Tokyo Narita Airport

The airport from above.

Tokyo Narita Airport ((IATA: NRT, ICAO: RJAA)) is located outside Tokyo, the capital city of Japan.

Understand

The control tower and airport monorail system.

Tokyo Narita Airport is located nearly 70 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, is Japan's largest international airport. The airport is generally modern and efficient, but sometimes overcrowded (particularly at immigration). Security has been rather heavy, especially when coming in, due to continuing controversy over land expropriated for the airport - there are plans in the works, however, to relax the checkpoints at train stations and possibly the entry gates for vehicles as part of the first security overhaul since the airport's 1978 opening.

Flights

The airport has two terminals connected by both train and bus. Foreign airlines operate out of either terminal, with Japanese carriers ANA and JAL operating out of terminals 1 and 2, respectively.

The Terminal 1 South Wing houses most airlines in the Star Alliance (e.g. ANA, Asiana Airlines, United, Air Canada). Most carriers in Skyteam (e.g. Air France, China Southern, Delta, KLM, Korean Air) operate out of the Terminal 1 North Wing, and OneWorld airlines (e.g. JAL, American, British Airways, Finnair) operate out of Terminal 2. Check the airport's website just prior to your departure to determine the terminal you will arrive at. On the way to the airport, there are also lists (in English) posted near the doors of trains going to Narita.

Ground transportation

Rail routes to Narita Airport.

There are many ways to travel between Narita Airport and central Tokyo. For a first-time visitor, suffering jet-lag, laden with luggage and holding a reservation for a major hotel, the easiest option is often to take the Limousine Bus direct to the hotel. A close second is taking one of the express trains to Tokyo or Ueno Station and then transferring to a taxi for the final leg. If taking the bus, note that traffic jams can cause you to reach your destination a lot later than you were told when you boarded.

• Easiest: Limousine bus direct to major hotels, ~120 minutes (subject to traffic), ¥3,500
• Fastest: Skyliner to Nippori and Ueno Stations, under 45 minutes, ¥2,400; Narita Express to Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yokohama, 55 minutes and ¥2,940 to Tokyo Station (Japan Rail Pass valid)
• Cheapest: Keisei Limited Express/Access Tokkyu trains to Nippori/Ueno, 60–80 minutes, ¥1,000-1,200 (Access Tokkyu trains also serve some subway stations)
• Most expensive: Taxi to the city, more than ¥30,000; flat-fare cabs approximately ¥17,000-19,000

Buy

Once you have arrived at Narita, you can access cash machines operated by Citibank, Japan Post and 7-Eleven that accept international ATM cards and credit cards.

When departing Narita, the better shops and restaurants are located in the check-in area: after passing security and immigration, all that's really available is expensive duty-free and some convenience store sundries. But remember that Japan restricts liquids in carry-on baggage, and plan to buy drinks for the plane after security.

Connect

Free WiFi access is available throughout the airport; paid access to WiFi through NTT and Softbank hotspots is also available. There are several charging stations in both terminals with desks, 100-volt power ports and desk lamps.

Sleep

If you're at Narita for a connecting flight, you may wish to use the dayrooms and showers inside the terminal, past security. Dayrooms are paid for by the hour; ¥1000 for the first hour and ¥500 for each additional hour. The dayroom consists of a bed and a bathroom with a shower. It's a great way to refresh yourself before your next flight. If you just want to take a shower, you can get a shower room for ¥500 for a half hour. Soap and shampoo are provided, but not things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shavers, and deodorant, so bring them in your carry-on with your change of clothes. Twin dayrooms are available for ¥1600 for the first hour and ¥800 for each additional hour. Dayroom reservations can be made up to a month in advance.

Nearby

Visiting Tokyo is the most obvious idea with a long layover; however, the city of Narita is a close option.