I was wondering if you could review the options for me between Narita airport and downtown Tokyo.

I haven't been to the city in quite a while, but I'll be heading out there next week.

I know taxis can take between an hour and two hours and be really expensive.

What are the other options? Trains?

Links to other websites would also be apprecaited.

Thanks, BB

I was there 2 weeks ago and used the Friendly Limosine Bus. Bus is fairly comfortable if you are not too big. Costs about 3000 Yen to get to Tokyo and 2900 Yen to get back (don't ask me why). Exchange rate about 100 Yen to 1 US$ for reference. Trip into Tokyo took about 1.5 hours and trip back to Narita took 50 minutes (difference in traffic). Has drop offs at the Tokyo train station, city air terminal (check in here for your return, much easier) and various hotels in town. There are about 4 or 5 routes so if want a certain hotel drop off make sure you get the right bus. Counter where get ticket very helpful for this.

When clear customs and walk through the door look ahead of you to your left for the orange sign.

Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by Baze (edited 04-18-2000).]

Check out the following site. It lists limos, trains, and other options -
http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/airp...ess_index.html

You can find similar information or links to that information on most airports worldwide at
http://www.quickaid.com/airports

I have taken both the Airport Limo bus service and also trains, Narita Express and one other. Narita Express is by far my favorite. Once you exit out the secure area after baggage claim, into the terminal lobby, you will see desks for both train and bus service. Just stop by and one of the friendly ladies will inform you which is faster and sell you a ticket. They will also give you instructions on how to get to the correct place to board your transportation.

The Airport Limo is the cheapest and easiest method, especially if you are going to a Tokyo hotel. The Narita Express train should be quicker (to Tokyo, but maybe not your final destination), but maybe a little more expensive (depending on class of ticket). It only stops at Chiba, Tokyo, Shingawa, Yokohama, Ofuna, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Omiya, so if you want to get to Ueno you need to transfer at Tokyo station.

There is also a Airport Narita train that offers more of a "local" service. Cheaper, with a whole lot more stops.

Two rail companies serve NRT, JR East and Keisei. Each have local trains and express trains. JR's Nartia Express ("NEX")runs to the destinations listed... but trains to Shinjuku run all the way around the Yamanote lower loop (through Shinagawa). NEX is the best way to go to Yokohama. Keisei's express, the Skyliner, is about $10 cheaper each way, but runs only to Ueno station. The bus/train choice is usually dictated by luggage. Trains are fast, but handling alot of luggage after disembarking from an express train is a major hassle in Tokyo.

I just made a reservation as the Westin Tokyo. I've never stayed at this hotel before.

Does anyone know which rail station it would be nearest to? Since I'm only traveling with a briefcase and small rollaboard (only a three day trip), I think I'll opt for the train.

BB

Narita Express, Green Car (First Class) is 4850 yen, one way to Tokyo main station.

Legroom/comfort in the limo bus can be cramped if you're tall or have a "western" body (i.e., overweight) and the bus is full.

Another data point: The Narita Express is a great way to go if you are familiar with Tokyo, and especially with the metro system and regional train lines. I had light luggage, I would go for the Narita Express in this case.

If you are unfamiliar with Tokyo (or don't remember it that well 'cause it's been a while), and especially if the Limo Buses have a stop right at your hotel, that's a nice way to go to.

In general, the train is (a) faster to
Tokyo Station and (b) probably slower to
many other parts of Tokyo than the bus on
a good traffic day but (c) definitely faster than the bus on a bad traffic day. (I love how trains=no traffic headaches! :-)

-b-

The Westin Tokyo is nearest the Ebisu station on the JR Yamanote line. The Westin is part of Yebisu Garden Place, a great place for beer lovers. Yebisu has the Sapporo brewery museum with tasting room, a beer hall, good restaurants, and shops. The complex is connected by covered walkway with moving sidewalks to Ebisu station.

One great thing about the Westin is its proximety to my favorite restaurant, Tonki, near Meguro station. Tonki has the world's best tonkatsu and is an interesting, fun experience.

[This message has been edited by TransWorldOne (edited 04-20-2000).]

BostonBoy,

One reasonably priced way to the Westin Tokyo from Narita is a Keisei + JR Yamanote combination. Both train lines.

If you don't have much baggage to carry, take Keisei line from Narita Airport (either Terminal 1 or 2) to Nippori. Get off there and change to JR Yamanote line to Ebisu. The Ebisu station has a moving walkway linked to a high-rise complex that includes the Westin.

For Keisei, if you take a limited express ('Tokkyu' in Japanese, a fast local train service), it will be about 70 minutes. It stops about 10 stations before reaching Nippori.

Keisei has a faster Skyliner service, which only stops once (or none depending on the time of day) to Nippori. The journey can be reduced to just less than 60 minutes.

The fare is 1,000 yen to Nippori on a limited express and double (about 2,000 yen) on a Skyliner.

The Yamanote Line is a circular line and there are two services, each going opposite directions, so you will get to Ebisu no matter which Yamanote line you take. But take the one designated as going to Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya. This is faster. Frequency, though depending on the time of day, is one in every two or three minutes. The journey time is about 30 minutes from Nippori to Ebisu. Ebisu is the one right after Shibuya.

The fare for Yamanote, from Nippori to Ebisu, is about 200 yen or less.

You can buy a ticket all the way to Ebisu from Narita at Keisei's Narita station counter. One ticket on a limited express + Yamanote combination. Two on a Skyliner + Yamanote combination, with the big one having to be given to the ticket examiner at Nippori.

The Yamanote line can be extremely crowded during morning and evening rush hours. I would suggest you avoid them during 7-9 a.m. and 5-8 p.m., unless you want to see a rather chaotic scene.

Keisei has a timetable and how to connect to JR at http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetud...esse/index.htm

[This message has been edited by Chiangi (edited 04-20-2000).]