I get a lot of questions about airport transfers from Tokyo Narita International airport to various hubs in central Tokyo. In this article I am going to break down all the best options, their price, speed and convenience, so you can make the decision on what’s best for you.
Still weighing up the airport choice? My Haneda vs Narita guide covers the full comparison and helps you pick the right airport for your trip.
As you might expect there are multiple options to get to any Tokyo station and all major hotels. Let’s jump in and look at the best option for you! Detailed guides are lower down the article.
| Option | Typical cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keisei Skyliner | around ¥2,580 (£14), ¥2,310 (£12) booked ahead | 41 min to Ueno | The fastest way in, if Ueno or the north of the city suits you |
| Narita Express (N’EX) | around ¥3,070 (£16) | 53 min to Tokyo Station | Direct to Tokyo, Shinjuku and Shibuya with no changes |
| Airport Limousine Bus | around ¥3,200 (£17) | 90 to 120 min | Door to door if your hotel is on the route |
| Low-Cost Bus (TYO-NRT) | around ¥1,500 (£8), ¥3,000 (£16) late night | about 65 min | Cheapest way to Tokyo Station or Ginza if you’re travelling light |
| JR Sobu Line (Rapid) | around ¥1,340 (£7) | 85 to 90 min | A cheaper JR run to Tokyo Station, covered by the JR Pass |
| Keisei Main Line | around ¥1,100 (£6) | 90 to 100 min | The cheapest way in if you are travelling light |
| Private transfer | around ¥18,000 (£95) per car | 90 min | Door to door with zero thinking, good for groups splitting the cost |
| Private taxi | around ¥28,000 (£147) per car | 90 min | Almost no one, see below |
Train and bus fares are per person. Private transfer and taxi are per car.
FREE GUIDE
Planning your trip to Japan?
I made a free 13-page guide that strips Japan planning down to the few decisions that matter.
No ads, instant download.
Disclaimer: This article may feature affiliate links. If you click these links, and choose to book with that hotel or company, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate the support that allows me to continue providing this information
About Narita Airport
Narita Airport, officially known as Tokyo Narita International Airport, opened in 1978. It handles the majority of international flights to and from Japan, alongside Tokyo’s other airport, Haneda airport.
Narita sits about 60km east of central Tokyo. It has three passenger terminals, two runways, plenty of shops and places to eat, and free Wi-Fi throughout.
Many airlines use Narita as a hub, including Japan’s flag carrier, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways.
Are you arriving into Narita late or leaving early? If so consider an airport hotel with a free shuttle transfer
If your trip involves transferring from Narita to Haneda for an onward flight, that’s a different journey to getting into central Tokyo. See my Narita to Haneda transfer guide for the full comparison of train, bus and private transfer options, plus how much connection time you actually need.
More of my Japan guides to plan around your Tokyo trip
- Kamakura day trip — One of the most rewarding day trips from Tokyo
- How many days in Osaka — A ready made itinerary for the best things to see in Osaka
- Tokyo 3 day itinerary — A guide to the best sights and hidden gems.
- Kyoto in 2 Days — A guide to everything you will want to do in Kyoto
- Perfect Hakone Loop — What to do and how to get around when you are in Hakone
- Japan Two-Week Itinerary — All my tips to make the most of two weeks in Japan
Private Taxi
- Cost: around ¥25,000 (£132) per car
- Time: 90 Minutes
I’m going to break the norm and start with the option I’d tell you to rule out first: the taxi. It’s the question I get asked most, and the answer is almost always no. Everyone I know who has taken one from Narita says the same thing, it’s a waste of money for what you get.
A taxi into central Tokyo costs around ¥25,000 (£132), with a surcharge added after 10pm, and it buys you nothing a pre-booked private transfer doesn’t do for far less. The only people I’d point towards one are large groups splitting the fare late at night with a lot of luggage.
If you are set on a taxi anyway, have your hotel address saved on your phone in Japanese, it saves a lot of back and forth at the rank.
TOP TIP: Have a look at my guide to the best hotels in Tokyo for all budgets
Travelling as a family or big group? Here are my recommendations for the perfect family hotels in Tokyo
Private Airport Transfer
- Cost: around ¥18,000 (£95) per car
- Time: 90 Minutes
This is the easiest way to get to your destination. If you step off your long haul flight and don’t want to have to engage much brain power this is your option. Services have professional drivers, children’s car seat options, agreed meeting points and the English-speaking chauffeurs will track your flight number. Ensuring they are up to date on your actual arrival time and there is no waiting around.
You can select different sized vehicles depending on the size of your group and quantity of luggage. The reason I am so adamant above that a taxi is a terrible option, is because this has all the convenience at a much lower cost. You have complete personalisation and guarantee your car will be ready at the agreed pick-up time.
TOP TIP! There are several companies that offer this service, however the flexibility of Klook has always been important to me and I am yet to be let down by their airport transfer service. BOOK YOURS HERE You can get a 10% discount on your first purchase with the code KEEPLOOKING10
Get prepared for your Japan trip with my first-timer starter kit
- Break down the language barrier: key phrases and tech for an easy first trip
- How to stay connected: the cheapest data and easiest setup
- Avoid currency fees: the best cards for spending and cash
- 25 apps that make your trip easier: the best free downloads
- Save 30 to 90 minutes at the airport: the free Visit Japan Web QR code
- Etiquette do’s and don’ts: what to know on your first visit
Train
Making your Tokyo Narita Airport transfer by train is both the fastest and the cheapest way into the city. Not all trains are created equal though, with cost and time varying significantly between express trains and local trains. Here are your options and the trade-offs.
I will start with the two options covered by the JR Pass as this is another common question. I didn’t use my JR pass for this leg though, as it made more sense to activate my pass later.
The JR Narita Express
- Cost: around ¥3,070 (£16) per person
- Time: 53 minutes to central Tokyo
- 1 to 2 trains per hour typically
- First Train: 7:37am
- Last Train: 9:44pm
The Narita Express, or N’EX, is JR East’s limited express into the city. It runs direct to Tokyo Station, Shibuya and Shinjuku with no changes, which makes it the easy pick if your hotel is near one of those, or if you’re heading straight for the Shinkansen at Tokyo Station. The fastest trip into Tokyo Station is 53 minutes.
All seats on this service are reserved seating. If you have made the call to get a Japan Rail Pass, this service is covered by your pass.
If you are not getting the JR Pass you can book your tickets and check train times here:
Narita Express to Tokyo Station: 53 minutes
Narita Express to Shibuya Station: 1hr 15m
Narita Express to Shinjuku Station: 1hr 25m
The JR Sobu Line – Rapid Service
- Cost: around ¥1,340 (£7) per person
- Time: 85-90 minutes
- 1 train per hour
The JR Sobu Line (Rapid Service) is an affordable alternative to the Narita Express, connecting Narita Airport with Tokyo Station and Yokohama. It is also included if you are using your JR Pass.
With departures every hour, the journey to Tokyo Station takes about 85-90 minutes and costs around ¥1,340. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at the airport station or by using a Suica or Pasmo pre-paid card. This commuter train stops at several major stations along the way and can become crowded during rush hours, with no seat reservations available. Make sure you plan accordingly
Keisei Skyliner
- Cost: around ¥2,580 (£14) per person, ¥2,310 (£12) booked ahead
- Time: 41 minutes to Ueno, 36 to Nippori
- Every 20 to 40 minutes
- First Train: 7:23am
- Last Train: 11:00pm
This is the absolute fastest transfer into Tokyo from Narita International airport. All seats are reserved. The train is spacious with wide seats and luggage storage areas at the ends of each car and avoids the business hours crush some local trains suffer from.
Keisei provides discounted ticket packages for tourists, which include the Skyliner ride and day passes for Tokyo’s subway lines. If bought in advance, the one-way fare for foreign tourists is just ¥2,310.
Single tickets can also be purchased at a discount through Klook, allowing you to scan a QR code at the station and choose the next available train.
Keisei Main Line
- Cost: around ¥1,100 (£6) per person
- Time: 90-100 minutes
- Multiple trains and hour
- Requires more changes
The Keisei Main Line train is the cheapest way to get into central Tokyo from Narita airport. This is a local line train and requires you to head to Nippori station and then change onto either the JR Yamanote Line or the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line depending on your final destination. Similar to the Sobu line above, there are no seat reservations and the service can become extremely crowded during rush hour.
Airport Buses
Two buses run into the city and they suit very different travellers. One drops at hotels, the other is the cheapest way in if you’re heading for Tokyo Station.
Airport Limousine Bus
- Cost: around ¥3,200 (£17) per person
- Time: 90 to 120 minutes depending on traffic
- Every 10 to 30 minutes
The trains are the quickest way to get into Tokyo city centre, but it then depends how far your hotel is from the train station. If you are looking for a door to door service, at a cheaper price than a private transfer or a taxi, then the Limousine bus is your best bet.
My Top Tip! Before you bank on it, check your hotel is actually on the drop-off list, the routes only serve specific hotels and stations.
These transfer services have a drop-off point at many of the most popular hotels in Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ginza. You can check the route here as well as the details on pick up and drop off points at all Narita airport terminals. The full list of hotels serviced can be found here.
It is also worth noting that this service drops off at the Disney resort, another question I see raised frequently.
Tickets can be purchased in advance so you can board directly with a QR code
Low-Cost Bus (Airport Bus TYO-NRT)
- Cost: around ¥1,500 (£8) per person, ¥3,000 (£16) late at night
- Time: about 65 minutes, longer in traffic
- Every 10 to 15 minutes to Tokyo Station, less often to Ginza and Shinonome
If you’re heading for Tokyo Station or Ginza and want the cheapest way in that isn’t a train, this is it.
The Airport Bus TYO-NRT, usually called the Low-Cost Bus, costs about ¥1,500 (£8) one way, or ¥3,000 (£16) for late-night and early-morning departures, and reaches Tokyo Station in about 65 minutes when the traffic behaves.
Buses to Tokyo Station leave every 10 to 15 minutes, though only one or two an hour carry on to Ginza and Shinonome. It’s the budget option rather than the door-to-hotel one, that’s what the Limousine Bus is for.
You can’t book it ahead, you buy a ticket at the counter in the arrivals hall on the day, and you’re limited to one suitcase per person. Pick it if you’re travelling light, watching the budget and your hotel is an easy hop from Tokyo Station or Ginza.
Car Hire
- Cost: around ¥5,000 (£26) a day for a small car at the cheap end
- Time: 90 minutes, plus the time to hire the car
I didn’t drive on my trip to Japan, but I know several people who have as they like the freedom of not relying on public transport. A private car hire is the most convenient way to do that. There are plenty of options available in the arrival hall, I would recommend using a comparison service to get the best price before you go.
My Top Tip! One thing to sort before you fly: you’ll need an International Driving Permit to hire and drive in Japan, your UK licence alone won’t do. Get it from the Post Office before your trip.
Are you planning on going to Disneyland or Disneysea? Have a look at my guide, the best hotels with free shuttle buses and get your tickets here
FAQ’s about Narita transfers into Tokyo
The fast trains stop earlier than you’d expect, so a late landing usually means a bus, a pre-booked transfer or a taxi. The last Narita Express leaves before 10pm and the last Skyliner around 11pm. After that, the late-night Airport Bus to Tokyo Station and Ginza costs about ¥3,000 (£16), or a taxi about ¥25,000 (£132). If you land in the early hours, a hotel near Narita with a free shuttle for the night is the sensible move.
It depends where you’re staying. The Skyliner is faster and cheaper, 41 minutes to Ueno at about ¥2,580 (£14), so it wins for the north and east of the city. The Narita Express costs a bit more, about ¥3,070 (£16), but goes direct to Tokyo Station, Shibuya and Shinjuku, and it’s free with a Japan Rail Pass.
Not just for this leg. The pass covers the Narita Express, so it’s free if your pass is already active. But validating one purely to save on the airport train is poor value, since it’s expensive and the clock starts the day you activate it. Most first-timers pay for the airport train and save the pass for longer trips. Full breakdown in is the JR Pass worth it.
Yes on the local trains, but not on their own for the fast ones. Tap a Suica or Pasmo straight through the gates for the local JR and Keisei lines. The Skyliner and Narita Express have reserved seats only, so you need a separate ticket for those, which you can buy with cash or an IC card at the airport station.
A pre-booked private transfer is easiest with heavy bags, door to door with the driver loading up, about ¥18,000 (£95) a car. To spend less, the Airport Limousine Bus has proper luggage holds and stops at major hotels. The reserved Skyliner and Narita Express have space too. The ones to avoid are the local Sobu and Keisei Main Line trains, which get packed with nowhere to put cases.
Conclusion
To boil it down: for speed, take the Keisei Skyliner. For the lowest fare, the local trains do the job, just avoid hitting rush hour with a pile of luggage. And if you want door to door without a single decision to make after a long flight, book a private transfer.
Which one wins comes down to where you’re staying and how much you value not thinking, and you’ve now got the prices and times to make that call.
Still planning? Have a look at my two-week itinerary, my guide to the best Tokyo hotels for all budgets and the best restaurants for all budgets.
15 Comments
Comments are closed.