Airport transfer

NRT to central Tokyo

Narita sits about 60 km east of central Tokyo, so the trip in is a real journey, not a quick hop - budget 60 to 90 minutes door to platform. The fastest and most reliable choice is the train, and you have two strong options depending on which side of the city you are headed to. Use the airport's own JR and Keisei ticket counters in the arrivals hall rather than buying anything from someone who approaches you.

Best defaultFor most travelers, take the Keisei Skyliner from Terminal 1 or 2 to Ueno (about 41 minutes, roughly 2,580 yen) - it is the fastest, runs on a clear timetable and drops you onto the central Tokyo Metro network.

Your options, ranked

Keisei Skyliner (express train)

Fastest hassle-free run to the north and east side of central Tokyo (Ueno, Asakusa, Ginza via metro)

Catch it on the basement train level under Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to 3, signed Keisei. Buy a reserved-seat ticket at the Keisei counter or machine, or save a little online in advance; you board with that ticket plus a seat. Terminates at Nippori then Keisei Ueno, both on the Tokyo Metro / JR network.

Fareabout 2,580 yen (~17 USD) Time~41 min to Ueno Last~23:00 (confirm live times)

JR Narita Express (N'EX)

A one-seat ride to the west side - Shinjuku, Shibuya - or anyone using a Japan Rail Pass

Same basement train level, signed JR. Buy at the JR EAST Travel Service Center or a green ticket machine; all seats are reserved. Runs direct to Tokyo Station, then on to Shinjuku, Shibuya and Yokohama. Covered by the Japan Rail Pass if you hold one, which can make it effectively free.

Fareabout 3,070 yen to Tokyo Station (~20 USD); free with a valid JR Pass Time~53-60 min to Tokyo Station Last~21:45 (confirm live times)

Airport Limousine / highway bus

Heavy luggage or a hotel near a stop, when you would rather not change trains

Board on the arrivals-curb bus deck; buy a ticket at the clearly marked bus counter or machine first, which assigns you a stand. Buses run to major hotels and rail hubs (Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Ginza). Comfortable and luggage-friendly, but travel time swings with traffic.

Fareabout 1,300-3,600 yen depending on destination (~9-24 USD) Time~75-120 min (traffic dependent) Lastvaries by route, many ~22:00 (confirm live times)

Official metered taxi

Late arrivals, a group splitting the cost, or door-to-door with no transfers

Use only the marked taxi rank outside arrivals; staff direct you to the next car. Some operators offer a fixed-fare flat rate into central Tokyo wards - confirm the price before you get in. Otherwise it is metered, plus highway tolls and a possible late-night surcharge.

Farefixed fares roughly 20,000-26,000 yen to central wards, or metered ~25,000 yen+ (~135-180 USD) Time~70-110 min (traffic dependent) Last24 hours

Ride-hail (Uber / GO / DiDi app)

Cashless door-to-door when you want a fare estimate and a tracked pickup

Apps in Japan mostly dispatch licensed taxis rather than private drivers, so the car and meter are the same as the rank - you just pay in-app. Follow the in-app pickup point at the designated rideshare / taxi area; data or airport Wi-Fi helps. Price is comparable to a metered taxi plus tolls.

Fareabout 22,000-28,000 yen incl. tolls (~150-190 USD) Time~70-110 min (traffic dependent) Last24 hours (driver availability varies overnight)

Before you go

Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a 'taxi' or 'limo' - licensed cabs only wait at the marked rank outside, and the unsolicited offers run far above the real fare.
The most common mistake is missing the last fast train: the Skyliner and N'EX stop running mid-to-late evening, after which you are left with a slower local train, a bus, or an expensive taxi - so if you land after about 22:00, check the final departure before clearing customs.

Open the live agent Full Tokyo guide

Confirm live departure times on the day - schedules change.