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How to get
from the airport to Tokyo There are two
airports serving Tokyo: Haneda airport which is
conveniently located right in Tokyo and Narita
which isn't. Haneda doesn't
serve any foreign carriers or international
flights, so everyone comes in through
Narita
Airport
instead. Unfortunately, Narita airport is some 70
km away from the East side of Tokyo, making the
trek into the city a long one, particularly for
tired jet-lagged travellers. Narita
Express The best way to
get to Tokyo from Narita airport is by train and
the best train to take is called the "Narita
Express", sometimes abbreviated N'EX. The Narita
Express is coloured distinctively
red and black,
and the train stations are in the basement of each
airport terminal building. The Narita Express also
has compartments conveniently designed for
luggage. Airport
Terminal Be careful when
meeting people at Narita airport: there are now
two
air terminals.
You may arrive at one terminal or another depending
on the airline and flight you are on. The Narita
Express stops at each terminal. Check the following
link for more information: Fare The fare from
Narita airport to Tokyo is approximately 2,950 yen
one way. Timetable Trains departs
approximately once an hour to various destinations
in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. All seats on the
Narita Express are reserved (no standing room), but
it is possible to make the reservation just before
the train leaves. Tickets for the Narita Express
can be picked up at travel offices or at the ticket
window right before going down to the platform. The
travel time from the airport to Tokyo station is
approximately 60 minutes. Japan
Rail Pass If you plan on
using your Japan
Rail Pass
starting from Narita airport, you will need to have
it initialized at the "Midori no Madoguchi" which
is a JR ticket office. The "Midori no Madoguchi"
will initialize your Rail Pass and can issue you a
Narita Express ticket as well. Alternatives The alternatives
to the Narita Express are "Limousine
Buses",
local trains, and the "Keisei Skyliner" express
train. The "Limousine Bus" is limited by the
vagaries of rush hour traffic in Tokyo, and the
Keisei Skyliner is most useful to travelers going
to Ueno station in Tokyo. Well seasoned
travelers will note however that there is a local
train (confusingly called the "Airport Narita")
which leaves on the hour from exactly the same
tracks as the Narita Express. The "Airport Narita"
is not an express train but only takes 20 minutes
longer to make the trip to Tokyo than the Narita
Express. (For example, the 6:00 PM Airport Narita
gets you to Tokyo station by 7:23 PM, while the
6:13 PM Narita Express gets you to Tokyo station by
7:17 PM, or only 6 minutes earlier). The cost of the
"Airport Narita" train is less than half that of
the Narita Express (approximately 1,280 yen), and
no reserved seats are necessary. The primary
drawback to the "Airport Narita" local train is
that you have to vie with other commuters on the
Sobu line for space and oxygen on the Tokyo end of
the trip. |
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