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Narita Airport (New Tokyo International Airport) is
located 60 km east of central Tokyo in Chiba
Prefecture and is the main port of entry into Japan,
especially for those wanting to ski or board on the
main island of Honshu. (Recently the number of
flights into the airport in Sapporo, Hokkaido has
increased meaning some can fly direct there for the
Hokkaido resorts).
All flights arrive at either Terminal 1 or
Terminal 2. Which Terminal you arrive at depends on
which airline you take.
The airport is actually a
one-hour train journey from the central Tokyo area.
From Narita Airport to downtown Tokyo, the main
transportation you can use is train, limousine bus, or
taxi. The fastest way into Tokyo from the Narita
International Airport is one of the frequent Keisei Skyliner
or the JR Narita Express trains. Both depart
from both Terminal 1 and 2 stations at the airport and
are well sign posted in English. The Keisei
Skyliner costs 1,920 yen, while the Narita Express
costs more at over 3000 yen. Please note that
only the Narita Express stops at Tokyo Station.
The other alternative is to use the local Keisei
train from the station into Ueno. This costs
around 1000 yen, and only takes about 10 minutes
longer than the Skyliner.
Limousine buses go to major downtown hotels
approximately every 20 minutes, though the time
interval depends on the hotel. If you’re weighed
down by luggage or want to make a domestic plane
connection, you can take a limousine bus to Haneda
Airport. They are pricey and prone to traffic delays,
but you can buy tickets from the bus counters in each
of the arrival lobbies. The limousine buses stop at a
wide range of places around the city, including all
the major hotels and train stations. If you are
leaving from Tokyo for Narita airport, it’s best to
set off around four hours before your flight.
Keisei
Skyliner Timetables here
The Keisei Skyliner, costing 1920 yen, is the cheaper
alternative and the journey takes about 1 hour. All
seats are reserved. The Keisei Skyliner stops at Nippori
and then the Keisei Ueno station, which is a 5-minute
walk from the main JR Ueno Station. On coming out of the
main Keisei Ueno Station, turn left and walk for around
50 meters, across the road, under the train lines, walk
another 30-40 meters and then turn left into the main
entrance of the station.
There are actually 2 types types of trains. The
Skyliner is the fastest train on this line with very few
stops between Ueno and Narita. You can also take the
limited express. The Skyliner as is double the price of
the limited express but is only 15 minutes faster.
Unless you are in a hurry or have a rail pass, the
limited express is the better option.
Buying Tickets
You can buy tickets for the Keisei Skyliner at any of
the following places:
Keisei Ueno information office, Keisei Travel offices,
Nippori, Narita Airport Building No.2, Narita Airport,
Kinki Nippon Tourist, JTB, Nihon Ryoko, CN Play Guide
Convenience Store (am-pm, SAVE ON), JAL, Odakyu Travel,
Keio Kanko, Tokyu
Kanko, Keikyu Kanko, Tobu Travel, Meitetsu Kanko, Hankyu
Kotsusha. Zen-nikku
Travel and other major travel agencies.
Date of sale
Within one month of day of departure
The other way to get to or from Narita airport is
to take the Narita Express. This train is operated by
Japan Railways, and is the most expensive rail option as
well. Major stops include Tokyo, Shinagawa, Yokohama,
Ikebukuro and Shinjuku.
The Narita Express goes straight into Tokyo station
and this journey takes approximately 1 hour. There are
also Narita Express services that go to Shinjuku Station
(in around 80 minutes), and less frequent services to
Ikebukuro, Shinagawa and Yokohama stations.
Narita Express
Timetables here
From Narita to Tokyo by bus or
taxi
There are also limousine buses that run into the
city, but they are expensive and prone to delays in
traffic. Taxis are also available, but the long journey
into Tokyo may cost you around 20000 yen.
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