Tokyo has two airports, Narita International Airport (成田空港, Narita Kūkō, NRT), which handles a large number of international flights as well as domestic and international flights by many low-budget airlines, and the more centrally located Haneda Airport (HND), which handles the city's main share of domestic traffic and an increasing number of international flights.
Narita Airport (formerly also known as New Tokyo International Airport) is located in the city of Narita in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometers outside of Tokyo. It consists of three terminal buildings: terminal 1, terminal 2 and terminal 3. Terminal 1 and 2 each have a railway station in their respective basements. Terminal 3 serves low-budget airlines and is connected with terminal 2 by a pedestrian walkway. Free shuttle buses operate between all three terminals.
Direct limited express trains via the Sky Access Line connect Narita Airport and Asakusa about every 40 minutes except in the late afternoons and evenings. The one way journey takes one hour and costs 1380 yen. In addition, there are several direct connections per hours via the Keisei Main Line during most of the day which take 20-30 minutes longer but cost only 1180 yen.
Take the Keisei Skyliner from Narita Airport to Ueno Station (45 minutes, 2580 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line to get to Asakusa Station (5 minutes, 180 yen). There are connections every 20-40 minutes. If purchased in advance online or via a travel agent outside of Japan, foreign tourists can ride the Skyliner for just 2310 yen.
This route is recommended only to holders of the Japan Rail Pass, Tokyo Wide Area Pass and some other JR passes, because it is slower and more expensive than the other routes, but is almost fully covered by the passes:
Take the JR Narita Express from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station (about 60 minutes) and transfer to the JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Line to get to Kanda Station (2 minutes). From Kanda, take the Ginza Subway Line to Asakusa (10 minutes). The entire one way journey takes about 85 minutes and would costs around 3200 yen without a rail pass. Pass holders pay only the 180 yen for the Ginza Subway Line between Ueno and Asakusa. There are connections every 30-60 minutes.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Narita Airport is located 60 kilometers or a one hour train ride outside of central Tokyo. When planning a short excursion into central Tokyo, you should allot at least three hours for the train trip in and out of the city, and check the schedule for your return trip in advance.
There are also a few points of interest in the vicinity of the airport itself, including Naritasan, a large and popular temple complex in Narita City. An excursion from the airport to Naritasan requires at least three hours, to be on the safe side. See the Narita section for details on other attractions around the airport.
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