 minutes, ¥2580).
These trains operate from train stations beneath the terminals at Narita (follow signs for trains). Buy tickets at the stations or use a digital Suica card (see below).
2) You Don’t Want to Carry Your Bags Through Train Stations
If you don’t want to lug your bag onto trains and through train stations, consider an airport limousine bus: They stop outside the arrival halls at Narita, attendants stow your bags underneath the bus, and they drop you in front of many major hotels in Tokyo.
- Narita limousine bus: between 85 and 110 minutes, ¥3100.
Buy tickets from machines outside the arrival halls.
3) You Don’t Want to Carry Your Bags and/or You Don’t Like Public Transport
If you don’t want to carry your bags and/or you don’t like public transport, then an airport taxi is the way to go:
- Regular taxi/van from rank: 65 to 85 minutes, around ¥21,00.
- Pre-booked taxi/van: 65 to 85 minutes, ¥15,59.
Grab a taxi from the ranks outside arrival halls or book a private taxi or van online.
4) You Want to Get There as Cheaply as Possible
Narita Airport low-cost buses (LCB) are a great option for those on a tight budget. They leave from outside the arrival halls at Narita and drop you in central locations at Tokyo Station, Ginza and Ikebukuro (among others).
- Narita Airport low-cost buses: between 85 and 110 minutes, ¥1300 to ¥1900.
Buy tickets from counters inside arrival halls.
How to Get on the Trains Fast and Easily
When you ride the Narita Express into Tokyo, you normally buy your tickets from the Japan Rail (JR) ticket counters, JR Travel Service Offices, or ticket machines. Note that the regular counters and ticket machines are faster than the JR Travel Service Offices. If you’ve got a Japan Rail Pass, you can use it to ride the Narita Express, but you’ll have to wait on line to pick up your pass and get your reserved seat ticket at the JR Travel Service Office.
Narita Express reserved seat ticket vending machine on platform at Narita. Photo by Chris Rowthorn
In busy seasons, there can be long waits for the counters, ticket machines and JR Travel Service Offices. Here’s a trick to board the Narita Express without waiting on any lines. If you’ve got an iPhone and your Apple Wallet is linked to a MasterCard or American Express Card, you can install a digital Suica card on your phone. For details, see this page. You’ll need to have at least ¥3070 on your Suica card to ride the Narita Express to Tokyo Station (or ¥3250 to Shibuya or Shinjuku).
Here's what you do to avoid lines with a digital Suica: Stroll past all the lines and go directly to the JR turnstiles. Tap your phone on the turnstile and go to the platform. Find the Narita Express reserved seat ticket vending machine on the platform and use your Suica to purchase your reserved seat ticket to your destination (all seats on the Narita Express are reserved). No muss, no fuss, no lines.
Avoid Lugging your Luggage!
When you’re tired from a long flight and facing Tokyo’s public transport for the first time, you really don’t want to be lugging a heavy suitcase. Here’s the solution: You can ship your suitcase (or backpack) from the airport to your hotel and it will arrive the next day. You’ll need the right luggage to do this, of course. It’s cheap, reliable and they speak English at the counters. When you exit the arrivals hall, just walk to the end of the hall and you’ll find the luggage shipping counters. For more details, see our Luggage Shipping page.
More Information
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
