Where do I catch the Narita Express?

Going to Narita, trains begin from or stop at only a handful of stations including Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Yokohama and Tokyo Station (where N'EX trains are split or combined) before arriving at Terminal 1 Station or Terminal 2 & 3 Station.



In 2026, the Narita Express (N'EX) remains the premier rail link between Narita International Airport and central Tokyo. You can catch the train directly from the basement levels of Narita Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2·3. If you are heading to the airport from the city, the primary boarding hubs are Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, Shinagawa Station, and Yokohama Station. At Tokyo Station, the N'EX departs from the deep underground Sobu/Yokosuka platforms (Levels B4/B5), so you must allow at least 15 minutes for the walk from the main Shinkansen gates. In 2026, all seats on the N'EX are reserved, and tickets can be purchased via the "JR East Train Reservation" website or at the "Midori-no-Madoguchi" ticket offices. The 2026 service is highly optimized, with trains departing every 30 to 60 minutes and reaching Tokyo Station in approximately 53 minutes. Travelers with a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) can use the N'EX for "free," provided they book their seat assignments in advance at a kiosk or counter.

You can catch the Narita Express (N'EX) directly at the basement levels of Narita Airport Terminal 1 and Narita Airport Terminal 2·3. The stations are clearly marked as "Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station" and "Airport Terminal 2 Station." To board the train in 2026, you must have a reserved seat ticket, which can be purchased at the JR East Travel Service Centers, "Midori-no-Madoguchi" ticket offices, or self-service kiosks. If you are traveling to the airport, you can catch the N'EX at major Tokyo hubs including Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, and Yokohama. The journey from Tokyo Station to the airport takes approximately 53 minutes. For 2026 travelers, it is a "pro-tip" to note that the N'EX is fully covered by the JR Pass and the JR East Pass, but you still need to visit a kiosk or counter to secure your mandatory seat reservation before boarding the sleek red-and-white E259 series trains.

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For limited express reserved seat tickets, even when you miss the train, you will be entitled to be seated in an non-reserved seat in an Ordinary car on a later train on the same day. However, if you use a reserved seat, you will be required to pay the full amount of the Limited Express reserved seat charge.

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Yes. The JR Pass is valid on the JR lines that connects the main airports to the main cities. If you land in Narita Airport, you can take the Narita Express to connect to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro stations.

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Easy: Use a prepaid transport card (like a Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport) instead of a train ticket. From Narita, the card will cover your basic fare on the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner into town and you can buy a reserved seat/express ticket with cash on the platform.

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Both operate local, semi-express and limited express lines. The Kesiei Skyliner and JR East's Narita Express, the two fastest options, run in fierce competition against each other. The Narita Express runs to Tokyo Station via the Narita and Sobu Lines, and takes 50 minutes to an hour.

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Once you arrive at the station floor of Narita Airport, look for the JR East Travel Service center. This is the point of exchange for the JR Pass. You'll need both your passport and exchange voucher in order to activate the JR Pass, be sure to keep them ready. The JR Pass can be exchanged between 6:30 and 21:45.

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You may change your assigned seat at any time after your booking is complete using interactive seat maps on the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.

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