Getting from Narita Airport

Once you land at Narita, you need to choose how to get to your destination.
The right choice depends on your budget, speed, luggage, and destination.

Compare by destination

Know where you're going? Jump to the full comparison page.

→ Shinjuku
N'EX, Skyliner, budget bus compared
→ Tokyo Station
Fastest 53 min — also for Shinkansen
→ Shibuya
N'EX direct vs Skyliner + transfer
→ Ueno / Asakusa
Skyliner 44 min — east Tokyo route
→ Ikebukuro
Skyliner + Yamanote ~55 min — best value

Going beyond Tokyo?

You can head directly to popular destinations the same day you land.

→ Hakone
N'EX + Shinkansen ~3 hr — hot spring overnight
→ Nikko
Skyliner + Tobu Ltd. Express ~4 hr
→ Mt. Fuji / Kawaguchiko
N'EX + highway bus ~3.5–4 hr
→ Boso / Chiba
Nearest destination — skip Tokyo entirely

Quick reference table

※ Fares and times are estimates. Always check official sites for current information.

Option Main destinations Time Fare (est.) Best for
N'EX (JR) Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yokohama 53–90 min ¥3,070–4,370 Direct, large luggage
Skyliner (Keisei) Nippori, Ueno 36–43 min ¥2,520–2,570 Speed, east Tokyo
Keisei Access Express Asakusa, Shinbashi, Haneda 70–90 min ¥1,050–1,680 Budget, east/south Tokyo
Budget highway bus Tokyo Station, Ginza 70–100 min ¥1,000–1,300 Cheapest, heavy bags
Limousine bus Various hotels & areas 60–120 min ¥3,000–3,200 Hotel direct, heavy bags
Taxi / hire car Anywhere in Tokyo 60–80 min ¥15,000–25,000 Groups, late night, door-to-door

Option details

N'EX — Narita Express (JR)

JR East's express train running direct to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Yokohama with no transfers. Overhead luggage racks at every seat make it the most comfortable option for large suitcases. Not on the IC card (Suica) network — you need to buy a ticket or use a JR Pass. The JR EAST PASS and similar tourist passes can include N'EX at a discount.

Skyliner (Keisei)

Japan's fastest airport access train — Nippori in 36 min. From Nippori, the Yamanote Line and Keisei Line give easy access to central Tokyo. Cheaper than N'EX and excellent for Ueno, Asakusa, and Oshiage (Tokyo Skytree). A Skyliner + Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket combo is good value for a full day of sightseeing.

Budget highway buses (Tokyo Shuttle / THE Access Narita)

From around ¥1,000 one way to Tokyo Station / Ginza — the cheapest option by far. Allow extra time: traffic jams on the expressway can delay arrival significantly. Best when you have a flexible schedule and want to save money.

Taxi / hire car

Best for late-night arrivals, large groups, or when you have a lot of luggage. Split among 3–4 people, the cost can match a train ticket per person. Pre-booked flat-rate hire cars give a guaranteed price with no meter anxiety.

FAQ

What is the cheapest way from Narita to Tokyo?

Budget highway buses (Tokyo Shuttle, THE Access Narita) from about ¥1,000. The cheapest train is the Keisei Access Express at ¥1,050. Allow extra time for buses due to possible traffic delays.

How do I get to Shinjuku or Shibuya from Narita?

JR N'EX runs direct to Shinjuku and Shibuya (~80–85 min, ¥3,250). Limousine buses also serve these areas (~90–120 min, ~¥3,100). Budget option: Skyliner to Nippori + Yamanote Line (~¥2,780 total).

What if I arrive late at night?

After midnight, trains stop running. Your options are taxi/hire car, waiting in the airport for the first train (~5am), or relaxing at Sorano-Yu onsen (24h, free shuttle from the airport). See the late-night arrival guide for full details.