1. JR Narita Express (N’EX)
・Directness: Direct to Shinjuku Station
・One-way fare: Foreign visitor discount 5,000 yen per adult, 2,500 yen per child (round trip within 14 days)
・Travel time: About 85–95 minutes
・Best for: Travelers with lots of luggage, JR Pass holders, and those who want a comfortable, direct ride

2a. Keisei Skyliner
・Directness: Transfer required at Nippori or Keisei-Ueno to JR lines
・One-way fare: 2,720 yen per adult, 1,360 yen per child
・Travel time: About 80–100 minutes (including transfer)
・Best for: Travelers who want the fastest train ride and do not mind transferring

2b. Keisei Main Line Limited Express
・Directness: Transfer required at Nippori or Keisei-Ueno to JR lines
・One-way fare: About 1,490 yen per adult (including transfer), about 750 yen per child
・Travel time: About 1 hour 40 minutes (including transfer)
・Best for: Budget-focused travelers who do not mind a longer ride and transfers

3. Airport Limousine Bus
・Directness: Direct to selected hotels (door-to-door service)
・One-way fare: 3,600 yen per adult, 1,800 yen per child
・Travel time: About 90–150 minutes, depending on traffic
・Best for: Travelers with large luggage and those staying at serviced hotels

4. TYO–NRT Budget Bus (with transfer)
・Directness: Not direct to Shinjuku. Take the bus to Tokyo Station, then transfer to the JR Chuo Line
・One-way fare: About 1,700 yen per adult (1,500 yen bus + JR transfer), about half price for children
・Travel time: About 90–140 minutes (including transfer and walking time)
・Best for: Very budget-conscious travelers with light luggage who do not mind transfers

5. Flat-Rate Taxi
・Directness: Direct to your final destination
・One-way fare: About 25,000–30,000 yen
・Travel time: About 80–120 minutes, depending on traffic
・Best for: Groups of three or more, late-night or early-morning arrivals, and families with elderly travelers or small children

Quick Notes
1. Prices and travel times are estimates and may vary depending on ticket type, traffic conditions, and time of day.
2. Child fares usually apply to ages 6–12. Children under 6 ride free if they do not occupy a seat.

From Shinjuku Station, there are several main train options for reaching Narita Airport.

・Narita Express (N’EX)
A direct JR service from Shinjuku Station to Narita Airport Station and Airport Terminal 2 Station, with no transfers required.

・Keisei Skyliner, Keisei Main Line
Both the Keisei Skyliner and Keisei Main Line require a transfer along the way. These options are well suited to travelers looking to save on transport costs or planning to stop at other areas en route.

The JR Narita Express (N’EX) is a reserved-seat limited express train connecting Narita Airport with major hubs in the Tokyo area, including Shinjuku, Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, and Yokohama. Its biggest advantage is the one-seat ride to Shinjuku Station with no transfers, making it the most comfortable and stress-free rail option for this route. While the regular fare is relatively high, JR offers a special round-trip N’EX discount ticket for foreign passport holders, priced at around 5,000 yen for adults, which is far better value than buying single tickets and a popular choice among international travelers.

Beyond convenience, the N’EX is designed with overseas visitors in mind. Each car has large, lockable luggage storage areas, with security cameras installed near doors and baggage spaces for added peace of mind. All seats come with a table and power outlet, plus around 25 centimeters of legroom space for small carry-on bags. Onboard LCD screens provide guidance not only in Japanese, but also in English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages, making the journey easy even without Japanese language skills.

When traveling from Narita Airport to Shinjuku, the N’EX departs from two airport stations. One is Narita Airport Station, which is directly connected to Terminal 1, and the other is Airport Terminal 2 Station, which serves Terminals 2 and 3. After landing, be sure to check which terminal your flight arrives at and head to the corresponding station.

At Shinjuku Station, N’EX trains usually arrive at JR platforms 5 or 6. For the easiest exit, use the South Exit or New South Exit ticket gates.

The journey from Narita Airport to Shinjuku takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. The standard fare for an ordinary car is 3,250 yen. For a more spacious ride in the Green Car, the fare is 5,520 yen.

For travelers carrying large luggage or those who want to avoid transfers altogether, the N’EX is the most straightforward and reliable way to get from Narita to Shinjuku.

1. Online purchase
Tickets can be purchased via JR East’s Eki-Net website. When reserving a seat, choosing the ticketless option offers a 200 yen discount, making this one of the best-value choices.

N’EX tickets are also sold through major travel booking platforms such as Klook and KKday. These sites can be convenient for travelers who prefer booking in English alongside other activities or transport, and tickets can be redeemed or exchanged after arrival in Japan, depending on the product conditions.

2. Ticket counters and machines
Tickets are available from reserved-seat ticket machines, JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-Madoguchi), selected travel agencies, and JR service counters at the airport. When buying the foreign visitor round-trip discount ticket, a passport must be shown. This discounted ticket is generally much better value than purchasing single tickets.

Keisei Electric Railway offers two main routes to and from Narita Airport: the fast and comfortable Skyliner, and the more budget-friendly Keisei Main Line Limited Express. For travelers heading between Narita Airport and Shinjuku, both routes require a transfer to the JR Yamanote Line at either Nippori Station or Keisei-Ueno Station in order to reach Shinjuku.

The biggest advantage of the Skyliner is its speed. The ride from the airport to Nippori takes just around 36 minutes, making it the fastest train option in terms of pure travel time. While the fare is cheaper than the N’EX, the main drawback is the required transfer at Nippori. Travelers unfamiliar with Japan’s rail system or carrying large luggage may find this less convenient. That said, transfer routes at both stations are generally well signposted, and following the clear guidance usually makes the process manageable.

Taking the Skyliner from Narita Airport to Nippori Station, then transferring to the JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku, takes as little as about 1 hour 10 minutes in total, roughly comparable to the N’EX in terms of travel time.

The fare breaks down as follows: 2,570 yen for the Skyliner segment, plus around 200 yen for the JR transfer from Nippori to Shinjuku, bringing the total one-way adult fare to approximately 2,770 yen. This is noticeably cheaper than the N’EX, though travelers should factor in the extra effort of transferring trains and handling luggage.

For travelers focused on the lowest possible train fare, the Keisei Main Line Limited Express is the most affordable rail choice. By transferring at Nippori, the total travel time increases to around 1 hour 40 minutes, but the cost drops significantly.

The Keisei Main Line segment costs about 1,280 yen, and when combined with the JR transfer fare, the total one-way adult fare comes to approximately 1,490 yen. This option is ideal for travelers who want to take the train while keeping costs to a minimum, though it does make more stops and takes longer than other routes.

1. E-tickets
This is the most recommended option. Tickets can be purchased online via the official Keisei Railway website, as well as through platforms such as Klook and KKday. Payment is made by credit card, and the e-ticket is displayed directly on your smartphone, so there is no need to exchange it for a paper ticket, reducing the risk of loss.

2. Ticket counters
Tickets can be purchased at Skyliner stops such as Keisei-Ueno, Nippori, Airport Terminal 2, and Narita Airport stations, as well as at ticket counters inside Narita Airport terminals and selected travel agencies.

The Keisei Main Line operates as a standard limited express service with non-reserved seating, making ticketing simple and flexible.

・Physical tickets can be purchased directly from ticket machines at the station.
・Using a transport IC card such as Suica or PASMO is the most convenient option. Simply tap in and out at the gates for quick access.

▼ Read More About the Keisei Skyliner ▼

The Airport Limousine Bus is a premium airport bus service connecting Narita Airport with major hubs in central Tokyo and selected hotels. Its biggest advantage is direct hotel access, making it especially convenient for travelers arriving at Narita and staying at designated hotels around the Shinjuku area.

By eliminating the need for train transfers, this option allows travelers to avoid carrying heavy luggage through busy stations. With true door-to-door service, the Limousine Bus is particularly well suited to families, groups, and travelers with children or large suitcases.

Airport Limousine Buses operate with guaranteed seating for every passenger and allow large luggage to be checked and loaded onto the bus. In most cases, each adult may bring up to two large suitcases.

Some buses are equipped with onboard restrooms, and free Wi-Fi is available, allowing travelers to relax, use their phones, and enjoy a comfortable ride straight to Shinjuku without transfers.

When traveling from Narita Airport to Shinjuku, the Airport Limousine Bus stops at multiple locations around the area, including major hotels such as Hilton Tokyo and Keio Plaza Hotel. The route also serves key transport hubs, with final stops including the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku).

The usual travel time from Narita Airport to Shinjuku is around 2 hours, with a one-way adult fare of 3,600 yen. Please note that arrival times can vary depending on traffic conditions, so it is important to allow extra time when planning your journey.

In addition, the Airport Limousine Bus offers direct service from Narita Airport to select hotels in Shinjuku. This makes it an especially convenient option for families with children or larger travel groups who want to avoid transfers and heavy luggage handling. Below are some Shinjuku hotels that can be reached directly by Limousine Bus service.
・Hotel Century Southern Tower
・Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza Hotel
・Hilton Tokyo
・Shinjuku Washington Hotel
・Hyatt Regency Tokyo
・Keio Plaza Hotel

To secure a seat, advance booking is strongly recommended for the Airport Limousine Bus. There are two convenient ways to purchase tickets:

1. Online booking
This is the most recommended option and often comes with discounted prices. Travelers can reserve tickets through online platforms such as Klook and KKday, where fares are sometimes cheaper than buying on the day.

2. Ticket counters
After arriving at the airport, tickets can be purchased directly at the Airport Limousine Bus service counters inside the Narita Airport terminals.

▼ Read More About the Airport Limousine Bus ▼

The TYO–NRT Bus (Airport Bus TYO–NRT) is the cheapest way to travel from Narita Airport to central Tokyo. One-way fares can be as low as 1,500 yen, making it ideal for travelers on a very tight budget.

While the fare is low, the main drawback of the budget bus is that it does not go directly to Shinjuku. All routes terminate in core areas such as Tokyo Station or Ginza. Travelers must get off at Tokyo Station, walk to the JR platforms, and transfer to the JR Chuo Line or another line to reach Shinjuku.

This transfer adds around 20–30 minutes, plus an extra JR fare, bringing the total travel time to roughly 1.5 to 2 hours.

At Narita Airport, budget bus ticket counters are usually located in the arrivals hall. In Tokyo, the main drop-off point is near Tokyo Station’s Yaesu Exit.

The total one-way adult cost is about 1,700 yen, which includes the bus fare plus the JR transfer.

Most buses departing Narita Airport for Tokyo do not require advance reservations. Travelers can line up at the bus stop and pay using one of the following methods:

1. Tap and ride
The most convenient option. Simply board the bus and pay by tapping a transport IC card such as Suica or PASMO.

2. On-site ticket counters
Tickets can also be purchased at bus ticket counters inside Narita Airport using cash or a credit card.

Price by time of day
Fares vary by time. The standard daytime fare is 1,500 yen per adult. Late-night services, typically after 11 PM, cost 3,000 yen.

A flat-rate taxi is a taxi service that operates between Narita Airport and designated areas in central Tokyo at a fixed price. Unlike metered taxis, the fare does not increase due to traffic, removing concerns about unexpected costs during congestion.

While this option is more expensive than public transport, it is the most convenient and direct choice for late-night arrivals, as well as for families traveling with elderly members or young children who want door-to-door service with minimal hassle.

▼ Read More Articles About Taxis ▼

The journey from Narita Airport to Shinjuku typically takes between 80 minutes and 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions. Flat-rate taxi fares vary by time of day. During daytime hours (5 AM to 10 PM), fares are around 25,000 yen. Late-night and early-morning rides (10 PM to 5 AM) increase to around 30,000 yen. Expressway tolls are charged separately.

Flat-rate taxis cannot be hailed on the street and must be reserved in advance by phone or online. Major taxi companies, such as Nihon Kotsu, usually accept reservations up to one month in advance, with bookings required no later than one hour before pickup. Some companies also offer 24-hour English-language support.

For families or groups traveling with multiple suitcases, pre-booked private transfer services are another option. These services provide a dedicated vehicle with direct pickup at the airport and drop-off at your hotel or chosen destination.

Private transfers offer greater privacy, comfort, and convenience, making them ideal for door-to-door travel. While more expensive, with prices starting from around 13,000 yen from Shinjuku to Narita depending on vehicle type and group size, they provide extra space and flexibility for small groups focused on efficiency.

Looking at the five main ways to travel from Narita Airport to Shinjuku, the best option depends on your budget, how much luggage you have, and whether you prefer a direct route. If comfort and a one-seat ride matter most, the JR Narita Express (N’EX) is the easiest choice, especially when using the foreign visitor discount ticket.

If keeping costs as low as possible is your priority, the Keisei Main Line Limited Express or the TYO–NRT budget bus are worth considering. Just be sure to allow extra time for transfers and walking, as these routes are not direct.

For travelers with large luggage or those staying at serviced hotels, the Airport Limousine Bus offers reliable door-to-door convenience. This option is particularly popular with families and groups who want to avoid navigating busy stations.

For families, travelers with elderly members or young children, or those arriving late at night, a flat-rate taxi provides the highest level of privacy and efficiency. While more expensive, it offers a direct and stress-free ride to your destination.

For first-time visitors to Japan, Shinjuku Station can feel overwhelming due to its size and complexity. If Shinjuku is your last stop before leaving Tokyo, use this guide to choose a route that matches your budget, timing, and comfort needs for a smoother trip to Narita Airport.

▼ Read More Articles About Narita Airport ▼