The Narita Airport (NRT) is Tokyo’s primary gateway for inbound and outbound international travel.
Narita’s international terminal is a distance of just over 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) from downtown Tokyo.
From Narita Airport, you can travel by train, bus, or car. Once you arrive at Tokyo Station, you can access trains to Kyoto, to Osaka, and elsewhere in Japan.
Here we outline the different ways you can get to your destination from the airport, the key details of each option, and which ones are included with the JR Pass.
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Narita airport to Tokyo by train
Traveling by train is the fastest and most convenient way to reach central Tokyo from Narita Airport. With options ranging from premium express services to affordable local lines, you can easily find one that suits your budget and schedule.
The Narita Express (N’EX)
If you have a JR Pass, the entire journey on the Narita Express (N’EX) airport transfer is fully covered, with no need to purchase separate tickets.
If you do not have a JR Pass, tickets cost ¥3,070 one-way to Tokyo Station or ¥3,250 to Shinjuku. A discounted round-trip ticket for foreign tourists is available for ¥5,000, valid for two journeys within 14 days.
The Narita Express departs from Narita Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2–3 stations approximately every 30 minutes, with about 27 daily departures. The journey to Tokyo Station takes around 50–60 minutes.
Trains continue from Tokyo to Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Yokohama, among other stops. However, Ikebukuro is not served directly by the Narita Express – you’ll need to transfer at Shinjuku or Tokyo Station to reach Ikebukuro.
The Narita Express is one of the most convenient options, offering ample space for your luggage. Also, it’s not necessary to change trains between the airport and your destination.
If you need to travel between the Narita and Haneda Airports, you can also use the Narita Express, followed by short trips on the Yamanote Line and Tokyo Monorail.
The Narita Express is also covered by the Hokuriku Arch Pass.
The JR Sobu Line
The JR Sōbu Line (Rapid Service) is a slower but more affordable alternative to the Narita Express. The journey to Tokyo Station takes about 90 minutes.
Trains depart from Narita Airport approximately once per hour, and it’s free with the JR Pass (or a one-way fare is around ¥1,340).
While this train is a budget-friendly option, it’s a standard commuter service, there are no reserved seats and no dedicated luggage space, which can be inconvenient during busy periods.
The Sōbu Line does not go directly to Shibuya or Shinjuku, but you can transfer at Tokyo Station to reach these areas via the Yamanote or Chūō lines.
Keisei Limited Express
The Keisei Main Line is one of the cheapest ways to travel from Narita Airport to central Tokyo, with fares ranging from ¥1,100 to ¥1,240 one-way, depending on your final stop. The JR Pass is not valid on this line.
This is a regular commuter train used by local passengers, and trains comes approximately every 20 minutes. There are no reserved seats and no dedicated luggage space, so if you’re traveling with suitcases, be extra mindful during rush hour when trains can get very crowded.
The train stops at several major stations, including Nippori (about 75–80 minutes from Narita) and Keisei Ueno, making it a convenient and budget-friendly option if you’re heading to the northern part of Tokyo.
Sky Access Express
The Keisei Access Express (via the Narita Sky Access Line) is one of the most efficient and affordable ways to reach central Tokyo from Narita Airport. While it’s not covered by the JR Pass, the one-way fare is around ¥1,280.
Trains depart from the airport approximately every 20 minutes, offering quick access to popular areas. You can reach Asakusa in under an hour, and with transfers, get to Shinagawa in about 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Major stops along the route include Oshiage (for the Tokyo Skytree), Asakusa, Nippori, and Ueno. Although this is a commuter-style service with no reserved seating or luggage compartments, it’s a great choice for travelers looking for a fast and cost-effective route into Tokyo.
Skyliner
The Keisei Skyliner is the fastest way to reach Tokyo from Narita Airport. It gets you to Nippori Station in just 36 minutes and to Keisei Ueno Station in about 40 minutes.
Trains come every 15-20 minutes, and from either station you can easily transfer to the Yamanote Line to reach Tokyo Station and other central areas.
Operated by Keisei Electric Railway, the Skyliner is not included in the JR Pass. A one-way ticket costs ¥2,520, or ¥2,470 with a prepaid IC card (such as Suica or PASMO).
This is a fully reserved-seat express train with comfortable seating and dedicated luggage space, making it ideal for travelers who want speed and convenience when heading into the city.
Summary of train options from Narita Airport to Tokyo
If you’re deciding which train to take from Narita Airport to Tokyo, here’s a quick comparison:
| Option | Travel time | Cost | Main stops | Frequency | JR Pass included |
| Narita Express (N’EX) | 50-60 minutes | ¥3,070 | Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Yokohama | Every 30 mins | Yes |
| Keisei Skyliner | 41 minutes | ¥2,520 | Nippori, Ueno | Every 20 mins | No |
| Keisei Limited Express | 75 minutes | From ¥1,100 | Nippori, Ueno | Every 20 mins | No |
| JR Sobu Line (Rapid) | 90 minutes | ¥1,340 | Tokyo Station | Every hour | Yes |
| Sky Access Express | 60 minutes | ¥1,280 | Oshiage, Asakusa, Nippori, and Ueno | Every 20 mins | No |
If you plan to use your JR Pass to catch the Narita Express or JR Sobu line at the airport, you’ll need to activate it at one of the exchange offices on arrival at Narita.
If you won’t be using your pass during your first few days in Japan, it may be worth activating it at another date to preserve its validity.
Narita to Tokyo by bus
A number of bus types provide transportation from Narita Airport to Tokyo.
Limousine bus
The Airport Limousine Bus is a comfortable and convenient option for traveling from Narita Airport to central Tokyo. These buses include luggage handling, spacious seating, and often offer Wi‑Fi and USB charging ports onboard.
Fares typically range from ¥3,100 to ¥3,600 for adults, with children’s tickets priced at around half that amount (¥1,550–¥1,800). Travel time varies depending on traffic, usually taking between 75 and 120 minutes.
Limousine buses run every 10 to 30 minutes throughout the day and stop at major Tokyo hotels and stations, including Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, Ginza, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro.
Airport bus TYO-NRT
This shuttle operates every 10-20 minutes from all 3 terminals of Narita Airport (from 7:30 am to 11:30 pm):
- Terminal 1 : Bus stop number 7
- Terminal 2: Bus stop number 6
- Terminal 3: Bus stop number 5
The shuttle bus takes you to Tokyo Station (65 minutes), Ginza subway station and the Shinonome AEON shopping mall. Each passenger is allowed a piece of luggage with maximum dimensions of 158 cm.
It’s cheaper than the Limousine Bus, with tickets costing ¥1, 500 for adults, ¥750 for children, and free for infants under 1 year old. The price is doubled for early morning or late night trips (¥3,000 and ¥1,500).
You should buy a ticket for the bus at a JR Express Bus Ticket Office in the terminal near the bus stops. For buses leaving Narita Airport Terminal 3 outside of the hours 7:30 am and 10:45 pm, you need to pay the fare using cash or a transportation IC card when boarding the bus.
Narita to Tokyo by taxi
A taxi will make your trip easier, but it is not the cheapest means of travel. A stand taxi may cost over ¥20,000, or $180.00 U.S.
Shared taxi services, such as the shared minibus, are a much cheaper option. Shared taxi services from Narita to Tokyo average about ¥6,200, or just over $55.00 U.S., per person.
These services operate 24 hours a day, picking you up from the airport departures terminal and delivering you directly to your hotel.