Skyliner is fastest to Ueno · N’EX runs straight into Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo Station · Access Express is the cheapest to Asakusa · the Limousine Bus drops you at your hotel · plus the flat-rate taxi — every option compared on price, time and who it suits.
Here's the thing that trips up first-time visitors before they've even left the airport: it isn't the language, it's the simple question of "how do I actually get into the city?" Narita Airport (NRT) sits out in Chiba Prefecture, roughly 60 kilometres from central Tokyo — not in the city like Haneda. There are plenty of ways in — fast trains, cheap trains, buses and taxis — and the price and journey time can differ by a factor of ten.
We've lined up all five main options, with fares checked against the operators' own 2026 pages (Keisei, JR East and the limousine bus company). One rule makes the whole decision easy — choose by where you're staying, not by which one is fastest. If your hotel is on the east side (Ueno/Asakusa) versus the west side (Shinjuku/Shibuya), the best answer is completely different. Read each option below, then check the summary table at the end.
Ordered from express trains → budget trains → bus → taxi. Each lists price, time, destination and who it suits. All fares are one-way per adult, updated 2026.
The fastest train option, running at up to 160 km/h straight from Narita to Nippori with no stops in between. Every seat is reserved and there's space for large luggage. If your accommodation is on the east side of Tokyo — Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara — this is the best use of your time after a long flight.
Book a discounted Skyliner ticket →JR's airport express runs directly into several central districts with no changes — Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and onward to Yokohama. Seats are reserved and roomy, and it's free with a JR Pass. If you're staying on the west or south side, this is the most comfortable choice because you step off at a single station.
Book an N’EX ticket →A regular limited-express that shares the Skyliner's tracks for the first half of the trip, so it isn't slow — but you skip the express surcharge and there's no seat reservation. It runs through onto the Toei Asakusa line, reaching Oshiage (near Skytree) and Asakusa without a change. Ideal if you're on a budget and not in a rush.
Tokyo travel guide →A coach service that runs directly to the entrances of 50-plus major hotels across Shinjuku, Ginza, Tokyo Station and Asakusa. The big draw is comfort — a reserved seat and luggage stowed underneath, with no dragging bags on and off trains. It's ideal for families, older travellers and anyone with heavy bags. The catch is that timing depends on traffic.
Find Shinjuku hotels →Taxis from Narita run on a fixed flat rate into central Tokyo, so there's no meter to sweat over, and they drop you right at your door. It makes sense for groups splitting the fare, families with small children, older travellers, or anyone landing after the last train. The obvious downside: it's several times pricier than everything else, and you still add the expressway toll on arrival.
Tokyo travel guide →One-way fares per adult · figures drawn from operators' 2026 pages · scroll the table left and right on mobile.
| Option | Time | Fare (one-way) | Main destinations | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keisei SkylinerPremium express train | 36–41 min | ¥2,580 online ~¥2,310 |
Nippori · Keisei-Ueno | Staying east · want speed |
| Narita Express N’EXJR express train | 60–90 min | ¥3,070+ tourist return ¥4,070 |
Tokyo · Shibuya · Shinjuku · Yokohama | Staying west/south · JR Pass |
| Keisei Access ExpressRegular limited express | ~60 min | ~¥1,310 IC ~¥1,276 |
Asakusa · Oshiage (Skytree) | Budget · not in a rush |
| Airport Limousine BusCoach to hotel doors | 75–120 min | ~¥3,200 TYO-NRT ¥1,500 |
Major hotels: Shinjuku/Ginza/Tokyo | Families · heavy luggage |
| Flat-Rate TaxiFixed-fare door-to-door | 60–90 min | ~¥22,000+ + tolls ~¥2,500–3,000 |
Your door, central wards | Groups · late arrivals |
⚠️ Updated 2026: Fares and times reference the official Keisei, JR East and limousine bus pages as of early 2026. JR East revised some fares in March 2026, so N’EX figures may have ticked up slightly. IC-card fares (Suica/PASMO) differ marginally from paper tickets — check the official site for the latest prices before you travel.
Decide on where you're staying and how you like to travel — here's the honest, friend-to-friend version.
Take the Skyliner — fastest, hop off at Nippori or Ueno and connect to the Yamanote line or walk to your hotel. On a budget and not rushing? The Access Express to Asakusa is brilliant value at roughly half the price.
Take N’EX — one station, straight to your area, no lugging bags between trains. If you're flying out of Narita too, the ¥4,070 tourist return ticket is much better value.
Take the Airport Limousine Bus — straight to the hotel door, no station stairs. Perfect if your hotel is on the stop list; double-check the route with your hotel before you book.
Take a flat-rate taxi if there are 3–4 of you to share it, or stay at a hotel near Narita the first night and head in the next morning — thousands of yen cheaper than a late-night taxi.
Everything in one place — where to stay, eat and go, plus itineraries, prep and getting around the city.
Open Tokyo guide →Shibuya Crossing · Senso-ji · Shinjuku · Akihabara · Odaiba · Harajuku and more unmissable spots in the city.
Tokyo attractions →Stay on the east side near Skytree and Senso-ji — ideal if you're coming in by Skyliner or Access Express.
Find Asakusa hotels →Stay on the west side at the hub of every line — ideal if you're arriving by N’EX and want a one-station trip.
Find Shinjuku hotels →Every region and city, plus visas, budgets, IC cards, the JR Pass and itineraries for first-time travellers.
Japan guide →Hotel and attraction guides across Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, China and beyond — all in one hub.
Browse Asia →The Keisei Skyliner is the fastest train option — about 36 minutes to Nippori and roughly 41 minutes to Keisei-Ueno, running non-stop. A one-way ticket is ¥2,580 (around ¥2,310 if you book online in advance). If your accommodation is on the east side of Tokyo (Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara), this is the best use of your time.
The Keisei Access Express is the cheapest limited-express train — about 60 minutes to Asakusa for roughly ¥1,310 (about ¥1,276 with an IC card). No seat reservation and no express surcharge required. If you want it even cheaper, the Airport Bus TYO-NRT runs to Tokyo Station and Ginza for ¥1,500.
It comes down to your destination. The Narita Express (N’EX) runs on JR tracks directly into Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama — ideal if you're staying on the west or south side. A one-way ticket to Tokyo Station is about ¥3,070 and takes roughly 60 minutes. The Skyliner runs on Keisei tracks and is faster, but heads toward Ueno and Nippori. Simple rule: stay east, take the Skyliner; stay west, take N’EX.
Yes — the N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket is available to foreign passport holders for ¥4,070 return, valid to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and other stations in the designated zone. That's nearly 33% cheaper than buying two separate one-way tickets, and the return leg is valid for 14 days — great if you're flying out of Narita again.
If you arrive after the last train (most limited-express services into the city finish around midnight), your main options are a taxi or one of the limited late-night buses. A flat-rate taxi into central Tokyo runs about ¥22,000–23,000 (roughly ¥28,000 late at night), not including expressway tolls of about ¥2,500–3,000. It makes sense for groups splitting the fare, families with small children, or anyone with several large suitcases. Solo or as a couple, staying at a hotel near Narita on the first night and heading in the next morning is usually far better value.
It's excellent value if your hotel is near a stop — the limousine bus runs directly to the entrances of 50-plus major Tokyo hotels, so you never have to drag luggage on and off trains. A one-way fare into central Tokyo or Shinjuku is around ¥3,200 (children half price), taking roughly 75–120 minutes depending on traffic. It suits families, older travellers, anyone with heavy bags, and those who'd rather not change trains. The trade-off is that arrival times depend on road conditions.
Match your neighbourhood to your route — stay east and come in by Skyliner, stay west and take N’EX. Open the full Tokyo guide for where to stay, eat and what to see.