Cheap access to Narita Airport

Cheap access to Narita Airport Tips
TransportationAreaTimePrice (yen)
Airport Bus Tokyo NaritaTokyo Station – Narita Airport1hr 2min1,300
Tokyu BusShibuya Station – Narita Airport1hr 37min1,900
Narita Shuttle Ikebukuro LineIkebukuro Station – Narita Airport1hr 42 min1,900
Limousine BusTCAT – Narita Airport1hr 2min2,800
Limousine BusBasta Shinjuku – Narita Airport1hr 47min3,200
Keisei Main LineKeisei Ueno – Narita Airport1hr 20min1,050
Keisei “Access Express”Oshiage – Narita Airport 54 min1,190
Keisei “Skyliner”Keisei Ueno – Narita Airport43 min2,570

Airport Bus Tokyo-Narita

The first thing that comes to mind as a cheap way to travel between Tokyo and Narita Airport is a budget bus. There used to be two competing groups, “Tokyo Shuttle” and “THE Access Narita,” but their operations were merged on February 1, 2020. The new company is now called “Airport Bus Tokyo Narita.

Airport Bus Tokyo-Narita connects Tokyo Station to Narita Airport Terminal 3 in 1 hour and 2 minutes. The price is 1,300 yen one-way, and 2,600 yen for late-night and early-morning flights only. The price used to be 1,000 yen (2,000 yen late at night), but the price has been raised by 30%.

The train runs frequently, approximately every 20 minutes in the morning and evening, and every 10 minutes during the daytime. Buses depart from and arrive at the JR Yaesu South Exit Bus Terminal at Tokyo Station, which is easily accessible for JR Line users. Some services arrive and depart from Ginza Station and in front of Shinonome Ion.

Tokyo Bus “Shibuya Station – Narita Airport

Tokyo Bus also began operating a low-cost bus service to Narita Airport in August 2022 under the name “LCB. The service runs between Shibuya Station and Narita Airport. The journey time to and from Narita Airport Terminal 3 is 1 hour and 37 minutes. The Shibuya side of the bus departs from and arrives at Shibuya Fuclas, a convenient bus stop in front of the west exit of Shibuya Station.

The price is 1,900 yen in one direction. Only from Shibuya, the price is 1,500 yen with advance payment on Limousine Web.

Narita Shuttle Ikebukuro Route

Narita Shuttle” is the name of the bus service operated jointly by Willer Travel, Keisei Bus, and Chiba Kotsu to/from Osaki.

Although the service to/from Osaki is currently suspended, a new low-cost bus service between Ikebukuro and Narita Airport as the “Narita Shuttle Ikebukuro Line” will begin operation in August 2022. Jointly operated by Wheeler, Keisei Bus, Kokusai Kogyo, and Limousine, the service runs between Ikebukuro Station West Exit and Narita Airport.

The journey time between Ikebukuro West Exit and Narita Airport Terminal 3 is 1 hour and 42 minutes. One-way fare is 1,900 yen, or 1,500 yen with the Early Bird Plan, which can be booked 24 hours in advance.

There are 8 departures from Ikebukuro and 10 departures from Narita Airport. There is a service approximately every 1 to 2 hours, so it seems to be fairly easy to use.

Limousine Bus

Limousine buses are also available for travel between Tokyo and Narita Airport. Limousine buses are available from various locations in Tokyo, but many sections are out of service due to the spreading of a new Corona strain, so you will need to check before using the buses.

The main route between Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT) and Narita Airport Terminal 3 takes about 1 hour and 2 minutes, and the route between Basta Shinjuku and Narita Airport Terminal 3 takes about 1 hour and 47 minutes. The fare between TCAT and Narita Airport is 2,800 yen, and the fare between Basta Shinjuku and Narita Airport is 3,200 yen.

Limousine buses used to run frequently from TCAT, but they are not as frequent as they used to be, perhaps due to the loss of customers to “Airport Bus Tokyo Narita” in addition to Corona virus. Even on the timetable from December 16, when the number of buses has recovered, the buses departing from TCAT sometimes leave more than an hour between runs. Please check the timetable in advance. Departures from and arrivals at Shinjuku are approximately every 20 to 30 minutes.

Keisei Main Line

The cheapest way to get to the terminal is to take a fare-free train on the Keisei Main Line. In the past, these trains were popular with budget travelers as “Honsen Limited Express”.

Currently, the timetable has changed and “limited express” trains between Keisei Ueno and Narita Airport operate only during certain hours. During daytime hours, the “rapid” trains arriving at and departing from Nishimagome serve Narita Airport Station.

Therefore, if you are traveling from Keisei Ueno or Nippori, you will need to take a “high-speed” train every 40 minutes and transfer at Keisei Narita (or Sakura) to a high-speed train bound for Narita Airport.

The time required from Keisei Ueno Station to Narita Airport Station is about 1 hour and 20 to 24 minutes. The price is 1,050 yen. The train is a so-called commuter train car and does not require an express fare.

The journey time is longer than that of budget buses, but the price is lower. It is also highly punctual, so there is little worry about missing your flight, which is a big advantage. It is also available from Nippori Station and is recommended for people in northern Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture.

Keisei “Access Limited Express”

The “Access Limited Express” is a limited express via Keisei Electric Railway’s Narita Sky Access Line. It also does not require an express fare and is a commuter train car. The time required is shorter than that via the Keisei Main Line, and it is characterized by its direct connection to the Toei Asakusa Line and Keikyu Line.

Oshiage Station to Narita Airport Station takes about 54 minutes, and Nihonbashi Station to Narita Airport takes about 1 hour and 4 minutes. The Keisei Ueno direction is connected to the rapid train at Aoto in 5 to 6 minutes. The Keisei Ueno – Narita Airport distance is approximately 1 hr. 4 min. with a connection at Aoto.

Prices are 1,190 yen from Oshiage Station to Narita Airport Station, 1,350 yen from Nihonbashi Station to Narita Airport Station, and 1,270 yen between Keisei Ueno and Narita Airport.

Although slightly more expensive than using the main line, since access to Narita Airport on the main line has become inconvenient, the Access Express seems to be the better choice overall in terms of travel time and convenience.

Keisei “Skyliner

If speed is important, the Keisei “Skyliner” is the best choice. It takes 43 minutes between Ueno Station and Narita Airport Station, and only 36 minutes between Nippori Station and Airport Terminal 2 Station. All seats are reserved, and the fare is 2,570 yen (1,270 yen for a train ticket and 1,300 yen for a liner ticket).

There are few discount tickets for the “Skyliner,” but if you are arriving at Narita Airport, you may be able to use the “Skyliner Value Ticket,” a discount ticket for the “Skyliner” that can be purchased on board LCC aircraft or at New Chitose Airport and Kansai Airport. One-way ticket is 2,300 yen. Not available in Tokyo.

If you sign up for a tour through HIS, you can also purchase “Skyliner Value Ticket Premium” at the company. It can be purchased within Tokyo and costs 2,300 yen in one direction. 

Comments

  1. whoiscall says:

    Thx

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