Plane spotting at Narita Airport

Narita International Airport (NRT/RJAA) is the major airport serving International flights to Tokyo, although located in Chiba to be exact. The airport is quite far from the city, meanwhile Haneda Airport is located in the center of Tokyo.

How to get there?

Since NRT is quite far away from Tokyo, I suggest taking trains to avoid traffic jam. Buses are alright but I haven't tried it so I will mention it briefly.

The fastest train linking the city and the airport is the Keisei Skyliner. It has only 2 stations in town, Ueno (Terminus) and Nippori respectively, where you can change for JR trains to other places. As Skyliner runs at a maximum speed of 160km/h, making it the fastest train after Shinkansen, the trip takes only around 45 minutes. Single trip costs 2,470 yen.

Besides Skyliner, Keisei also provide cheaper train between eastern part of Tokyo and Narita Airport, the Access Express. It uses the same route as Skyliner, the Sky Access Line, but it has more stops in the middle. Some Access Express even bound for Haneda Airport, making it the easiest way to travel between 2 airports. Please be reminded that there are also trains going to Narita Airport, but it uses Keisei Main Line which is slower, so have a look before boarding.

Keisei Skyliner at Higashi-Matsudo station.

However, if you have JR rail pass or you need to travel further, JR Narita Express (N'EX) may be another choice to you, although it is slower. All N'EX stop at Tokyo Station, then they will bound for other places like Yokohama or Omiya. Originally ticket price is generally more expensive than Skyliner+Normal JR trains, but return ticket is available at airport with the price being 4,000 yen only (Available to Foreign travelers only), and that's cheaper if you are not in a hurry cuz you can use the ticket to travel on some local JR lines (within the Tokyo area). Trip between Tokyo Station and Airport will be around 70 minutes.

And I heard that there is 1,000 yen bus service between Tokyo Station and the airport, but I haven't tried that as I am afraid of traffic jam. Time is money for spotting! 8)

What can I spot? Why should I go there?

A large variety of aircraft from different parts of the world, examples are Pakistan and Mexico. In my opinion, spotting here is better than doing so in Hong Kong as what we can spot at HKG are mostly available at NRT too.

Pakistan International Airlines

Airbus A310-308

AeroMexico

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

N783AM

Delta Air Lines

Boeing 757-26D

N820DX

Where should I spot?

There are various spots outside the airport, but I have only been to the observation decks inside airport area so I will only cover them.

Most photos seen on the Internet are spotted at Terminal 1 Observation Deck, as all widebody jets take off from runway 16R/34L, even if the plane lands on runway 16L/34R. Terminal 2 also had a limited view of runway 16L/34R and taxiway between 2 runways so Terminal 1 would be where most spotters go.

One important thing of spotting at NRT terminals is that the fences between observation deck and planes are rigid with some holes, unlike the one in Haneda where you can put your lens between wires. Therefore you should find and secure a hole for spotting! lol

Terminal 1 Photos:

Terminal 2 Photos:

The roof is pretty useless when it's raining...

T'way Airlines

Boeing 737-8Q8(WL)

HL8030