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Narita Airport to Shinjuku: 4 fastest ways - by bus, N'EX & Skyliner train (2025 update)

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Shinjuku is one of the most popular area to stay for many travelers visiting Tokyo. There are several transportation options from Narita Airport to Shinjuku, including the Limousine bus, JR Narita Express (N'EX), Skyliner and more, with travel times as short as approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes. In this article, we will provide an overview of the commonly used options with the least transfers. Let's discover which option best fits your needs!


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   Fastest Ways to get to Shinjuku:

Option 1: JR Narita Express directly to Shinjuku!

Credit: MaedaAkihiko

Narita Airport → Shinjuku Duration: from 1h26m ( Timetable ) Fare: One-way ¥3,250 / Round-trip ¥5,000 ** free with specific JR Pass

The easiest way to get to Shinjuku station is by the JR Narita Express (N'EX) train, which typically takes about 1.5 hours. The ticket comes with reserved seating, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free ride. Overseas travelers can enjoy additional discounts when purchasing a round-trip ticket valid for 14 days!




   How to purchase Narita Express tickets?

  • One-way tickets: pre-book and reserve your seat through Klook, then collect your ticket from the machine upon arrival (similar price but more time-efficient than buying on site)


  • Round-trip discount tickets: purchase through the ticket machine's "N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket" page


  • JR Pass reservations: reserve online or on-site using the "green" ticketing machines





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Option 2: Limousine Bus directly to selected hotels!

Narita Airport → Shinjuku Area Duration: ~2h ( Timetable ) Fare: ¥3,600 Compare Prices: KKday | Klook

Another convenient choice is the "Limousine Bus". While slightly more expensive, it offers stops at various hotels in Shinjuku ( ⇨ stops list ). As Shinjuku is a sprawling area, taking the bus eliminates the need to walk long distances with your luggage!


The Limousine Bus ticket includes a seat reservation, and the bus driver assists with carrying and organizing luggage for a seamless experience. For those who purchase tickets through KKday / Klook, you can simply board the bus by displaying the QR code on your phone.




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Option 3: Skyliner + JR transfer slightly faster!

Narita Airport → Nippori → Shinjuku Duration: from 1h16m ( Timetable ) Fare: ~¥2,790 with JR transfer Compare Prices: KKday | Klook | Official Site

In addition to direct trains and buses, you can opt for the Keisei "Skyliner" train to Nippori Station, then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line (Ikebukuro direction) to reach Shinjuku Station. With a seamless transfer, the journey takes just about 1 hour and 16 minutes - even faster than the Narita Express!


The Skyliner train offers reserved seats, and you will also find a luggage storage area in each passenger car.



   How to purchase Skyliner tickets?

  • One-way tickets: pre-book through KKday, then exchange for tickets and seat reservations with a QR code (cheaper than on-site purchase!)


  • Round-trip discount tickets: book through official website or on-site



   How to transfer to JR for Shinjuku at Nippori station?

If you have an IC Card (e.g. SUICA, PASMO, ICOCA), simply tap at the transfer gate. Otherwise, you will need to buy an additional ticket for the Nippori → Shinjuku trip.




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Option 4: Keisei Access Express + subway transfer cheaper!

Credit: MaedaAkihiko

Narita Airport → Higashi-nihombashi (Bakuro-yokoyama) → Shinjuku Duration: from 1h26m ( Schedule ) Fare: ~¥1,480

For a more economical choice, consider taking the Keisei "Access Express" train (Haneda direction) to the city and transferring to the Toei Subway to reach Shinjuku Station. The travel time is similar to that of the NEX and Skyliner, but the fare is about half the price. The main difference is that the train only has non-reserved side-facing seats, requiring you to keep hold of your luggage throughout the entire journey.


Source: Keisei Electric Railway


After arriving at Oshiage Station, the "Access Express" train will continue on the Toei Subway "Asakusa Line". Simply alight at Higashi-Nihonbashi Station, walk to Bakuro-yokoyama Station, and transfer to the Toei Shinjuku Line (Shinjuku direction).



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