Getting Around from Narita International Airport Using Public Transport
Narita International Airport (NRT) is one of Japan’s major international airports, offering a wide range of transportation options to central Tokyo and other destinations.
By using trains or buses, travelers can enjoy convenient and comfortable access to their desired locations.
In this article, we will provide a detailed guide on how to get from Narita International Airport to your destination.
※All information is current as of April 2025
Types of Transportation
There are two main types of public transportation available from Narita International Airport:
1. Traveling by Train
2. Traveling by Bus
Below, we will briefly explain the features of each type.
1. Traveling by Train
Taking a train is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel from Narita International Airport to central Tokyo.
The airport is served by two major rail lines:
(1) Keisei Electric Railway
Keisei Electric Railway is a major rail line connecting Narita International Airport with central Tokyo and the Chiba area.There are three types of trains on this line:
▼ Keisei Skyliner
- Route: Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station/ Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station ⇄ Keisei Ueno Station
- Travel Time: About 36 minutes (Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station to Nippori Station), about 41 minutes (to Keisei Ueno Station)
- Fare: ¥2,580 (¥1,280 base fare + ¥1,300 limited express surcharge)
- Advantages:
◎The fastest way to reach central Tokyo
◎Reserved seating for a comfortable ride
◎Easy transfers at Nippori Station to JR Yamanote Line and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line
▼ Access Express
- Route: Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station ⇄ Keisei Ueno Station
- Travel Time: About 80 minutes
- Fare: ¥1,280 (no express surcharge)
- Advantages:
◎The most affordable way to travel
◎Direct route with no transfers
▲May not guarantee a seat during peak hours due to crowding
(2) JR East (East Japan Railway Company)
JR East operates both the Narita Express (N’EX) and rapid trains, allowing you to choose the best option depending on your destination.
▼ Narita Express (N'EX)
- Route: Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station ⇄ Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Yokohama Station, Omiya Station, and more
- Travel Time: About 53 minutes to Tokyo Station; about 80 minutes to Shinjuku Station
- Fare:
- To Tokyo Station: ¥3,070
- To Shinjuku Station: ¥3,250
- Advantages:
◎Direct access to major city stations (Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Yokohama) with no transfers
◎Comfortable, reserved seating throughout the train
◎Suica and JAPAN RAIL PASS can be used
▼ Sobu Line Rapid
- Route: Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station ⇄ Tokyo Station
- Travel Time: Approximately 80-90 minutes
- Fare: ¥1,340
- Advantages:
◎Affordable transportation option
◎No transfers required
▲May be crowded during rush hours
2. Traveling by Bus
Buses offer the advantage of taking you directly near your destination without transfers, unlike trains.
Each passenger can typically bring one suitcase, which is stored in the luggage compartment.
Staff will handle the loading of your luggage when you board, making the process smooth and hassle-free.
Additionally, a variety of destinations are available to choose from.
- Destinations: Central Tokyo (23 wards), Tokyo Metropolis (Tama Area), Tokyo Disney Resort and Shin-Urayasu area, Chiba Prefecture, Haneda Airport (HND), Kanagawa Prefecture (Yokohama City),Saitama Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, Yamanashi Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture
- Fare: Approximately ¥1,000 - ¥10,000
- Advantages:
◎Many buses offer direct service to hotels or specific landmarks, providing a convenient door-to-door travel experience.
- How to Board: Please purchase a bus ticket at the ticket counter and line up at the designated boarding point. The boarding point number will be printed on your ticket. If you're unsure where to board, don’t hesitate to ask the staff at the counter.
- Payment Methods: Cash, credit cards (contactless accepted), transportation IC cards (note: not available on some routes), Alipay, and WeChat Pay.
Purchasing Tickets After Arrival at Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport consists of Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3, each connected to the following train stations:
- Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station (directly connected to Terminal 1)
- Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station (serves passengers arriving at Terminals 2 and 3)
Below, we explain how to find information desks and purchase tickets at each terminal.
1. Terminal 1
Here’s a step-by-step guide for what to do after exiting the arrivals area in Terminal 1:
(1) Information Desks and Ticket Counters
After exiting the international arrivals area at Terminal 1, you will see an information desk nearby (Floor Map: *1A).
If you have any questions upon arrival, you can ask for assistance at this desk right away.
In addition, between the North Wing and South Wing, there is a Visitor Service Center (Floor Map: *1B).
Inside, you will find a Tourist Information Center where you can obtain a wide range of sightseeing information.
(2) Purchasing Train Tickets
After exiting the arrivals area, you will find an escalator leading down to the Basement Level 1 (B1F) (Floor Map: *1C).
When you go down to B1, you will arrive at Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station.
There is also an information desk located on the B1 level (Floor Map: *1J), where you can get assistance if needed.
▼ Keisei Electric Railway
As you head toward the ticket gates at Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, you’ll find the Keisei Electric Railway ticket counter and Ticket Vending Machines on the left side (Floor Map: *1E).
The Ticket Vending Machines are available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
On the opposite side of the ticket gates, there is the SKYLINER & KEISEI INFORMATION CENTER (Floor Map: *1F),where you can obtain sightseeing information and also purchase tickets.
▼ JR East (East Japan Railway Company)
On the right side as you head toward the ticket gates at Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, you will find the JR East ticket counter (Floor Map: *1G).
The Ticket Vending Machines are available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
You can also purchase a Welcome Suica card here.
The Welcome Suica is recommended not only for public transportation, but also for shopping.
> Learn more about Welcome Suica here
On the opposite side of the ticket gates, you will find the JR EAST Travel Service Center (Floor Map: *1H), where you can also obtain sightseeing information.
▼ Bus
Just outside the international arrivals exit on the 1st floor (Ground level), you will find the bus ticket counter (Floor Map: *1D).
Bus tickets can be purchased at the counter or from a Ticket Vending Machine.
If you have trouble finding the right bus for your destination, feel free to ask the staff at the counter for assistance.
(3) Terminal 1 Floor Map
2. Terminal 2
Here is a detailed explanation of what to expect after exiting the arrivals area in Terminal 2.
(1) Information Desks and Ticket Counters
After exiting the international arrivals area at Terminal 2, you will see an information desk nearby (Floor Map: *2A).
If you have any questions upon arrival, you can immediately ask the staff there for assistance.
(2) Purchasing Train Tickets
After exiting the arrivals area, you will find an escalator that leading down to the Basement Level 1 (B1F).
Once you go down to B1, you will arrive at Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station.
There is also an information desk immediately on the B1 level (Floor Map: *2C) where you can get assistance if needed.
▼ Keisei Electric Railway
As you head toward the ticket gates at Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station, you’ll find the Keisei Electric Railway ticket counter and Ticket Vending Machines on the left side (Floor Map: *2D).
The Ticket Vending Machines are available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
On the opposite side of the ticket gates, there is the SKYLINER & KEISEI INFORMATION CENTER (Floor Map: *2E), where you can obtain sightseeing information and also purchase tickets.
▼ JR East (East Japan Railway Company)
On the right side as you head toward the ticket gates at Airport Terminal 2・3 Station, you will find the JR East ticket counter (Floor Map: *2F).
The Ticket Vending Machines are available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
You can also purchase a Welcome Suica card here.
The Welcome Suica is recommended not only for public transportation, but also for shopping.
> Learn more about Welcome Suica here
On the opposite side of the ticket gates, you’ll find the JR EAST Travel Service Center (Floor Map: *2G), where you can also obtain sightseeing information.
▼ Bus
Just outside the international arrivals exit on the 1st floor, you will find the bus ticket counter (Floor Map: *2B).
Bus tickets can be purchased at the counter or from a Ticket Vending Machine.
If you have trouble finding the right bus for your destination, feel free to ask the staff at the counter for assistance.
(3) Terminal 2 Floor Map
3. Terminal 3
Here is a detailed explanation of what to expect after exiting the arrivals area in Terminal 3.
The most convenient way to travel from Terminal 3 is by taking a highway bus.
(1) Information Desks and Ticket Counters
After exiting the international arrivals gate in Terminal 3, you will see an information desk nearby (Floor Map: *3A).
If you have any questions upon arrival, you can ask for assistance at this desk right away.
(2) Purchasing Bus Tickets
Right after exiting the arrivals area, you will find the bus ticket counter nearby (Floor Map: *3B).
Bus tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter or from the ticket vending machines.
There is no train station or platform in Terminal 3.
Therefore, if you plan to use the train, you will need to go to Terminal 2 after exiting the arrivals area. You can get there by using the inter-terminal shuttle bus (Floor Map: *3C) or by walking.
It takes approximately 6 minutes on foot from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2.
(3) Terminal 3 Floor Map
Summary
This article has provided an overview of how to travel from Narita International Airport using public transportation, including trains and highway buses.
Both trains and buses are frequent and reasonably priced, so mastering them will give you even greater flexibility during your travels.
If you are transferring between flights within Narita International Airport, you can also use the inter-terminal shuttle bus to move between Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3.
At Val Laboratory Corporation, we offer a convenient route search service called “Ekispert for Web,” which allows you to enter your departure and destination points to easily search routes using public transportation.
It’s a powerful tool designed to support your travel within Japan.
We hope you find this information helpful and encourage you to utilize it during your journey.
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Japan using the country’s famously punctual public transportation!
*We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following companies for their invaluable cooperation in the creation of this article:
- Narita International Airport Corporation
- Keisei Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
- Keisei Bus Co., Ltd.
- Airport Transport Service Co., Ltd.
■ Reference Links
- Narita International Airport Corporation
- Keisei Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
- Keisei Bus Co., Ltd.
- Airport Transport Service Co., Ltd.