Written by Carey Finn
Shibuya is the hopping-off point for many travelers to Tokyo, as it’s a central gateway to heaps of accommodation and shopping options. There are numerous ways to get from Narita Airport to Shibuya, but these are our top choices.
Pro tip: If you’re traveling with large bags, you can port your luggage from Narita to your accommodation for an easier transfer.
Quick comparison of Narita to Shibuya transport options
Narita Airport and Shibuya Station are about 75 km apart, on opposite sides of Tokyo. It’s a bit of a trek to get from one to the other, but Shibuya Station is a pretty decent transport hub, with several train and subway lines stopping there, so you have some options. The Keisei Skyliner is the fastest option, while the Keisei Main Line is the cheapest — however both require a transfer. If you don’t mind spending a little extra, the Narita Express is a reasonably priced direct option.
Pro tip: Wanting to get from Narita Airport to Shibuya Crossing? The famous Scramble Crossing is directly outside Shibuya Station — once you get off the train, simply follow the signs!
| Transport | Approx Cost | Travel Time | Frequency | Notes | Booking Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train – Keisei Skyliner | ¥2,520 | 65-75mins | Every 15-20 mins | 1 transfer | Book here |
| Train – Keisei Main Line | ¥1,270 | 120 mins | Every 15-20 mins | 1 transfer | Not available |
| Train – JR Narita Express | ¥3,250 | 80-90 mins | Every hour | Direct to Shibuya Station | Not available |
| Pre-booked private taxi | From ¥16,385 (inclusive of highway tolls) | 1 hour | Pre-book only | Price per car; great for groups | Book with Klook or Viator |
| Taxi – low-cost shared taxi | From ¥5,980 | 90mins | price per person | Cheapest taxi option. | Book here |
| Taxi – regular taxi | ¥31,500 | 70-80mins | 24 hours | Price may vary considerably depending on traffic and time of day | Not available |
| Airport Limousine Bus | ¥3,600 | 90-120mins | every 15-20mins | Service direct to Shibuya currently unavailable | Book here |
Heading from Shibuya to Narita? Simply flip the routes — your options are virtually identical.
Keisei Skyliner: The fastest option
From ¥2,520 (if you purchase a discounted Skyliner ticket).65 to 75 minutes
The quickest option is to take the Keisei Skyliner train from Narita Airport to Nippori or Ueno Stations. Then from either of these you can transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to Shibuya Station. It really doesn’t matter which station you transfer at, as the cost is the same ¥210 and the time difference is only a few minutes. Also, the JR Yamanote Line is a major line in Tokyo and has departures every 2 or so minutes, so you won’t be waiting long for a transfer.
In total, the trip takes about 65 to 75 minutes — not including the time needed for the transfer — and costs ¥2,520 if you buy a discounted Skyliner ticket in advance.
Skyliner and Tokyo Subway combo ticket
From ¥2,900 (purchase it here).65 to 75 minutes
Another option that uses a similar route, is to buy a Skyliner and Tokyo subway combo ticket. It gives you the Skyliner ticket and a 24 hour pass for the Tokyo Metro subway system. You can use these to get from Narita Airport to Shibuya, simply ride the Skyliner to Ueno Station and then transfer to the Ginza Line (subway) to Shibuya Station.
It takes a similar time to the JR only option, and does cost more, but after checking in to your hotel you can use the 24 hour Tokyo Subway pass for sightseeing. The Tokyo Subway pass is valid for 24 hours from first use, so even if you arrive in the afternoon or evening, you could still get some use out of it.
Keisei Main Line: The cheapest option
¥1,270120 minutes
For those looking to save money, your best bet is to take the Kaisei Main Line — it follows the same route as the Skyliner, but uses a regular train and has more stops. You can transfer at either Nippori or Ueno Station to the JR Yamanote Line for Shibuya Station. It will cost you about half of the Skyliner route, but will also take twice as long. The Keisei Main Line is also used by commuters and locals to get around, so it can get crowded.
Read our guide to taking Keisei trains before you set off.
Narita Express: The most convenient option
¥3,25080 to 90 minutes
If you’ve got a few coins to spare, you could get yourself a ticket on the Narita Express (N’EX). These comfortable, quiet trains take you directly from Narita Airport to Shibuya in about an hour and a half, at a cost of ¥3,250 (or a very reasonable ¥5,000 for a round-trip ticket). Check the timetable to see which Narita Express trains go to Shibuya — not all of them do.
Pro tip: The Narita Express train is part of the Japan Railways (JR) network, which means that you can use your JR Pass on it. However, with the JR Pass price increase scheduled for October 2023, we don’t recommend doing this as it won’t be worth it. The JR Pass is always better value if you use it for long Shinkansen journeys, and after the price increase this is even more true.
Pre-booked private taxi: Convenient but costly
From ¥16,38570 to 80 minutes
If you’re rolling off a long-haul flight and can’t be bothered with negotiating the world’s largest urban rail network in a jet-lagged haze, then something like this taxi service for about ¥16,385 is a higher cost but lower stress hack.
It will take you from the airport directly to your hotel, so you can sit back and relax. This is a good option for families, especially those with young children. It’s also not a bad choice if you’re traveling in a group and don’t mind spliting the cost. Keep in mind that the driver may not speak English, however the benefit of pre-booking is that they will already know where to take you, so there’s no need to worry about miscommunications.
Pre-booked shared taxi: Cost effective comfort
From ¥5,980~90 minutes
The luxury cheapo’s choice is a shared taxi — most of the convenience of a private transfer, but quite a lot cheaper. Price per person starts at just under ¥6,000 and you can book online here.
Limousine Bus: Convenient but currently unavailable
¥3,60090 to 120 minutes
If you aren’t keen on taking the train to Shibuya Station from Narita, you can always hop onto an airport limousine bus. These buses run to major stations and hotels across Tokyo, including in Shibuya.
Regardless of where you’re headed in Shibuya, you’re looking at a cost of about ¥3,600 one way and around 90 minutes of travel time. Though this option isn’t available at the time of updating (June 2023), it may change in the future once inbound tourism picks up.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use my JR Pass to get from Narita Airport to Shibuya?
No, assuming you are planning to stay in Shibuya for at least one night, it’s not worth using your JR Pass for this trip. It’s better to use the JR Pass for long journeys on the Shinkansen.
Is Shibuya a good place to stay in Tokyo?
Yes, Shibuya can be a good place to stay if you don’t mind crowds and the noise that comes with them. It’s central and well-connected to other tourist attractions in Tokyo, however the Shinkansen doesn’t stop at Shibuya Station. For more on where to stay in Tokyo, check out our full guide.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in December, 2016. Last updated December 2024 by Maria Danuco.
