Narita to Tokyo Station & Asakusa: JR vs Access Express
Tokyo Mate
How to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station and Asakusa cheaply, on a single Suica. The JR Sobu Line and the Keisei Access Express compared, with 2026 fares and timetables.
👉 Narita Airport Arrival: Trains, Suica & Where the ATMs Are
JR or Access Express: pick by where you are staying
Which line you want changes completely depending on where your accommodation is.
| Comparison | JR Sobu Line Rapid | Keisei Access Express |
|---|---|---|
| Main destinations | Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Yokohama | Asakusa, Oshiage, Nihonbashi, Shimbashi, Daimon |
| Fare | 1,340 yen | 1,380 yen |
| Journey time | About 90 min (Tokyo Station) | About 65 min (Asakusa) |
| Reservation | ❌ Just tap in with an IC card | ❌ Just tap in with an IC card |
| Best for | A cheaper alternative to the N'EX | A cheaper alternative to the Skyliner |
Narita Airport JR Sobu Line Rapid: full guide
What it is
The JR Sobu Line Rapid takes a Suica or Pasmo straight through with no reservation, which makes it the value option. It gets you to Tokyo Station for half the fare of the Narita Express (N'EX).
| JR Sobu Line (JO) | Narita Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Arrives at | Tokyo Station | Tokyo Station |
| Journey time | 90 min | 60 min |
| Fare | 1,340 yen | 3,070 yen |
| Reservation | Not needed | Required |
Where to board
| Narita Airport Station | Airport Terminal 2 Station |
|---|---|
| Platform 2 (platform 1 for the first train only) | Platform 1 |
How to find it (from Narita Airport Terminal 1)
1. Follow the Railways signs down to basement level 1.
2. Head for the red JR ticket gates.
3. Board a JO line rapid service. Trains bound for Tokyo, Ofuna, Zushi and Kurihama all work.
JR Sobu Line Rapid timetable (departures from Narita Airport Station; add 3 minutes for Airport Terminal 2 Station)
| Morning | 06:52 | 07:22 | 08:01 | 09:04 | 09:59 | 10:59 | 11:58 |
| Afternoon | 12:59 | 13:58 | 14:59 | 15:58 | 16:58 |
| Evening | 18:01 | 18:30 | 19:04 | 19:38 | 20:11 | 20:28 | 21:14 | 22:10 | 22:57 |
⚠️ There is roughly one train an hour. Check the timetable before you go.
📌 Want the more comfortable limited express instead?
👉 Narita Express N'EX: Prices, Booking & Round-Trip Deal
Narita Airport Access Express: full guide
What it is
The Access Express is the only budget line that reaches Asakusa, Oshiage (Skytree) and Shimbashi without a transfer. It gets you to Asakusa for half the fare of the Skyliner.
| Keisei Line | Access Express | Skyliner |
|---|---|---|
| Arrives at | Asakusa Station | Keisei Ueno Station |
| Journey time | 65 min | 41 min |
| Fare | 1,380 yen | 2,580 yen |
Fares and times to the main stops
| Destination | Journey time | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Oshiage (Skytree) | 60 min | 1,200 yen |
| Asakusa | 65 min | 1,380 yen |
| Higashi-Nihombashi | 67 min | 1,380 yen |
| Nihombashi | 71 min | 1,420 yen |
| Shimbashi | 75 min | 1,420 yen |
| Daimon | 78 min | 1,420 yen |
Where to board
| Narita Airport Station | Airport Terminal 2 Station |
|---|---|
| Platform 1, Access Express | Platform 1, Access Express |
How to find it (from Narita Airport Terminal 1)
1. Follow the Railways signs down to basement level 1.
2. Head for the blue Keisei ticket gates.
3. From platform 1, board the Access Express, written in orange (アクセス特急).
🚨 Check this before you board
You need a train bound for Haneda Airport, Nishi-magome, Keikyu Kurihama or Misakiguchi to get there without changing. Do not board trains bound for Keisei Ueno or Keisei Takasago.
Access Express timetable (departures from Narita Airport Station; add 3 minutes for Airport Terminal 2 Station)
| Weekdays | 05:41 | 06:20 | 07:04 | 07:44 | 08:28 | 08:51 | 09:21 | 10:03 | 10:39 | 11:24 | 12:04 | 12:44 | 13:24 | 14:04 | 14:44 | 15:24 | 16:04 | 17:25 | 18:04 | 20:05 | 20:35 | 21:09 (last) |
| Weekends and holidays | 05:46 | 06:22 | 06:50 | 07:09 | 07:49 | 08:39 | 09:23 | 10:03 | 10:44 | 11:24 | 12:04 | 12:44 | 13:24 | 14:04 | 14:44 | 15:24 | 16:04 | 16:44 | 17:24 | 18:04 | 18:34 | 19:14 | 20:35 | 22:08 (last) |
🚨 Keisei timetables change often too. Check the exact time at the station.
📌 Want something faster and more comfortable?
👉 Narita Airport Skyliner: Prices, Times & vs N'EX
Keisei line train types
Which stations a Keisei train stops at, and when it arrives, depends on its train type.
All of them can be ridden on the ordinary fare with no reservation.
| Train type | Japanese | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Rapid Limited | エアポート快特 | Direct to Haneda Airport, stops at only some Tokyo stations |
| Rapid Limited | 快特 | Stops at all Tokyo stations |
| Access Express | アクセス特急 | Stops at all Tokyo stations |
| Limited Express | 特急 | Stops at all Tokyo stations |
| Commuter Limited Express | 通勤特急 | Stops at all Tokyo stations |
| Rapid | 快速 | Stops at all Tokyo stations |
| Express | 急行 | Stops at all Tokyo stations |
| Local | 普通 | Stops at every station |
One Suica is enough to get you from Narita Airport into central Tokyo without spending much.
🧡 More Guides Worth Reading
👉 Narita Airport Arrival: Trains, Suica & Where the ATMs Are
👉 Narita Express N'EX: Prices, Booking & Round-Trip Deal
👉 Narita Airport Skyliner: Prices, Times & vs N'EX