How to Get from Chubu Centrair Airport to Nagoya
September 12, 2026
Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) serves as the primary international gateway for Nagoya and central Japan, built on an artificial island in Ise Bay. Centrair has no JR (Japan Railways) station: its only railway is the private Meitetsu line, so visitors should expect a different rail operator and layout upon arrival.
Quick Answer
- To Nagoya Station via μSKY: Take the Meitetsu μSKY limited express for the fastest, direct, all-reserved-seat journey to Meitetsu Nagoya Station.
- To Nagoya Station via Standard Express: Take a Meitetsu limited express or rapid limited express train and ride in an ordinary car for a budget-friendly alternative with more stops.
- Where to get off — Meitetsu Nagoya or Kanayama? For Nagoya Station, nearby hotels, or connections to the Tokaido Shinkansen toward Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, stay on the Meitetsu train until Meitetsu Nagoya Station. Walk to JR Nagoya Station for the Shinkansen; it does not stop at Kanayama. For Nagoya Port, change at Kanayama to the Meiko subway line toward Nagoyako. For the Sakae or Nagoya Castle areas, change at Kanayama to the Meijo subway line toward Sakae and Ozone (clockwise); Sakae and Nagoya Castle stations are both in this direction. For Ozone and Tajimi, change at Kanayama to the JR Chuo Line. The best route may vary depending on your exact destination.
Typical Times and Fares
One-way adult fares from Central Japan International Airport. Rail times are the fastest journeys; road times depend on traffic.
| Option | To | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| μSKY | Meitetsu Nagoya | 29 min | ¥980 + μticket ¥450 |
| Limited express (ordinary car) | Meitetsu Nagoya | 38 min | ¥980 |
| μSKY | Kanayama | 24 min | ¥910 + μticket ¥450 |
| Limited express (ordinary car) | Kanayama | 32 min | ¥910 |
| Centrair Limousine bus | Sakae | about 55 min | ¥2,000 |
| Nagoya Bus Airport Liner (two departures a day, shortly after midnight and early morning) | Nagoya Station (West Gate) | about 55 min | ¥1,500 (cash only) |
| Taxi | Nagoya Station | about 50 min | about ¥16,000, plus expressway tolls |
Last checked: 20 October 2026, against Meitetsu, Meitetsu Bus and Centrair official information.
Orientation: The Meitetsu Network
The most important operational fact about Centrair is that it has no JR connection at all. The only railway serving the airport is Meitetsu (Nagoya Railroad), a private line that funnels all airport rail traffic northward into the city. Central Nagoya's primary rail hub is centered around Nagoya Station, where Meitetsu, JR, and subway networks meet, though Meitetsu operates from its own distinct station complex.
Transport Options
Meitetsu μSKY (Limited Express)
The Meitetsu μSKY is the premium, high-speed limited express train linking the airport directly to Meitetsu Nagoya Station with minimal intermediate stops. All cars feature reserved seating, and the train requires a reserved-seat supplement ticket (μticket, ¥450) in addition to the base fare.
- Best for: Travelers who want the absolute fastest, most direct ride into central Nagoya with guaranteed, comfortable seating.
- How to buy: Purchase both the base fare ticket and the reserved-seat supplement ticket together at Meitetsu station ticket machines, service counters, or via online reservation platforms.
- Watch out for: A standard IC card tap alone is not enough for the μSKY; you must have a valid reserved-seat supplement ticket before boarding.
Meitetsu Limited Express and Rapid Limited Express
Meitetsu also operates limited express and rapid limited express trains along the same route to Nagoya. These services offer both reserved-seat cars and unreserved cars, running with more frequent stops and a lower overall cost than the μSKY.
- Best for: Budget-conscious travelers looking for a reliable, no-frills rail connection into the city without paying the μSKY premium.
- How to buy: Tap a compatible regional IC card, such as manaca or Suica, directly at the automatic station ticket gates for unreserved riding.
- Watch out for: If you choose a reserved-seat car on these ordinary express trains, you will need a separate supplement ticket just like on the μSKY.
Centrair Limousine and Airport Buses
Meitetsu Bus runs the Centrair Limousine between the airport (Terminal 1, stop 6) and the Fushimi and Sakae areas of central Nagoya. From 1 November 2026, buses leave the airport only from the morning to the late afternoon, so check the timetable if you land in the evening. Buses to Nagoya Station (Meitetsu Bus Center) are currently suspended. For Nagoya Station, Nagoya Bus runs the Airport Liner from Terminal 1 (stop 7) to the West Gate, with only two departures a day: one shortly after midnight and one in the early morning. On this service, fares are cash only, you load your own luggage, and large items may be refused.
- Best for: Passengers traveling with heavy or multiple suitcases, or those whose final destination is located directly near a bus drop-off point in Fushimi or Sakae.
- How to buy: No reservation is needed for the Centrair Limousine. Pay on board in cash, with a transit IC card or with a contactless credit card; some trips do not accept cash.
- Watch out for: Seats are limited, and a ticket does not guarantee a seat on a particular bus. Expressway traffic congestion can cause unpredictable travel delays during peak commuting hours.
Taxis and Late-Night Travel
Taxis wait on the 1st floor of Access Plaza, and at least one taxi company operates 24 hours a day. Because Centrair is located on an offshore island, taxi fares into central Nagoya are substantial (about ¥16,000 to Nagoya Station, plus expressway tolls), but they provide an essential backup for late-night flight arrivals or early departures when trains have stopped.
- Best for: Small groups sharing expenses, passengers with excessive luggage, or travelers arriving after all railway operations have concluded.
- How to buy: Proceed to the official airport taxi pick-up zone on the 1st floor of Access Plaza and board the next available vehicle.
- Watch out for: Taxis are significantly more expensive than public transit options. Check accepted payment methods with the driver before you set off.
Tickets and IC Cards
Regional IC cards, with manaca being the Nagoya-native standard (fully interoperable with Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, and other major Japanese cards), are sold at manaca counters and at manaca-compatible ticket machines marked with the manaca logo (not every machine sells new cards, and purchases are in principle cash only) and can be used for tap-and-ride travel on ordinary Meitetsu trains and buses. However, the μSKY and any reserved-seat cars on ordinary Meitetsu trains always require a separate reserved-seat supplement ticket in addition to your base fare, even if you pay your base fare digitally. For taxis, check accepted payment methods with the driver.
Practical Tips
- Transfer navigation: Meitetsu Nagoya Station is a separate station from JR Nagoya Station, requiring a short walk above or below ground. If you are continuing by Shinkansen bullet train, make this walk to JR Nagoya Station: the Shinkansen does not stop at Kanayama. Kanayama Station is a convenient transfer for the JR Tokaido and Chuo lines and the Meijo and Meiko subway lines.
- Luggage storage: Coin lockers are available at Meitetsu Nagoya Station and major transit nodes, though large sizes fill up quickly during peak travel seasons.
- Rush hour avoidance: Try to avoid boarding ordinary commuter trains with oversized suitcases during the morning and evening rush hours when local trains experience heavy crowding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to reserve a train seat in advance? It depends on the train. The μSKY is fully reserved and requires a seat supplement ticket. Ordinary Meitetsu express trains offer both unreserved and reserved cars, allowing you to choose whether to buy a supplement ticket or simply tap an IC card for an unreserved seat.
Is there a JR train station at Chubu Centrair Airport? No. Centrair has no JR connection at all. The only railway serving the airport is Meitetsu, a private railway network.
Can I use my Suica or PASMO card on the airport trains? Yes. Nationally compatible IC cards like Suica, PASMO, and manaca work for tap-and-ride travel on ordinary Meitetsu trains, though you still need a separate supplement ticket if you ride in a reserved car.
How do I connect to the Shinkansen bullet train? Ride Meitetsu to Meitetsu Nagoya Station, then walk to JR Nagoya Station for the Shinkansen. Do not change at Kanayama Station: the Shinkansen does not stop there.
What should I do if my flight arrives after the trains stop? If you miss the final train departures for the night, check the Nagoya Bus Airport Liner to the West Gate of Nagoya Station, which leaves the airport shortly after midnight, or take a taxi from the pick-up zone on the 1st floor of Access Plaza directly to your destination in central Nagoya.
Updated 20 October 2026: Corrected the Shinkansen transfer advice (the Shinkansen does not stop at Kanayama), added a table of typical times and fares, and updated the information on airport buses, taxis and buying a manaca IC card.