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Narita Airport to Tokyo (2026): Skyliner, Narita Express or Bus?

The best way into Tokyo depends on where your hotel is, not on which train is fastest. Staying near Ueno or Asakusa? Take the Skyliner. Shinjuku or Shibuya? The Narita Express goes there without a change. On a budget? The airport bus to Tokyo Station is half the price.

We checked the fares on the operators' official sites on 6 November 2026. JR East's site blocks automated checks, so we read the N'EX fares from its pages as shown in search results: confirm them on the day.

Landing soon? Skyliner e-tickets are often a little cheaper than the counter, and you skip the queue.
Skyliner tickets on Klook ↗

Some links on this page are affiliate links. We say when buying at the airport is just as good.

Where are you staying?

Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara

Skyliner

41 minutes to Ueno, then one short subway ride.

Shinjuku, Shibuya

Narita Express

No change of train. About 80 minutes.

Tokyo Station, Ginza

Narita Express or bus

N'EX takes 55 minutes. The bus takes 70 minutes and costs half as much.

On a tight budget

Airport bus

¥1,500 to Tokyo Station. Book a seat online at busy times.

All the options compared

Skyliner
To Nippori and Ueno · 36–41 min · ¥2,580Reserved seat included. Buy on arrival or online.
Narita Express (N'EX)
To Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya · 55–〈85〉 min · ¥3,140¥5,200 round trip for visitors with a foreign passport, valid 14 days.
Keisei Access Express
To Asakusa, Nihombashi · about 50 min · ¥1,290–¥1,330No reservation. Tap in with an IC card.
Airport bus
To Tokyo Station, Ginza · 70 min · ¥1,500Booking recommended at busy times.
Limousine bus
To major hotels · 〈90–120 min〉 · ¥3,100–¥3,600Good with heavy luggage.

Buying tickets

Before you fly

Skyliner e-ticket

Buy online, then swap the QR code for a ticket at the Keisei counter in arrivals.

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Visitors only

N'EX round trip

A ¥5,200 return ticket for foreign passport holders, valid for 14 days. Buy it at the JR counter in arrivals, or before you fly.

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What if…?

…I land after 22:00?

The last Skyliner leaves at 23:00 (〈check the last N'EX on JR East's timetable〉). After that, take a night bus or a fixed-fare taxi: ¥28,000–¥32,500 to central Tokyo plus tolls, and more after 22:00.

…I have two big suitcases?

Take the limousine bus to your hotel, or send your bags from the airport counter and arrive hands-free.

…I don't have a Suica yet?

You don't need one for these trains, but get one at the airport for the rest of your trip. How to get a Suica as a visitor →

You'll want mobile data the moment you land, for maps and messages. A Japan eSIM is set up before you fly, from about 〈$5〉 a week.
Compare Japan eSIMs ↗

Flying into Haneda instead?

Haneda is much closer to the city: 15–50 minutes by monorail or Keikyu train, no booking needed.