I have a very detailed post on how to get from Haneda Airport to the centre of Tokyo with kids but this time I’d like to help you map out your journey from Narita International Airport into the city centre of Tokyo.
As always – let me mother everyone for a second and spell out all of the best, easiest options for parents. And then you can make the decision based on your family needs and budget, timings etc.
After you arrive into Narita : You will all be exhausted after a flight (and immigration etc too.)
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Narita, unlike Haneda, is actually quite far from the city. You do need to plan for what to do once you arrive.
You also need to budget according to what you would most like to do.
For me – the cost of getting from the airport to the hotel is a part of the flight costs for that first day. Please please please please don’t be a hero from that first day and either try something too hard or just something that makes everyone in your family grumpy. How you arrive kind of sets the tone for the whole holiday – so I advise making a plan and then starting fresh the next day.
You can start being cost savvy in the morning on day 2 (have one convenience store breakfast or lunch and a family restaurant meal and you’re back on budget.)
Option 1 : Getting from Narita into the centre of Tokyo
This is what we do almost every single time we fly in and out of Narita.
We take the Airport Limousine Bus. The Airport Limousine Bus leaves from just outside arrivals. Despite the name – it is not a limousine at all (sorry to disappoint.). It’s a big orange and white bus and they all go all over Tokyo.
Some of their drop off spots are at bus terminals or train stations – but most of them are hotels.
Do you have to be a guest of the hotel you are being dropped off at? No.
So you find the drop off point closest to your hotel and then you either cab it the rest of the way or walk. Use google maps to do this. Eg. You’re staying at a hotel in Ginza. There Hibiya Ginza Bus stops at 9 (!) hotels in this area. Use google maps to work out which one of these options is closest to where you need to go. If you are staying at an airbnb in one particular area in Tokyo – make sure you have a print out of the address in Japanese and English to show to a taxi driver once you get to your closest bus stop.
I love the limousine bus the most because – it’s cost effective but it’s also super easy!
There is free wifi onboard.
The buses all have seatbelts (no carseats required for small kids).
There is a toilet onboard.
You can eat on board (so the best thing to do is buy your tickets and then hit the convenience store in the airport and have some treats on board. You do, of course, need to take all of your rubbish with you when you get off.)
The buses are nice and quiet and my kids often fall asleep.
They store your luggage under the bus and take it off for you at your stop – so it’s not like taking a train where you need to keep an eye out for your station or find a train platform and the elevator to help manoeuvre your giant suitcase about.
You don’t need to buy the tickets ahead of time (as no-one knows whether or not you will be delayed or how long immigration will take etc.)
Tickets can be purchased at the counter at arrivals. They take credit cards and cash.
The only downside – these do not run all night and you will need to check the timetable before you fly if you’re likely to arrive after 8pm (most stop around 9pm but anything after 8 is worth checking. ) If there are no options here – move to option number 2 or option number 3.
See the Airport Limousine Bus timetable from Narita here.
Option 2: Getting from Narita into the centre of Tokyo
The Narita Express (train) is also an excellent option. It stops at
- Narita (the city area)
- Chiba
- Tokyo Station
- Shimbashi
- Hamamatsucho
- Shinagawa
- Shibuya
- Shinjuku
So, in the same way as in option 1, you can use google maps to find the station closest to your hotel. You can then decide if you’d like to take another train to get closer OR a taxi (taxi is better when you are all tired)
I like the Narita Express because it is also pretty easy – although it does require more logistics at both end from you.
There is a toilet on board.
You can eat on board (so the best thing to do is buy your tickets and then hit the convenience store in the airport and have some treats on board.)
There are rubbish bins onboard.
There are large rubbish storage options with little combination locks to use in the space between the carriages.
There are overhead lockers above your seats to store hand luggage.
You do need to have done the logistical gymnastics of working out how to get from your station to your hotel ahead of time though.
Option 3: Getting from Narita into the centre of Tokyo
Staying at a hotel near the airport might sound over the top but I’ve done it many times (before or after flying) and I never regret it.
This is especially useful if:
-you are arriving late and there are limited bus or train options (you can also then travel fresh the next day)
– you have a small child who just needs to get to bed asap
-you want to focus on getting on Japan time as soon as you can
– you want to explore the quaint little town of Narita the next day before heading into the big city (Narita is so cute ! See here !)
Here is a list of my favourite Hotels Near Narita Airport.
Option 3: Getting from Narita into the centre of Tokyo
A private driver pick up.
Please keep in mind that Narita is far from the centre of Tokyo so this is the most comfortable door to door service – but it is also not the most cost effective.
I adore this private driver company most – they are so kind, they speak english and the also take car seats for kids seriously (unfortunately this is not a “given” in Japan.)
They are also one of the few transfer companies who are legally registered (legally registered drivers AND vehicles.)
The advantages are, of course, door to door service. You don’t need to worry about any logistics. You can ask questions, stop for snacks, stop for toilet breaks etc.
You also don’t need to worry about where to put your luggage etc either. (You can also line up full day tours with these guys – a day to Mt Fuji or just ask to be taken somewhere not many people think to go. It’s a way to explore while also not having to do any of the brainwork involved.)
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
