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Narita is about 60 km from central Tokyo — much farther than Haneda — so the way you get into the city matters more. The two airport trains, the Keisei Skyliner and the JR Narita Express, go to different parts of Tokyo, and picking the right one depends on where you are staying. Fares below were checked against the Keisei and JR East websites in October 2026, after JR East’s fare revision in March 2026.
The short answer
- Staying near Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara, or Yanaka? Take the Keisei Skyliner: the fastest train, about 36 minutes to Nippori, for ¥2,580.
- Staying near Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Shinagawa? Take the Narita Express (N’EX): direct, no transfer. Buy the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket for ¥5,200 if you are flying home from Narita within 14 days.
- On a tight budget? Keisei’s Access Express trains or low-cost shuttle buses cost about half as much, but take longer.
- Have a Japan Rail Pass? The N’EX is covered; the Skyliner is not.
| Option | Arrives at | Time | Adult fare (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keisei Skyliner | Nippori, Keisei-Ueno | From about 36 min to Nippori | ¥2,580 | Fastest train; Ueno, Asakusa |
| Narita Express (N’EX) | Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and more | About 55 min to Tokyo Station | ¥3,140 to Tokyo; ¥3,330 to Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku | No transfer; JR Pass holders |
| N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket | Same as N’EX | About 55 min to Tokyo Station | ¥5,200 round trip (valid 14 days) | Visitors flying in and out of Narita |
| Keisei Access Express | Ueno; some trains continue toward Asakusa | About 1 hour or more | About half the Skyliner fare (no reserved seats) | Budget, light luggage |
| Taxi | Anywhere | About 1–1.5 hours | Flat fares from roughly ¥20,000 | Groups with lots of luggage |
Keisei Skyliner: fastest into the city
The Skyliner is a reserved-seat express from Narita’s terminals to Nippori and Keisei-Ueno, taking as little as about 36 minutes to Nippori. The ¥2,580 adult fare is two parts: a ¥1,280 basic fare (¥1,267 with an IC card) and a ¥1,300 Skyliner ticket for your seat. You always need the Skyliner ticket — an IC card alone does not cover it.
Nippori is on the JR Yamanote Line, so you can change there for most of central Tokyo. Discounted Skyliner e-tickets are often available online — check Skyliner tickets on Klook and compare with the station price.
Narita Express (N’EX): direct to Tokyo Station and Shinjuku
The N’EX runs from Narita’s terminals directly to Tokyo Station in about 55 minutes, and continues to Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Yokohama on many trains. It costs more than the Skyliner, but you avoid changing trains with your luggage.
Most visitors should not pay the one-way fare. JR East sells the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket to overseas visitors for ¥5,200 (¥2,600 for children aged 6–11). It covers one trip each way within 14 days, and the regular round-trip fare to Tokyo Station is ¥6,280 — so it saves at least ¥1,080, and more if your hotel is in Shinjuku or Shibuya. Buy it from JR East’s website or at the airport ticket offices.
With a Japan Rail Pass, the N’EX is included. Before buying a pass, read why the official JR Pass website is now cheaper.
Cheaper but slower: Access Express and buses
Keisei’s Access Express uses the same fast route as the Skyliner but without reserved seats, and some trains run through onto the subway toward Asakusa. Low-cost shuttle buses to Tokyo Station and Ginza are another budget option. Both are fine with a carry-on; with big suitcases at rush hour, they are less comfortable.
Taxi
Narita’s flat-fare taxis to central Tokyo start at roughly ¥20,000, and the ride takes about an hour or more depending on traffic. It only makes sense for groups with a lot of luggage or very late arrivals.
Narita or Haneda?
If you have a choice of flights, Haneda is far closer to the city and cheaper to get from — see Haneda Airport to Tokyo. If you are changing to the Shinkansen at Tokyo Station, see the Tokyo Station guide. Still choosing a hotel? See where to stay in Tokyo for first-timers — Ueno and Asakusa are easiest from Narita on the Skyliner.
Flying home from Narita
- Give yourself time. Narita is about an hour from the city, and since November 1, 2026, tax-free purchases have been checked at the airport before you check in your bags. See how the new tax-free refund works.
- Keep your N’EX return ticket safe if you bought the round-trip ticket — you will need it for the trip back.
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