Narita Airport Skyliner: Prices, Times & vs N'EX
Tokyo Mate
🚄 Still buying Skyliner tickets at full price?
From Narita Airport to Tokyo Ueno in just 41 minutes!
Master everything from online discount reservations to timetables,
boarding locations, and the complete comparison with N'EX!
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🔍 Skyliner vs Narita Express (Which Train is Right for Me?)
The two trains have completely different destinations and features, so choosing the right train based on your accommodation location is most important.
| Comparison | Skyliner | Narita Express |
|---|---|---|
| Key Advantage | Overwhelming Speed | No Transfer Convenience |
| Destination | Nippori Keisei Ueno | Tokyo Station Shinagawa Shibuya Shinjuku Yokohama Ofuna |
| Price | 2,570 yen | 3,070 yen |
| JR Pass | Not Available | Available |
✅ Conclusion: If your accommodation is near Ueno, Akihabara, or Ikebukuro, choose ‘Skyliner’. If near Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Tokyo Station, ‘Narita Express’ is much more convenient.
💰 Skyliner Prices, Discounts, Reservations & Purchase Methods (Most Important! ⭐)
Booking Skyliner online in advance is about 10% cheaper than buying on-site. Round-trip reservations offer higher discounts than one-way, so if you’ve planned your return trip, we recommend booking round-trip.
| Type | Standard Price | Online Advance Booking (Discount) |
|---|---|---|
| One-way | 2,580 yen | 2,310 yen |
| Round-trip | 5,160 yen | 4,500 yen |
📌 Best Value Combo: Skyliner + Tokyo Metro Pass
If you plan to use subways (Tokyo Metro, Toei Line) more than JR during your Tokyo trip, the Metro Pass combo is overwhelmingly advantageous. You can save up to 20% or more compared to purchasing separately. (※Subway pass cannot be used on JR Yamanote Line)
| Skyliner+24hr Subway Pass | Skyliner+48hr Subway Pass | Skyliner+72hr Subway Pass |
|---|---|---|
| One-way 2,900 yen | One-way 3,300 yen | One-way 3,600 yen |
| Round-trip 4,900 yen | Round-trip 5,300 yen | Round-trip 5,600 yen |
➡️ Official Skyliner Online Reservation
Booking on Klook is most convenient and affordable as you can pay in your local currency and apply additional discount coupons. They also sell Tokyo Subway Pass combo products.
After booking, scan the QR code you receive at the dedicated ticket machine next to the Keisei Line counter on B1F of Narita Airport at the Skyliner Information Center to exchange for a physical ticket before boarding.
🕐 Skyliner Timetable & Route
- Route: Narita Airport Terminal 1 → Terminal 2·3 → Nippori → Keisei Ueno (Terminal)
- Travel Time: 41 minutes to Keisei Ueno
- Frequency: Every 20-40 minutes
📍 Skyliner First/Last Train Times
- Narita Airport → Nippori, Keisei Ueno
| Weekdays | Narita Terminal 1 | Narita Terminal 2,3 |
|---|---|---|
| First Train | 7:23 | 7:27 |
| Last Train | 23:00 | 23:03 |
| Weekends/Holidays | Narita Terminal 1 | Narita Terminal 2,3 |
|---|---|---|
| First Train | 7:30 | 7:34 |
| Last Train | 23:00 | 23:03 |
- Keisei Ueno, Nippori → Narita Airport
| Weekdays & Weekends | Keisei Ueno | Nippori |
|---|---|---|
| First Train | 5:40 | 5:45 |
| Last Train | 20:20 | 20:25 |
📌 Check the complete Skyliner timetable on the official website.
➡️ Keisei Skyliner Official Timetable
🚉 How to Board Skyliner at Narita Airport
- After arriving at the airport, follow the ‘Railways’ signs and go down to B1F.
- Keisei Line on the left is for Skyliner, JR Line is for Narita Express. Just follow the Keisei Line logo.
- Exchange your ticket at the Skyliner Information Center and ticket machines. If you didn’t book in advance, don’t worry! You can purchase on-site at the ticket counter.
- Enter through the Skyliner gate. (Be careful not to confuse it with Narita Express!)
- Skyliner departs from platforms 4 and 5.
🔄 Best Transfer Methods Based on Your Destination
Skyliner stops at Nippori (日暮里) and Keisei Ueno (京成上野). Knowing which station to get off at based on your final destination can dramatically reduce the time spent dragging heavy luggage around.
✅ Going to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, or Ikebukuro?
➡️ Get off at ‘Nippori Station’!
- Reason: Nippori Station has the Skyliner platform and JR Yamanote Line transfer platform right next to each other, making the transfer distance very short and convenient. You can transfer directly without stairs, so even with luggage, it's not burdensome at all.
- Note: From the terminal Keisei Ueno Station to JR Ueno Station requires quite a walk (7-10 minutes), so if you're transferring to JR, getting off at Nippori Station is definitely better.
✅ Going to Ginza, Asakusa, or Roppongi?
➡️ Get off at the terminal ‘Keisei Ueno Station’!
- Reason: Keisei Ueno Station has an underground transfer passage directly connecting to Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line. Just follow the signs for easy transfer without getting wet in the rain or getting lost. (About 3-5 minutes walk)
⭐ Final Tip Summary: Remember ‘Nippori’ for JR transfers, ‘Ueno’ for subway transfers!
🎯 Conclusion
Now you’re ready to travel to Tokyo city center in the fastest and most comfortable way. We hope you start your enjoyable Tokyo trip from Narita Airport with this guide.
⭐ Want to know all other transportation options from Narita Airport?
➡️ Narita Airport Arrival Guide: How to Get to the City, Complete Transportation Comparison
⭐ What about Tokyo city transportation?
Now you’re perfectly prepared for the journey from the airport to Tokyo city! Next is solving the complex city transportation. Check out the complete guide below right now to find out which is the cheapest and most efficient transportation pass for your travel itinerary!
➡️ Tokyo Transportation Pass Recommendations, Tokyo Metro Pass vs Tokunai Pass Complete Comparison
⭐ Recommended Tokyo Travel Guides
➡️ Ueno Things to Do, From Ameyoko Market Food to Ueno Park - Perfect Course Recommendations