N’EX or Keisei Skyliner? Express Train from Narita Airport

If you’re arriving at Narita International Airport and are planning to take an express train to the central city of Tokyo, the easiest services to use will be Keisei Skyliner or N’EX. Since Keisei Skyliner and N’EX don’t have much differences, the first time visitors might get confused which train to take. Here are some points to consider when you want to compare the two services.

Both offer discount fares for foreign visitors

N’EX offers a round trip discount ticket that allows travel between either Narita International Airport Terminal 1 or 2 and any JR East station within the designated area in Tokyo. Keisei Skyliner also offers packages including either a one-way or a round trip rides on Skyliner and Tokyo Subway Ticket, which is a pass that allows unlimited rides on subways in Tokyo.

N’EX
N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket
Price: 4000 yen / adult, 2000 yen / child.
*From March 14th 2015, only a round trip discount ticket will be sold.

Keisei Skyliner
Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket
Price: Depends on the package
e.g. One-way Skyliner ticket + 1-day Tokyo Subway Ticket: 2800 yen / adult, 1400 yen / child
Round-trip Skyliner tickets + 1-day Tokyo Subway Ticket: 4700 yen / adult, 2350 yen / child

Destinations are different

N’EX arrives into Tokyo, Yokohama, and Saitama, whereas Skyliner only stops at Nippori and Ueno stations. You can pick the train that arrives at a station nearer to the place you stay. N’EX stops at more stations while Skyliner reaches the destinations faster than N’EX.

N’EX
Stops at the following stations: Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Omiya, Yokohama, and Ofuna.

Keisei Skyliner
Stops at the following stations: Nippori and Ueno.

JR Pass covers N’EX but not Keisei Skyliner

If you’re going to travel with JR Pass, which can be purchased overseas before arriving to Japan, take N’EX because it’s covered. However, if you don’t have JR Pass and are going to travel around Tokyo for a few days, the Skyliner package with Tokyo Subway Ticket might be more economical.

Both N’EX and Skyliner require reservations, which means seats are assigned. You can purchase the tickets for both N’EX and Skyliner at Narita Airport Terminal 1 and 2 stations on the day.

Pick the suitable train and begin your journey in Japan smoothly!