In this article we will look at all options for traveling between Narita Airport and Nagoya Station. It is possible to make this journey by train, bus, plane, and car, but by far the easiest and most convenient way to go is usually by train. Although there are no direct trains between these two destinations, it is very easy to make a transfer in Tokyo.
From Narita Airport you can take the Narita Express limited express service into Tokyo, and then transfer to a shinkansen bullet train for Nagoya. Times vary, but with a well-timed Narita Express and a fast Nozomi transfer, the rail journey can be close to three hours. You should still allow extra time for the transfer and for reaching the correct Narita terminal. Let’s look at the details of this train route first and then consider other travel options.
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Traveling by Train
The Narita Express train is a fast and comfortable service linking Narita Airport with Tokyo. This train stops at both Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station. At either station you can transfer to the shinkansen bullet train. The fastest Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in 53 minutes, and current ordinary-car fares are 3,140 yen to Tokyo and 3,330 yen to Shinagawa, Shibuya or Shinjuku.
Whether you transfer at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station depends on when you leave Narita Airport. Sometimes traveling via Shinagawa Station will get you to Nagoya sooner, and because Shinagawa is a smaller station, it can also be easier to navigate than Tokyo Station.
Narita Express train at Shinagawa Station
From Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station there are three types of shinkansen you can take to Nagoya. These are the Nozomi, the Hikari and the Kodama. The Kodama is the slowest because it stops at every station on the way and takes about two hours and 50 minutes. The Nozomi is the fastest and most frequent train and travels between Tokyo and Nagoya in just over 1 hour and 40 minutes.
If you wish to use the Japan Rail Pass, the Hikari is the main regular choice without an extra Nozomi supplement. Nozomi is not valid with the pass alone, but pass holders can ride by buying the special Nozomi/Mizuho ticket before boarding. The Tokyo-Nagoya supplement is currently 4,180 yen. The current non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Nagoya is 10,560 yen. Reserved-seat fares vary by train type, season and booking product, so check the fare shown when booking.
Shinkansen bullet trains at Nagoya Station
When traveling from Nagoya Station to Narita Airport you can simply take the same route in reverse. However, remember that Narita Airport has separate rail stations. Use Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station for Terminal 1. Use Narita Airport Terminal 2-3 Station, also called Airport Terminal 2 Station, for Terminals 2 and 3. Terminal 3 passengers should allow extra time to walk or use the terminal shuttle from Terminal 2.
For Narita Express timetables and information about discounted round trip tickets check the official Narita Express website. To plan your overall route we recommend using current route finders such as Jorudan and checking shinkansen fares and seat availability with official Tokaido Shinkansen booking tools.
Traveling by Bus
You can save some money by taking a bus from Narita Airport into Tokyo before transferring to a shinkansen for Nagoya. The low-cost Airport Bus TYO-NRT links Narita Airport with Tokyo Station and Ginza. The regular adult fare is currently 1,500 yen, but the journey time depends on traffic, so it is harder to schedule your ongoing journey. If you plan to connect to a shinkansen, leave a generous buffer.
A JR Bus leaving Nagoya Station for Tokyo
Alternatively, you could take an Airport Limousine bus from Narita Airport to the Shinjuku area in Tokyo and then transfer to a highway express bus service for Nagoya. Airport Limousine buses serve Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal on some services, and the current fare is 3,600 yen for adults and 1,800 yen for children. Travel time varies by terminal, stop and traffic, but current timetables commonly show about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. For more details check the Airport Limousine website.
Two bus groups run both daytime and overnight highway express bus services from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Nagoya. The JR Bus group runs services between Tokyo or Shinjuku and Nagoya, but times, stops and fares vary by date, service and seat type. To look up current times and fares check the Kousokubus.net website.
A highway express bus at Meitetsu Bus Center, Nagoya bound for Shinjuku
Meitetsu Bus and associate companies operate services between Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal and the Meitetsu Bus Center at Nagoya Station. These services take about 6 hours during the day and longer overnight, depending on the departure. Meitetsu Bus now uses dynamic web pricing on this route, and counter, phone and onboard fares vary by day type, so check the current fare when booking. For more details check the Meitetsu Bus website.
Traveling by Air
It is possible to take a domestic flight between Narita Airport and Chubu Centrair International Airport near Nagoya. JAL and ANA operate direct flights between the two airports with a scheduled flight time of about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Fares vary by airline, date and booking timing, so check current airline prices before choosing this option. Remember also to include the time needed for airport procedures at both ends.
Meitetsu Railway run Limited Express services between Chubu Airport and Nagoya
To travel between Chubu Airport and Nagoya, you have several options. The fastest rail link is the Meitetsu mu-SKY, which reaches Meitetsu Nagoya Station in as little as 28 minutes. The current adult total is 1,430 yen: a 980-yen regular fare plus a 450-yen mu ticket for the reserved first-class seat. Ordinary-car Meitetsu trains are cheaper at 980 yen, but take longer depending on the departure. Do not rely on the old Centrair Limousine Bus to Meitetsu Bus Center, which is suspended. For more options see our article: Traveling Between Chubu Centrair International Airport and Nagoya.
Traveling by Car
To drive between Narita Airport and Nagoya can take around 4 to 5 hours in good conditions. Tolls are often around 10,000 yen on common expressway routes, but they vary by route, vehicle class, ETC use, date and traffic. For information about car rental companies at Narita Airport check the airport website. Narita Airport lists rental car counters in Terminals 1 and 2, and Terminal 3 passengers should use the Terminal 2 counters. Some reliable car rental companies near Nagoya Station are Nissan, Times Car Rental, and Toyota.
Staying Overnight at Narita Airport
If your plane arrives late at Tokyo Narita Airport or you have an early departing flight you may need to stay overnight. There are several hotels near the airport with free shuttle bus service to and from the airport. Narita Tobu Hotel Airport is the closest hotel to the airport and has free airport shuttle access. nine hours capsule hotel is located inside Narita Airport’s Terminal 2, but it is landside in the general area, so international transfer passengers must enter Japan to use it.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 20-Jul-2026.
