Narita Airport to Tokyo: Skyliner vs Bus vs Taxi (Prices and Times)
Narita is about an hour from central Tokyo. Compare the Keisei Skyliner (and its discount ticket), the ¥1,500 bus to Tokyo Station and fixed-fare taxis, and pick the best one for your hotel.
Narita Airport is much further from the city than Haneda, so your choice of transport matters more here. The good news: there are fast trains, cheap buses and fixed-price taxis.
The short answer
- Hotel in Ueno, Asakusa or anywhere you can reach from Nippori? Take the Keisei Skyliner, about 36 minutes to Nippori. Buy the discount ticket (¥2,310 instead of ¥2,580).
- Hotel near Tokyo Station or Ginza, on a budget? Take the Airport Bus TYO-NRT, ¥1,500, about 65 minutes or more.
- Hotel in Shinjuku, Shibuya or Shinagawa? JR's Narita Express (N'EX) runs there directly.
- Big family with lots of luggage? A fixed-fare taxi costs about ¥29,000–¥33,000 to central Tokyo, plus tolls.
Keisei Skyliner (fastest to Ueno)
The Skyliner is a reserved-seat express from Narita to Nippori (fastest about 36 minutes from Terminals 2/3) and Keisei Ueno. At Nippori you can change to the JR Yamanote Line.
| Skyliner ticket | Adult | Child (6–11) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard price, one way | ¥2,580 | |
| Discount ticket, one way | ¥2,310 | ¥1,150 |
| Discount ticket, round trip | ¥4,500 (standard ¥5,160) | ¥2,240 |
The discount ticket is sold online, through online travel agencies and in some other channels, and you exchange it for a real ticket on the day. Keisei also sells a Skyliner + Tokyo Subway Ticket combo, which adds 24, 48 or 72 hours of unlimited Tokyo Metro and Toei subway rides. Check Keisei's page for the current combo prices.
Keisei: Skyliner discount ticket
Keisei also runs cheaper, slower trains (Access Express and the Keisei Main Line) to Ueno and Asakusa without a reserved seat.
Airport Bus TYO-NRT (cheapest to Tokyo Station)
| Airport Bus TYO-NRT | |
|---|---|
| Route | Narita Airport ↔ Tokyo Station area |
| Fare | ¥1,500 one way (late-night and early-morning services cost more) |
| Time | Fastest 65 minutes, longer in traffic |
The bus is the cheapest way to Tokyo Station, and you can put big suitcases in the hold. The downside is traffic: allow extra time at rush hour, especially for your flight home.
Narita Express (N'EX)
JR's Narita Express runs directly to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku, all with reserved seats. It is the easiest choice if your hotel is on the west or south side of the city, and it is covered by the JR Pass. Check JR East for current fares and discount tickets.
Fixed-fare taxi
Narita has fixed taxi fares to Tokyo's 23 wards by zone. Highway tolls are extra, and there is a late-night surcharge from 22:00 to 5:00.
| Area (examples) | Fixed fare |
|---|---|
| Chuo (Ginza), Chiyoda (Tokyo Station), Taito (Ueno), Bunkyo | ¥29,000 – ¥31,000 |
| Shinjuku, Shibuya, Minato, Shinagawa, Meguro | ¥31,500 – ¥32,500 |
| Setagaya, Suginami | ¥35,500 – ¥38,500 |
The range depends on the expressway route. For a family of four with luggage, a taxi can be worth it, especially late at night.
Which one should you take?
| Your hotel is in | Best option |
|---|---|
| Ueno, Asakusa, Nippori | Skyliner (discount ticket) |
| Tokyo Station, Ginza, Nihonbashi | Airport Bus TYO-NRT (¥1,500), or N'EX |
| Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa | N'EX |
| Anywhere, late at night or with a big group | Fixed-fare taxi |
Tips
- Landing at Terminal 1? Times above are the fastest from Terminals 2/3. Allow a few more minutes from Terminal 1.
- Going back to Narita: leave plenty of time. The bus can be slow in traffic, and international check-in closes early.
- Too much luggage? Send it to your hotel from the airport with a luggage delivery service and ride the train light.
Sources
Prices change
Prices, exchange rates and rules in this article were checked on the date shown above. They can change at any time, so please confirm on the official website before you book or buy.
