The Narita Express is a transportation option offered by the Japan Rail Company for visitors travelling between the Narita International Airport and Tokyo.

Using the JR Pass on the Narita Express

Usually, travellers choose to set the activation date of their Japan Rail Pass a day or two after they arrive in Japan (a decision that is perfectly fine). But, there are also those who want to activate their passes the moment they set foot in the country as the JR Pass is valid on the Narita Express.

For a couple of decades now, the Narita Express, also sometimes referred to as N’EX, has been a top commuter option for people who have just arrived in Japan, going from the Narita Airport to downtown Tokyo and nearby areas.

Travellers who do not have JR Passes, or who have saved their JR Pass activation dates for later, may buy a one-way ticket with seat reservation at the JR Ticket Office or JR East Travel Service Centre, located at the airport’s two terminals. A single journey costs between ¥3,020 and ¥4,620, depending on your destination. The line includes some major stations like Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, and Yokohama.

Narita International Airport Overview

Located approximately 60 kilometres away from the urban Tokyo setting, in the city of Narita in the Chiba Prefecture, commuting to Narita Airport takes about an hour.

While taking a taxi from Tokyo to the airport is one option to consider, not a lot of people choose it as it is quite expensive and rarely (if ever) the quickest way to get there. Those who are travelling on a budget are advised to check out the Narita Express to save money and time.

In only about an hour, the Narita Express can take you from the Narita Airport to Tokyo station for the price of ¥3,020, while about an hour and a half will take you to Shibuya, Shinagawa, Ikebukuro, or Shinjuku for ¥3,190. A N’EX train is scheduled to depart every 30 minutes or 60 minutes, depending on day and time of day, so see the timetable for the exact departure times.

If you have an activated JR Pass, be sure to drop by the JR Pass Ticket Office first to reserve a seat on the Narita Express, as a reservation is required to board the train.