Traveling from Narita Airport to Tokyo with a Bicycle

Byron Kidd
6

A question I'm asked time and time again is:

"Upon arriving in Japan, how can I transport my bicycle from Narita Airport to downtown Tokyo?"

Of course, you could ride, but after a long flight I doubt you'd be alert nor energetic enough to navigate the 76km from Narita Airport to central Tokyo. It's an option if you're up for the challenge but not one I'd recommend if this is your first trip to Tokyo.

JR East's Narita Express train runs between Narita Airport and major metropolitan stations including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. Depending on your destination, ticket prices vary from 3,000 to 4,500 yen and the trip takes about 55 minutes to Tokyo Station.

At the rear of each passenger carriage on the Narita Express is a space for storing luggage, and behind the very last row of passenger seats there is enough space to stow a bicycle. Japan Rail rules state that a bicycle must be covered in order to be taken on a train and this applies to most trains around the country. Given you've just arrived in Japan it is safe to assume that your bicycle is already boxed or bagged so you're good to go*.

While the Narita Express is fast and efficient, the departure platform is many levels below the airport's arrival gates so be prepared to haul your luggage and bicycle a long, long way.

Another option at your disposal is the luxurious-sounding Limousine Bus service. As with the Narita Express, Limousine buses operate between Narita Airport and major stations and hotels in Tokyo. Depending upon traffic the trip to Tokyo Station can take anywhere between 75 and 130 minutes and most tickets are around 3,000 yen.

Limousine Bus tickets can be purchased right outside the arrival gates at Narita Airport, and buses also depart from directly in front of the terminal building on the same level as the arrivals hall (meaning no long walk with your luggage and bicycle). Staff will stow your bicycle in luggage space underneath the bus, leaving you free to enjoy the journey into Tokyo. While the Limousine Bus trip does take longer than the Narita Express, you do get to see much more of the city from high up in a bus on an expressway than on the Narita Express which travels mostly at, or under, ground level.

Narita is, as one would expect, also serviced by a number of taxi companies, but a ride to Tokyo will set you back anywhere between 15,000 and 26,000 yen depending on your destination in Tokyo, so for most of us that's not an option worth considering.

If you really feel like splashing out, you could take a helicopter from Narita Airport to Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, which costs 50,000 yen per passenger one way, but I doubt they'll transport your bicycle.

If you're not in a hurry, I'd recommend the Limosuine Bus service for its convenient boarding and disembarking locations, trouble-free storage for bicycles, and the scenic value of the ride into the city atop the expressway.

For more information, including current prices and timetables, please visit the Narita Express or Limousine Bus websites (English available).

* This is a guest post originally written for Surviving in Japan, a goldmine of useful information for foreigners living in or visiting Japan.

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  1. I took the Airport Limousine service from Narita to "City Airport Terminal (CAT)" Station and assembled my Bike there to get to my Hotel. But I had a hard time getting my boxed bike on the Bus because some employees there explained me that is is not possible to get such a huge box in the luggage tray. After everyone realized that it's a bike I'm carrying everything was fine -although that didn't make the box smaller or lighter.

    I bet my box is still neatly folded up at the CAT cap station.

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  2. For people with a Bike Friday or similar quick-folding bike, be sure you have either the quick cover or a bag. I have successfully used the quick cover and wheeled my bike through the train turnstiles, but usually have to haul it up a set of stairs at some point. Just be sure to keep the cover down low enough to cover the wheels when you get settled. Of course, if it's crowded, you might have trouble getting on a train (local, not the express).

    It's an unfortunate reality that the train system here is not built to accommodate bicycles.

    If you travel with your bike in one of the luggage/trailers, I recommend leaving the bike in the luggage/trailer until you get to where you'll be doing most of your riding. It's much easier to navigate the train system that way.

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  3. Takkyubin!

    http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_05.html#t2
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

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  4. As the last guy quoted Takkyubin or Kuroneko is the only way to go. I use Kuroneko on every trip to Japan.As long as your bike is in a box they are fast reliable and will drop it off next morning at your hotel , if your flight is a late one. I have had the ladies at the information counter put me onto this and they arranged it all the first time for me.Since then I have used Kuroneko(yamato) all over Japan when needed.

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  5. I totally forgot about Takyubin (Nor did I mention the Keisei Skyliner, or regular express train!) Thanks for reminding me. I'll add that as an update to the article. Thanks.

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  6. The best way i found to get 2 bikes and people to the airport was to hire a small van (suzuki every)from downtown on a 3 hour 1-way hire with nippon car hire. The price was 7500 yen or about 65 usd. This is very reasonable as the train/bus is 6000+ yen and it would be a nightmare getting it from downtown tokyo to your hotel.

    It's worth considering:
    -allow 2hrs to get to airport if you want to avoid tolls. vs 1hr. use google maps
    -storing the bike in shinjuku is about $45 a night per bike box. No need with car
    -taxi to shinjuku is about 1500jpy and they may refuse your box or it may not fit or you may need 2 cars
    -airport bus service may refuse your box as per terms and conditions, but people report success with this
    -getting your bike out of multi level train stations is a challenge as you are not supposed to assemble it and you may have many panniers. however when taking the shinkansen we assembled it and rushed out with it to the surprise of the guards/etc
    -you could get a 24hr hire for another $20 and then camp in the floor of the flat van out in the country side before your airport run the next day if you wanted to save some money or see some new sights.

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