There are quite a few ways to get from Narita Airport in Tokyo to Shinjuku. My favourite is the Airport Bus but for this trip, I needed to be at Shin-Okubu (one stop away from Shinjuku). So I tried out the Keisei Skyliner method to reach Shinjuku.
Also I had written about another method of going from Narita Airport to downtown Tokyo (such as Shinjuku) through the NEX line too. Read about that method of NEX here on this blog post.
Now you will note that there are two (separate) trips involved. It is critical as there is a step not frequently mentioned in the web site which requires you to “top up” the fare at the ticket window to reach Shinjuku.
Anyhow, here’s what it involves:
If you have bought your tickets online (to earn the foreigner discount), and once you passed the immigration, you will go down one level to the trains. You will then see this:
Look backwards (do a 180 degree turn) and you will see the Keisei office. Pick up your tickets from there:
Collect your tickets. You can see that I am taking the 18:49 train and the seats are pre-assignd with train and seat numbers.
Now proceed to the Keisei Line:
Now look for the Keisei Skyliner Elevator.
If you see this, you have gone too far. This is for the normal trains, not the more expensive Skyliner that you purchased.
Look for the lift to bring you down:
This is the RIGHT track
Because Tokyo trains are always on time, so please plan your train timing carefully:
Inside the train and your last chance to make sure you are on the right train:
As mentioned, the trip is a two step process. You are now on step 1….
Take the train to Nippori
Welcome to Nippori Station !!
After getting out of the Keisei Skyliner, please look for the JR line (should not be difficult):
Once you reach the ground level, Please do NOT rush to exit the station (even if the signs say this way to JR line). This is because you need to “top up” your fare for the JR Line !
Instead look for this ticket counter (JR Line Tickets)
And tell the gentleman where you are going (e.g. Shinjuku). You will then turn in your Keisei line tickets and get the Shinjuku tickets
For me, this is the amount to top up:
And the tickets (JR line) that I got back:
Ok. NOW you can go to the JR line. You are going to the Yamanote line (Green Line… Lines 10,11)
Because you are going Shinjuku, you are going to take Line 11:
You cannot possibly be lost by now 🙂
And the electronic boards inside the train will show you where you are and how far you are from Shinjuku 🙂
Now, surviving the Shinjuku Station when you arrive is a separate story 🙂 🙂
This is so awesome! Thank you so much for posting this! Going to Tokyo for the first time in less than a week and am just overwhelmed with all the research. This helped out a lot! A big THANK YOU to you!
So glad you find it useful. You will love Tokyo. It is a fantastic place !!! Have a great time
Hi! If i load enough on suica can i skip the topping up/visiting ticket counters? Can i exit once at nippori and board yamanote line?
That is a good one. I believe so as basically you are “using up” your Keisei ticket (by exiting) and then using your Suica to pay for the Yamanote line.
Hi! Sorry if this is a silly question, but I’m planning to buy the tickets online to get the foreigner’s discount and just to confirm, the ticket timing is selected when we pick up our tickets and not when we buy online, right?
I remembered I chose the time when I booked the tickets online. Not when I am at the airport. It has been quite a while