Narita Express: Tokyo Airport Transfer and Tickets

The Narita Express – also known as N’EX – is the most convenient Tokyo city transfer from and to Narita International Airport, which hosts most of the overseas flights to Japan.

This limited express train service is fast, reliable and punctual, and you can ride it for free with your Japan Rail Pass. Find out all the travel details in this post.

Narita Express is a Limited Express train, provided by JR East. To access the train, the desired seats must be reserved in advance (valid for JR Pass holders as well). You can do this easily at any of the following locations:

Narita Airport Stations (Terminal 1 and 2-3)
Japan Railways ticket offices
Travel service centers
Reserved seat ticket machines

Important note: Passengers with no seat reservations will not be allowed to board any of the N’EX trains. Please, make sure to reserve your seat before boarding. Furthermore, all passengers must follow the instructions and seat indications, written on their reservation ticket.

You may find it interesting to read our article How to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo.

Narita Express trains

Similar to most trains, Narita Express uses a separate railway, which means traffic never blocks it. The train offers beautiful views to and from the city, as the airport is located outside of Tokyo area.

Snack cars inside the trains pass by at regular intervals, offering tasty and affordable Japanese appetizers and drinks. Facilities on the train are well maintained and spotless – in the true Japanese spirit.

Green car interior — Interior of a Narita Express green car – Photo by DAJF @ Wikimedia

Narita Express trains offer luggage space and areas where you can lock your bags. Each separate seat provides a rather large seating area, which can also be used for placing your all luggage just before you. Overhead compartments above each seat are also available.

Narita Express map

The N’EX has two stops in Narita Airport, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2-3. The routes are marked in red on the following map.

Map of Narita Express stops. — Narita Express route map (in red) – Image courtesy of JR East Japan Railway

Narita Express stations

After leaving the 2 stations at the airport, the Narita Express stops at Tokyo Station and many major districts and cities in the region, including Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama.

The main Narita Express stations include:

Narita (town)
Chiba
Tokyo Station
Shimbashi
Hamamatsucho (connection with Haneda Airport via Tokyo Monorail)
Shinagawa
Shibuya
Shinjuku
Yokohama
Ikebukuro

Travel times and schedules

N’EX trains take approximately:

1 hour to get from and to Tokyo Station (first stop city center)
1 hour and 15 minutes to Shibuya Station
1 hour and 20 minutes to Shinjuku Station.

The service operates 27 trains daily, which allows for the regularity and punctuality of the service. All N’EX trains anew their journey from Tokyo or Narita Airport every 30 minutes.

Please refer to the JR East schedules page to check the latest schedules from and to Narita Airport.

Narita Express tickets

There are two types of N’EX tickets: for Standard and Green Cars (First Class, similar to the Japan Rail Standard and Green class tickets). The price for each class is different (detailed below). However, the standard seats are extremely comfortable and spacious.

Also covered by Hokuriku Arch Pass

All N’EX seat reservations are available for free to any Japan Rail Pass holder. The airport transfer service is part of the many benefits the JR Pass has to offer. Holders can reserve a seat at any JR ticket office in Narita Airport, before boarding the train and without any additional payment.

Moreover, there is no limitation to the number of times a JR Pass holder can use Narita Express, whereas other transportation cards like SUICA, are not valid for the service.

Book your Japan Rail Pass now

Keep in mind that the Keisei Skyliner service, an alternative transportation from Narita Airport to Ueno Station, is also not included in the JR Pass.