JR Sobu Line Rapid from Narita: Timetable, Fares & Stops
Tokyo Mate
The JR Sobu Line Rapid from Narita Airport is a JR train you can ride with Suica or PASMO, with no separate limited express ticket. It takes about 80 to 85 minutes to Kinshicho with no transfer, and the fare is 1,410 yen with a regular ticket or 1,408 yen with an IC card. Some trains continue onto the Yokosuka Line after Tokyo Station, so you can stay on the same train to Shimbashi, Shinagawa and Yokohama.
What Is the JR Sobu Line Rapid from Narita Airport?
The JR Sobu Line Rapid is a JR rapid train that runs from Narita Airport via Chiba to Kinshicho and Tokyo Station without a transfer.
It uses the same JR ticket gates as the Narita Express (N'EX), but its ordinary cars need no limited express ticket or seat reservation. A regular ticket or an IC card such as Suica or PASMO is all you need.
※ To ride in the Green Car, you need a separate Green Car ticket.
👉 Narita Airport Suica & Pasmo: Where to Buy in T1-T3
Sobu Line Rapid vs Narita Express
The biggest differences between the Sobu Line Rapid and the Narita Express (N'EX) are the limited express fee and how seating works.
The Sobu Line Rapid's ordinary cars cost only the base fare. The Narita Express charges a limited express fee on top of the base fare.
| Item | JR Sobu Line Rapid | Narita Express N'EX |
|---|---|---|
| Train type | Rapid | Limited express |
| Limited express ticket | Not needed | Required |
| Seating | Non-reserved | All seats reserved |
| Stops at Kinshicho | Yes | No |
The Narita Express gets to Tokyo Station faster than the Sobu Line Rapid, but it doesn't stop at Kinshicho. If Kinshicho is where you're going, the Sobu Line Rapid takes you there without a transfer.
👉 Narita Express N'EX: Prices, Booking & Round-Trip Deal
Sobu Line Rapid Stops and Destinations
From Narita Airport, the JR Rapid runs via Narita, Sakura and Chiba to Kinshicho and Tokyo Station without a transfer.
Narita Airport → Airport Terminal 2 → Narita → Shisui → Sakura → Monoi → Yotsukaido → Tsuga → Chiba → Inage → Tsudanuma → Funabashi → Ichikawa → Shin-Koiwa → Kinshicho → Bakurocho → Shin-Nihombashi → Tokyo
Some trains stop for a while at Chiba Station, but you don't need to get off and change. Stay on the same train to Kinshicho and Tokyo Station.
✅ You can't use the Tokunai Pass from Narita Airport
The Tokunai Pass gives you a day of unlimited rides on JR local and rapid trains within Tokyo's 23 wards.
On the Sobu Line Rapid from Narita Airport toward Tokyo, the first stop inside the Tokunai Pass area is Shin-Koiwa Station. You pay a separate fare for the section from Narita Airport until the train enters the 23 wards.
If you land late, or won't ride JR much after getting to your hotel, using the pass on your first day isn't necessarily a good deal. If you'll ride JR a lot the next day, using it then may work out better.
👉 JR Tokunai Pass Routes: 3 One-Day Tokyo Itineraries
✅ Check the destination on the departure board
Not every Sobu Line Rapid goes to the same place.
Trains bound for Zushi, Ofuna and Kurihama continue onto the Yokosuka Line after Tokyo Station, so you can stay on the same train to Shimbashi, Shinagawa and Yokohama.
| Destination on the board | Kinshicho, Tokyo | Shimbashi, Shinagawa, Yokohama |
|---|---|---|
| Chiba | Doesn't go there | Doesn't go there |
| Tokyo | No transfer | Doesn't go there |
| Ofuna | No transfer | No transfer |
| Zushi | No transfer | No transfer |
| Kurihama | No transfer | No transfer |
📌 In the current Narita Airport Station timetable, the local (普通) trains are bound for Chiba. If you're going to Tokyo Station or Kinshicho, check the departure board for the 快速 (Rapid) sign as well as the destination.
Sobu Line Rapid Timetable and Fares
During the day the Sobu Line Rapid runs roughly once an hour. After you land, check the departure time of the train you plan to take.
The timetable below lists Sobu Line Rapid departures from Narita Airport Station (Terminal 1), as shown on JR East's official website on September 22, 2026.
※ At Airport Terminal 2 Station (for Terminals 2 and 3), trains leave about 3 minutes after their Terminal 1 departure time.
⛔ On Saturday, November 7, 2026, construction work suspends the Sobu Line Rapid and Yokosuka Line between Tokyo and Shinagawa all day. That day, Sobu Line Rapid trains turn back at Tokyo Station and don't continue to Shimbashi, Shinagawa or Yokohama. Check JR East's official timetable before you travel.
| Departs Narita Airport Station (Terminal 1) | Weekdays | Sat, Sun & Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 | 06:52 Ofuna | 06:52 Ofuna |
| 7:00 | 07:22 Tokyo | 07:22 Tokyo |
| 8:00 | 08:01 Ofuna | 08:01 Zushi |
| 9:00 | 09:04 Zushi 09:59 Zushi | 09:04 Zushi 09:59 Tokyo |
| 10:00 | 10:59 Zushi | 10:59 Zushi |
| 11:00 | 11:58 Zushi | 11:58 Zushi |
| 12:00 | 12:59 Zushi | 12:59 Zushi |
| 13:00 | 13:58 Zushi | 13:58 Zushi |
| 14:00 | 14:59 Zushi | 14:59 Zushi |
| 15:00 | 15:58 Zushi | 15:58 Tokyo |
| 16:00 | 16:58 Kurihama | 16:58 Kurihama |
| 17:00 | No service | No service |
| 18:00 | 18:01 Kurihama 18:33 Kurihama 18:53 Tokyo | 18:01 Kurihama 18:33 Tokyo 18:53 Kurihama |
| 19:00 | 19:37 Zushi | 19:37 Kurihama |
| 20:00 | 20:10 Kurihama 20:28 Tokyo | 20:10 Zushi 20:28 Zushi |
| 21:00 | 21:14 Tokyo | 21:14 Kurihama |
| 22:00 | 22:10 Zushi 22:57 Tokyo | 22:10 Zushi 22:57 Tokyo |
| 23:00 | 23:42 Chiba | 23:42 Chiba |
※ Departure times are the same on weekdays and on weekends and holidays, but some trains have different destinations. For Kinshicho or Tokyo Station you can take any of the rapid trains above except the 23:42 to Chiba. Check the destination on the departure board before you board.
✅ Watch out for the 17:00 hour and the last train
There's no Sobu Line Rapid in the 17:00 hour. After the 16:58, the next rapid is at 18:01.
The last rapid that goes to Kinshicho and Tokyo Station is the 22:57 bound for Tokyo. It reaches Kinshicho at 0:21 and Tokyo Station at 0:29. The 23:42 rapid is bound for Chiba and doesn't go as far as Kinshicho.
✅ Main fares
The Sobu Line Rapid needs no limited express fee; you pay only the base fares below. They follow JR East's official fare table after the fare revision of March 14, 2026.
| To | Ticket | IC card |
|---|---|---|
| Kinshicho | 1,410 yen | 1,408 yen |
| Tokyo | 1,410 yen | 1,408 yen |
Kinshicho and Tokyo Station cost the same. The trip takes about 80 to 85 minutes to Kinshicho and about 87 to 93 minutes to Tokyo Station.
📌 Sobu Line Rapid vs Narita Express: fares
To Tokyo Station, the Sobu Line Rapid is cheaper, while the Narita Express (N'EX) is faster and has reserved seats.
| Narita Airport → Tokyo Station | JR Sobu Line Rapid | Narita Express N'EX |
|---|---|---|
| Fare | 1,410 yen | 3,140 yen |
| Travel time | About 88 to 93 min | About 59 to 68 min |
✅ Green Car fares
The Sobu Line Rapid has double-decker Green Cars. To ride in one, you need a Green Car ticket on top of the fare.
| How you buy | Green Car fee |
|---|---|
| Suica Green Car ticket | 1,000 yen |
| Paper Green Car ticket / on board | 1,260 yen |
If you'll use the Green Car, buy the Green Car ticket in advance: at a station ticket machine for a Suica card, or in the app for Mobile Suica. Between Narita Airport and Kinshicho or Tokyo, the Suica Green Car fee is 1,000 yen. That's 260 yen less than a paper Green Car ticket or buying on board (1,260 yen).
How to Ride the Sobu Line Rapid
Use Narita Airport Station for Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 2 Station for Terminals 2 and 3. Airport Terminal 2 Station is on the first basement floor of Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 passengers also walk over to Terminal 2 to board there.
Buy a ticket, or tap an IC card such as Suica or PASMO at the ticket gate. The Sobu Line Rapid's ordinary cars need no limited express ticket or seat reservation.
The steps below are for Narita Airport Station at Terminal 1.
① On the Terminal 1 arrivals floor, follow the railway signs down to Narita Airport Station on the first basement floor.
② The first basement floor has separate Keisei and JR ticket gates. For the Sobu Line Rapid, go to the JR side, the same as for the Narita Express.
③ Go through the JR ticket gates and check the departure board for the 快速 (Rapid) sign and the destination. If you're going to Kinshicho or Tokyo Station, also check that the train isn't bound for Chiba.
④ Go down to the platform shown and board the Sobu Line Rapid. If you'll use the Green Car, buy the Green Car ticket before you board.
The Sobu Line Rapid's ordinary cars need no limited express ticket or seat reservation, and they take you to Kinshicho and Tokyo Station without a transfer. During the day it runs about once an hour, so check the departure time first. Before you board, make sure the departure board shows 快速 (Rapid) and that the train isn't bound for Chiba.
Sources: JR East official website, timetable, fares and Green Car information
Information checked: September 22, 2026
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