Narita Airport to Tokyo compared: Skyliner, Narita Express, airport bus, fixed-fare taxi and private transfer, with fares and a per-car price from on request.
Narita International Airport sits in Chiba Prefecture, roughly 60 km from central Tokyo, and handles a large share of Japan's international arrivals. Once you clear customs, there are five main ways to reach a hotel in Shinjuku, Asakusa, Ueno or around Tokyo Station: the Keisei Skyliner, JR's Narita Express (N'EX), an airport bus, a taxi, or a pre-booked private transfer. Each one differs in cost, number of changes and the kind of traveller it suits. Here is how they compare.
The five options at a glance
| Option | Main stops | Journey time | Cost (officially published) | Changes needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keisei Skyliner | Nippori, Keisei Ueno | From about 41 min to Keisei Ueno | See Keisei's official site | Usually, to reach your hotel |
| JR Narita Express (N'EX) | Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yokohama and more | Varies by station | See JR East's official site | Usually, to reach your hotel |
| Low-cost bus (LCB) | Tokyo Station, Ginza | Depends on traffic | See Narita Airport's official site (not valid for late-night and early-morning flights) | Walk or change after arrival |
| Taxi (fixed fare) | Tokyo's 23 wards | Depends on traffic | Fixed fare by zone, plus tolls; see Narita Airport's official site | No |
| Private transfer | Any address in Tokyo Metropolis | About 60–90 min | ECO from on request per car, tax and tolls included | No |
Train fares change with the season and how you buy your ticket, so we have not listed them here. Please check the official links at the end of this article for current prices.
Train: punctual, best with light luggage
The Keisei Skyliner stops at Nippori and Keisei Ueno, and Keisei's official site says it reaches Keisei Ueno in as little as 41 minutes. If your hotel is in Ueno or Asakusa, it is a very convenient option. JR's Narita Express runs directly to major stations such as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku, which saves a change if you are staying near one of them.
Keep in mind that trains take you to a station, not to your hotel. From there you will often need to switch to the subway or walk with your luggage. Tokyo's major stations have long transfer corridors and plenty of stairs, which can be hard work with two large suitcases or a pushchair.
Bus: the cheapest option for one person
Narita Airport's official website lists a low-cost bus (LCB) to Tokyo Station and Ginza, with other routes running to Ikebukuro, Shibuya and elsewhere at different fares; fares are as published on the airport's website. Your luggage goes in the hold and you stay on the same bus all the way. The downside is that buses only serve fixed stops and journey times depend on traffic. The airport also notes that the LCB fare to Tokyo Station and Ginza does not apply to late-night and early-morning flights.
Taxi: convenient but expensive
Taxis from Narita charge fixed fares to six zones (A to F) across Tokyo's 23 wards. Chiyoda, Chuo and Taito wards are Zone C, and Shinjuku and Shibuya wards are Zone D; fares for each zone are as published on Narita Airport's official website. Expressway tolls are paid on top, and a late-night surcharge applies from 22:00 to 05:00. You do not need to book, but you pay per car, so a larger group may need two.
Private transfer: per-car pricing, door to door
A private transfer picks you up in the arrivals hall and drops you at your hotel entrance, with no changes and no dragging bags between platforms. Our prices from Narita to central Tokyo are as follows (per vehicle, tax included):
| Vehicle | Seats | Luggage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECO sedan | 5 | 4 pieces | on request |
| Toyota Alphard | 7 | 6 pieces | ¥22,000 |
| Toyota Hiace | 10 | 9 pieces | ¥27,000 |
- Priced per car, not per person: four people sharing an ECO works out at about on request each.
- Tolls and parking included: the quoted price is what you pay, with nothing extra to settle in the car.
- One price across Tokyo: Shinjuku, Asakusa, Ueno, Ginza or anywhere else in Tokyo Metropolis costs the same. Tokyo Disney Resort is in Chiba Prefecture and is quoted separately.
- Late-night pickups: a flat ¥4,000 is added for transfers between 22:00 and 06:00.
- Child seats available: up to three child safety seats and two booster seats per booking.
- 90 minutes of free waiting at arrivals, so a long immigration queue or slow baggage reclaim is not a problem.
- Available 24/7, including early-morning and late-night flights.
Which option is right for you?
- Travelling solo with light luggage in the daytime: the bus or train is the most economical.
- Staying in Ueno or Asakusa with a small bag: the Skyliner to Keisei Ueno is the fastest rail option.
- Two to four people, each with a large suitcase: split per person, a private car is not far off the train fare, and it takes you door to door.
- Travelling with children or older relatives: child seats can be fitted, and you go straight from arrivals to the car.
- Groups of five or more, or carrying skis or golf bags: choose an Alphard or Hiace to fit everyone and everything in one vehicle.
- Arriving late at night: trains and buses thin out, while our service runs 24/7 with a flat ¥4,000 night supplement, so you know the total in advance.
Book your Narita transfer
Once your flight is confirmed, go to our booking page and enter your flight number, party size and luggage, or first browse the Narita to central Tokyo transfer and the Narita Airport route overview. All quotes are subject to confirmation by our customer service team.
Sources
Information checked on 2026-10-15.
- Narita International Airport, Taxi (fixed fares, tolls, late-night surcharge): https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/taxi/
- Narita International Airport, Low-cost bus (LCB) fares: https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/bus/lcb/
- Narita International Airport, Rail (stations served by each line): https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/train/
- Keisei Electric Railway, Skyliner (from about 41 minutes to Keisei Ueno; timetable and fares): https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/index.php
- JR East, Narita Express (timetable and fares): https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/nex/
FAQ
- What is the cheapest way from Narita Airport to central Tokyo?
- According to Narita Airport's official website, the low-cost bus (LCB) to Tokyo Station and Ginza is the lowest-priced option; fares are as published on the airport's website, and the LCB fare does not apply to late-night and early-morning flights. For a solo traveller with light luggage, the bus is the most economical choice.
- How much is a private transfer from Narita to Tokyo?
- on request for an ECO sedan, ¥22,000 for a Toyota Alphard and ¥27,000 for a Toyota Hiace. Prices are per vehicle, include tax, and cover tolls and parking. The same price applies anywhere in Tokyo Metropolis, with a flat ¥4,000 added between 22:00 and 06:00.
- Is Tokyo Disney Resort covered by the Tokyo price?
- No. Tokyo Disney Resort is in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, outside Tokyo Metropolis, so the Tokyo price does not apply. Please ask our team for a separate quote.