But - to stress a point - the Keisei Skyliner, while cheaper, more comfortable and faster than N'Ex, is NOT covered by the JR Rail Pass.

On the other hand, if one end or the other of your trip will not be covered by your Pass because it falls outside of the 7- or 14- day period, the Skyliner makes an attractive option to the N'Ex. For example, my next trip will be 16 days, 14 of which will be covered by a Rail Pass. For the first trip into town from NRT and the next day running around Tokyo, I will be using the Skyliner+Metro Pass package and activating my Rail Pass on the third day.

JR