Written by Carey Finn
While Ikebukuro doesn’t win prizes in the glamour stakes, as a major transport hub with great shopping, hearty food, and affordable accommodation, it’s a popular base for visiting tourists. To save you time and money, we’ve lined up the quickest, cheapest, and best ways to get from Narita to Ikebukuro.
Pro tip: If you’re traveling with large bags, you can have Luggagent port them from the airport to your accommodation for an easier transfer.
Quick comparison of transport options from Narita Airport to Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is about 60 km from Narita Airport. Our top recommendation is definitely the Keisei Skyliner because it’s convenient and fast, although the price is a little high. If you don’t mind taking a little longer the Narita Shuttle is also a great option.
| Transport | Comfort | Convenience | Price | Time | Transfer | Booking Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train – Keisei Skyliner | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | From ¥2,490 | 50 min. plus | 1 transfer | Book here |
| Train – Keisei Main Line | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ¥1,240 | 80 min. plus | 1 transfer | Not available |
| Bus – Narita Shuttle | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ¥1,900 | ~80 min. | None | Book here |
| Bus – Limousine Bus | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | From ¥3,600 | ~80 min. | None | Book here |
| Taxi – Pre-booked private | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ¥16,385 (per car) | ~80 min. | No | Book with Klook or Viator |
| Shared pre-booked taxi | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ~¥5,980 (per person) | 90 min (depends on traffic) + wait time | No | Book here |
| Taxi – Regular taxi | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | From ¥27,800 (per car) | 1 to 3 hours | No | Not available |
Pro tip: Ikebukuro Station is one of the busiest train stations in Tokyo. It’s also one of the best places to shop and grab a bite to eat. If you’re hungry when you arrive, head to one of the department stores in the station, or trot over to the attached Lumine Building and take the lift up to the restaurant floors for a range of dining options.
Keisei Skyliner: The fastest option
From ¥2,490 with a discounted Skyliner ticket50 minutes plus transfers
Book here
The quickest option is to take the Keisei Skyliner train from Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station or Terminal 2|3 Station to Nippori Station, then change to the JR Yamanote Line which will take you to Ikebukuro. The ride time is about 50 minutes (though you need to factor in a few extra minutes for transfers), and tickets cost ¥2,580 one way for the Skyliner, plus ¥180 for the JR line. You can purchase discounted Skyliner tickets in advance for ¥2,310.
Keisei Main Line: The cheapest option
¥1,24080 minutes plus transfers
If you don’t mind hauling your luggage around regular trains and a longer journey, you can take the Keisei Main Line train instead, then do the same change at Nippori Station. This will take about 80 minutes plus transfer time, but costs just ¥1,230.
Pro tip: Read our guide to taking Keisei trains for more information.
Narita Shuttle: An affordable bus option
¥1,900Approximately 80 minutes depending on traffic conditions
Book here
Alternatively, you can take the Narita Shuttle bus for a bargain price of ¥1,500 directly from Narita Airport to the West Exit of Ikebukuro Station. Currently, there are 10 services each day, with the first departing Narita Airport at 9:20 a.m. and the last service leaving the airport at 10:20 p.m. The bus stops at all three terminals before speeding off to Ikebukuro.
Limousine Bus: A direct bus option
From ¥3,600Approximately 80 minutes depending on traffic
Book here
Another slightly more expensive bus option is the Limousine Bus (not actually a limousine), which drops passengers off at Ikebukuro Sunshine City Bus Terminal as well as the Sunshine City Prince Hotel and the Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro. A one-way ticket is ¥3,200, but can be bought online for a slighty discounted ¥3,100.
Want to see the other airport transfer options that are available? Read our mega guide on the cheapest ways of getting from Narita Airport to Tokyo. You might also want to read up on free things to do in Ikebukuro.
Pre-booked private taxi: The easiest way of getting from Narita to Ikebukuro
Approximately ¥16,38580 minutes depending on traffic conditions
Book here
If you’re coming off a really long flight and you don’t care to experience the world’s largest urban rail network while suffering from jetlag, then something like this taxi service for about ¥16,385 is a higher cost but lower stress option. You can book online in advance.
Pre-booked shared taxi: A nice balance of cost and convenience
From about ¥5,980 per person80-90 minutes depending on traffic conditions
Book here
For those who like the convenience of a taxi but not the price tag, a shared taxi is a great option. This service can be booked online in advance and will drop you right at the door of hotel. However, you will have to wait for other travelers to arrive before you can set off, so if you’re impatient you might want to give it a pass.
Regular taxi: The most expensive option
From ¥31,000 per car2 hours and 50 minutes depending on traffic conditions
Regular taxis are sometimes your only option, but be warned that they’re pricey. You can take a non-toll road route for ¥31,000 to save a little money, but it will take close to 3 hours. If you opt for toll roads instead, then you’re looking at ¥35,750 and about an hour and 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take the Narita Express to Ikebukuro?
Unfortunately the Narita Express (N’EX) doesn’t run to Ikebukuro anymore. You could instead take the N’EX to Shinjuku and then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to Ikebukuro. It would take 90 minutes plus transfer time and cost ¥3,420 total, so we don’t recommend this route.
Can you use a JR Pass to get to Ikebukuro?
You could use the JR Pass for the N’EX route above, but we don’t recommend it. It’s better to use your JR Pass for long distance Shinkansen travel to make the most of the pass.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post originally published in December, 2016. Last updated December 2024 by Maria Danuco.
