How to Hold Chopsticks

IThe following ways of transport are available from Narita Airport to the Tokyo area.

• Train
• Bus
• Taxi
• Helicopter (w/ hired car)
• Private car etc.

Train

Both terminal one and terminal two of Narita Airport have underground subways, which can get passengers to Tokyo in one hour at top speed.

Please take the escalator to the basement from the arrival lobby to find the station.

Both JR and Keisei lines run through Narita, so it is recommended to choose between the two depending on price and destination.

For those using the JR train station in Narita Airport building two

Unlike the Keisei line, which has various platforms for different destination trains, the JR line has one platform for all departures. If travelling to Tokyo, please use the train which comes from the left hand side if looking at the railway from the platform. The train which comes from the right hand side will only go as far as Narita Airport.
As of July 17th, 2010, the newly designed “Sky Liner,” which will make the trip to Tokyo in 36 minutes, will start running at this station.

For destinations other than the Chiba area, it is not recommended to take the JR express (快速) train, as there are fewer departures. For the Tokyo area, instead take the Keisei limited express (特急).

By destination

Keisei Line (Keisei Sky Liner, limited express, express etc): Nippori, Ueno, Asakusa area
JR Line (Narita Express): Tokyo station, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Yokohama area

By price (Most inexpensive)

Keisei Line’s express and limited express are the least expensive to get to Tokyo from the airport. Three trains leave every hour, and stop at Nippori station (1hr 15min), part of the Yamanote line, for 1000 yen. For those who want to use JR Lines, like the Yamanote line, instead of changing trains at Ueno, the last stop, it is recommended to change at Nippori station.

Advice (Suica and N’EX)

“Suica and N’EX” is recommended to people who are going to be travelling around the Tokyo area. For 2940 yen, this package includes a one-way ticket from Narita Airport to Tokyo or Yokohama via the Narita Express, as well as a 1500 yen Suica voucher (IC card/transportation charge card). This package is only available to those with a foreign passport, however not including children.

For a normal Narita Express ticket (one-way), it costs 3500 yen, or 5000 yen for first class. When purchasing a Suica and N’EX ticket package (3500 yen + 1500 yen), you save 2000 yen in total.

After using the Suica card, it can be returned to a train station ticket window for a refund of 500 yen, but with its unique design, it can also be kept as a souvenir.

For reference: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html

Bus

A surprisingly relaxing way to travel to and from the airport is by limousine bus. http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
In both arrival lobbies at the airport are counters where one can purchase tickets for these buses, and the loading areas are just outside the terminals.

The limousine bus service travels to a multitude of areas in and around the Tokyo area.

Transportation time is prone to change in relation to weather and traffic, but one good aspect is that once you’ve sat down the bus will take you straight to your destination. This service is recommended especially for those travelling to Haneda Airport.

Taxi

From Narita Airport, taxis can be used to go to any of the 23 districts of Tokyo, for a set cost. Transportation times vary depending on weather and traffic, but generally range from 60 to 90 minutes.

Helicopter (w/ hired car)

The mode of transportation that has been receiving attention lately is one with the shortest transportation time, the Narita airline connection service, which employs helicopters.

Driven in a hired car from Narita Airport to the heliport in Sakura (佐倉), passengers then take a helicopter to the Arc Hills in Akasaka (赤坂), Tokyo.

Time spent in the helicopter is roughly 30 minutes.
From Akasaka, another hired car takes its passengers to their destination (home, company, hotel, etc.). However there is an extra charge for areas outside the main area.

With a one-way cost of 45,000 yen and a round-trip cost of 75,000 yen, this service is highly luxurious.

For reference: http://www.mcas.co.jp/

Private car

The Narita Airport parking lots allow for long-term parking, making it possible to leave a personal vehicle during trips.