How To Buy Narita Express Train Ticket and Reserve Your Seat at Ticketing Machine
- Are you fed up with standing in long queues at the JR Ticket Office or JR East Travel Service Center at Narita or Haneda airport just to buy a Narita Express train ticket?
- Do you have a planned schedule and better things to do for the day rather than standing in line for what seems like forever?
- Do you relish the ease of buying your ticket and selecting a seat within a few minutes?
- Or do you simply just want to find your train seat and crash for an hour or so before arriving at your central Tokyo hotel?
As a Japan enthusiast and seasoned traveler, I want to share with you a step-by-step guide on how to easily and simply use the ticket vending machine at Narita International Airport (or Haneda airport, whichever airport you arrive in) to purchase your Narita Express (N’EX) train ticket and reserve your seat.
With very few people using these ticketing machines, the line for these machines is pretty much non-existent. And the whole ticket purchase process only takes you less than 10 minutes, compared to the 40 to 60 minutes at the ticket office queue. A huge time-saver!
I will provide you with all the necessary information to confidently buy and reserve your Narita Express train seat at the ticket vending machine, all in just a few minutes, making your Japan adventure stress-free and enjoyable. So let’s go!
Note : In case you decide you want to book your train even before arriving in Japan, you can reserve your Narita Express train ticket and seat in advance online. See my easy step-by-step guide on how to do that here.
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Or check out my done-for-you Ultimate Japan Travel Itinerary and Guide (14 Days, Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka – Hakone – Hiroshima) here.
Why Buy and Reserve Your Narita Express Train Ticket and Seat at a Ticket Vending Machine Instead of at the JR East Travel Service Center?
- It’s common for most tourists to seek assistance at the JR Ticket Office, resulting in long tiring queues at the JR East Travel Service Center or JR Ticket Office.
- Buying a train ticket takes anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes at the ticket office
- You want to avoid large and loud groups of people
- If you’re short on time or have a tight and planned schedule for the day
- Getting your ticket easily and efficiently in under 10 minutes is a thrill, and makes you feel like a badass.
- You are curious and enjoy the adventure of trying the fantastic Japanese ticketing machine at Narita or Haneda airport
How to Use a Ticket Vending Machine to Buy a N’EX Train Ticket and Reserve a Seat in Under 10 Minutes
Step 1 : Locate the Train Station Area in the Airport
Upon clearing immigration and baggage pickup at Narita International Airport, you will see yourself at the Arrivals area of your terminal. To buy your train ticket, you will need to go to the train station area at Narita International Airport, which is located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
In both terminals, the train station is in the basement, and can be accessed via the BF1 level of the terminal by escalator or elevator.
There is no train station in Terminal 3. So if your plane happens to arrive at Terminal 3, just take the free airport shuttle bus to Terminal 2 in order to access the Terminal 2 train station.
Several signs and directions are available throughout the airport to guide you to the train station area at BF1 level.
Step 2 : Find the Ticket Vending Machines
Once arriving at the train station area in the basement level (BF1) of your terminal, you can easily spot the Narita Express ticketing area near the entrance by its vibrant red color. And the machines are conveniently arranged in a row there.
If you don’t see the ticketing area, keep an eye out for the ‘Narita Express‘ signs on the overhead signs and displays, and follow it to get there.
In case you have any trouble finding the machines, don’t worry – there are friendly information desks and train station staff nearby who would be more than happy to assist you.
Step 3 : Change the Language Setting on the Machine to the Language of Your Choice
To choose your desired language, simply tap on the ‘Language’ button located at the top of the screen. You’ll have a variety of options to pick from, including English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and many others.
Click on it to change to English or a language of your choice :
Step 4 : Click on the Narita Express Train Ticket Option
Now that the language changes to English (or your preferred language), you can see many different options available.
On the top left of the main screen, click on the red button displaying the words ‘For Seat Reservation on Narita Express (N’EX)’ to start buying your Narita Express train ticket and reserving a seat.
Step 5 : Select to Reserve a Seat on Your N’EX Train
The next screen displays 2 options. Select the button ‘For Seat Reservation on Narita Express (N’EX)’ to reserve a seat on the train.
Step 6 : Choose Your Train Departure Station
Now the machine will display the departure train station where it is located in, and also allows us to change the departure station to another station if we decide to board the Narita Express from somewhere else.
In this scenario, let’s pretend we are currently at Terminal 2 Train Station of Narita International Airport, and intend to board the Narita Express at the same area. Therefore, we will want to click on the ‘Narita Apt Terminal 2-3’ button.
If you are currently at another train station and not at the airport, and you wish to buy a N’EX train ticket to board the train from that same station, then you will need to click on the ‘Other Stations’ button, in order to find your station name and buy a ticket to travel from there.
See the screen below for an example of other stations to choose from :
Step 7 : Choose the Number of Passengers
The next screen displays a variety of options and customizations of the number of passengers needing train tickets.
If you are the only one traveling, choose ‘1 Adult’. If you are traveling with others, choose the option that reflects the number of people in your party.
Step 8 : Choose Your Desired Train Time and Ticket Type
The next screen will display all available trains with different train times. Click on the train time that is best for your travel needs.
The screen also lists all types of tickets you can choose from : Ordinary car ticket, Green car (first-class) ticket, or Non-reserved ticket.
Both Ordinary car ticket and Green car ticket will guarantee you an assigned seat on the Narita Express.
The only difference between the two is that the Green car (first-class) ticket is more expensive, comes with a very spacious seat, with leather upholstery instead of fabric.
A Non-reserved seat on the train guarantees you a spot on the train, however not an assigned seat, so if all the seats on the train are fully booked or taken, you might need to stand for the duration of the trip.
Choose your train time, and click on the ticket/seat type which you prefer. In this scenario, let’s choose an Ordinary Car ticket.
Step 9 : Select Your Seat on the Train
You will be asked to choose a seat preference, such as window or aisle, and the left or right side of the train :
- If you choose Seat A , B, C or D, you will get assigned a seat type (window or aisle on a specific side) according to your choice, on a train car assigned by the machine.
- If you choose ‘Any seat OK’, you will get randomly assigned a seat by the machine.
- If you want to pick your own seat according to the seat map, click on ‘Select from Seat Map’ button.
Step 10 and 11 are for those who want to pick their own train car and seat from the seat map. If you travel alone or with a group and don’t need specific seats together, you can skip ahead to Step 12.
Step 10 : Select Your Train Car
This step is for those who want to pick their own seat. To see all currently available seats on the train and choose your seat from the actual map, click on the ‘Select from Seat Map’ button.
As we previously selected an Ordinary Car ticket, we will be shown all available Ordinary train cars with open seats to choose from.
Select a train car to proceed :
Step 11 : Select Your Seat
Now that we have chosen a train car, the screen will display the seat map for that specific train car, and all open seats (those with a green circle). Click on the seat you want to reserve.
Step 12 : Confirm Your Departing and Arrival Stations
The next screen will give you a high level look at your itinerary. Make sure to check and make sure that your starting point and ending point are correct, and click ‘Select’ to move forward.
Step 13 : Choose Either a One-way or Roundtrip Ticket
The next screen will ask you whether you want a one-way ticket (‘Purchase Outbound Ticket Only’) or a roundtrip ticket (‘Purchase Return Ticket Also’).
If you only need a ticket from Narita Airport to central Tokyo, then the one-way ticket option is all you need.
Tip : If you plan to return to Narita within 14 days from now, you could choose to buy a roundtrip ticket. Opting for the roundtrip ticket option now will give you a nice 30% fare discount, compared to if you would have bought 2 separate one-way tickets.
Step 14 : Confirm All Your Travel Details
The screen now shows all train ticket details, and ask you to confirm all is good before finalizing the ticket fare. Click ‘Confirm’ to proceed.
Step 15 : Pay for Your Ticket
The machine will now tell you the total fare for your ticket. Both cash and credit cards are accepted payment. Or you could also use an IC card (a very awesome transit card used to easily and conveniently pay for public transports in Japan), such as Suica or Pasmo.
Retrieve your train ticket from the machine. Make sure to take all your change and receipts if you used cash.
Congrats! You have now successfully bought a one-way Narita Express train ticket from Terminal 2 of Narita International Airport to Shinjuku Station using the ticket vending machine.
I Have My Narita Express Train Ticket. What’s Next?
The Narita Express trains depart from the basement level of either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. To catch your train, locate your platform and car by following the overhead signs and directions at the airport.
Once you arrive at the train terminal, simply insert your ticket into the ticket slot at the entrance of the platform. The machine will stamp your ticket with the date and time to confirm its use. Don’t forget to retrieve your ticket after passing through the terminal.
Next, locate your train and car, stand in line until instructed to board the train, and finally, find your seat. If you opted for a non-reserved seat, feel free to sit in any available seat in the designated Non-reserved car. However, if you chose a reserved seat, your ticket will indicate your specific seat number.
You can store your luggage in the luggage storage area at the front of each train car. Carry-ons and smaller bags can be stored on the overhead luggage rack above the seats. Now it’s time to sit back, have a snack or drink, and enjoy your ride to Tokyo!
What If I Want to Reserve my N’EX Train Ticket and Seat Before Going to Japan? Is It Possible?
Absolutely! If you travel during busy touristy seasons, such as cherry blossoms time in April, the Golden Week in late April to May, or summer time, when there are so many visitors to Japan and demand is high, it is strongly recommended that you get your ticket online and early before arriving in Japan. That way you are guaranteed a spot on the train to Tokyo, and can have some peace of mind upon your arrival.
How to buy a Narita Express train ticket and book a seat online? Easy! Check out the simple and easy step-by-step guide in my ‘Narita Express (N’EX) Train Ticket – Step-By-Step Guide to Buy and Reserve Your Seat Online’ post here.
Where Can I Find More Information on the Narita Express Train?
Check out my all-thing Narita Express Train info post here, where I address any questions you could possible have and need on the train, and answer them all.
If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to share your own travel stories, I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out to me at evelyn@japanoncloudnine.com, and let’s chat. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post, and happy travels in Japan!
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