How to Get from Narita Airport to Asakusa

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Helen Foster is a Sydney-based author, journalist and content creator. She has traveled to Japan six times and is planning trip seven. Her articles on Japan have appeared in publications including Reader's Digest (Asia Pacific), RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, the Japan National Tourism Organisation website and more. She is a digital publisher member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers.

Narita to Asakusa at a Glance

The Cheapest: Kesei Line

The Quickest: Keisei Line

The Easiest: Keisei Line, Private Car, Taxi, Limousine Bus (see caveats below)

Best with Luggage: Limousine Bus (see caveats below), Private Car, Taxi

Best for Families: Limousine Bus (again, see below), Private Car

Best for Early or Late Flights: Keisei Line, Keisei Skyliner, Private Car, Taxi

Read on to learn how to use each method and see costs, timetables and more.

Taking The Keisei Line Train

If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to reach Asakusa from Narita Airport, this is the answer – particularly for couples, solo travelers, and anyone traveling light. It takes 43 minutes and costs ¥1,380.

There are direct trains between Narita Airport and Asakusa along the Keisei Narita Airport Line Access Limited Express roughly every 40 minutes. There are also slower trains between each direct train, so you don’t need to worry about how long it takes to clear immigration because there’ll always be a train arriving soon.

The first direct train departs Narita Airport Terminal 2 at 5:44 a.m., and the last leaves at 11:11 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased from the staffed counters or ticket machines at the airport station. Alternatively, you can load a digital Suica card onto your phone and use that at the barriers.

What Does ‘Stay On The Train’ Mean?

If you view this route on the Navitime app (a great way to plan all your Japan journeys btw) or Google Maps, you might not realize it’s a direct route as the train line color and name changes along it. Don’t panic, the Keisei Narita Airport Line changes to the Keisei Oshiage Line at Keisei-Takasago and then to the Toei Asakusa Line at Oshiage – but you stay put.
It’s common in Japan for train lines to change color and name along their route. Just follow the instructions and stay on the train.

Consider The Keisei Skyliner

If there’s a long wait until the next Keisei Line train, you could take the Keisei Skyliner instead. The Keisei Skyliner train doesn’t run to Asakusa, but it can get you pretty close – to Ueno station – in approximately 45 minutes. It costs ¥2,580 – half that for children.

You can then take another train, a bus, or a taxi from Ueno to Asakusa. Exactly which is best depends on your hotel location. If you are near the Asakusa Metro station, use the Ginza Line. If you’re not near the station, bus might be a better option (it was for us at Hotel Monday Asakusa).

The first Keisei Skyliner departs Narita Airport Terminal 1 at 7:23 a.m., and the last train leaves at 11:00 p.m.

Skyliner tickets can be purchased in advance or purchased when you arrive at the Skyliner Ticket Counter in Terminal 1. You can then buy your metro ticket from the machines at Ueno, use a physical IC Card like Suica, or download a digital card if you have an iPhone to complete your journey. Buses take cash or IC cards.

Using The Limousine Bus

The Narita to Asakusa Limousine Bus offers a fast, easy, and affordable way to Asakusa from the airport. It costs ¥3,100 for adults and ¥1,550 for children, and it takes an hour and 45 minutes to reach Asakusa.

It’s a popular choice with couples and families with lots of luggage, and it stops at all three Terminals at Narita – but there’s a catch.

The first limousine bus to Asakusa only leaves Narita around midday, and there are only three direct buses in total. The last one leaves at 5.45pm. Check the exact timetable here

For this reason, if you land before 10 a.m. or after about 4 p.m., it’s not the right option for you.

Another thing to note is that the Limousine Bus only stops at one stop in Asakusa, the Asakusa View Hotel.

This is not close to the Asakusa Metro Station, so if your hotel is near that, the other methods are still better as you might have a bit of a walk to your hotel from the bus. Make sure you check the map before you jump on.

Private Car

The most convenient way to get from Narita Airport to Asakusa is by private car, particularly if traveling late at night. With a private car, you can reduce waiting times, avoid getting on the train with your luggage, and get dropped off at your hotel.

You’ll also get to Asakusa quickly. However, this option comes at a cost, as private car travel can be expensive.

Klook offers private car services between Narita and Asakusa for small and large groups. This service costs approximately ¥22,234 for up to six passengers and four pieces of luggage.

On average, the journey from Narita Airport to Asakusa takes 60 minutes, but the exact journey time will be impacted by where you’re staying and traffic conditions.

Taxi

A taxi is a good option if you fly into Narita late at night. You don’t need to book in advance; you can just turn up and jump in. Taxi stands are located at all three arrival terminals and are open 24/7.

However, taxiing from the airport is also the most expensive way to reach Asakusa from Narita. For a sense of security though use the ‘flat-rate taxi service’ which has set fares.

The journey from Narita Airport to Asakusa takes approximately 60 minutes, and the set fare between the two locations is ¥27,000.

What Is The ‘Flat-Rate Fare’ Taxi Service?

Flat-rate fare taxis allow travelers to use taxis between Narita Airport and specific locations in Tokyo with prices set in advance rather than being governed by the meter.

Note, though, that a surcharge is also applied between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., and travelers are expected to pay any tolls en route. Other than that, you’ll know how much you need to pay when you get in.

Their website explains more about it and shows you where to pick up the taxis at each terminal in Narita.

So that’s our guide to getting from Narita Airport to Asakusa. Don’t forget to check our guide to Asakusa to see how to spend your first hours in this fantastic location.

Who Writes This Blog?

My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.

I’ve traveled to Japan five times before- solo and with my partner – and I’ve just returned from trip six in June 2023. So, everything here is pretty up to date.