I’m flying from Vancouver to Narita Airport which leaves me about 80 km from Tokyo. There are a number of options for getting to Tokyo from Narita that I have been trying to choose between. Assuming that I still have a room at the Juyoh Hotel here are the 2 routes that I have narrowed it down to.

Option 1: Via JR East N’EX (Narita Express)
-Runs every 30 minutes or less
-Reserved seating
-Can get off along the way as long as you do not leave the station

Route from Narita to Minami Senju
-N’EX from Terminal 1 to Tokyo Station via JR East
-Switch to JR Keihin-Tohoko Line to Ueno Station
-Switch to JR Jooban Express Line to Minami-Senju Station

Travel time is about 84 minutes, 88.4 km.
Cost is ~ ¥3,200 or ~ ¥1,800 with the Suica/N’EX deal

Option 2:  Via Keisei Electric Railway Skyliner  (160 kph)
-Runs every 30-40 minutes
-Reserved seating

Route from Narita to Minami Senju
-Skyliner from Terminal 1 to Nippori Station
-Switch to JR East Jooban Express Line to Minami-Senju station

Travel time is about 61 minutes, 70.6 km. Cost is ~ ¥2,200

At first look it seems that Option 2 is the clear winner being faster and less expensive. However Japan Rail has a deal for tourists where you can get a Suica card with a ¥1,500 credit and a 1 way N’EX fare for ¥3,500. This reduces the Option1 cost to about ¥1,800.

The slower N’EX might actually be better for seeing the city on the way in but I’m not sure how much sight seeing that I will be up for after the flight and customs. Subjectively with jet lag it will feel about midnight after a long day for me  so I think that I will go for Option 2 which has the simpler route with only 1 train transfer and just buy the Suica card separately. Also, blasting into Tokyo at 160 km/h kind of appeals to me.

There is also an Option 3 that I want to mention which is Narita to Tokyo in 20 minutes via helicopter. It would be an awesome way to see the city but at ¥280,000 it’s a bit rich for for me.

Suica & N’EX Deal

N’EX 2 way round trip is only good for 2 weeks so is of no use for me
N’EX 1 way is good for 1 day so buy and use upon arrival
Price is ¥3,500 for N’EX ordinary car 1 way and Suica card and includes
-N’EX from Narita to Tokyo
-Suica card (¥500 deposit) preloaded with ¥1500 credit
-Additional credit can be loaded onto the card at Ticket Machines (cash only)
-Card can be returned and remaining credit and deposit refund