All you need to know about Tokyo Narita International Airport

Tokyo to the world

Many travelers pass through this airport when arriving in or departing from Japan! In fact, Narita is Tokyo's second airport, built after haneda airport. It was ranked as the 5ᵉ best airport in the world by the World Airport Award in 2024, the year it handled over 40 million passengers.

Although it also handles domestic flights, Narita is mainly oriented towards international destinations. Located in Chiba prefecture, some 70 km from central Tokyo, it comprises 3 terminals:

• Terminal 1 is home to two of the major airline alliances ⇾ Star Alliance (Air Canada, United Airlines, Lufthansa...) in the south wing and Skyteam (Air France, Korean Air, China Airlines...) in the north wing.

• Terminal 2 is home to the Oneworld alliance (Finnair, Japan Airlines, British Airways...).

• Terminal 3 is home to all Narita airport's low-cost flights.

How do I travel between Narita airport and Tokyo?

There are several ways to get to Narita airport from central Tokyo and vice versa. Here's a complete overview:

By train

JR lines (available with JR Pass):

• Narita Express (JR)

Also known as N'EX, the Narita Express is a JR train that runs from Tokyo Station to Narita Terminal 1 in 53 minutes. It is the fastest means of transport, serving major Tokyo stations such as Shinjuku and Shibuya. Unlike the Shinkansen, the Narita Express has no baggage restrictions and does not require you to reserve a baggage space. You can travel in ordinary or first class (Green Car). What's more, this trip is included in the Japan Rail Pass !

• Stations served: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yokohama, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Chiba and Narita.
• Journey time: Approx. 53 minutes to Tokyo Station, 90 minutes to Shinjuku.
• No baggage allowance.
• Fare: 3140 yen from Tokyo Station

• Sobu Line (JR)

Not the fastest, but the cheapest (1,400 yen). This train connects Tokyo Station to the airport in 90 minutes, with a frequency of around 1 train per hour. Trains terminating at the airport run on this line, so it's easy to identify them.

• Keisei Line

The standard Keisei Line trains serve more stations than the Skyliner and connect the airport from Ueno in around 1h30. They also cost less (1050 yen). There are several faster and slower services on the line; from less than an hour on a "Limited Express" train to 1h50 for a "Local" train.

Good to know: The Keisei line is not included in the JR Pass.

By car

To central Tokyo from Narita airport by car will take you about an hour, depending on traffic conditions. From car rental agencies where you can borrow a car on the spot.

For licenses issued in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan, a translation from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) is all you need to drive in Japan. For other countries, an international driving license (based on the 1959 Geneva Convention) is required.

What to do at Narita airport?

With over 400,000 square meters of floor space, Narita International Airport has plenty to do!

Shopping

As in all international airports, you'll find luxury boutiques before and after security checks. 
As for more local stores, there are several Uniqlo boutiques, a Pokémon Store in Terminal 1 and various kombini here and there. Last but not least, you'll find manyomiyage storesand local products (often sweets) from various regions of Japan.

Restaurants and cafés

Whether before or after passing through security, you'll find a wide choice of restaurants and cafés in every terminal. Most serve Japanese food (udon, gyoza, ramen, etc.), but you'll also find Western cuisine. Major international fast-food chains are also present.

The hotels

You'll find a wide choice of hotels where you can spend the night. In particular, there's a capsule hotel (the "Nine Hours Narita Airport"), where you can rent a capsule even for a few hours, or simply to enjoy a shower. The hotels are accessible by free shuttle bus.

For hot-spring enthusiasts: an onsen right next to the airport, a 10-minute shuttle ride away. Sora no Yu offers indoor and outdoor baths, as well as saunas. Luggage storage facilities are also available. The ideal place to relax before catching your flight!

On-site services

In each terminal, you'll find corner lockers that can be used for up to 8 days, as well as delivery services to send your luggage to the hotel or vice versa. Currency exchange facilities are also available throughout the airport.

Airport Pick-up: If you book a tour with Japan Experience, you will be offered the"Meet and Greet" option, where your ordered products will be brought to you (Pocket Wifi, SIM card, driver's license translation, Japan Rail Pass, etc.) directly from the airport !

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