As the crow flies, Narita Airport is located about 63 km east of Shinjuku and there are three main modes of transportation to get there: train, limousine bus and taxi. We’ll explain the time it takes, the fares, and how to purchase the tickets for each.

There are two ways to get to Narita Airport by train: using the Narita Express or using conventional lines such as the Keisei Skyliner and Keisei Main Line.

The Narita Express has direct access from JR Shinjuku Station to JR Narita Airport Station, so this is recommended for those who do not want to transfer. Conventional trains such as the Keisei Skyliner and Keisei Main Line have transfers, but if you want to enjoy Japanese trains, this is the recommended way to go.

The Narita Express is a convenient train that provides direct access from major stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, such as Shinjuku Station, Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shibuya Station, Ikebukuro Station, Yokohama Station, and Omiya Station, to Narita Airport Station.

It has the advantage of easy access to Narita Airport Station, but also has the disadvantage of higher fares - unless you are using a Japan Rail Pass.

The seats have movable headrests and are reclining, plus they can easily be rotated making for a comfortable ride. In addition, all seats are equipped with a large table and an outlet that can be used for a personal computer, which is very convenient for those who want to work while during the ride.

There is a 25 cm tall luggage compartment at the foot of the seat and large luggage can be stored in the luggage compartment which is equipped with dial locks for your peace of mind. Security cameras are installed near the entrances and in the luggage storage areas, so the security is almost perfect.

LCD screens in the carriages show destination information and news in four languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean), which is convenient even if you do not understand Japanese.

From the above, you can see that the Narita Express is equipped with facilities that were designed with foreign tourists in mind.

You can get on the Narita Express from Platforms 5 and 6 at JR Shinjuku Station. The easiest way to get to Platforms 5 and 6 is from either the South Gate or New South Gate ticket gates.

The train arrives at Narita Airport Station, which connects to Narita Terminal 1, and Airport Terminal 2 Station, which connects to Narita Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Be sure to verify ahead of time the terminal which you will use.

Travel time is about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Shinjuku Station to Narita Airport and the fares are 3,250 yen for regular coach and 4,820 yen for Green Car coach.

It is ideal for those who are in a hurry or want to go to Narita Airport without having to change trains.

There are two ways to purchase tickets.

1. Internet
Tickets can be purchased on the Eki Net reservation site operated by JR East. If you select ticketless when making your purchase, you will have the added benefit of a 200 yen reduction in the fare price.

2. Ticket counters
Tickets can be purchased at vending machines for reserved seats in the Midori no Madoguchi and View Plaza ticket offices located in stations and also at travel agencies.

There are two main routes to reach Narita Airport using conventional lines.

Route 1
Take the Yamanote Line from Shinjuku Station to Nippori Station and transfer there to the Keisei Skyliner bound for Narita Airport.

Route 2
Take the Yamanote Line from Shinjuku Station to Nippori and transfer there to the Keisei Main Line bound for Narita Airport.

Although it has the advantage of having lower fares compared to the Narita Express, it has the disadvantage of you possibly becoming lost if you are not used to trains because you have to change trains at Nippori Station. However, if you walk so that you do not lose sight of the signs inside the station, you will be less likely to get lost.

Travel time for the Keisei Skyliner is about one hour and 10 minutes with the transfer. The fare is 200 yen from Shinjuku Station to Nippori Station and 2,520 yen from Nippori Station to Narita Airport Station, for a total of 2,720 yen.

This will get you to Narita Airport a little earlier and more cheaply than using the Narita Express.

There are four main ways to purchase tickets.

1. Internet
You can also reserve seats using PCs or smartphones. The fare for Skyliner tickets must be paid at counter vending machines or at a convenience stores (FamilyMart) at which time you will receive the tickets.

2. Ticket counters
In addition to counters at stations where the Skyliner stops (Keisei Electric Railway Keisei Ueno Station, Nippori Station, Airport Terminal 2 Station, Narita Airport Station), ticket sales counters in the Narita International Airport Terminal Building, you can also purchase tickets at travel agencies.

3. Telephone
By calling the ticket reservation center, you can make a reservation for one month to two days before the boarding date. Please note that tickets can only be obtained at the Keisei Ueno Station window (between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.) and the ticket pick-up period for reserved seats is set as follows.

・Ticket pick-up period
For reservations 1 month to 10 days before departure date: within 8 days from reservation date
For reservations 9 days to 2 days before departure date: within 2 days from reservation date

・Keisei Customer Dial Ticket Reservation Center
Telephone: 0570-081-160
Reception hours: 9:00〜18:00

4. Ticketless
A service that replaces the Skyliner ticket using a smartphone screen. The advantage is that you don't have to redeem your tickets or worry about losing them. You can pay by credit card or various ID payment services by accessing the Keisei Electric Railway site.

As for the route using the conventional line, this also goes from JR Shinjuku Station to JR Nippori Station on the Yamanote Line where you then transfer to the Keisei Main Line.

Travel time is about one hour and 40 minutes with the transfer. The fare is 200 yen from Shinjuku Station to Nippori Station and 1,050 yen from Nippori Station to Narita Airport Station, for a total of 1,250 yen.

Although it takes more time, the fare is less than half the price of using the Keisei Skyliner, so it is a recommended access method for those who want to spend as little as possible.

You can also reach Narita Airport by limousine buses which depart from major stations and hotels in central Tokyo.

You are certain to be able to get a seat due to its limited seating capacity system and it is also possible to store large luggage items on the bus. Also, most of the buses are outfitted with toilets. Free Wi-Fi is also available, so you can spend a very relaxing time on the bus.

One of the advantages of the limousine bus is that it departs from hotels around Shinjuku Station, so if you are staying at a hotel, you do not need to go to the station which is convenient; buses are available between the early hours of 4:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. in the middle of the night.

One disadvantage is that you may not be able to reach Narita Airport on time due to road conditions. It is important to allow extra time for such contingencies.

Limousine buses depart from several places in the Shinjuku area, such as Shinjuku Station West Exit, Shinjuku Bus Terminal, and Hilton Tokyo.

The buses arrive at the departure lobbies of Narita Airport Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, so you can go directly to the check-in counter.

The journey normally takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes and the fare is 3,200 yen.

There are two ways to make a reservation.

1. Internet
You can make a reservation from the reservation site Limousine Web or on the convenience store ticketing reservation site (WELLNET). Payment can be made using credit cards on the Limousine Web.

2. Telephone
It is possible to make a reservation by telephone.

・Tokyo Airport Transportation Co., Ltd.
Telephone: 03-3655-7220
Reception hours: Monday ~ Friday 9:00 a.m. ~ 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays and holidays 9:00 a.m. ~ 6:00 p.m.

A flat-rate taxi is a service that allows you to go from an area in Tokyo to Narita Airport at a predetermined fixed fare. It is difficult to know exactly what the fare will be when using a regular taxi, so with a flat-rate taxi you do not have that worry.

However, taxi fares are more expensive than other modes of transportation and should be considered as a recourse only when trains and limousine buses are not available.

The time required from Shinjuku Station is about 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on road conditions. The fare is usually 22,000 yen for a fixed fare (5:00 a.m. ~ 10:00 p.m.) and 26,000 yen for a late-night to early-morning fixed fare (between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. the following day). Expressway toll charges are charged separately.

You need to make a reservation for a flat-rate taxi by telephone. Reservations can be made one month in advance and must be booked at least one hour before use.

・Nippon Kotsu Co., Ltd.Narita Airport Fixed-rate Taxi
Telephone: 03-6265-6389
English-speaking operator line: 03-5755-2336
* English-speaking operators are available 24 hours a day. Inquiries about taxis, including fixed-price taxis, and interpretation with drivers are also available.
Service hours: 24 hours a day year-round

Although it is not possible to go directly from Shinjuku Station to Narita Airport, we recommend taking a train from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo Station and and then taking a low-cost bus from there.

In that case, take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo Station and board either the Tokyo Shuttle or The Access Narita.

It takes 13 minutes from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo Station and a minimum of 60 minutes from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport. The fare is 200 yen from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo Station, 900 yen for Tokyo Shuttle and 1,000 yen for The Access Narita.

Tickets for the Tokyo Shuttle can be purchased at the Keisei Express Bus Lounge near Tokyo Station or on the website.

The Access Narita tickets can be purchased on-board as well as on the website.

Airport transfers are an economical way of getting from the airport to Tokyo. These are especially convenient for family trips or for larger traveling parties with plenty of luggage.

Shinjuku Station is likened to a maze which can make it especially confusing for first-time visitors to Japan who may have trouble knowing what is the best way to get to Narita Airport. Read this article to find the right access method, prices and booking options that are best for you.

* The information in this article is based on that as of December 2019).