Many people traveling from Nippori to Narita Airport consider using the Skyliner.

It’s an extremely convenient and popular way to get there, reaching the airport in as little as 36 minutes.

In this article, we’ll introduce how to board the Skyliner, its fares, and points to watch out for.

Please use this as a reference!

So what exactly is the Keisei Skyliner?

The Keisei Skyliner is a limited express train operated by Keisei Electric Railway that connects Ueno and Nippori in Tokyo with Narita Airport.

With only 4 stops along the way, it can get you to Narita Airport in as little as 36 minutes — an incredibly fast trip.

• The fastest conventional-line speed in Japan, at 160 km/h
• A spacious, all-reserved-seat cabin
• Trains bound for Narita run every 20 minutes until 6:00 PM

These features make it a comfortable and speedy way to get to the airport.

【Nippori–Narita】Basic Information About the Skyliner

Next, let’s go over the basic information about the Skyliner in four parts.

1. How to board
2. Stops
3. Travel time
4. Fares

【Skyliner Basic Info 1】How to Board

To ride the Keisei Skyliner, you need to purchase a basic fare ticket and a Liner ticket.

There are two ways to buy tickets: “purchase on the day at the boarding station” and “purchase in advance.”

If purchasing on the day at the boarding station, use the ticket counter or a ticket vending machine.

If you need a ticket that includes the basic fare, purchase a “Liner Ticket with Basic Fare”; if you’re using your own Suica, purchase just the “Liner Ticket.”

If purchasing in advance, three reservation methods are available:

1. Internet

2. Phone

3. Ticket counter

4. For internet reservations, you can apply via this reservation page.

You can select your seat, and choose whichever ticket pickup method suits you — a counter, FamilyMart, or ticketless. Since it’s available 24 hours a day, this is the most convenient reservation method.

2. For phone reservations, call 0570-081-160 to make a booking.

However, phone reservations are only accepted from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and tickets can only be picked up at Keisei-Ueno Station, so it’s not the most convenient option.

3. For counter reservations, you can book at any of the Skyliner’s stops or at a travel agency.

Since you can speak directly with staff while booking, this is recommended for anyone unsure about how the process works.

• Skyliner stop stations
• The ticket sales counter inside the Narita International Airport terminal building
• Ueno Information Center
• Keisei Travel branch offices
• Kinki Nippon Tourist, JTB, Nippon Travel Agency, Odakyu Travel, Keio Kanko, Tobu Top Tours, Meitetsu Kanko, Hankyu Travel International, and other major travel agencies

Tickets can be purchased at any of the above.

By purchasing a basic fare ticket and a Liner ticket through one of these methods, you can board the Keisei Skyliner.

【Skyliner Basic Info 2】Stops

The Keisei Skyliner stops at the following 4 stations:

1. Keisei-Ueno Station (starting/ending point)
2. Nippori Station
3. Airport Terminal 2 Station
4. Narita Airport Station (starting/ending point)

Note that it does not stop at any other stations.

【Skyliner Basic Info 3】Travel Time

The Skyliner takes as little as 44 minutes from Keisei-Ueno Station to Narita Airport Station, and as little as 36 minutes between Nippori Station and Airport Terminal 2 Station.

Here’s a rough idea of the timing from Keisei-Ueno Station to Narita Airport Station:

Keisei-Ueno	Nippori	Airport Terminal 2	Narita Airport
6:00	6:05 (5 min from Ueno)	6:41 (41 min from Ueno)	6:45 (45 min from Ueno)

(Reference: Skyliner Timetable)

Depending on the time of day, it may take a few minutes longer than the fastest time, but with only 4 stops, a major advantage is being able to get to the airport smoothly.

Also, the trip from Nippori Station to Narita Airport Station takes 40 minutes.

【Skyliner Basic Info 4】Fares

The Skyliner fare for adults is a basic fare of ¥1,270 plus a Liner ticket of ¥1,250, for a total of ¥2,520; for children, it’s roughly half that at ¥1,270.

If you pay the basic fare with Suica, it’s discounted to ¥1,257 (total ¥2,507; ¥1,258 for children).

*Children = ages 6 to 11 (including 12-year-olds still in elementary school)

3 Benefits of Using the Skyliner from Nippori to Narita

Next, we’ll introduce 3 benefits of using the Skyliner from Nippori to Narita.

1. The fastest way from Nippori to Narita
2. No transfers required
3. All seats reserved

【Skyliner Benefit 1】The Fastest Way from Nippori to Narita

The first benefit is that it’s the fastest way to get from Nippori to Narita.

Traveling from central Tokyo to Narita Airport inevitably takes time.

If you use other trains or limousine buses, it’s common to take over an hour, and sometimes even more than two hours.

Especially when your trip from Narita Airport is a long one, you’ll want a comfortable ride to the airport.

From Nippori to Narita Airport Terminal 2 Station takes as little as 36 minutes.

That’s about the time it takes to do a bit of research on your destination before you arrive.

Being able to travel quickly and comfortably from central Tokyo is a major benefit.

【Skyliner Benefit 2】No Transfers Required

The second benefit is that no transfers are required.

Once you board the Keisei Skyliner, you don’t need to transfer at all.

When traveling with a lot of luggage, whether for a trip or a business trip abroad, it’s only natural to want to minimize how much moving around you do.

Transferring between multiple trains means going up and down escalators and stairs.

Walking through stations with heavy luggage takes a lot of energy, and it can also be an inconvenience to people around you.

With the Skyliner, since no transfers are needed, you don’t have to carry your luggage around.

You can spend the trip between Nippori and Narita Airport in comfort.

【Skyliner Benefit 3】All Seats Reserved

The third benefit is that all seats are reserved.

Since every seat on the Skyliner is reserved, anyone without a reservation cannot board.

That means once you’ve secured a reservation, you’re guaranteed a seat.

With regular trains, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a seat, and the trip can sometimes be physically tiring.

With the Skyliner, despite the short travel time, you’re guaranteed a seat, so you can travel to Narita Airport in comfort.

This is a very welcome benefit for anyone who wants as comfortable a trip as possible.

4 Things to Watch Out for When Taking the Skyliner from Nippori to Narita

Next, we’ll introduce 4 things you should know before boarding the Skyliner.

1. A reservation is required
2. You also need a limited express ticket to board
3. Be careful not to mistake the stop
4. There are trains with similar names

【Skyliner Caution 1】A Reservation Is Required

The first thing to note is that a reservation is required.

Since the Keisei Skyliner has all reserved seats, you cannot board without a reservation.

The time is also fixed, so if you miss your train, your reservation becomes invalid. To board a later Liner train, you’ll need to purchase a new Liner ticket for ¥1,250 (your basic fare ticket can still be used as-is).

Be sure to make a reservation in advance via the internet or at a ticket counter, and make sure you board the correct train.

【Skyliner Caution 2】You Also Need a Limited Express Ticket to Board

To ride the Skyliner, you must have both a basic fare ticket and a limited express ticket (Liner ticket).

Especially when using Suica, you need to pass through with your limited express ticket before tapping your Suica. Since only the basic fare is deducted from your Suica, don’t forget to purchase the limited express ticket as well.

【Skyliner Caution 3】Be Careful Not to Mistake the Stop

When boarding the Skyliner, be careful not to get off at the wrong station.

• Airport Terminal 2 Station: directly connected to Terminal 2, and the nearest station to Terminal 3
• Narita Airport Station: directly connected to Terminal 1

Since all seats are reserved, once you get off you cannot reboard. If you happen to get off at the wrong station, use the free shuttle bus between terminals.

If you’re short on time, getting off at the wrong terminal could be a critical mistake.

Make sure you know exactly which terminal you need before boarding.

Summary

We’ve covered the basic information about the Keisei Skyliner, including how to board and its stops.

The Skyliner is an extremely convenient way to travel from Nippori to Narita Airport.

Be sure to use this article as a reference when you ride it!