Narita airport to Kuramae train

There are a dozen different trains that go from Narita to Tokyo.

Keisei is one of the companies providing services. It owns 2 different tracks between the airport and Tokyo.

One of the physical tracks(the newer one) is called Narita Sky Access. On that line there are several trains, the fastest and most expensive of which is called the Skyliner. Their are several cheaper trains that also use the line, they just make more stops.

Don't use Google Maps for train information in Japan, use Hyperdia:

www.hyperdia.com

It will accurately show you the different options. You might have to untick some boxes in order to get cheaper trains.

Basically, there are both faster, more expensive options, and cheaper, slower options. The system is complicated!

As No. 2 suggests, use Hyperdia. I also checked with Yahoo Transit (a Japanese-language site), and it appears the cheapest way is 1100 yen. It involves taking a Keisei Main Line limited express train bound for Keisei-Ueno to Keisei-Takasago, then changing to another Keisei Main Line train leaving from Platform 1 and going toward Nishi-Magome - Kuramae is the ninth stop from Keisei-Takasago. Travel time is around 90 minutes.

Ok that makes sense thanks, but it doesn't exactly answer my question?

So the Sky Access track is the one I need to take i guess, and i need to get on the SkyLiner train, i assume this will be somewhat easy to figure out in the airport and book there will it?

Main thing i need to know is, does this train run all the way from Narita to Kuramae, or will i need to get off and get on another train at a certain station? Also do I need to book this ticket at a ticket desk or on a machine as i have zero Japanese and will be travelling alone?

That Hyperdia website is kind of confusing too to be honest!

The Hyperdia website is as good as it gets. The problem is that the Japanese railway system is complex, and confusing.

The answer is that there are multiple options for trains. There are trains that cost 2650 Yen, trains that cost 1290 Yen, and trains that cost 1100 Yen. The more expensive ones are usually a bit faster - and will be more comfortable - but it depends exactly on when you leave. At certain times of day, one of the cheaper trains will actually be just as fast.

For all of these options, you will have to change trains at least once. How many times you need to change, and where exactly you need to change, will depend on what particular set of trains you decide to take. Use Hyperdia for details.

There will be both machines and ticket desks at the airport train station where you can buy tickets. Make sure you know in advance what ticket you want, and therefore how much it should cost. You won't need any Japanese skills to do this.

As for where to change. It might be a little different, if you get on a funny train, but generally:

2650 Yen trains - These will take you directly to Ueno. You'll need to walk out the station in Ueno, and transfer to a subway line from a station about a 5 minute walk away. You'll need to purchase two separate tickets on this route. I wouldn't recommend it.

1290 trains - I'm not sure if there are other options in this price range, but most of these trains run between Narita Airport and Haneda Airport. They actually go right through Kuramae station, without stopping. So, you have to switch to a slower, regular subway train on the same line, which will stop at Kuramae station. The place to do this is at Oshiage station. You will just get off the train, stay on the same platform, and wait for a slower train. You probably won't have to wait more than 2 minutes. On this route, you'd buy one ticket (for 1290 Yen) in Narita Airport.

1100 Yen trains - These are a little complicated, since many different kinds of trains run on that line. You need to try and catch a faster one - a Main Line Limited Express, say. There are different places where you can change on this route, but it's probably easiest to just change in Aoto. You should only need to change once. I can't remember whether or not you need to change platforms when you change trains - I suspect not, but can't guarantee that for sure. Again, on this route, you would purchase a single ticket, for 1100 Yen, at Narita Airport. The problem with this line is that there are lots of trains in lots of different classes, and if you accidentally find yourself on a local train, it will take you an age to get into Tokyo.

Good luck!

I can see why a Tokyo neophyte finds Hyperdia confusing. It offers just too many options, including many different trains running on the same tracks!

So, to boil it down, here are two options for you:
a) The Pay More option: Take the Skyliner Train (easy to find, easy to book, easy to buy ticket for) to Ueno Station downtown. From Ueno depending on your budget and preferences: Walk to Kuramae (about 2.3 km), take a taxi, or find your way to the Tokyo Metro Oedo line (at Ueno-Okachimachi station) and ride the metro two stops to Kuramae

b) The Less expensive train option: Do not take the Skyliner, which dopesn't stop between Narita and Downtown. Instead, ask for the Keisei Limited Express that goes through to Aoto. (You will have to ask staff, to make sure you are getting on the right train.) It takes about an hour to get to Aoto. There, change to a Keisei Oshiage line train, preferably a "limited expess". At Oshiage , change to the subway and go two stations to Kuramae. You should be able to buy a single ticket at Narita that will go the whole distance.

Thank you so much to both of you for taking the time to explain all that! This is exactly the info i need.

I'm probably over complicating things and stressing too much, i'm going to be coming off a 40 hour journey to get to Tokyo from Chile and will probably be half asleep so just want to know what i need to do so i don't take a train to the middle of nowhere ha! The 1290 Yen train sounds like the right plan, not too expensive and only 1 change :)

Really excited for my first trip to Japan!

I was similarly a 1st time visitor to Japan in April - I too was worried about negotiating the train network but there is really no need to stress, it’s all incredibly efficient. (Used to the UK transport system, the Japanese one is like a perfect dream!)

The people at the Keisei desk in Narita spoke English and signs are also in English so it’s very straightforward.
The ¥1290 train - Keisei Narita Sky Access Express for Haneda to Aoto - left from Track 3 (42mins). We didn’t have to change there, it went on to Oshiage (6mins) then you switch to the subway (Asakusa line) and Kuramae is the next stop after Asakusa. Have fun!