Some people simply have to travel for work, or have to go back to their hometown for family reasons, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who have no choice but to travel, here’s how to get to the airport while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Conditions for Safe Travel

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has identified the “Three Cs,” urging people to avoid:

• Closed spaces with poor ventilation
• Crowded places with many people gathered
• Close-contact settings where people talk or interact at close range

Fundamentally, a safe way to travel is one that avoids these “Three Cs.”

The Ministry is also promoting cough etiquette, handwashing, ventilation, and other measures to prevent the spread of infection.

For more details, see the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s page on COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare also conducts PCR testing for people returning to Japan from overseas. To return home without waiting for test results, the conditions are: ① having no symptoms, and ② being able to travel without using public transportation (including taxis) for 1–2 days (as of December 2021).

Our own NearMe Airport service can be used even by people who have just returned from abroad. Be sure to check it out.

For more details, see the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s notice for returnees.

Safe Ways to Travel

Broadly speaking, options for getting to the airport include trains, limousine buses, taxis, and our own NearMe Airport service. Let’s look at how each compares in terms of safety, using the “Three Cs” as the criteria for finding the best way to travel.

	Train (Express)	Limousine Bus	Taxi	NearMe Airport
Closed spaces	×	×	△	〇 (thorough ventilation)
Crowded places	△	△	◎	〇
Close-contact settings	△	△	◎	〇
Price	○	○	×	△
Usable right after returning to Japan	×	×	×	〇

Traveling by Train or Limousine Bus

COVID-19 Measures

These options are designed to carry large numbers of passengers, so from the standpoint of the “Three Cs” they’re not necessarily the most appropriate choice.

Also, some services have been suspended due to reduced ridership during the pandemic. Please check each operator’s website for details.

If you’re aware of this but still need to keep costs as low as possible, this page introduces each of these travel options. Be sure to take a look.

Fare

You can travel from central Tokyo for around ¥2,000.

For example, traveling from Shinjuku Station to Narita Airport via the Yamanote Line and the Narita Express costs ¥2,720.

Travel Time

From major Tokyo stations (Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro), the trip to Narita Airport takes about an hour.

From Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, you can reach Narita Airport without changing trains.

Service Area / Timetable

You can reach Narita Airport from virtually any major station in Tokyo.

As an example, here’s a look at the Narita Express.

Its service area covers 22 stations: Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Omiya, Musashi-Kosugi, Yokohama, Kichijoji, Mitaka, Kokubunji, Tachikawa, Hachioji, Takao, Totsuka, Ofuna, Chiba, Yotsukaido, Sakura, Narita, Airport Terminal 2, and Narita Airport stations.

A major appeal is that you can travel directly, without transfers, from major stations like Tokyo or Shinagawa in about an hour.

That said, be careful, since not every train stops at every station. The Narita Express runs several different routes, so the intermediate stops vary by train. Tokyo Station is the only stop served by all trains, so it’s a good idea to check the timetable in advance before boarding. (Narita Express official timetable)

Traveling by Taxi

While trains and buses provide service to an unspecified large number of passengers, a taxi reserves the vehicle exclusively for you, preserving your private space. As a result, the fare is higher. But if you want to take every precaution against infection, it may be worth considering.

COVID-19 Measures

In terms of avoiding the “Three Cs,” a taxi is just as effective a way to travel as NearMe Airport.

We compare different taxi companies here.

If price isn’t a concern for you, be sure to check it out.

However, as noted in the conditions for safe travel above, people who have just returned to Japan cannot use taxis either. Please be careful.

Fare

From Shinjuku Station to Narita Airport costs just under ¥30,000.

Travel Time

The distance from Shinjuku Station to Narita Airport is 73.1 km, taking about 1 hour and 9 minutes.

Travel time may vary somewhat depending on traffic conditions.

This blog also covers comparisons of train, limousine bus, and taxi travel. If you’d like to look into these comparisons apart from COVID-19 considerations, check out the articles you’re interested in here.

Traveling with NearMe Airport

If you’re planning a trip to the airport, we recommend NearMe Airport, which combines the best of trains and taxis.

NearMe Airport is a next-generation airport shuttle that uses proprietary AI to determine the optimal pickup and drop-off routes, taking you to your destination at a flat rate.

Unlike trains and buses, which serve an unspecified large number of passengers, it targets a specific, small group of riders. This significantly reduces contact with others during travel.

It’s offered at a flat rate, making it far more affordable than a taxi. If you want to travel safely, be sure to check it out.

COVID-19 Measures

As part of our response to COVID-19, we’ve implemented the following:

• All drivers wear masks.
• After each drop-off, we disinfect surfaces passengers touch with alcohol.
• We ensure thorough ventilation while passengers are on board.

We also offer private, exclusive-use vehicles as a COVID-19 precaution.

In addition, since NearMe Airport is a hired-car dispatch service, it can also be used by people whose use of public transportation is restricted.

For more details, see this article.

Fare

The flat rate to Narita Airport starts from ¥5,980 per person.

The fare doesn’t change based on distance.

Travel Time

From around Shinjuku Station to Narita Airport, the trip covers 73.1 km and takes about 1 hour and 9 minutes, though this may vary somewhat depending on traffic.

Timetable

NearMe Airport doesn’t operate on a fixed timetable.

Just tell us your flight time or desired arrival time, and our AI will calculate the optimal pickup time for you.

You can also choose a pickup time that fits your own schedule, making for smooth, hassle-free travel.

Pickup Locations

With NearMe Airport, the car comes to pick you up at whatever location you specify.

Pickup from your home is also available. Not having to travel to a pickup point is extremely convenient.

As of December 2021, service is available in the following 23 wards of Tokyo:

Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Shinjuku, Bunkyo, Taito, Sumida, Koto, Shinagawa, Meguro, Ota, Setagaya, Shibuya, Toshima, Edogawa, Nakano, Suginami, Kita, Arakawa, Itabashi, Nerima, Adachi, and Katsushika.

You can book NearMe Airport below.

Summary

We’ve introduced ways to travel safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here, we compared traveling by train/limousine bus, taxi, and NearMe Airport.

If your destination is within the service area, we recommend NearMe Airport.

If you’re traveling to the airport from outside that area, choose the option that best balances price and safety for your needs.

Also note that people who have just returned to Japan may be restricted from using public transportation. If you’re returning from abroad, make sure to arrange your transportation in advance.