What is the cheapest way from Narita Airport to central Tokyo?

The Keisei Main Line 'Limited Express' to Keisei-Ueno at ¥1,030, taking about 75–90 minutes. There is no surcharge and no reservation — just tap a Suica or PASMO card or buy an ordinary ticket.

How much is the Keisei Skyliner and is it worth it?

The Skyliner is about ¥2,570 and reaches Ueno in 41 minutes. It is more than double the ¥1,030 Main Line train for a saving of well under an hour, so it is only worth it if you value the reserved seat and speed.

Do I need a special ticket or reservation for the cheap Keisei train?

No. The Keisei Main Line Limited Express carries no surcharge and no seat reservation. Buy a ¥1,030 ordinary ticket at the B1 machines or simply tap a Suica/PASMO IC card at the gate.

Should I take the Narita Express (N'EX) instead?

The N'EX costs around ¥3,070 to Tokyo Station — roughly triple the Keisei Main Line fare. It's comfortable and direct but far pricier for a modest time saving.

How do I get to Tokyo Station or Shinjuku from Narita cheaply?

Take the Keisei Main Line to Nippori, then change to the JR Yamanote Line loop, which serves Tokyo Station, Akihabara, Ueno and Shinjuku. A ¥1,000-ish airport bus (Airport Bus TYO-NRT) also runs to Tokyo Station.

What is the best way from NRT to downtown Tokyo?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest: the Keisei Main Line 'Limited Express' to Keisei-Ueno at ¥1,030, about 75–90 minutes to the city centre, changing at Nippori for the JR Yamanote Line to most central hotels.

How much is a taxi from Tokyo Narita International Airport to the city?

A taxi to central Tokyo runs ¥20,000 or more — versus ¥1,030 on the Keisei Main Line, so it is almost never worth it.

How do you get from Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) to downtown Tokyo — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) into central Tokyo is the Keisei Main Line 'Limited Express' to Keisei-Ueno, which costs just ¥1,030 (about $7) and takes roughly 75–90 minutes with no surcharge and no reservation. Tap a Suica or PASMO card at the B1 gates and board any Keisei-Ueno train that is not the Skyliner; get off at Nippori to change to the JR Yamanote Line for most central hotels. Don't default to the ¥2,570 Keisei Skyliner or the ~¥3,070 JR Narita Express, which cost more than double for a saving of under an hour — and skip taxis entirely at ¥20,000+.

How to find it

AIRPORTTokyo Narita International Airport
01From arrivals, follow the 'Trains / Railways' signs and go down to level B1 of the terminal, where the shared Keisei and JR station is located (both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have a station; from the LCC Terminal 3 walk about 15 minutes to the Terminal 2 station).
02At the Keisei gates, ignore the Skyliner ticket counter on the left. Buy a ¥1,030 ordinary ticket to Keisei-Ueno from the regular machines, or just tap your Suica/PASMO IC card.
03Board a Keisei Main Line 'Limited Express' (kaisoku tokkyu / tokkyu) bound for Keisei-Ueno — check the destination board says Keisei-Ueno and NOT 'Skyliner' or 'Access Express' (the Access Express costs more via the newer line).
04Ride about 75–90 minutes to the Keisei-Ueno terminus. One stop before, at Nippori, you can change to the JR Yamanote Line for Tokyo, Akihabara, Shinjuku and the rest of the centre.
CITY CENTRETokyo

Ticket

Keisei Main Line ordinary ticket to Keisei-Ueno (Limited Express, no surcharge)

Where to buy: At the Keisei ticket machines by the ticket gates on level B1 of the terminal, or just tap a Suica/PASMO IC card at the gate.

How to pay: Machines take cash and cards; the IC card taps in and out with no ticket needed. No validation stamp and no reservation are required — seats are unreserved.

Local's trick: Get off one stop early at Nippori and change to the JR Yamanote Line loop — it reaches Tokyo Station, Akihabara, Ueno and Shinjuku, so most central hotels are closer from Nippori than from the Keisei-Ueno terminus. A Suica or PASMO IC card lets you tap straight through both the Keisei and JR gates with no ticket machine.

Trap to avoid: Don't default to the JR Narita Express (N'EX) at around ¥3,070 to Tokyo Station or the Keisei Skyliner at about ¥2,570 — both are more than double this fare for a saving of well under an hour, and a taxi to the centre runs ¥20,000 or more.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
TrainCheapest route	¥1,030	1 h 20 min	Keisei Main Line ordinary ticket to Keisei-Ueno (Limited Express, no surcharge)
Train	¥2,570	41 min	Keisei Skyliner limited express ticket to Keisei-Ueno (base fare plus Skyliner surcharge)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Narita Airport to central Tokyo?: The Keisei Main Line 'Limited Express' to Keisei-Ueno at ¥1,030, taking about 75–90 minutes. There is no surcharge and no reservation — just tap a Suica or PASMO card or buy an ordinary ticket.
How much is the Keisei Skyliner and is it worth it?: The Skyliner is about ¥2,570 and reaches Ueno in 41 minutes. It is more than double the ¥1,030 Main Line train for a saving of well under an hour, so it is only worth it if you value the reserved seat and speed.
Do I need a special ticket or reservation for the cheap Keisei train?: No. The Keisei Main Line Limited Express carries no surcharge and no seat reservation. Buy a ¥1,030 ordinary ticket at the B1 machines or simply tap a Suica/PASMO IC card at the gate.
Should I take the Narita Express (N'EX) instead?: The N'EX costs around ¥3,070 to Tokyo Station — roughly triple the Keisei Main Line fare. It's comfortable and direct but far pricier for a modest time saving.
How do I get to Tokyo Station or Shinjuku from Narita cheaply?: Take the Keisei Main Line to Nippori, then change to the JR Yamanote Line loop, which serves Tokyo Station, Akihabara, Ueno and Shinjuku. A ¥1,000-ish airport bus (Airport Bus TYO-NRT) also runs to Tokyo Station.
What is the best way from NRT to downtown Tokyo?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest: the Keisei Main Line 'Limited Express' to Keisei-Ueno at ¥1,030, about 75–90 minutes to the city centre, changing at Nippori for the JR Yamanote Line to most central hotels.
How much is a taxi from Tokyo Narita International Airport to the city?: A taxi to central Tokyo runs ¥20,000 or more — versus ¥1,030 on the Keisei Main Line, so it is almost never worth it.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.