Tokyo Station to Narita Airport: every way to get there (and how early to leave)
- japansophy
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Your bags are packed and you're leaving Japan today. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. And now you have to get yourself from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport - in good time for your flight and with as little stress as possible. One of your biggest pain points is finding your way through Tokyo Station, so here are your best options (and we've done them all at one time or other) and where to board.
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*Any prices quoted below are as of May 2026 and are subject to change
Tokyo Station to Narita: At a Glance
Option | N'EX (Narita Express) | Airport Bus TYO-NRT | Private Transfer |
Duration | ~53 min | ~65–90 min* | ~60–90 min* |
Price (approx.) | ¥3,140 one-way, ¥5,200 return | ¥1,500 | ¥7,000–9,000+ |
Booking | Reserve in advance | Buy on the day | Book in advance |
Luggage space | Excellent (dedicated racks) | Good (overhead + hold) | Depends on size of transfer vehicle |
Rush hour risk | None (dedicated line) | Traffic delays possible | Traffic delays possible |
Best for | Most travellers | Budget travellers | Families, heavy luggage |
*subject to traffic
Option 1: The N'EX (Narita Express) - a good choice for most people
If you're leaving from Tokyo Station and you want reliability above everything else, take the N'EX. This is the dedicated airport train operated by JR East, and it runs on its own tracks - meaning it doesn't get caught in road traffic, doesn't share rails with slow local trains, and gets you to Narita Terminal 1 in around 53 - 55 minutes.
The N'EX runs roughly every 30 minutes throughout the day, with the first departure from Tokyo Station at around 06:15 and the last at around 20:00. All seats are reserved, so you board knowing exactly where you're sitting, and the luggage racks are genuinely generous — no wrestling with overhead bins.
Tickets cost 3140 yen but you can get a good deal on a return ticket, which you can use within 14 days. The N'EX is covered by the JR Pass — just make a seat reservation. You can buy your tickets in advance on Klook to save hassle and time in Tokyo Station, and there are often some sweet deals there too! Click below to check prices and availability:
The N'EX leaves for Narita Airport from the B5 floor in Tokyo Station which is closer to the west side of the station and sort of the opposite side from the Shinkansen. If you're coming into Tokyo Station on the bullet train, you will leave the Shinkansen concourse and follow the signs for the regular JR trains. If you're taking a taxi to Tokyo Station, ask to be dropped off at the Marunouchi side. If you're arriving into Tokyo Station on another JR train, just change platform but you'll probably have to go up a floor.
Of course there are plenty of people out there that say that the N'EX is too expensive and not worth it. But we love taking the N'EX - it's as comfy as the Shinkansen and it's really nice to have reserved seats for what is a relatively long journey.
Option 2: The Airport Bus TYO-NRT - cheap, easy, but allow extra time
If price is your priority, the Airport Bus TYO-NRT (formerly known as the THE Access Narita / Tokyo Shuttle and now sometimes referred to as the "low-cost limousine bus") is very hard to argue with. A standard daytime ticket costs ¥1,500 - roughly half the price of the N'EX and the cheapest of all limousine buses between central Tokyo and Narita. There are 5-6 buses an hour leaving Tokyo Station.
The fastest buses can cover the journey in about 65 minutes when traffic isn't too heavy. In reality, if you're travelling during rush hour - typically 07:30 - 09:30 and 17:00 - 19:30 on weekdays - you don't want to be cutting it too fine. I've heard of it taking well over two hours in bad conditions.
It's not possible to buy these tickets in advance. Tickets are sold at the bus stop or in the station on the day and it's not possible to reserve seats: it's very much a first-come-first-served story. You can pay in cash or using your IC card (e.g. Suica) at the bus stop. If you want to use credit card, you'll have to go to the ticket office inside the station.
Late-night and early-morning services exist but cost ¥3,000 - at that point the price difference over the N'EX shrinks considerably.
The Airport Bus TYO-NRT leaves from the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station, which makes it very handy if you're coming into Tokyo Station on the Shinkansen: the Shinkansen platforms are also on the Yaesu side. But it means you'll have to walk from one side of the station to the other if you're coming in on another JR train.
We're fans of the limousine buses in general and, at less than half the price of the N'EX during the day, it's hard to say no to those savings. On the other hand, when we travel as a family or as a group, not being able to reserve seats in advance - especially when you're heading to the airport to catch a flight - is a big disadvantage.
Option 3: Private transfer — when comfort beats cost
For families, travellers with serious luggage, or anyone who simply doesn't want to deal with steps, platforms, and connecting trains on their last day, a private transfer to Narita is worth considering. You'll pay significantly more - typically ¥14,000 - ¥16,000 for a car for four from the Tokyo Station area - but it will collect you from your hotel and drop you off right outside the terminal. Larger groups can expect to pay between ¥16,000 and ¥20,000 for up to nine people, which actually works out cheaper per person than the N'EX.
Klook has a reliable range of Tokyo-to-Narita airport transfer options. Click on the button to check prices and book in advance.
We, personally, are unlikely to spring for a private transfer when it's just the two of us, but as a family, maybe heading for an early flight after a very short night, it's such a great, easy start to the flight home to be picked up by a driver at your hotel and whisked off to Narita departures. We've done a private transfer several times now (especially when travelling in larger groups) and feel that, under various circumstances, paying 1000 - 2000 yen more per person (if even) is absolutely worth it.
How early should you leave Tokyo Station?
This is the question that actually matters. Here's our honest rule of thumb:
• For a standard international flight (check-in closes 60 minutes before departure), most airlines recommend arriving at Narita 2–3 hours before your flight.
• Add the travel time: 55 minutes on the N'EX, 90+ minutes on the bus (with traffic buffer).
• Add 15–20 minutes for the walk to the platform, buying tickets, and getting to your check-in desk at Narita, etc..
In practice: for an N'EX traveller, leave Tokyo Station 3 hours before your flight. For the bus, 3.5 to 4 hours, especially on a weekday morning.
One thing many first-timers don't know: Narita has three terminals. Check which terminal your airline uses before you go - Terminal 3 in particular involves a longer walk or a shuttle from Terminal 2, and it can catch you out.
A couple of tips for your Tokyo Station to Narita Airport journey
If you're spending your final day sightseeing rather than sitting in a hotel lobby with your bags, consider luggage forwarding. Services like Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) will collect your bags from your accommodation and deliver them to the airport — often arriving before you do. You pay a small fee (around ¥3,100 per bag, depending on the size of the bag), and you travel to the station empty-handed. You can book this on Klook (click on the button below to check prices and availability). Be careful about pick-up and delivery times, though, and make sure you factor in enough time to pick your bags up at the airport for check-in.
A couple of times, what we've done when we had a later flight was travel to the airport on the Airport Bus TYO-NRT, leave our bags there in a coin locker (or check them in already if your airline allows it) and then head back out to the town centre of Narita. Narita has a really beautiful, Japan-famous temple - Narita-san - that is definitely worth seeing and is a lovely, peaceful way to round off your Japan trip. Narita Station is only around 9 minutes from the airport, so it's quick and easy to get back to the terminal in good time for your flight.
Tokyo Station to Narita Airport: FAQ
Is the N'EX the fastest way from Tokyo Station to Narita?
Yes. The N'EX reaches Narita in around 53–55 minutes and isn't affected by road traffic. No other option from Tokyo Station matches it for speed and reliability.
Can I use a JR Pass on the Narita Express?
Yes, the N'EX is operated by JR East and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. You'll need to make a seat reservation, which is free and can be done at a JR ticket counter.
What if my flight is very early in the morning?
The first N'EX from Tokyo Station departs at around 06:15. For flights departing before roughly 09:00, you may need the Airport Bus or a private transfer, as airport check-in opens earlier than the first train arrives. For early morning flights, we always stay in Narita city or near the airport the night before - lots of hotels have free airport shuttles and they are generally cheaper than hotels in central Tokyo anyway.
Is there a direct bus from Tokyo Station to Narita?
Yes — the Airport Bus TYO-NRT runs from the Yaesu South Exit of Tokyo Station directly to all three Narita terminals. Tickets cost ¥1,500 (daytime) and are purchased on the day, in cash or with IC card (e.g. Suica) at the bus stop or by credit card at the station ticket desk.
Which Narita terminal does my airline use?
Terminal 1 handles most non-Japanese carriers (Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, etc.). Terminal 2 handles Japan Airlines (JAL) and some others. Terminal 3 is used by low-cost carriers including Jetstar, Scoot, and AirAsia. Check your airline's website or your booking confirmation to confirm.
Is there a fast train from Tokyo to Narita Airport?
Yes, the Narita Express (aka N'EX) is, as the name suggests, an express train between Narita Airport and Tokyo. Tokyo city stops include Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, but not all trains make all of these stops.
What is the cheapest way to travel from Tokyo to Narita Airport?
The cheapest way from Tokyo to Narita Airport is the Airport Bus TYO-NRT. It costs just 1500 yen during the day (early morning and late night tickets cost 3000 yen) but only leaves from Tokyo Station and Ginza.
The Japanese transport system can be the biggest headache for first-timers planning their Japan trip. Here are some more posts that might make the process easier for you:
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