Tips · Japan
Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO) to Nagoya City
Chubu Centrair (NGO) to Nagoya: Meitetsu limited express (all reserved seats), regular express or airport bus: times, fares, where to stay and a checklist.
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Three ways from Chubu Centrair (NGO) into the city
Nagoya's main airport is Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). It sits on an artificial island in the sea, so you reach the city either by train from the airport station or by airport bus. First check which airport is printed on your ticket.
There are three main options: the fastest Meitetsu limited express (all reserved seats), the Meitetsu regular express trains with no reserved-seat fee, and airport buses to Nagoya Station, Fushimi, Sakae and more. Below we cover times and fares for each, which areas suit each drop-off point, and what to sort out on arrival day and departure day.
Two kinds of Meitetsu train: limited express (all reserved) or regular express
The fastest train from the airport station to Nagoya Station is the Meitetsu limited express. All seats are reserved, so there is an extra reserved-seat fee. It takes about 30 minutes to Nagoya Station and costs about 1,200-1,500 JPY.
The Meitetsu regular express trains need no reserved-seat fee. They are slightly slower, about 35-50 minutes to Nagoya Station, but cheaper at about 900-1,000 JPY, and IC transit cards work.
If arriving quickly matters most, take the limited express; if you'd rather save money, take a regular express train. When you buy a ticket, check whether your train is the limited express with the reserved-seat fee.
Airport bus: towards Nagoya Station, Fushimi and Sakae
Airport buses run to Nagoya Station, Fushimi, Sakae and nearby cities. The ride into town takes about 1 hour.
City-bound buses run only a few times a day, though. If you plan to take one, check routes and times on the official site before you travel. Check bus fares officially too.
At a glance
Here are the three options side by side by time, fare and key points. All times and fares are approximate.
- Meitetsu limited express (all reserved seats): about 30 min to Nagoya Station · about 1,200-1,500 JPY · fastest, with an extra reserved-seat fee
- Meitetsu regular express trains: about 35-50 min to Nagoya Station · about 900-1,000 JPY · no reserved-seat fee, IC transit cards work
- Airport bus: about 1 hour to town · check official fares · city-bound buses run only a few times a day
- Where you get off: airport trains at Nagoya Station (they also stop at Kanayama); airport buses at Nagoya Station, Fushimi, Sakae and more
Where the airport train stops: around Nagoya Station and Kanayama
On a first visit, the area around Nagoya Station is a safe base. It is the transport hub for the airport train, the shinkansen and local lines, which makes airport runs and day trips easy, and it has plenty of department stores and restaurants.
Airport trains also stop at Kanayama. It is near Atsuta Shrine, quieter, with reasonable hotel prices. Atsuta Shrine is one of Japan's major shrines, surrounded by woods; its grounds are large and quiet and good for a morning walk.
Fushimi, Sakae and Osu are linked by subway
Fushimi lies between Nagoya Station and Sakae, close to everything by subway, with many business hotels. Sakae is the main downtown, with department stores, shops and restaurants, and it is lively at night. Both are among the stops the airport buses serve.
If you came in by train to Nagoya Station, carry on by subway. Most sights, including Nagoya Station, Sakae, the castle and Atsuta Shrine, are on the subway, and you can tap in with an IC transit card.
Osu and Kamimaezu form an old shopping district with temples and street food, walkable to Sakae. The red temple of Osu Kannon is in this area too.
Arrival-day and departure-day checklist
What to sort out before you travel and when you head back to the airport.
- Check that the airport on your ticket is Chubu Centrair (NGO)
- Entry procedures and online arrival forms can change, so check Japanese government or embassy information before you travel
- Get an IC transit card: one card covers the subway, buses and the airport train
- Carry some yen in cash: some small restaurants and shops are still cash-only
- If you plan to take the airport bus, check routes and times on the official site in advance
- Departure day: it is 30+ minutes by train from Nagoya Station to the airport, so leave with plenty of time
- If a typhoon is coming, check flight and train notices
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FAQ
What is the fastest way from Chubu Centrair to Nagoya Station?
The Meitetsu limited express (all reserved seats). It takes about 30 minutes to Nagoya Station and costs about 1,200-1,500 JPY, with an extra reserved-seat fee.
Can I use an IC transit card on the airport train?
One IC transit card covers the subway, buses and the airport train, and the Meitetsu regular express trains, which have no reserved-seat fee, accept IC cards. The all-reserved limited express has an extra reserved-seat fee.
Where do the airport buses go?
To Nagoya Station, Fushimi, Sakae and nearby cities, taking about 1 hour into town. City-bound buses run only a few times a day, so check routes, times and fares on the official site.
When should I leave for the airport on departure day?
The airport is on an island in the sea, so it is 30+ minutes by train even from Nagoya Station. Leave with plenty of time.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Nagoya Castle and the Nagoya Station skyline · なごやか / CC0
- JR East Yamanote Line E235 series train · Rsa / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Airport rail platform (Hong Kong Airport Station) · MNXANL / CC BY-SA 4.0