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Saturday, July 21, 2012

Getting to Tokyo from Narita Airport


There are a few options available for you to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport and these include taxi, bus and trains.

Taxis are the most expensive means with a taxi to downtown Tokyo costing between 20,000 yen – 30,000 yen depending on the final destination and traffic.

Bus is a cheaper option at around 3,000 yen. A regular limousine bus service (www.limousinebus.co.jp) runs between Narita and Tokyo City Air Terminal in central Tokyo, to Tokyo and Shinjuku stations. They also run to most major hotels in Tokyo. Tickets can be purchased at the airport after clearing immigration and customs. The buses leave every 20 minutes and usually take 2 to 3 hours to arrive at central hotels.

Trains are usually the quickest and cheapest way to reach Tokyo. There are two train alternatives into Tokyo: Japan Railways (JR) Narita Express (www.jreast.co.jp) and the Keisei Skyliner (www.keisei.co.jp) they are twice as fast as taxi or bus, but not as convenient as you must find your own way around the city once at a station.

The Narita Express has more connections stopping at JR stations in Chiba, Tokyo (station), Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Yokohama. It costs around 3,000 yen for a regular ticket. Tickets can be bought in advance or at the station.

The Keisei Skyliner stops at just Ueno Station and nearby Nippori. Tickets cost around 2,000 yen and can also be bought in advance or at the station. 

 Check out my Tokyo post to discover what you can see and do in Tokyo

 These are some great resources to help you explore Tokyo

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20 comments:

  1. RuroushaJuly 21, 2012 at 7:09 PM

    What about a mamachari? ;)

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    1. Japan-AustraliaJuly 22, 2012 at 8:39 AM

      Thanks Rurousha, I'd love to see that! A mamachari from Narita Airport to Tokyo. That sounds like a charity event :)

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    2. RuroushaJuly 22, 2012 at 11:21 AM

      Fuelled by beer and chocolate! :D

      Delete
    3. Japan-AustraliaJuly 22, 2012 at 12:23 PM

      Beer and Chocolate the only way to travel! Just avoid the summer, so the chocolate doesn't melt :)

      Delete
    4. Tokyo CheapoAugust 1, 2012 at 1:25 PM

      The Suica + N'EX pass is worth checking out as well. We actually covered exactly the same thing on Monday - I swear I didn't see your post!

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    5. Japan-AustraliaAugust 1, 2012 at 4:29 PM

      Thanks Tokyo Cheapo for the extra information about some other options that are available. It is good to know that there are a lot of choices out there :)

      John

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  2. linaJuly 21, 2012 at 8:19 PM

    Good info on transport choices from Narita, JA! :)

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    1. Japan-AustraliaJuly 22, 2012 at 8:41 AM

      Thanks Lina, I hope it can help people who want to find out what options are available to them. I get this question quite a lot, so thought it was time for a post on the topic.

      John

      Delete
  3. cocominoJuly 21, 2012 at 10:15 PM

    It became more convenient to get Narita airport than before.
    However, I wish that we can visit other countries from Haneda airport because it's located near Tokyo.

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    1. Japan-AustraliaJuly 22, 2012 at 8:45 AM

      Thanks Cocomino, There are certainly a lot more options available these days then there was in the past. Haneda is more central but only services domestic flights.

      John

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  4. Train suggestionJuly 22, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    There are more train options than you mention - in fact, it's cheaper (about 1400yen if I remember correctly) to get an Access Express train on the Keisei line and it's only about a few minutess longer... you can change at Nippori to the Yamanote line to get to most major places. You just don't get a reserved seat. You can get a normal Keisei limited express for about 1200yen too.

    Plus I don't think it's that hard to navigate around train stations - you can easily use a website like http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/ to plan your trip from the airport to any station, or for any train trip for that matter. Just write down the trains and show any train station staff - they'll tell you which platform to go to.

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  5. Japan-AustraliaJuly 22, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    Thank you Train Suggestion for the extra suggestions there. It is good to know that there are more options out there for the traveller to Japan.

    John

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  6. UnknownJuly 22, 2012 at 5:49 PM

    Great info. If there is a flight to Haneda, I usually try to take from there since closer. But if not and I have to go from Narita, it is nice to see the countryside from the train (^_^)

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    1. Japan-AustraliaJuly 22, 2012 at 7:28 PM

      Thanks Thomas, Appreciate that! Yeah, Haneda is a lot closer but I don't mind a train journey and usually enjoy them in Japan with the great views :)

      John

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  7. AussieOnTheIzuJuly 23, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    I usually take the Skyliner if I'm on the way to Narita for whatever reason and I'm in a hurry but if I have time and want to save money, I take the local Keisei Main Line (takes a little over 1 hour and costs 1,000yen from Nippori station). :)

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    1. Japan-AustraliaJuly 23, 2012 at 11:56 AM

      Thanks AussieOnTheIzu, Thanks for the information. I will have to look at the Keisei Main Line next time as it sounds pretty good and save a few yen as well :)

      John

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  8. Rohan GillettJuly 23, 2012 at 6:20 PM

    And I`ll be on the Narita Express next week! I`m heading home for a fews to see friends and family who I haven`t seen for a few years. I love the Express, the views from the train are quite interesting, and it is the most easiest and hassle-free way for me to get to Narita.

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    1. Japan-AustraliaJuly 23, 2012 at 6:53 PM

      Thanks Rohan, It is probably the most comfortable way and the views are good. Hope you have a great time back in Oz and the weather is not too cold for you :)

      John

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  9. JamesJuly 24, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    I live in Kansai and we have MK taxi which is a shared mini bus taxi. It costs around 3,000yen from Kanku to Kyoto and they'll drop you pick you up from anywhere you want. Anything like that for Narita?

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    1. Japan-AustraliaJuly 24, 2012 at 10:19 AM

      Thanks James, I haven't personally heard about anything like that for Tokyo, but it sounds like a good idea. We have something similar in Melbourne, Australia. Would love to hear from anyone who has heard about something similar in Tokyo.

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