Summary
Welcome to Tokyo! The Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) is about 45 miles outside of Tokyo, but on good days you can get into the city in anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.
The Keisei Skyliner and Narita Express trains are the quickest options, getting into Tokyo in just under an hour. But, if you’re willing to spend closer to an hour and a half, buses are a slightly cheaper and equally convenient option.
Taxis can be an easy option, but likely will not save time and will probably cost more ($180 USD) than you're willing to spend!
Trains
There are three rail lines to choose from when getting into Tokyo: the Narita Express, the Keisei Sky Access Line, and the Keisei Main Line. Each departs from Terminals 1 and 2. Terminal 3 arrivals can take trains from Terminal 2 by either walking across the covered 500-meter walkway to Terminal 2, or taking the free airport shuttle.
The Narita Express (or N’EX) is one of the easiest options, takes about an hour to get into Tokyo Station, and also connects to the Shinkansen, or bullet trains. A one-way ticket costs ¥3,220 (about $30). Alternately, if you’re planning on returning to the airport within 14 days, you can buy a round-trip ticket from the East Japan Railway Company for ¥4,000 ($38).
Narita Express trains leave every hour from Terminals 1 and 2 between 7:45 am and 9:45 pm. Although all trains stop at Tokyo Station, some make additional stops. You can compare each train’s departure times and stops with the N’EX Timetable .
The Keisei Sky Access Line provides slightly quicker service (about 50 minutes to Tokyo Station), but is less convenient than the Narita Express. The Skyliner route requires that you make a transfer at Nippori Station: you’ll switch to the Japan Railways Yamanote Line headed for Osaki. Transfer included, taking the Sky Access Line and Yamanote Line into central Tokyo costs ¥2,630 ($25). Skyliners depart 2-3 times per hour from 7:30 am and 10:30 pm.
Finally, the Keisei Main Line trains cost ¥1,030 ($10), making them the cheapest option. They take between 1 hour and 1 hour and 15 minutes and depart every 20-30 minutes from 5:30 am and 11:30 pm . Though the Main Line trains don’t stop at Tokyo Station, they do stop at Keisei Ueno Station in downtown Tokyo.
Buses
Airport Limousine buses cost about the same as the Narita Express (¥2,800 one-way for adults, or $26), but they leave every 15 minutes and can take up to an hour and a half to reach central Tokyo. Still, they may be a better option for new-to-Tokyo visitors who want to be dropped off directly at a major hotel. Buses depart outside of all 3 terminals. Airport Limousine buses allow 2 free pieces of luggage per passenger, weighing up to 30 kg (66 lbs) each.
The Access Narita bus leaves every hour, costs ¥1,000 ($10), and makes only two other stops: the Tokyo Tatemono building near Tokyo Station and the Yurakucho Center building. These buses are the cheapest option, but only depart every 20 minutes to once an hour, and allow for 1 free piece of luggage per passenger, weighing up to 20 kg (44 lbs).
Taxis
Taxis from the Narita Airport taxi ranks charge a flat rate of ¥18,000-¥28,000 ($180-$300 USD) for a ride into downtown Tokyo and can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic. Overall, buses or trains can take less time and charge a fraction of the price.
You can reserve taxis ahead of time in English from Tokyo MK .
Uber
UberBLACKs run from Narita Airport to anywhere in Tokyo for a fixed rate of ¥27,000 ($254) and can pick you up from any designated pick-up spot at the airport.