One year ago, I took the Keisei Skyliner from Narita Airport to Shinjuku (Technically I was going to Shin-Okubu so this Keisei Skyliner is very logical)…. But this year, I took the Narita Express (N’EX) from Narita Airport to Shinjuku.
It is a much easier ride (remember that Keisei Skyline requires you to change the train from one line to another line and topping up of train fare too). The only thing about Narita Express is that you must make sure you get the right train to Shinjuku as not every train gets you to Shinjuku. To do that, you can either ask for help at the airport train counter and/or use the timetable 🙂
One Way ticket price:
If you are sure that you will be using the N’EX train back from Shinjuku to Airport, then you can get the N’EX Tokyo Round Trip ticket, which is a really good deal. 4000 Yen gets you a trip from and to Narita Airport within a period of 14 days.
Narita Express TimeTable
And you can check the time-table here at this link.
As an example, my flight arrives at Narita Airport at 7:30am. The JR Travel Service Center opens at 8:15am. And the closest DIRECT train from Narita AirPort to Shinjuku is Narita Express 6 at 8:50am and reach Shinjuku at 10:21am. That’s my case…. you now get the general idea and can plan your trip accordingly.
So here we go…. the rail map:
Once you passed the immigration, you can see this sign.
Go down the escalator, make a 180% round (ok.. just turn your body around) and you can then see JR Travel Service Center (which is just next to the Keisei Skyline office I patronised last year).
Unfortunately due to the time I arrived, the office was not opened. Fear, not, you can use the self service machines or go to the smaller JR ticket office.
You have to use that office if you want to use your Singapore credit card
The map above the self serve machines explain the route map well
This is the office to buy the tickets and you can see the train schedule clearly. I choose the 08:50 train
And yes, I bought the round trio ticket for 4,000 Yen
Buy the ticket (one way or return) and then go on to the train. Last year I was going left. This year I was gong right. So last year was BLUE. This year is RED and so follow the red overhead signs
Drop the correct ticket to the gate and remember to take it back. You need it to find the right train and the seat. And finally to return when you exit at destination
This is how to read the ticket
The 8:50 train (which will arrive at Shinjuku at 10:19. Platform 2 (written by the operator). Car number 7 (VERY important). Row 6. Seat D (Window seat).
So let’s go
You can see the next train is my 8:50 train.
And then make sure you are on the right train. Remember NOT ALL TRAINS go to Shinjuku so please do make sure you are on the right one… the cars in the train will detach from each other at Tokyo station. If you are in the wrong car, sayonara. Ha
As usual, the trains are clean and nice.
And there is a rack for your luggage and you can even lock the luggage with a combination code (don’t forget the code)
Find your seat
The seat has good leg room and you can lean back completely. No worries about the person behind you
And you can use the free wifi onboard !! Find the wifi acess instructions on the seat backs, and connecting is fairly straightforward (if it works !!!).
Of course the most important is to reach Shinjuku… the display above will show you in Japanese and English.
Sit back relax and enjoy the ride…… A lot to see !!
And almost there..
And when you arrive at the Shinjuku station, it is at the New South Gate of the Shinjuku train station. Where the Shinjuku bus terminal is at.
Exit the Shinjuku station by the left side (New South Gate)
A map of the area around the exit to help you
And the famous Shinjuku station :
From here you can walk to your hotel (if it is near… mine is the Hyatt Regency Tokyo which is about 20 mins walk away……. Perhaps the airport limo bus was a better idea :))
You can also try the Keisei Skyliner from Narita to Shinjuku too.
