The short answer
- Staying near Ueno, Nippori or Asakusa: take the Keisei Skyliner. It is the fastest and often the cheapest.
- Staying near Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya or Shinagawa: take the Narita Express. No changes, and the JR Pass covers it.
- Heavy luggage or a hotel the bus stops at: the limousine bus, but allow plenty of time for traffic.
- Cheapest of all: the discount bus to Tokyo Station.
Narita Airport is about 75 km from central Tokyo, so how you get into the city matters more than it does at Haneda. Three options cover most travelers: two fast trains and a bus that stops near hotels. The trains are quicker, but each only goes to certain stations, so the best one depends on where you are staying. If you have not chosen your airport yet, start with our comparison of Haneda vs Narita.
Side by side
| Narita Express (N'EX) | Keisei Skyliner | Limousine bus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical one-way cost | About ¥3,100 to Tokyo Station, ¥3,300 to Shinjuku | About ¥2,500 to ¥2,600 to Ueno or Nippori | About ¥3,100 to ¥3,200 |
| Travel time | About 60 min to Tokyo Station; 80 to 90 min to Shinjuku | About 40 min to Nippori; roughly 45 to 55 min to Ueno | About 90 to 120 min, depending on traffic |
| Goes to | Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yokohama | Nippori and Ueno | Major hotels and stations, including Shinjuku, Tokyo Station |
| Frequency | Roughly every 30 to 60 minutes | Roughly every 20 to 30 minutes | About hourly on many routes |
| Seats | All reserved | All reserved | Ticket for a bus departure |
| JR Pass | Covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Luggage | Racks in each car | Space in each car | Loaded into the hold |
| Best for | Central and west Tokyo | East and north Tokyo | Heavy bags, hotel drop-off |
These are approximate 2026 figures from the operators and recent guides, and sources differ by a few hundred yen. Fares, discounts and timetables change, so confirm the price for your route and date before you pay.
Narita Express (N'EX)
The Narita Express is run by JR East, and it is the easiest train for most first-time visitors, because it runs without a change to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama. The ride to Tokyo Station takes about an hour, and a little under an hour and a half to Shinjuku. Every seat is reserved, so you need a seat reservation before you board.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass, a reserved seat on the Narita Express is covered. Without one, foreign visitors can buy the N'EX TOKYO round-trip ticket, which JR East lists at ¥5,200 and which is valid for 14 days. It is cheaper than buying two one-way tickets, but only worth it if you plan to use the Narita Express for both directions. Tourists need a non-Japanese passport to buy it.
Keisei Skyliner
The Skyliner is run by Keisei, a different company, so the Japan Rail Pass does not cover it. It is the fastest way into Tokyo, about 40 minutes to Nippori and a little longer to Ueno, with trains roughly every 20 to 30 minutes. At Nippori you can change to the JR Yamanote Line, and at Ueno you can use the Tokyo Metro, so it works well if your hotel is in the east or north of the city.
Tourists can often buy a discounted Skyliner ticket online in advance, which can bring the price down to roughly ¥2,300 in recent guides. There are also combined tickets with Tokyo Metro passes. Check the Keisei website for current prices before you buy.
Airport limousine bus
The limousine bus is slower, but it can be the least stressful option after a long flight. The driver loads your suitcases into the hold, and many routes stop at major hotels and stations, so you may not need to change at all. The trade-off is traffic. The ride can take 90 to 120 minutes, and rush hour on the expressway makes it worse. Check the last departure for your route if you are landing late, as buses stop in the late evening.
The cheapest option: the discount bus
Low-cost buses run from Narita to Tokyo Station and nearby areas, with fares in recent guides of roughly ¥1,000 to ¥1,500 during the day and higher late at night. They take about an hour or more and drop you at a station, not your hotel, but they are the cheapest way in if you travel light and your schedule is flexible.
Which one should you choose?
- Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara or Nippori: Skyliner.
- Tokyo Station, Marunouchi or Ginza: Narita Express, or the discount bus if you want the lowest price.
- Shinjuku or Shibuya: Narita Express, or the limousine bus if your hotel is on a stop.
- Heading to Kyoto by bullet train: Narita Express to Tokyo Station or Shinagawa, then the Shinkansen.
- With a JR Pass: Narita Express, since the seat reservation is free with the pass.
For a family or group, a private transfer can cost about the same
Trains and buses charge per person, so the price adds up quickly. Four adults on the Narita Express to Tokyo Station would pay roughly ¥12,500 one way, and a limousine bus for the same group would cost about the same. A private transfer is priced per vehicle and takes you to your hotel, with no stairs or changes. It will not be the cheapest option for a solo traveler, but for three or four people with luggage, or a late arrival, the difference can be small.
Traveling with family, luggage or a late flight? Compare fixed prices for a private transfer from Narita to your Tokyo hotel before you fly.
Search Narita airport transfersWant a second quote? See transfer options on Kiwitaxi. Not sure which to use? Read GetTransfer vs Kiwitaxi.
If you land late
Narita's last express trains leave in the late evening, and the buses also stop. If your flight is delayed, you could be left with a very expensive taxi, so it helps to check the last train and bus for your route before you book, and to have a pre-booked transfer as a backup. Our Haneda vs Narita guide covers late arrivals in more detail.
Get your train card and data sorted
You will need a transit card for the subway and trains once you are in the city. Our guide to Suica, Pasmo and Welcome Suica explains which one to get. And an eSIM installed before you fly means maps and train apps work as soon as you land.
Set up a Japan eSIM before you fly so you can check train times and maps the moment you land.
See eSIM plans for JapanNot sure how much data you need? See eSIM for Japan: how much data for Tokyo.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the Narita Express or the Skyliner?
It depends on where you are staying. The Skyliner is usually faster and a bit cheaper if you are going to Nippori, Ueno or the east side of Tokyo. The Narita Express is better for Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya or Yokohama, because it goes there without a change.
What is the cheapest way from Narita Airport to Tokyo?
A discount bus to Tokyo Station is usually the cheapest, at roughly ¥1,000 to ¥1,500 in recent guides, and takes about an hour or more depending on traffic. The Skyliner with an advance online discount ticket can also be a good value. Check current prices before you travel.
Does the Japan Rail Pass cover the Narita Express?
Yes, the JR Pass covers a reserved seat on the Narita Express, and you can reserve it at no extra charge at a JR ticket machine or office. It does not cover the Keisei Skyliner, which is a different company.
Is the Narita Express worth it without a JR Pass?
Often yes, if you are going to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya or Shinagawa. Foreign visitors can also buy the N'EX TOKYO round-trip ticket, which costs less than two one-way tickets. Compare it with the Skyliner if you are staying near Ueno.
How long does the airport limousine bus take from Narita?
About 90 to 120 minutes, depending on traffic. It is the easiest option with heavy luggage because the driver loads your bags, but rush-hour congestion can make it the slowest option.
Do I need to reserve the Narita Express or the Skyliner?
Yes. Both trains have reserved seating only, so you need a seat reservation. You can buy tickets at the airport or in advance online, which can be quicker and sometimes cheaper.
Is a private transfer cheaper than the train for a family?
It can be, for three or four people with luggage. Trains charge per person, while a private transfer is priced per vehicle and takes you to your hotel door. Compare a fixed price for your hotel with the total train fare for your group.
Related reading
The short version
Take the Skyliner if you are staying in the east or north of Tokyo, and the Narita Express for Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya or Shinagawa, especially with a JR Pass. Use the limousine bus if you want a driver to handle your bags and do not mind traffic, and the discount bus if the price is what matters most. For a group or a late arrival, compare a fixed-price private transfer before you decide.