The Narita Express (N'EX) is a railway that goes directly from Narita Airport to select areas in and around Tokyo. In this article I'll walk you through every step - from getting to the NE'X to buying your tickets - because the journey doesn't have to be stressful and you can enjoy your destination!
The Narita Airport has a very efficient layout. No matter what Terminal you arrive in, you can find the NE'X on floor B1F. Once you've made your way to the bottom floor, you will have or are going to either...
1. Purchase your tickets online
If you purchased your tickets on the JR East Railway Company's official website, please tell me how you did it! Many of the fellow travelers I have met have encountered the same problem as me - transaction denied. It seems like the website tends to block foreign transactions. There's nothing to fear, though. If you're a Type-A, "everything must be planned ahead," kind of person like myself, you can always purchase your ticket through a third-party vendor. I use Klook to purchase my N'EX tickets.
Every third-party site may have different directions, but generally, you would take your QR code to the kiosk by the JR office (it looks like an ATM).
Scan your tickets.
The tickets will be printed out.
Once you get to the automatic ticket gate, feed your ticket into the slip and it should be returned to you on the other side.
Be sure to keep those tickets as you need to do the same thing at your destination station to get out.
2.Purchase your tickets at the kiosk
Purchasing your tickets at the kiosk is just as convenient as purchasing online.
Find the kiosk.
This will be located near the JR office.
Select your preferred language at the top of the screen.
Select how many tickets you are purchasing and your destination.
If you are purchasing tickets for a larger group of people, you may want to utilize the first or third option as the ticket machine only allows a purchase for up to 8 people per transaction.
Once you get to the automatic ticket gate, feed your ticket into the slip and it should be returned to you on the other side.
3. Purchase your tickets at the JR Office
I find this option convenient for two scenarios: you are purchasing a JR pass or you are buying tickets for a large group. The JR pass includes rides on the NE'X, so if you are utilizing a JR Pass, see step 4 on options 1 or 2.
If you are buying a JR pass or just a ton of tickets, line up and the employees will gladly walk you through purchasing the correct tickets. Be sure to keep your passport on hand because you do need to prove that you're a foreigner to receive a JR Pass.
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