How To Catch The Keisei Line At Narita Airport

Above, the Keisei Line Ticket Counter at Narita Airport's Terminal One. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I've traveled to Japan, my arrivals and departures have always been at Narita Airport.

Depending on where I am staying in Tokyo, I'll either use the JR Narita Express or the the Keisei Line.

The last time I used the Keisei Line didn't work out too well. But it wasn't the line's fault. An unusually heavy snowstorm hit Japan the same day as I arrived. It was the biggest snowstorm in years and I ended up being stuck in a Keisei Line train car for about 22 hours at a Chiba Prefecture train station as snow prevented the train from proceeding to Tokyo.

Above, Keisei Line trains snowed in at a station in Chiba Prefecture in 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on how to catch the Keisei Line from Narita Airport.

They begin with:

If you’re going to be taking the Keisei Line from Narita Airport to your accommodation in Tokyo, you might want to give this walk-through a read first. To make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, we’ve put together a guide on getting from Point A (the Arrivals hall) to Point B (your destination). Let’s go! 

What a lot of travelers to Tokyo don’t realize is that Narita Airport is actually in Chiba—that’s the next prefecture over. Getting from the airport, which is out in the sticks, to the big city can take a little longer and be a bit more complex than expected. Luckily, both the Keisei Line and Japan Railways run trains throughout the day, including dedicated airport expresses. If you’re happy to pay for speed, Keisei’s fastest option, the Skyliner, can get you to downtown Tokyo in as little as 41 minutes. There are also a number of other ways to get from Narita to Tokyo.

To read more, go here.

Trains and Buses Compete For Passengers On Tokyo-Narita Route

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Terminal One of Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's nothing like good, old fashioned competition for your travel dollars, or rather, yen.

Tourism to Japan has been on the rise for the past several years and with the 2020 Olympics coming to Tokyo next year, various transportation companies are in competition for the tourist's business. This includes trains and buses to and from Narita Airport and Tokyo.

Japan Today has an article on this and they begin it with:

TOKYO - In the run-up to next year's anticipated rise in international travel demand, last month, the curfew on landings at Narita Airport was extended to midnight. 

Weekly Playboy (Nov 25) also noted that the Keisei Railway Co introduced a new schedule from Oct 26, in which the number of Skyliner special expresses running between the Narita airport terminals and Keisei Ueno Station would be increased 1.4-fold, effectively shortening waiting time between train departures from 40 minutes to 20. 

This new development has not escaped notice of JR East, operator of the Narita Express trains,  which service the capital at 30-minute intervals. 

A writer who covers rail transport tells the magazine that Keisei clearly has the upper hand. 

"Connections by the Skyliner from Keisei Ueno to Narita Terminal 1 take 43 minutes, at a cost of 2,520 yen," he points out. "In contrast, a ticket from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport takes 53 minutes and costs 3,070 yen. Keisei has always been faster, but now with increased frequency, they've become the train of choice." 

The newly introduced aerodynamic 3100-type Skyliner cars boast a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour, making them the fastest non-Shinkansen trains in Japan.

Above, a Narita Express car at Terminal One of Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have used both the Keisei Lines and the Narita Express several times over the years. I really depends upon where in Tokyo I am staying at when I choose which train line. If I stay in the Ueno/Asakusa area, I'll use the Keisei trains. If I am staying elsewhere in Tokyo, I'll use the Narita Express.

To read more, go here. 

Narita Airport Gets Midnight Trains To Tokyo

Above, a Keisei Skyliner train at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who have a late arrival at Narita Airport will soon be able to take a midnight train into Tokyo. Bus lines will also have later departures.

According to Nikkei Asian Review:

TOKYO -- Train and bus operators announced on Thursday plans to run more nighttime trips between Narita Airport and nearby Tokyo and Chiba to accommodate travelers taking advantage of the hub's service extension this fall. 

Narita, which now lets aircraft take off and land until 11 p.m., will push this back to midnight in late October. Both travelers and staff will need ways to get to and from the airport at that hour. 

Keisei Electric Railway's Skyliner express train to downtown Tokyo will add an 11:20 p.m. departure from Narita. A new timetable going into effect Oct. 26 will boost the number of daily trips by 40% to 41 in each direction, with about 20 minutes between each. 

The company will expand service on its regular line as well. Trains that had terminated at Keisei Narita Station will continue on to Narita Airport, meaning that the last train to the airport will be almost half an hour later than under the current schedule.

To read more, go here. 

Getting To Tokyo From Narita Airport

Above, inside a Narita Express train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's something useful for newbies as well as for experienced visitors to Japan.

Tokyo Cheapo has posted an article on how to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport and what each mode of transportation costs.

Generally, I use the Narita Express (N'EX) or, depending upon where I'm staying in Tokyo, the Keisei Line or Keisei Skyliner.

They begin their article with:

For newcomers to Tokyo, it can come as quite a surprise that Tokyo’s main international gateway—Narita Airport (NRT)—is not really very close to Tokyo at all. In fact, this Tokyo airport is so rural and remote that the view on the first part of the train journey from Narita to Tokyo is predominantly of rice paddies—oh, and a faux-Dutch windmill. In more practical terms, you’re looking at a distance of about 80 km from Narita Airport to Shibuya Crossing. 

As Tokyo is such a vast city, there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to which method or route is cheapest/best for getting from Narita to your accommodation. However, for certain major locations in Tokyo, it might help to have a look at our mini guides—they cover the fastest, cheapest and easiest transport options. You’ll find more general route information below, including bus and train prices.

To read more, go here. 

Getting To Tokyo Disneyland From Narita Airport

Above, the Keisei Skyliner is one way to get to Tokyo Disneyland from Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some visitors, believe it or not, plan to head directly from Narita International Airport to Tokyo Disneyland (or DisneySea), but haven't a clue on how to accomplish this.

Fortunately, Tokyo Cheapo has an article on the different options to get the the Tokyo Disney attractions from Narita.

They begin with:

There’s no denying that Disneyland (together with Tokyo DisneySea) is a super-popular destination for visitors to Tokyo. There’s also no denying that getting from Narita to Disney, if you are planning on heading there directly after landing at the airport, can be a bit of a mission. The last limousine bus bound for Tokyo Disneyland leaves the airport at 18:10—what are you supposed to do if you arrive after that? Disneyland is in Maihama, which is Japanese for “the sticks.” 

Here’s a quick guide to the most practical transport solutions from Narita to Disney. Maihama is in Chiba Prefecture, by the way. And no, it doesn’t literally mean the sticks.

To read more, go here. 

Getting From Narita Airport To Tokyo, The Cheapest

Above, inside a Narita Express train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most people who travel to Japan from the U.S. generally fly into Narita International Airport. But, Haneda Airport in Tokyo is increasing its international service.

Narita International Airport is about an hour outside of Tokyo in "the sticks" of Chiba Prefecture. After landing, going through Immigration and Customs, one has to find a way into Tokyo.

Fortunately, there are many ways to do so and Tokyo Cheapo has an article on each one and which is the cheapest. Personally, I use either the Narita Express or the Keisei Line trains.

They begin with:

For newcomers to Tokyo, it can come as quite a surprise that Tokyo’s main international gateway—Narita Airport—is not really very close to Tokyo at all. In fact, it’s so rural and remote that the view on the first part of the train journey from Narita to Tokyo is predominantly of rice paddies—oh, and a faux-Dutch windmill. 

As Tokyo is such a vast city, there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to which method or route is cheapest/best. However, for certain major locations in Tokyo, it might help to have a look at our mini guides—they cover the fastest, cheapest and easiest transport options: 

• Narita to Shibuya
• Narita to Shinjuku
• Narita to Roppongi
• Narita to Ikebukuro
• Narita to Ueno
• Narita to Asakusa
• Narita to Disney

To read more, go here. 

Cheapest Transport To and From Narita Airport

Above, the Keisei Skyliner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those of you who are flying to Tokyo and are landing at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture, there are a number of ways of getting transported from the airport to Tokyo (and vice-versa).

Of the transports available, I have used the Narita Express and the Keisei Line trains. In 2014, I was going to try the Keisei Skyliner, but heavy snows shut down the train. I then took the regular Keisei Line, but made it only halfway to Tokyo before those same snows shut that train down. I didn't get to my hotel until 22 hours after landing.

Above, the Narita Express. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are other ways of being transported to and from Tokyo and Tokyo Cheapo has posted a comprehensive guide to all of them.

They begin with:

For newcomers to Tokyo, it can come as quite a surprise that Tokyo’s main international gateway—Narita Airport—is not really very close to Tokyo at all. In fact, it’s so rural and remote that the view on the first part of the train journey from Narita to Tokyo is predominantly of rice paddies—oh, and a faux-Dutch windmill. 

As Tokyo is such a vast city, there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to which method or route is cheapest/best. However, for certain major locations in Tokyo, it might help to have a look at our mini guides—they cover the fastest, cheapest and easiest transport options.

To read the guide, go here. 

"How To Catch The Keisei Line From Narita"

Above, the Keisei Line ticket counter below Terminal One at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I book a room at my preferred hotel in Tokyo, the Hotel Asia Center of Japan, I generally take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station rom Narita Airport to catch a connecting subway to my hotel. If no rooms are available there (due to different reasons), I have stayed in the Ueno or Asakusa areas of Tokyo. This happened the last two times I visited Japan. If this is the case, I would take the Keisei Line from Narita to Ueno Station and take a quick cab ride to my hotel either in Ueno or Asakusa.

Above, the Keisei Skyliner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The most memorable ride I had on the Keisei Line was in February 2014 when I was stuck nearly for 24 hours on a Keisei Line train midway between Narita Airport and Tokyo due to an unusually heavy snowstorm that arrived almost at the same time as I did.

Above, the Keisei Line train I was stuck in due to a heavy snowstorm. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on "How To Catch The Keisei Line From Narita".

It starts with:

If you’re going to be taking the Keisei Line from Narita Airport to your accommodation in Tokyo, you might want to give this walk-through a read first. To make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, we’ve put together a guide on getting from Point A (the Arrivals hall) to Point B (your destination). Let’s go! 

What a lot of travelers to Tokyo don’t realize is that Narita Airport is actually in Chiba—that’s the next prefecture over. Getting from the airport, which is out in the sticks, to the big city can take a little longer and be a bit more complex than expected. Luckily, both the Keisei Line and Japan Railways run trains throughout the day, including dedicated airport expresses. If you’re happy to pay for speed, Keisei’s fastest option, the Skyliner, can get you to downtown Tokyo in as little as 41 minutes. There are also a number of other ways to get from Narita to Tokyo.

To read the article, go here. 

The Cost To Get To Tokyo From Narita Airport

Above, inside a Narita Express car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that Haneda Airport in Tokyo has expanded international flights, people now have that as an option instead of arriving and departing from Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture.

Narita is Japan's biggest air travel hub, but its disadvantage is that it is about an hour away from Tokyo.

In each of my eight visits to Japan, all my flights were into and out of Narita. Only once did that present a major problem as one of the biggest snowstorms to hit the Tokyo area (and beyond) at the same time as my 2014 arrival at Narita.

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Narita Airport Terminal One. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I got out of the airport okay, but midway between the airport and Tokyo, the snowstorm forced all train service to come to a stop. I had to sit inside the Keisei Line train for hours. I didn't get to my hotel in Tokyo until almost 24 hours after arriving in Japan.

But that was a fluke occurrence.

There are different means of getting to Tokyo from Narita Airport and City-Cost.com has an article on them and how much they cost. My favorite is the Narita Express.

They begin with:

We should probably kick off by cautioning travellers to avoid the same mistake that we've just committed here - specifying only the name "Narita" in searches.  Narita is in fact the name of the city next to which sits the airport.  Narita has its own train station which it is not practical to walk to from the airport.  No, in your searches be sure to enter, "Narita Airport" (you can probably skip the "international" bit).

Narita Airport is serviced by two train operators - JR and Keisei.  Both of these services can be accessed from the B1 floor of terminals 1 and 2 (not terminal 3).

To read more, go here. 

Keisei Skyliner Tops 20 Million Passengers

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Narita Airport's Terminal One. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Keisei Skyliner train that connects Narita International Airport and Tokyo has reached the milestone of 20 million passengers.

According to the Japan Times:

NARITA, CHIBA PREF. – The number of rail passengers using Keisei Electric Railway Co.’s latest Skyliner route topped 20 million on Tuesday, after just over six years of service. 

The train travels the 70 km from central Tokyo to Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture in as little as 36 minutes.

To read more, go here. 

How To Get To Tokyo From Narita Cheaply

Above, the Keisei Line's ticket counter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Everybody likes to save money, right? Most do, especially on transportation costs.

Fortunately, Tokyo Cheapo has an article on the most inexpensive means to reaching Tokyo from Narita International Airport.

They begin with:

While finding the cheapest transport to get from Narita to Tokyo is a worthy quest in itself, it has become more important because of the arrival of low-cost carriers like Jetstar Japan—which use Narita as their base of operations for domestic flights out of Tokyo.  Some of the fares are cheap enough to make tourists coming to Japan consider whether they should get the JR Pass or just book a couple of flights on an LCC. However, since Narita Airport is not right in the middle of Tokyo (like the much more conveniently located Haneda Airport) transport fees to and from Tokyo should be factored into your overall costs.

To see what are the cheapest means of reaching Tokyo from Narita, go here.

Keisei Free Wi-Fi For Foreign Visitors

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Narita International Airport Terminal One. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's good news for foreign visitors to Tokyo. The Keisei Electric Railway Co. has free WiFi for foreign visitors.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO):

Starting 8 April 2015 Keisei Electric Railway Co., Ltd. has introduced a free Wi-Fi service for foreign visitors. The Keisei network includes the Skyliner, which connects Narita International Airport with downtown Tokyo. The network also includes connections to many popular sightseeing spots including Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, the Ueno district and TOKYO SKYTREE. 

Keisei also offers a route search service for foreign visitors to Japan on the foreign language section of the Keisei website, which provides access information to and from Narita Airport.

For details, go here. 

Japanese Trains: 12 Things To Keep In Mind

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Narita Int. Airport Terminal One.
Do you know what the yellow line is for? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When you're in Japan, the primary mode of transportation (especially in Tokyo) is the train, subway or commuter trains.

One may think they know all that there is to know about riding trains, but Tsunagu Japan has 12 essential things to keep in mind so that your train riding experience is an enjoyable one.

Before going into their 12 essential tips, they wrote:

Tokyo is full of trains. You can go almost everywhere on one. But there is certain etiquette that must be followed in order to use this form of transportation. Here are 12 things to keep in mind that are essential when riding Japanese trains.

To read more, go here. 

Narita International Airport To Open "Fast Lane" For Travelers In A Rush

Above, the meeting point for arriving passengers after they have cleared Immigration,
Customs and Baggare in Narita Airport's Terminal One Arrival Lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Narita International Airport may be way out in the boonies from Tokyo, but I have always found it very efficient.

From the time of landing to going through Immigration, Customs and Baggage, I usually get through the process in less than an hour. Which is not bad.

The only real problem with Narita is the long walk from the gates and the necessity of taking multiple flights of escalators to get to the Immigration windows and, if multiple flights have arrived, the long lines at the Immigration officer's desk.

For some people, Narita's normal efficiency may not be fast enough for them and they are in a hurry. So, to remedy this, the airport will open a "fast lane" for those passengers.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO —Narita airport authorities plan to establish a special lane intended to decrease the amount of time spent in the airport for individuals visiting or leaving the country for conferences, meetings or other time sensitive activities. 

In what will be Japan’s first airport “fast lane,” incoming passengers who are participating in international diplomacy conferences, and other people with similarly time-sensitive schedules, will all be able to utilize the lane not available to other passengers in order to speed up the immigration process at the airport, Sankei Shimbun reported Wednesday. 

Although such lines have been available for some time in the West, following a request for the establishment of such lanes from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Narita officials expect to have the priority lane operating by next year.

It will be interesting to see how they decide on who qualifies to use the "fast lane" at Narita.

Above, a Keisei Line train stopped at the Yachiyodai Station in Chiba Prefecture due
to snow in February 2014. If they can make the train lines between Narita Airport
and Tokyo "snow-proof," then that would impressive. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now, if they were able to find a way to make the trains into Tokyo (Narita Express, Keisei Line and Keisei Skyliner) from Narita "snow-proof," then I would be very impressed.

To read more, go here.

Tokyo Cheapo's "Top Ten Posts of 2014"

Above, the Keisei Skyliner ticket counter at Narita International Airport. Tokyo Cheapo's article
on the cheapest transport from Narita to Tokyo was referenced on this blog. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the best, and fun, sites on Tokyo I discovered over the past year has to be Tokyo Cheapo.

As their name implies, they have articles on things to see and do in Tokyo (and nearby) that are cheap or free. Everyone likes to save a buck, or yen, right?

They have posted their own "Top 10 Posts of 2014" article, some of which I've referenced on this blog. If you have never visited their website, these articles will give you an idea on what they have to present.

Before going into their list, they begin with:

It’s that time again! As 2014 draws to a close, we look back on the year’s most popular Tokyo Cheapo posts. With almost 10 million people visiting Japan in 2014, an impressive 26% increase from last year, it’s not surprising that most of our top articles were ones specifically geared towards tourists. And some of our very first posts from when we started the site just don’t grow old, as we've discovered.

To read their list of "Top 10 Posts of 2014," go here. 

Latest In Blog Post Pick-ups

The nice folks at The Japan Daily picked up three blog posts from yesterday to share with their readers.

They are:

To read The Japan Daily, go here.

Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket Package

Above, the Keisei Skyliner ticket counter in Narita Airport's Terminal One. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A new transportation combo deal is now being offered. It is the Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket package.

According to an article in News On Japan:

The Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket package combines either a one-way or round-trip ticket for the Keisei Skyliner (a train that connects Narita Airport to mid-Tokyo in under 40 minutes) and a Tokyo Subway Ticket which allows unlimited free rides for 1-3 days on the nine Tokyo Metro and four Toei Subway lines. 

To read the full article, go here.

For ticket information, go here.  

TokyoCheapo: Cheapest Transport to Get From Narita Airport to Tokyo

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Getting out of Narita International Airport was quite an adventure for me last February due to the unexpectedly strong snowstorm.

However, under more normal conditions, the Japanese transit system is quite efficient and one has many choices to get into Tokyo from Narita International Airport as well as back to the airport from Tokyo.

TokyoCheapo has an (updated) article on those choices to get to and from Tokyo.

They begin with:

While finding the cheapest transport to get from Narita to Tokyo is a worthy quest in itself, it has become more important because of the arrival of low cost carriers like Jetstar Japan - which use Narita as their base of operations for domestic flights out of Tokyo.  Some of the fares are cheap enough to make tourists coming to Japan consider whether they should get the JR Pass or just book a couple of flights on an LCC. However, since Narita Airport is not right in the middle of Tokyo (like the much more conveniently located Haneda Airport) transport costs to and from Tokyo should be factored into your overall costs.

To read the article, go here. 

Taking N'Ex From Narita To Tokyo

Above, inside the Narita Express. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of my co-contributors at JapanTravel has posted an article on riding the Narita Express (N'Ex) from Narita International Airport to Tokyo.

Normally, I use the Narita Express as my means of getting into Tokyo from the airport, but last February, as I was staying in the Ueno area, I took the Keisei Line instead. My original plan was to try the Keisei Skyliner, but due to a big snowstorm (not exactly of "biblical proportions," but enough snow was dumped to snarl the Tokyo and Chiba area train lines), I ended up stuck midway between Narita Airport and Tokyo for about 16 hours. Since the Keisei Line and Keisei Skyliner goes to Ueno (and the Narita Express does not), that is why I chose to take the Keisei Line or Skyliner to Ueno on my last trip.

Well, due to the snowstorm, that didn't work out so well. But, as an "apology," the Keisei Line gave me a pass for free transportation into Tokyo that was honored by other train and subway line companies.

Above, the exterior of the Narita Express. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article states that the Narita Express will arrive from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station in 55 minutes (and Shibuya Station in 80 minutes). I generally disembark the train at Tokyo Station to catch a subway line to my hotel (usually the Hotel Asia Center of Japan, which is near the Aoyama-Itchome subway station).

Above, a 2010 view of the Skytree from the Narita Express train. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Narita Express is a comfortable train with plenty of room for one's luggage and it has nice, big windows to view the passing countryside. The line also has a special offer for inbound tourists. The inbound fare is only ¥1,500, down from the normal rate of ¥3,020. But, one has to pay the normal rate for the return trip to Narita Airport. So keep that in mind.

To read the article on the Narita Express at JapanTravel, go here.

Keisei Skyliner To Downtown Tokyo

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Terminal One of Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I was staying in the Ueno area of Tokyo during February's trip to Japan, I decided to try out the Keisei Skyliner train from Narita International Airport to Ueno. It is touted as the fastest train to downtown Tokyo from Narita (36 min.).

Unfortunately, the snowstorm that struck the day of my arrival caused the train line to shut down, so I couldn't give it a try. The fare is ¥2,475 (roughly $25.00).

But, here's a YouTube video on the Keisei Skyliner so you can see what they have to offer: