Narita International Airport ground transportation
Narita International is Japan's principal international gateway, about 60 km east of central Tokyo in Chiba. Because of the distance, getting in takes 40–90 minutes and the choice makes a real difference: the JR Narita Express (N'EX) serves Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Yokohama; the Keisei Skyliner is the fastest to Nippori and Ueno; and the Keisei Access Express is the best value to Asakusa. Airport Limousine buses reach the major hotels, while metered taxis are famously expensive (¥20,000–30,000). Prices here are converted to euros at about 165 JPY to the euro. This guide compares price, time and frequency for every popular destination.
Narita International Airport to Tokyo city centre
Tokyo Station / Marunouchi is 63 km from NRT, about 1h at the quickest. Narita to Tokyo Station is about 63 km; the JR Narita Express runs there directly in about an hour, or the budget TYO-NRT coach for far less.
| Option | Time | Fare | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR Narita Express (N'EX) Fastest | 1h | ¥3,190 | Every 30–60 min |
| Airport Bus TYO-NRT (budget) Cheapest | 1h 20m | ¥1,510–3,020 | Every 15–20 min |
| Airport Limousine Bus | 1h 30m | ¥3,190 | Roughly hourly |
| Pre-booked car service | 1h 20m | ¥18,310–25,540 | 24/7 · pre-booked |
Where are you heading?
Every destination from NRT: cheapest way and taxi fare
| Destination | Distance | Cheapest way | Taxi | Fastest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | 68 km | JR Narita Express (N'EX) · ¥3,360 | — | 1h 20m |
| Shibuya | 67 km | JR Narita Express (N'EX) · ¥3,360 | — | 1h 15m |
| Tokyo Station / Marunouchi | 63 km | Airport Bus TYO-NRT (budget) · ¥1,510 | — | 1h |
| Asakusa | 60 km | Keisei Access Express · ¥1,340 | — | 1h |
| Ginza | 62 km | Keisei Access Express · ¥1,340 | — | 1h 10m |
| Ueno | 60 km | Keisei Main Line limited express · ¥1,240 | — | 41 min |
| Yokohama | 90 km | Airport Limousine Bus (YCAT) · ¥3,700 | — | 1h 30m |
| Nippori | 60 km | Keisei Main Line Limited Express · ¥1,010 | — | 36 min |
Buying tickets in Tokyo
At Narita, buy a rechargeable IC card for local trains and buses: a standard Suica/PASMO, or the tourist "Welcome Suica" (no deposit, valid 28 days) from JR East machines and counters in the arrival lobbies. For the fast runs into Tokyo, reserve a seat: the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno (about 2,500 yen, ~41 min) or JR's Narita Express (N'EX) to Tokyo/Shinjuku/Yokohama. Both sell online e-tickets and at station counters. Note IC balance is not valid on N'EX, and a Japan Rail Pass covers N'EX but not the Skyliner.
Taxi scams & safety in Tokyo
Narita is low-risk. Trains and airport buses are fixed-price, so there is little room for overcharging. If you take a taxi, use the marked ranks outside arrivals; meters are standard and drivers are honest, though metered fares into central Tokyo are very high (often 20,000-30,000 yen) versus the train. Apps like GO or Uber (dispatching licensed taxis) give upfront pricing. Ignore anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a "special" car; legitimate drivers wait at the ranks.
Step-free access in Tokyo
Both fast trains from Narita carry wheelchair spaces, and the Skyliner has a specific route through the station that is worth knowing in advance.
- Narita Express (JR) and the Keisei Skyliner are both accessible and have designated wheelchair spaces.
- On the Skyliner, wheelchair seating is in car 5. There is a dedicated lift, to the right of the Skyliner ticket gate, that takes you straight to the right part of the platform for that carriage.
- Keisei has installed wheelchair-accessible toilets on board the AE series trains, again in car 5, and is rolling them out across its stations.
- The Skyliner is the quicker of the two from Nippori at about 36 minutes, and cheaper than the JR route.
Narita International Airport transport — FAQ
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Other airports nearby
Flying into a different gateway? These hubs are covered too.
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Every option compared
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Real prices & times
Indicative fares, journey times and how often each service runs — so there are no surprises at arrivals.
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