Narita International Airport (International Flights)

Narita, or the New Tokyo International Airport as it is officially known, is one of the world's major international gateways, consisting of two terminals and handling approximately 25 million passengers a year.
Here are some tips on transportation in and around the New Tokyo International Airport.

Commute by Taxi

Taxi cabs from Narita to the center of Tokyo are considered to be some of the most expensive in the world, taking 1-2 hrs., costing from ¥20,000-25,000.

Taxis may be considered expensive - with little attraction as an alternative to the efficient public transportation system of Japan's larger cities. However, most train and bus services in Japan stop around midnight, resulting in a sudden increase in the demand for taxis around that time - especially on weekends. On Friday and Saturday nights, there will be long lines at taxi stands in front of major train stations, and waiting times may be long. Two things to remember about Japanese taxis:
1. Rear doors of Japanese taxis open and close automatically. It is better not to touch them at all.
2. You are not supposed to tip taxi drivers, as the service is included in the price.

In case you don't speak Japanese, or your destination is not a well known place, it is recommended that you give your driver the address of your destination on a piece of paper, or point it out on a map. Especially as Tokyo is a very large city, and the address system can be quite confusing.

Train Services

Trains are definitely a more economical option than taxis
1. The Narita Express Train (NEX) - leaving from the lower level of the airport terminals every 30 mins., taking 53 mins., to Tokyo Station.
2. Japan Railways (JR) - taking 80 mins., to Tokyo.
3. Keisei Skyliner Express - leaving the airport every 30-40 mins., arriving to Ueno Station, within 1 hr.
4. Keikyu Airport Limited Express - links between Haneda & Narita Airport, taking about 105 mins.

Commute by Shuttle Bus

a useful way of reaching the center of Tokyo from Narita Airport is to take "The Airport Limousine Bus", leaving roughly every 15 mins to the Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT).

Haneda Airport (Domestic and some Asia regional Flights)

Tokyo Haneda Airport is by far Japan's busiest airport, handling most of the capital's domestic flights,
The main transportation sources between Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station are as follows: 1. The monorail (Tokyo Monorail); 2. Trains (Keisei Electric Railways; 3. Buses (Airport Shuttle Bus).

Shinkansen (the Bullet Train)

The Shinkansen, a high-speed bullet train, also known as the world's safest rail line without a single major accident in more than a quarter of a century, is quite essential for domestic traveling and business trips, covering the main island by connections through Honshu via Tokyo and the island of Kyushu via Fukuoka.
Each line includes two types of trains: express, which stops at every station, and super-express, which stops only at a few main stations.

Private Lines and Subways

Numerous private rail lines link Tokyo and its suburban satellites, while the subways provide inner-city transportation.
The most prominent line in Tokyo is the JR Yamanote Line, a circular line that connects Tokyo's multiple city centers. The city's subway lines are operated by three companies, Tokyo Transfer Guide (by Tokyo Metro) owned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government; Toei by Toei Subway (Bureau of Transportation Tokyo Government) Rapid Transit Authority, running inside of the Yamanote circle in the areas around Ginza and downtown Tokyo; and various lines by Tokyu Corp. Most of the countless suburban train lines commence at one of the six major stations of the Yamanote Line (Tokyo, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa).

Prepaid IC Card for Railways

Various prepaid cards for railways and subways are also available at your local train stations:
Suica (JR IC pass card)
Pasmo (Private line transportation pass card)

Both cards may be used for the other line.