jjThere are plenty of ways to travel to Tokyo urban stations from the Tokyo Narita International Airport. Combining comfort, convenience and cost-effectiveness, Narita Express Trains are your best bet.
The Recommended – Narita Express
This option takes ~60 mins to reach Tokyo station and ~75 mins for Shibuya station.
Narita Express (N’EX) is the direct high speed rail train that connects the airport with most urban stations, and runs every 30 mins. There are Green Car (first class) and Ordinary Car seatings, of which I took the Ordinary Car seats. Fret not! All seats in the trains are recline and rotate, spacious and comfortable with adjustable headrests, so bigger builds need not worry while travelling on these trains. They even come with tables and power outlets if you need to eat or work!
Once you enter the trains, you can store big luggages on the luggage racks before entering the seating area. There will be a centre large flat-screen indicating the arrival stations and weather forecasts in Japanese, English, Chinese, and even Korean! Restrooms are available too, and they are as clean and spacious as expected.
The Ordinary Car tickets are available as one-way or return. All seats are reserved and will be given to you upon purchases.
Return Tickets: Fixed Rates
¥4000 : Adults (Age 12 and above)
¥2000 : Children (Age 6 to 11)
*Return within 2 weeks
One-way Tickets: Varying Rates
Depending on your end destinations, the fares vary.
| Adults (Age 12 and older) | Children (Age 6 to 11) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | ¥6040 | ¥3020 |
| Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro | ¥6380 | ¥3180 |
| Omiya | ¥7680 | ¥3820 |
| Yokohama | ¥8580 | ¥4280 |
| Ofuna | ¥9240 | ¥4600 |
Where to Purchase?
The tickets can only be purchased in Japan from the JR East Travel Service Centres and from the JR Ticket Offices at Narita Airport Terminals 1, 2, & 3. The tickets are for holders of non-Japanese passports only.
| Office Types | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | JR East Travel Service Centre | 08:15am - 07:00pm |
| Terminal 1 | JR Ticket Office | 06:30am - 8:15am 07:00pm - 09:45pm |
| Terminal 2 & 3 | JR East Travel Service Centre | 08:15am - 08:00pm |
| Terminal 2 & 3 | JR Ticket Office | 06:30am - 8:15am 08:00pm - 09:45pm |
*If you have a Japan Rail Pass or a JR East Pass, you just need to reserve a seat (free) and hop onto the train for free!
*Not all trains arrive at all the urban Tokyo stations. If you wish for direct trains and want to avoid transfers, check the train schedules and purchase the tickets accordingly. If you have problems understanding the schedules, the ticket officers are extremely helpful and speak fluent English. You can request for direct trains only, and they will issue you tickets of the earliest train available.
There are definitely more others ways, but I would highly recommend the N’EX trains as they are direct, comfortable, and hassle-free. Moreover, most foreigners will purchase the JR Passes to travel in Japan so N’EX is free!
Remember to check out my recommended itineraries on 8 days in Tokyo. Enjoy your trip in Tokyo!
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