Ikebukuro may be one of Tokyo’s less glamorous areas, but it’s a solid business and education district that has decent accommodation and great, affordable grub to boot. That’s what makes it a popular base for visiting tourists. If you need to get from Narita to Ikebukuro, here are the best options—categorized according to price, time and simplicity.
The 4 best ways to get from Narita to Ikebukuro
Fastest: The quickest option is to take the Keisei Skyliner from Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station or Terminal 2|3 Station to Nippori, then change to the JR Yamanote Line which will take you to Ikebukuro. The ride time is just 48 minutes (though you need to factor in a few minutes for transfers), and tickets cost 2,640 yen one way. You can buy Keisei Skyliner tickets online in advance.
Cheapest: If you don’t mind hauling your luggage around regular trains and a longer journey, you can take the Keisei Main Line instead, then do the same change at Nippori Station. This will take an hour and 30-40 minutes, but costs just 1,200 yen.
Easier: Our recommendation, though, is to hop onto the Narita Express (N’EX), which is 3,190 yen one way (or 4.000 yen for a return trip) and takes you directly from the airport to Ikebukuro Station in around 90 minutes. It’s a cool, comfortable train that is rarely crowded. You’ll need to check the timetable to see if the Ikebukuro N’EX is running at a time that suits you; otherwise you can take a direct limousine bus for 3,100 yen instead (which is good if you are traveling with lots of luggage).
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Easiest: If you’re coming off a really long flight and you really can’t be bothered with negotiating the world’s largest urban rail network while suffering from jet lag, then a shared taxi transfer to your hotel via Viator for ¥5,200 or Voyagin for ¥5,600 is the higher cost but lowest stress option.
Want to see the other transport options that are available? Give our our mega guide on the cheapest ways of getting from Narita Airport to Tokyo a read.
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