Trains or Buses: Traveling From and To Narita Airport

Figuring out which is the most convenient and affordable way to reach your hotel from Narita Airport or vice versa might be a little confusing, especially if it’s your first time traveling in this part of Japan.

There are several trains to choose from and couple of limousine buses. Hence, here are some points to help you decide which will be perfect for you!

Trains

1. Narita Express (N’EX)

• Cost around 3,000 to 5,000 yen (Ordinary Cars)

• All seats are reserved

• Has enough space for luggage

• It stops in Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Omiya, Yokohama, and Ofuna

• You can only buy it in Japan at JR EAST Travel Service Center, JR TICKET Office (Midori-no-madoguchi), and Travel Service Center (View Plaza).

• During busy days, expect to line up for a VERY long time at the travel center booth at the airport.

• It is also available from the TICKET MACHINES, but it’s only in Japanese. However, if you are lucky, a train staff can help you with it.

• Shinkansen ticket can be bought together with it using the ticket machine.

• http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/tickets.html

2. Keisei SKYLINER

• It’s only a 41 minute train ride

• All seats are RESERVED and it cost 2,470 yen.

• You only pay 2,465 yen when you use an IC card (Suica, Pasmo, etc.)

• Each car has a dedicated luggage space

• Free Wifi

• Only stops at Nippori and Akihabara

• http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/ae_outline/index.php

3. Narita Sky Access Line ACCESS EXPRESS

• It’s 1,330 yen

• From Narita to Higashi-Ginza it’s about 62 minutes

• It stops at a lot of stations; hence, it’ll be less relaxing compared to N’EX and SKYLINER.

• Tickets available at the airport and train station

• You only pay 1,318 yen when you use your IC card (Suica, Pasmo, etc).

• http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/nrt_access/index.php

4. Keisei LIMITED EXPRESS LINER

• It’s only 1,030 yen

• Takes about 71 mins from Narita to Ueno

• It’s a REGULAR train so expect a lot of passengers

• You can buy tickets at the airport and train station

• You only pay 1,025 yen when you use your IC card.

• Can be VERY troubling if you have heavy / lots of luggage

• If you are already EXHAUSTED, getting this train might make you cranky. Get a MORE COMFY ride if you can.

• http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/nrt_access/tokkyu.php

BUSES

1. Tokyo Shuttle

• Approximately 90 mins., Narita to Tokyo Sta.

• Reserved tickets are 900 yen, while they are 1,000 yen for same day purchase

• It is 2,000 yen for EARLY and LATE NIGHT tickets, but 900 yen for reserved seats.

• The earliest bus leaves from Tokyo Sta. at 1:30am

• Free Wifi

• Reserved seats are a priority, hence you need to wait for a vacancy

• http://www.keiseibus.co.jp/inbound/tokyoshuttle/en/

• https://secure.j-bus.co.jp/KS/Result.mvc (For reservations in English & Japanese)

2. Airport Limousine

• Approximately 85- 115 mins, Narita to Shinjuku

• Aside from Shinjuku, you can also catch this bus at Takao, Yokohama, Roppongi, Tokyo Disney Resort, etc.

• Around 3,100 yen and more (depends on your stop)

• Going to Narita, you can make reservations by phone (some have English speaking staff), Limousine Bus Ticket Counter, website https://webservice.limousinebus.co.jp/web/ (JAPANESE) & and convenient stores (only in Nihongo as well)

• From Narita, you can only buy tickets at the airport

• http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/

3. Willer Express

• It costs about 1,000 yen or more

• Buses going to and from Narita airport are LIMITED

• Some buses have charging plugs and free wifi

• Saving your seat is convenient because of its English website http://willerexpress.com/en/

CONCLUSION

If you are staying around train stations like Shinjuku, Tokyo, etc., and you don’t mind transferring once or more, then I suggest taking the train between Tokyo to Narita Airport.

I personally like BUSES because of the luggage space, its comfort, I don’t like transferring, and there’s a direct bus to Narita/Haneda from the prefecture where I live. Check out your local bus stations for it.