Narita Airport may be your first encounter with Japan as you arrive in the country. But rather than worrying, you can feel reassured knowing it’s an incredibly organized place from end to end.
Everything at Narita Airport operates with Swiss clock-like precision.
However, it’s still up to you to ensure your journey goes smoothly. It’s ideal to be prepared and aware of what you’ll encounter, what steps to follow, and how to make the best use of your time. This way, you can leave the airport and reach your accommodation without unnecessary delays.
We invite you to learn about Narita Airport so that, when you arrive, you know exactly what to do and where to go.
Essential information about Narita Airport
Narita Airport is conveniently located close to Tokyo, just 70 km east of the city. This makes getting from the airport to the capital quite easy.
Additionally, there’s a wide range of transportation options available to make your transfer as smooth as possible.
Each year, the airport serves over 39 million passengers, making it one of Japan’s most important airports, second only to Haneda Airport.
This is reflected in the quality of service that passengers experience here daily, which is, it must be noted, impeccable.
While the announcements, signs, and other airport signage are primarily in Japanese, there is also ample signage in English and other languages.
It’s best to communicate in English, but if that’s a concern for you, don’t worry. Narita Airport has small help stations for passengers, staffed by people who speak multiple languages, including Spanish.
How to get from Narita to Tokyo
Once you arrive at the airport, your first thought will likely be how to get from Narita to Tokyo, and you’ll find there are many immediate answers to this question.
You can travel quickly and comfortably by various means, including train, bus, taxi, and even private transport.
Here’s a complete video in English that explains everything in great detail:
Now, let’s go over each option:
Train
The most popular form of transport from Narita Airport to central Tokyo is the train.
This option is more affordable, and it’s even included in the Japan Rail Pass.
The Narita Express or N’EX is the most frequently chosen option for tourists, as well as for Japanese travelers moving between cities. You can find this train at terminals 1 and 2.
It’s a pristine train with high attention to detail. Choosing it as the first train to experience in Japan is a wonderful introduction to the punctuality and cleanliness that characterize Japanese culture.
The Narita Express consists of six E259 series cars and operates frequently between the airport and various areas in Tokyo.
Its first stop is at Tokyo Station, and from there, it continues to other destinations, including Shinjuku, Shibuya, Omiya, and Ikebukuro.
Another line of the same train covers routes that reach Ofuna, Yokohama, and Shinagawa.
Each of these options allows for a seamless connection from Narita to various parts of Tokyo, catering to diverse travel needs and budgets.
The total journey from Narita to Tokyo takes 55 minutes. The trip is quite enjoyable thanks to the scenic views from the train windows and the onboard comforts in each car.
Bus
Another excellent option for traveling from Tokyo’s Narita Airport to the city center is by bus. The service offered by the Airport Limousine is top-notch.
For some, the train might be an obvious choice, but if you prefer, the bus offers a safe and reliable way to make your trip.
The journey takes about an hour and a half from the airport to Tokyo Station.
Although the bus ride is longer than the train, a distinct advantage is that it doesn’t only stop at main stations but passes through various areas, so if your hotel is far from a station, the bus might drop you off right at the entrance.
The bus is very comfortable, and the service operates with great efficiency, consistently keeping to its schedule.
The fare is €23 per person.
There are other bus options that don’t belong to the Airport Limousine service and are more affordable, though their routes are limited. The fare for these is €8 per person, with a 70-minute journey from Narita to Tokyo without stops.
No advance booking is needed as payment is made directly on the bus.
Bus services run daily from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
Taxi
Getting from Narita to Tokyo can also be done conveniently by taking a taxi from the airport, though it comes at a higher price.
The benefit is that you pay for the service as a whole, not per person. This means that if you’re traveling with others, you can split the fare, making it more affordable.
The taxi ride between Narita and Tokyo takes around 40 minutes, making it one of the fastest and most comfortable options.
Taking a taxi is reasonable for groups of up to four people; otherwise, it’s best suited for emergencies or if speed is a priority.
Private transfer
As with top international airports, Tokyo’s Narita Airport offers private transfer services.
The cost depends on the number of passengers and the amount of luggage.
This service is extremely comfortable, quick, and highly recommended for its convenience, though it is the most expensive option.
The service includes a uniformed chauffeur waiting for you with a sign bearing your name, much like in movies, who will also handle your luggage and escort you to the car.
What’s the best way to get to Tokyo and why?
Choosing the best way to travel from Narita Airport to Tokyo depends entirely on each traveler’s needs.
For an average traveler without excessive luggage and perhaps traveling with a companion, the train offers the best balance of cost, convenience, and travel time.
If you have a Tokyo Rail Pass, the train is the ideal choice.
However, if you don’t have the pass and don’t plan to buy one, the bus could be a good alternative, especially if it can drop you close to your hotel in cases where it’s far from any station.
Shared private transfers to/from Narita Airport
An excellent transportation option from Narita Airport to the city center is shared private transfers, a service that you book alongside other travelers.
This option provides the comfort and reliability of a private transfer but at a more affordable price due to sharing the ride with other passengers.
The advantage of this service is its flexibility for the user, meaning you can depart just a few minutes after arriving at the airport without needing to wait around.
Additionally, you can book in advance, allowing you to make the most of your time in Tokyo.
Drivers for this service usually hold a Cherry Tomato sign at the designated meeting point to make identification easier. If you’re being picked up at your hotel for an airport transfer, the driver will wait in the hotel lobby at the time you specify.
You can book this service up to a year in advance or as late as 72 hours beforehand in urgent cases.
The cost is €40 per person, and the trip takes about an hour and 20 minutes. The service can be booked for either airport-to-city transfers or city-to-airport transfers.
Travel tips for Japan
The usual travel tips apply: plan as far ahead as possible. Doing so helps lower costs and ensures availability for what you’re looking for, whether it’s accommodations, transport, or shows.
For practical advice, transportation in Tokyo is crucial. Initially, navigating Tokyo can be challenging for tourists, but once you grasp the basics, getting around becomes smooth and even easy to understand.
It’s essential to learn to respect local rules and schedules.
Getting the Tokyo Rail Pass is highly recommended, as it covers all types of transportation. From the moment you start using it, the pass proves cost-effective.
Booking your transportation in advance whenever possible is wise, especially when traveling to another city. For example, on certain trains, it’s possible to reserve seats in the Green Zone or preferential seating area, where you can even select your seat.
One final tip: always pay attention to your surroundings when traveling to avoid getting off at the wrong station. Tokyo is vast, and you’ll want to make the most of your time without unnecessary detours.