Narita Express (N'EX)

Above, the arrival lobby in Terminal One of Narita Airport.

For the first travel blog post of the new year, this will focus on the Narita Express (N'EX) train service between Narita International Airport and Tokyo.

Along with the older Keisei Line, there's the new Keisei Narita Sky Access train service that was inaugurated last July to get travelers into Tokyo. Most visitors opt to go into Tokyo aboard the N'EX.

Most arriving tourists arrive at Narita Airport at Terminal One (depending on which airline is used). Once the arrival process of Immigration, Baggage and Customs are completed, new arrivals enter Terminal One's main arrival lobby after exiting Customs. After stepping into the arrival lobby, the tourist can make an immediate right turn to go to the foreign currency exchange window (or they can skip this and exchange their currency elsewhere, if that's what they prefer).

Above, the JR-East N'EX ticket counter in the arrival lobby.

If they want to take the N'EX into Tokyo, they can walk across the lobby to the JR-East ticket counter. If they have a JR Railpass voucher, they have to go down an escalator to the JR Ticket Office to exchange the voucher for the pass (the voucher can be exchanged at any JR ticket office at major stations). They may purchase their N'EX tickets there as well. If you do have a JR Railpass, and you want it to start the day you arrive in Japan, you will want to get the Railpass first as it is good for the N'EX, so you won't have to pay extra for the ride into Tokyo.

But, if they don't have a JR Railpass voucher to exchange, they can simply go to the JR-East counter in the main arrival lobby. The most ticket agents can speak English, so don't be worried about communicating your ticket purchase desires. If they cannot speak English, they will get someone who can to help you.

The Narita Express makes its first Tokyo stop at Tokyo station and then goes on to stop at Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama. The ride from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station is 53 minutes. Trains stop at most of these stations every 30 minutes during most of the day.

After purchasing your N'EX train ticket(s), you go down the escalator or elevator to the train station one floor below. The N'EX trains have a distinctive color scheme of gray and red (below). There are reserved seats (that specify what car and seat the rider sits in) or non-reserved (where one sits anywhere in a marked non-reserved car).



After waiting for your train to arrive at the station and for the workers to prepare it for the ride into Tokyo (Terminal One is the end of the line, so the JR-East workers clean and prepare the train for the trip into Tokyo), you enter and stow your large luggage items in special compartments near the door into the car. Smaller items can be stowed in the overhead rack.

After everyone is seated, the doors close and the train starts rolling to take you into Tokyo. First, the train stops at Narita Airport's Terminal Two to pick up more passengers. After this, you're on your way into Tokyo.

Above, the N'EX cars are comfortable and have big windows for views of the passing countryside.

The N'EX makes its first Tokyo stop at Tokyo station and then goes on to stop at Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama. The ride from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station is 53 minutes. Trains stop at most of these stations every 30 minutes during most of the day.

In case you want something to eat or drink, an attendant will walk the train car aisles with a cart selling food and drinks. There's no smoking aboard the N'EX trains.

Once you reach your station in Tokyo, you then exit the N'EX to take a taxi, bus, subway or other train to your destination.

For additional information on the Narita Express, including fares, go here.