Loading...
First-time visitor to Nagoya? This 2026 guide makes navigating from Chubu Centrair International Airport to the bustling Sakae district a breeze. Discover how to grab your train tickets and start your adventure stress-free.
We earn a commission from Klook.
Nagoya, Japan Travel Guide
How to Get to Downtown Sakae from the Airport
Written & Photographed by ©Hi-Bubu
To enjoy incredible food and the beautiful nature nearby,
so many travelers are choosing to visit Nagoya.
Your Nagoya adventure begins with getting from Chubu Centrair International Airport
to the downtown area.
If it's your first time visiting Nagoya, navigating the transit system can feel a bit confusing.
To make sure you don't get lost, today we'll show you how to get from the airport
right to downtown Sakae!
Once you arrive at Nagoya Airport and finish going through customs,
just follow the signs that say "Train."
You'll find yourself walking down a long corridor.
Follow this path all the way through, and you'll see a large central concourse.
This is where you can buy your airport train tickets.
Next, let's walk through how to purchase your tickets.
You can buy your tickets at the ticket machines shown in the photo,
and the Meitetsu Limited Express train ticket prices are as follows:
📌 Meitetsu Limited Express Ticket Prices
To Nagoya Station: 980 yen
To Kanayama Station: 910 yen
✅ If your accommodation is in Sakae,
you only need to buy a ticket to Kanayama Station.
For context, I was one of the very first to pass through immigration,
so there was barely any line at the ticket machine.
However, I've heard the queues can get pretty long at times.
❗️ If you want to skip the ticket lines altogether,
booking your tickets online in advance is a great option!
Book Nagoya Meitetsu Airport Express Train Tickets
📌 Just a heads up, there are two types of trains that go from the airport to the city:
the Meitetsu Limited Express and the Myu Sky.
The tickets and prices mentioned above
are for the 'Meitetsu Limited Express.'
If you want to use **reserved seating on either the Myu Sky or the Meitetsu Limited Express**,
as shown in the photo, you will need to **purchase a separate 'Myu Ticket'**
which costs 450 yen.
I didn't take the Myu Sky;
instead, I rode the Meitetsu Limited Express.
Select 'Ticket' on the screen,
and choose the fare amount corresponding to your destination station.
Since I planned to get off at Kanayama,
I selected the 910 yen ticket.
Next, select the number of passengers, and then choose your payment method...
Just make your selection and pay the fare.
Once paid, you'll receive a physical train ticket just like the one in the photo.
This ticket is required not only to board the train but also to pass through
the gates when exiting at your destination, so make sure not to lose it!
To board the airport express train,
you'll need to pass your ticket through the gate.
If you're using a physical paper ticket printed on-site,
simply insert it into the ticket slot and pass through,
and if you purchased your ticket online in advance, just
scan the QR code on the reader below to go through.
I hopped on the 7:14 PM express train
and headed over to Platform 3 as shown on the electronic board.
By the way, the airport line gets surprisingly busy,
so unless you've booked a reserved seat ticket,
be prepared that you might have to stand for the journey.
Even in the non-reserved cars, the Meitetsu Limited Express
features comfortable forward-facing seats similar to a high-speed train,
so if you manage to grab a seat, you'll have a very comfortable ride all the way to downtown.
If your accommodation is located near Nagoya Station,
you can stay on the Meitetsu Line all the way there. However,
if you're heading to Sakae, you'll need to transfer along the way.
Since my hotel was in Sakae,
I chose to transfer at Kanayama Station.
There is one important detail to watch out for here.
When transferring at Kanayama, make sure to use
Kanayama Station on the Meijo Line, not the JR Line.
You can easily find the Meijo Line by following
the subway signs, just like in the photos above.
The fare from Kanayama to Sakae is 210 yen,
so simply buy a 210-yen ticket and head on in.
Just for reference, Nagoya's Meijo Line is a loop line
that runs clockwise and counter-clockwise around the city center, much like Tokyo's Yamanote Line.
Make sure to double-check that you're boarding the train heading in the direction of Sakae!
Today, we've walked through how to get from Nagoya Airport to downtown Sakae
step-by-step with all the transfer tips.
Let's wrap things up with a quick recap!
📍 Once you land at Nagoya Airport, you can hop on the Meitetsu Limited Express or
the μ-SKY Limited Express to head straight into the city.
If you're heading to Nagoya Station, it's a direct ride with no transfers.
But if Sakae is your destination, transferring at Kanayama Station
will get you there much faster!
Just remember, when transferring, you'll need the Meijo Line's Kanayama Station,
not the JR Kanayama Station!
I hope this guide helps you navigate your way into the city
smoothly without getting lost when you arrive at Nagoya Airport.
If you want to book your tickets in advance,
be sure to check out the links at the top of this post!
▼ Wondering what to do once you reach Nagoya? ▼
Shirakawago Tour from Nagoya, Japan: Highly Recommended Indigo Travel Review
Must-Visit in Nagoya, Japan: How to Book the Kirin Brewery Tour
To get to Sakae, you need to buy a ticket to Kanayama Station, get off there, and transfer. The Meitetsu Limited Express ticket from the airport to Kanayama Station costs 910 JPY.
To ride the μ-SKY or use a reserved seat on the Meitetsu Limited Express, you must purchase a separate "μ-ticket" in addition to the basic fare ticket. The price of a μ-ticket is 450 JPY.
When transferring at Kanayama Station, you must use the subway Meijo Line, not the JR Line. Since the Meijo Line is a loop line that circles the city center, you must make sure the train is heading towards Sakae before boarding.
For paper tickets issued on-site, simply insert them into the ticket slot at the gate and walk through. For tickets booked in advance, you need to scan the QR code at the gate's scanner to pass through.
Planning your departure from Tokyo? Here is the easiest way to travel from Shinjuku to Narita Airport using the Keisei Skyliner and save on tickets.
Planning a trip to Japan? Don't miss out on the ultimate Don Quijote shopping experience in Kumamoto! We've got your essential shopping list and exclusive discount coupons for 2026.
Arriving at Kansai Airport and heading to Osaka? Here is your complete guide to taking the stylish Nankai Rap:t train straight to Namba Station.
Planning a trip to Nagoya? Learn how to easily navigate from Chubu Centrair Airport to downtown Sakae Station via the Meitetsu Line in under 50 minutes.
Wondering how many days to spend in Takamatsu? Here is why a 4-day itinerary with a Naoshima day trip is the absolute sweet spot for art and relaxation.
Get from Kansai Airport to Namba stress-free. Compare the Nankai Rap:t, Airport Express, and Limousine Bus to find the perfect ride for your Osaka trip.
