Ueno is a major hub that’s chock full of museums, green spots and temples. It’s in this district that you’ll find the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Western Art, among other educational attractions, and Ueno Park and Ueno Zoo are two other popular features of the area. To get from Narita to Ueno, we recommend the following options.

What are your options for getting from Narita Airport to Ueno?

Take your pick from the NRT-Ueno transfers below.

TransportComfortConveniencePriceTimeTransferBooking Link
Train – Keisei Skyliner★★★★☆★★★★☆¥2,75048 minutes NoBook here
Train – Keisei Main Line★☆☆☆☆★☆☆☆☆¥1,4701 hr 40 minNoNot available
Train – Narita Express★★★★★★★★★☆¥3,25090 minutesJR Line At TokyoNot available
Bus – Limousine bus★★★☆☆★★★★☆¥3,200approx 90 min (depends on traffic)JR Yamanote at ShinjukuBook here
Taxi – pre-booked★★★★★★★★★★¥18,000 (per car)approx 90 min (depends on traffic)NoBook here
Taxi – Shared prviate taxi★★★★☆★★★☆☆¥7,150 (per person)approx 90 min (depends on traffic) + wait timeNoBook here
Taxi – Regular taxi★★★★★★★★★★¥27,500 (per car)approx 90 min (depends on traffic)NoNot available
Keisei Skyliner Express from Narita to Tokyo
The sexy Skyliner. | Photo by iStock.com/amnachphoto

Keisei Skyliner: The fastest and easiest option

By far the quickest and simplest option is to board the Keisei Skyliner train from Narita Airport (at either of the terminal stations). This will take you right to Keisei Ueno Station, which is a 5-10 minute walk from JR Ueno Station and Tokyo Metro Ueno Station, in under 45 minutes for the price of ¥2,470 yen one way. You can buy a ticket online in advance.

Pro tip: Looking to stash your bags in Ueno? There are coin lockers at Keisei Ueno Station, JR Ueno Station and Tokyo Metro Ueno Station. Read more about storing luggage in Tokyo.

Keisei Main Line: The cheapest option

If you have time and you’d like to save some yens, you can take the Keisei Main Line train to Ueno instead. The Limited Express trains (departing from Track 2 and 3 at Narita Airport stations) will get you to Keisei Ueno Station in 80-90 minutes. To avoid a transfer at Nippori Station, make sure the train you board terminates at Keisei Ueno Station. You’re looking at a total travel cost of just ¥1,050

Pro tip: Read our guide to taking the Keisei Line from Narita Airport.

Suggested Activity
Special 30% discount coupon for Tokyo/Japan Activities & Experiences
Use coupon code "CHEAPO30" to get a whopping 30% off activities and experiences when you spend 5,000yen (~35USD) or more on Wamazing Play - from sumo to hedgehog cafes, all the fun to be had in Tokyo!

Low-cost shared taxi: The convenient but costly option

If you’ve got heavy baggage and you don’t want to haul it through the various Ueno train stations, a pre-booked service for about ¥19,400, lowest stress option and good value if you’re in a group of 4 or more. There’s also this shared private taxi service that costs around ¥7,000 per person.

Note: Ueno is in Taito-ku, this is in Tokyo’s 23 wards area that you’ll see listed under drop-off points.

Limousine Bus: Convenient and affordable

Alternatively, you can take an airport limousine bus from Narita to nearby Tokyo Station, and then a train or taxi from there to your accommodation. The bus runs to major hotels in the area, so check your booking to see if you can get dropped off right outside the door. Tickets cost about ¥3,000 one way, but discounts are available. Book here.

Going somewhere else or want more details on the various routes from Narita to Tokyo? Check out our full airport transfer guide. You might also want to see a list of free things to do in Ueno.

Pro tip: Ueno Park is a 5-minute walk from the Ueno train stations. You can be there in a jiffy — simply follow the signs when you arrive on the train from Narita Airport.

tokyo cherry blossom sakura ueno park
Ueno Park | Photo by iStock.com/smalldaruma

Need to get from Ueno to Narita Airport, i.e. the reverse route? Your options are virtually identical — just flip the arrival and departure points.

While we do our utmost to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in December, 2016. Last updated April, 2020.

Ask our local experts about Tokyo

Get our Tokyo Cheapo Hacks direct to your inbox

Watch this next