One of the ways to go to Narita Airport from central Tokyo is Keisei Skyliner.
About Skyliner
Skyliner is a train that runs between Ueno and Narita Airport. It is operated by a private company called Keisei. Keisei has several lines but the Skyliner is the fastest train to Narita Airport stopping only Ueno and Nippori stations before arriving Narita Airport.
From Narita Airport to Nippori or Ueno
When you arrive at the airport, trains to central Tokyo leaves from B1 floor (basement) of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. If you are arriving Terminal 3, please go to Terminal 2 to get on the train. Arrival lobby is on the 1st floor (ground floor) so please take elevator or escalater down to B1 floor.
To a ride Skyliner, you will need express ticket in addition to basic fare. Even if you have a transportation IC card such as Suica and Pasmo, you would also need to purchase express ticket (including seat reservation.) *transportation IC card only covers basic fare.
If you are not sure, you can buy ticket at ticket counter. Payment method there is cash or credit card. If you know exactly where you need, you can purchase ticket & express ticket using vending machine. Vending machine also accept cash or credit card.
Which station to get off?
If you are staying near the Yamanote Line stations, Nippori station has easy access to Yamanote Line. If you are staying in northern Tokyo (such as Ikebukuro), Nippori is better.
If you want to change to subways (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Hibiya Line or Toei Asakusa line) it would be more convenient to go to Ueno Station.
If you are not sure, you can go to Ueno Station. Ueno Station is bigger and you can find taxi stand near the station. It is also closer to central Tokyo including Akihabara.
Luggage space
Nice thing about Skyliner is there is a large luggage space near the door. However, as more people use Skyliner, sometimes luggage space can be full. You can put smaller suitcase on top shelf like Shinkansen Bullet Trains.
Going back to the airport
When you are going back to the airport and plan to use Skyliner, please arrive the station a little early. Today (Nov. 28, 2024), I went to the Keisei Ueno Station and ticket counter there was quite busy. People are waiting in a queue.
Skyliner leaves every 20 minutes but it is safer to be there early. (For your information, Narita Airport itself was really busy and there was a long queue to drop off check in luggage so having extra time might be better.)
Returning Pasmo
If you have physical Pasmo, and if you want to return the Pasmo card, there is a machine to do that just outside the Keisei line ticket gate in Narita Airport. If you want the 500 yen deposit back, make sure to spend all the balance before returning the Pasmo. You can use it up at stores (such as convenience store) by spending a little more than the balance and pay the difference by cash.
Please note that Pasmo would be valid for 10 years so if you plan to come back before that, you can keep it until then 🙂
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