*This article is based on information as of July 2023

Akihabara Station has long been beloved as an electronics district. Today it’s become a town representing Japan through “subculture” like anime and manga.

This article thoroughly explains how to get from Akihabara to Narita Airport. We’ll cover not just trains but other transport options too, so if you’re not sure which way to go, this guide is for you.

How to Get from Akihabara to Narita Airport by Train

Here’s how to get from Akihabara to Narita Airport by train.

There are 5 main train routes. Fares and travel times are as follows.

Route	Fare (IC card)	Travel Time	Features
Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line → Tokyo Metro Tozai Line → Keisei Main Line	¥1,104	About 2 hours	Cheapest, but requires many transfers
Toei Shinjuku Line → Keisei Main Line	¥1,198	About 1 hour 40 min	Access from a different station near Akihabara
JR → Keisei Main Line	From ¥1,154	About 1 hour 45 min	Easy to transfer
JR	¥1,342	About 1 hour 30 min	No need to exit the ticket gates
JR → Narita Sky Access	From ¥2,724	About 1 hour 20 min	Fastest option available

Each of the 5 routes has its own pros and cons. Let’s look at each in detail.

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line → Tokyo Metro Tozai Line → Keisei Main Line

Traveling via Tokyo Metro requires many transfers, but it’s the cheapest option.

Arrival time is easy to predict, but the Hibiya Line → Tozai Line → Keisei Main Line route involves many transfers, so it takes longer.

【Fare, Travel Time, Route】

Fare (IC card)	¥1,104
Travel time (incl. transfers)	About 2 hours~
Route	■Akihabara ↕︎(Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line) ■Kayabacho ↕︎(Tokyo Metro Tozai Line) ■Nishi-Funabashi ↕︎(on foot) ■Keisei-Nishifuna ↕︎(Keisei Main Line) ■Keisei-Tsudanuma ↕︎(Keisei Main Line Rapid) ■Narita Airport

Not only do you need to move within stations, you also have to exit the ticket gates once and walk from Nishi-Funabashi Station to Keisei-Nishifuna Station. This can be a burden if you’re carrying large luggage. Also, if the walk takes longer than expected, you risk not arriving at your planned time, so this route is best for those with time to spare and light luggage.

Toei Shinjuku Line → Keisei Main Line

Near Akihabara Station is Iwamotocho Station. Since it’s within walking distance, you can also travel to Narita Airport from Iwamotocho Station.

【Fare, Travel Time, Route】

Fare (IC card)	¥1,198
Travel time (incl. transfers)	About 1 hour 40 min~
Transfers/Stops	■Iwamotocho ↕︎(Toei Shinjuku Line) ■Motoyawata ↕︎(on foot) ■Keisei-Yawata ↕︎(Keisei Main Line Rapid) ■Narita Airport

Since this route doesn’t use JR, it can be relatively cheaper.

However, just like the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line → Tozai Line → Keisei Main Line route mentioned above, it involves walking between stations, making it difficult with large luggage.

Unlike Akihabara Station, Iwamotocho Station only serves the Toei Shinjuku Line. So if there’s trouble like a delay, you’d need to head to Akihabara Station instead.

This route is also best suited for those with light luggage and time to spare.

JR → Keisei Main Line

Akihabara Station has easy access to stations like Funabashi, Nippori, and Ueno, where the Keisei Main Line runs directly to Narita Airport. This means you can reach Narita Airport without using a limited express.

【Fare, Travel Time, Route】

Transfer Station	Funabashi	Nippori
Fare (IC card)	¥1,154	¥1,209
Travel time (incl. transfers)	About 1 hour 45 min~	About 2 hours 10 min~
Transfers/Stops	■Akihabara ↕︎(Chuo-Sobu Line) ■Funabashi ↕︎(on foot) ■Keisei-Funabashi ↕︎(Keisei Main Line) ■Narita Airport	■Akihabara ↕︎(Keihin-Tohoku Line) ■Nippori ↕︎(Keisei Main Line) ■Keisei-Tsudanuma ↕︎(Keisei Main Line) ■Narita Airport

Many of the transfer stations have short walking distances, making travel relatively smooth. Since you can access multiple stations on the Keisei Main Line, there are more trains running, making it easier to adjust your timing. That said, it can get crowded at certain times of day, so those wanting to avoid crowds should plan accordingly.

JR

There’s also a way to travel from Akihabara to Narita Airport using only JR.

【Fare, Travel Time, Route】

Fare (IC card)	¥1,342
Travel time (incl. transfers)	About 1 hour 30 min~
Transfers/Stops	■Akihabara ↕︎(Chuo-Sobu Line) ■Kinshicho ↕︎(Sobu Line Rapid) ■Chiba ↕︎(Narita Line) ■Narita Airport

From Kinshicho Station to Narita Airport, the line name changes but you can ride through without transferring. Since you only need one transfer and don’t need to use other lines, this is a recommended method for those unfamiliar with Tokyo’s complex rail network. However, if JR service is disrupted, you’re likely unable to use this route, so it’s worth researching alternative routes in advance.

JR → Narita Sky Access

The fastest way from Akihabara Station to Narita Airport is via Narita Sky Access.

Type	Skyliner
Fare (IC card)	¥2,724 (Base fare ¥1,424 + Limited express fee ¥1,300)
Travel time (incl. transfers)	About 1 hour 20 min
Route	■Akihabara ↕︎(Keihin-Tohoku Line) ■Nippori ↕︎(Skyliner) ■Narita Airport

Using the Skyliner via Narita Sky Access gets you to Narita Airport the fastest. Because of this, you need a limited express ticket, making it the most expensive of the train options. If you use the Narita Sky Access limited express (not the Skyliner), you don’t need a limited express ticket and can save money. However, the travel time becomes about 1 hour 33 minutes, roughly 20 minutes slower. If you want to arrive as quickly as possible, we recommend buying a limited express ticket and taking the Skyliner.

Other Ways to Get from Akihabara to Narita Airport

Trains run frequently and offer many route options, making them a good choice for those who want to fine-tune their arrival time at the airport. However, they can get crowded at certain times, and traveling with large luggage can often be a burden.

So let’s introduce other transportation options: buses, taxis, and NearMe. Fares and travel times are as follows.

Transportation	Fare (per person)	Travel Time
Highway bus + train	¥1,446	About 1 hour 30 min~
Taxi	From ¥30,950 per vehicle	About 1 hour~
NearMe	From ¥5,980	About 1 hour~

Let’s take a closer look at the details of each option.

How to Get from Akihabara to Narita Airport by Highway Bus

There’s no direct bus from Akihabara to Narita Airport. So you’ll need to take a train to Tokyo Station, where highway buses depart, and transfer to a bus there.

【Bus Fare, Travel Time, Route】

Fare	¥1,446
Travel Time	About 1 hour 30 min~
Route	■Akihabara ↕︎(Yamanote Line) ■Tokyo Station ↕︎(JR Highway Bus Airport Bus Tokyo/Narita) ■Narita Airport

After heading from Akihabara to Tokyo Station, you can then board the highway bus.

From Tokyo Station to Narita Airport, the bus doesn’t stop at other bus stops, making for a smooth ride.

However, note that travel time on buses can vary depending on traffic conditions.

【Departing from Tokyo Station】

As of June 2023, all seats are unreserved when boarding from Tokyo Station. You can purchase a ticket directly at the boarding area or at the JR Highway Bus ticket counter. Buses run about 3–6 times per hour, so choose one with enough time to spare.

The boarding area is at Tokyo Station’s Yaesu South Exit. The bus terminal is right there — board from gate “7” or “8”.

*Please check Airport Bus Tokyo/Narita for the latest information.

Narita Airport currently has 3 terminals, each served by different airlines.

Check which route you’ll be using and confirm which bus stop to get off at. The bus arrives at the terminals in the order of Terminal 3 → 2 → 1.

Terminal	Route	Airlines
Narita Airport Terminal 1	Domestic/International	ANA, ZIPAIR, Peach, etc.
Narita Airport Terminal 2	Domestic/International	JAL, etc.
Narita Airport Terminal 3	Domestic/International	Jetstar, etc.

*Subject to change due to weather or airline circumstances. Please always check in advance.

【Departing from Narita Airport】

From Narita Airport, seating is capacity-limited, so you purchase a ticket for a specific departure time.

Seats are unreserved, so if you have a preferred seat, head to the boarding area early.

	Boarding Area
Narita Airport Terminal 1	Changed from gate 31 to gate 7
Narita Airport Terminal 2	Changed from gates 2/19 to gate 6
Narita Airport Terminal 3	Gate 5

【Pros and Cons of the Bus】

Pros	Can check luggage · Drop-off point is close to the airport · Frequent departures
Cons	Travel time varies depending on congestion

You can check large luggage, and since the drop-off point is close to the airport, travel is relatively hassle-free. On the other hand, since traffic conditions can significantly affect travel time, this option is better suited for those with time to spare.

How to Get from Akihabara to Narita Airport by Taxi

A taxi will take you directly from the nearest stand to wherever you want to go. You can check large luggage, and since you’re traveling alone, you don’t need to worry about other passengers. Akihabara Station has taxi stands at three locations — the West Exit, East Exit, and Showa-dori Exit — so it’s easy to catch a taxi.

Estimated fare from Akihabara to Narita Airport	From ¥30,950
Estimated travel time (no congestion)	About 1 hour 30 min~

You can check the approximate fare using a route search.

Before you go, check the traffic conditions for your desired arrival time.

Reference: NAVITIME

【Pros and Cons】

Pros	Flexible timing · Available even late at night or early morning · No need to worry about other passengers · Luggage can be stored in the trunk
Cons	Highway tolls and late-night surcharges apply · Need to get to a taxi stand · Heavily affected by traffic conditions

How to Get from Akihabara to Narita Airport with NearMe

You can also travel using NearMe, a service similar to a taxi. NearMe is a taxi ride-share service provided by NearMe Inc., letting you share a ride to your destination with up to 9 people.

【NearMe Fare and Travel Time】

Fare	From ¥5,980 per person
Travel Time	About 1 hour~

Children ride at half price.

*Discounts are available for first-time riders

You can get an estimate using the simulator, so try it out if you’d like to know more.

Pros	Cheaper than a taxi even when using the highway · One piece of luggage checked for free · Can travel regardless of time of day (late night/early morning) · Door-to-door service
Cons	Travel time varies depending on congestion · Must book by the day before · Service area is limited *Akihabara is within the service area since Tokyo’s 23 wards are covered

Since NearMe’s fare doesn’t change even when using the highway, it can be cheaper than a taxi. It’s also convenient for large groups or families since you can be picked up from a designated location.

NearMe Is Recommended for Getting from Akihabara to Narita Airport

So far, we’ve introduced trains and three other transportation options.

Among these, NearMe is our recommended choice for traveling from Akihabara to Narita Airport.

Let’s explain why, along with an overview of NearMe.

Overview of NearMe

NearMe is a flat-rate ride-share taxi service operated by NearMe Inc.

Since it takes you directly from your home to the airport without any transfers, you can travel comfortably without having to carry your luggage around.

To use NearMe, you need to book by 6:00 PM the day before.

To book, simply enter your pickup location, arrival time, number of passengers, and amount of luggage on the official website. A route matching your schedule will be shown, and after a provisional booking, you’ll just need to confirm availability within 24 hours. Payment is made online in advance, so booking and payment are both simple.

Same-day bookings are accepted only if seats are available.

Benefits of NearMe

Here are the benefits of NearMe:

• Great value when shared with multiple people
• Door-to-door travel with no transfers
• Cheaper than a taxi

Let’s look at each in detail.

Great Value for Groups

NearMe uses large vans, so it’s well-suited for group travel. It also ensures personal space for each passenger, making it more comfortable than a taxi or bus. Discounts apply for groups of 3 or more, and private charters are also available. It’s an ideal option for larger groups or families traveling together.

Door-to-Door Travel with No Transfers

To get from Akihabara Station to Narita Airport by train or bus, you have to make your way to a station or bus stop. What’s more, since departures are limited, it can be difficult to arrive at the airport at your desired time. With NearMe, you can be picked up from a specified location and book for whatever time you like, making scheduling easy.

Cheaper Than a Taxi

Even though you can be picked up from anywhere you like — your home, a hotel, etc. — it costs less than a taxi. Also, while using the highway usually gets you there faster but at a higher cost, with NearMe the price stays the same, so you can arrive smoothly without extra cost.

Summary

We’ve introduced ways to travel from Akihabara to Narita Airport.

Beyond the most standard option of taking the train, understand the pros and cons of each option and choose whichever is easiest for you.

NearMe offers a way to travel comfortably while keeping costs down. With professional drivers, you can head off on your air travel in comfort. Be sure to consider it as one of your transportation options going forward.