Horrible layover in Narita--Help
Oct 1st, 2003, 05:20 AM
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Horrible layover in Narita--Help
On our way back home from Thailand, we have a layover in Tokyo....we arrive in Narita at 2:30 p.m and don't catch a flight to the states til 7:00 the next night. We will be tired from our Thailand trip, and carting luggage...we hear it's expensive and a long way into Tokyo...plus we would like to do/see something less hectic...maybe just stay at an airport hotel? Any ideas, anyone? Thanks!
Jodo
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Oct 1st, 2003, 08:44 AM
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May I ask what airline are you flying on so I can avoid the same problem? Although it was not a problem for us, we were scheduled for a lengthy (12 hr) layover in Seoul coming and going to BKK on Asiana. Although we didn't need it, when the airline called to confirm our travel plans, they also offered complimentary hotel rooms. I thought that was a nice touch. Perhaps yours does too, but only if you ask/demand.
Oct 1st, 2003, 09:07 AM
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It's about $20 and 1 hour train ride to get to Tokyo from Narita. If you don't want to do that, I would suggest staying at a hotel in Narita and spending some time there. But I think you do have time to visit Tokyo if you're so inclined.
Oct 1st, 2003, 09:14 AM
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It would be one thing if someone were familiar with Tokyo and wanted to go to a specific place. But, on a 7-hour layover, I don't think I'd recommend a trip into the city if it's your first visit to Tokyo. While the train to Tokyo station takes 1 hour, you're then in the midst of a mind-bogglingly confusing place: Tokyo is one of the most difficult cities for a 1st-timer to navigate. Heading into Tokyo as a 1st-timer between two very long flights sounds distinctly unappealing to me.
There are many, many hotels near the airport. Especially if you're traveling in coach and don't have access to one of the airline lounges, you might consider finding a hotel that offers a day room, where you can shower, change, and relax a bit.
There are many, many hotels near the airport. Especially if you're traveling in coach and don't have access to one of the airline lounges, you might consider finding a hotel that offers a day room, where you can shower, change, and relax a bit.
Oct 1st, 2003, 03:49 PM
#7
A free stopover in Japan? Great! You shouldn't be in too bad a shape since your flight from BKK will be 'only' a bit more than 6 hours.
You can leave your luggage at the airport. Check out this page.
http://net.saipan.com/personal/mike_...ta/narita.html
Oct 2nd, 2003, 04:15 AM
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Bonjour Jodo,
Mike's Narita layover page is one of the best ressource on the subject. I'll add a few recommendations: take the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno and spend the night in Asakusa (Shigetsu, for example). This will guarantee an easy commute, a good quiet night, and a good glimpse of one of the more traditional and pleasant side of Tokyo.
Mike's Narita layover page is one of the best ressource on the subject. I'll add a few recommendations: take the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno and spend the night in Asakusa (Shigetsu, for example). This will guarantee an easy commute, a good quiet night, and a good glimpse of one of the more traditional and pleasant side of Tokyo.
Oct 2nd, 2003, 04:55 PM
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Now I'm really confused. I think the problem is that we have too much time for a short visit to Narita, and too little time to do more than glimpse Toyko. If we were to take the 1 1/2 hour bus trip to get into Tokyo, what would we do for a night and a morning (other than worrying about making it back to Narita in time for our flight at 7.p.m). Narita and the airport hotels, however, don't seem to have much appeal. By the way, we appreciate everyone who has taken the time to respond....even though the time frame seems to have confused everyone, including us.!!!
JoDo
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Oct 2nd, 2003, 05:34 PM
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a free layover in tokyo! u wd be hard-pressed to find a more convenient airport/city for this dilemma.
agree w/ those who say store ur luggage at the airport and take the keisei skyliner to ueno, stay in asakusa area.
when u exit customs at narita, u will see currency exchange booths and signs for luggage storage counters; if not, ask at information. it's very easy to exchange a few hundred dollars here (don't count on using credit cards at many places in jpn), then deposit ur suitcases at the storage counter.
signs for either trains or buses to tokyo are easy to spot. at this pt u shd have only light overnight bags.
guidebooks or websites will give u ideas for what to do in the asakusa/ueno/tokyo station areas. u don't have to worry abt leaving for narita airport until 3pm the next afternoon, so u'll have plenty of time to relax or explore.
back at narita, head back to the arrivals level to collect ur bags, then just take escalators up to departures. very convenient.
agree w/ those who say store ur luggage at the airport and take the keisei skyliner to ueno, stay in asakusa area.
when u exit customs at narita, u will see currency exchange booths and signs for luggage storage counters; if not, ask at information. it's very easy to exchange a few hundred dollars here (don't count on using credit cards at many places in jpn), then deposit ur suitcases at the storage counter.
signs for either trains or buses to tokyo are easy to spot. at this pt u shd have only light overnight bags.
guidebooks or websites will give u ideas for what to do in the asakusa/ueno/tokyo station areas. u don't have to worry abt leaving for narita airport until 3pm the next afternoon, so u'll have plenty of time to relax or explore.
back at narita, head back to the arrivals level to collect ur bags, then just take escalators up to departures. very convenient.
Oct 2nd, 2003, 06:55 PM
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i haven't read what people have written to you but here is my take:
the airport publishes a booklet that lists tours that can be taken around the airport...all self guided as i remember....booklet is available at the info desk in the outer airport lobby--departures -- ground floor
i would book into one of the airport hotels or one in narita town..i would then try to do as many of the tours as i had time for and also spend some time in narita town....a charming little town with a lovely main street with restaurants and shops...there is a very nice temple in town as well which you could spend quite a bit of time at....we have done this twice....there is a department store also which we found interesting....
you simply take the train to narita town directly from the airport...maybe a 15-20 minute ride....i do not remember hotels in town but there must be some...
around the airport there are many, but i suspect they are quite expensive...
the airport publishes a booklet that lists tours that can be taken around the airport...all self guided as i remember....booklet is available at the info desk in the outer airport lobby--departures -- ground floor
i would book into one of the airport hotels or one in narita town..i would then try to do as many of the tours as i had time for and also spend some time in narita town....a charming little town with a lovely main street with restaurants and shops...there is a very nice temple in town as well which you could spend quite a bit of time at....we have done this twice....there is a department store also which we found interesting....
you simply take the train to narita town directly from the airport...maybe a 15-20 minute ride....i do not remember hotels in town but there must be some...
around the airport there are many, but i suspect they are quite expensive...
Oct 2nd, 2003, 11:05 PM
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How come you got stuck with this schedule? Shouldn't you be talking about a 'bad connection' rather than a 'layover'?
Surely a 'layover' is when you are flying the most direct route from A to B with the one airline, and their scheduling leaves you stranded for more than ? hours. In this case they have to put you up in a hotel and provide a meal. I recently flew Manchester to Australia via Kuala Lumpur with a particular airline on a flight getting to KL at 0700 and leaving KL at 2130. They put me and eight others in the same situation up in a five-star hotel and provided a sumptuous lunch.
A 'bad connection' would be where you have elected to take in a city off the main route from A to B, and are flying on two different airlines in order to do it.
My reading on your situation is that you have to look after yourself for 29 hours. I think you have been given great advice on how best to cope with this.
Harzer
Surely a 'layover' is when you are flying the most direct route from A to B with the one airline, and their scheduling leaves you stranded for more than ? hours. In this case they have to put you up in a hotel and provide a meal. I recently flew Manchester to Australia via Kuala Lumpur with a particular airline on a flight getting to KL at 0700 and leaving KL at 2130. They put me and eight others in the same situation up in a five-star hotel and provided a sumptuous lunch.
A 'bad connection' would be where you have elected to take in a city off the main route from A to B, and are flying on two different airlines in order to do it.
My reading on your situation is that you have to look after yourself for 29 hours. I think you have been given great advice on how best to cope with this.
Harzer
Oct 3rd, 2003, 08:23 AM
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Just to clear up the mystery of the lousy layover...We are using frequent flyer points, and at this point the flight from Narita home is sold out on the day we leave Bangkok...and the Bangkok to Narita leg is sold out on the day we go to the States. Does that make sense? Anyway, we can't complain too much, since it's a free ride, but I think they have such limited frequent flyer seats set aside, that we're stuck. It's USair partner deal with United that we're using. (United itself has other airline partners, but USAirway frequent flyer can only use United....could they make it any harder? Thanks again for everyone's input.
As long as we've got you all responding, we have one other decision. We'll be in Bangkok about a week, and at the tail end we're going to Cambodia. We want an R and R in the middle....something upscale and relaxing for our splurge. We can't decide between Phuket or Chaing Mai...(would love to do the Regent there but it's a fortune.) Any ideas, anyone?
As long as we've got you all responding, we have one other decision. We'll be in Bangkok about a week, and at the tail end we're going to Cambodia. We want an R and R in the middle....something upscale and relaxing for our splurge. We can't decide between Phuket or Chaing Mai...(would love to do the Regent there but it's a fortune.) Any ideas, anyone?
Oct 3rd, 2003, 09:42 PM
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I just wrote a really lengthy post to this and after previewing it, it disappeared so if both somehow appear I apologise.
We just returned from 16 days to Japan as a family today!. We stayed in Narita for 1 night at beginning and at end.
I have a suggestion for trip/lay over plan.
It took us about 1.5 hours to clear airport after landing.
I would pack into hand luggage enough clothes for 1 night. You can organise luggae store at the airrval floor (Level 1) ABC luggage store(Jal company) charge 800 Yen for 1 piece then 500 Yen per additional piece. You will have to pay for 2 calendar days.
We stayed at Holiday Inn which is 15 minutes from airport by courtesy shuttle.
The rate for 21 day advance purchase organised on internet was only 7500 yen plus 15% taxes. I booked it by phone at same rate but they didn't actually charge me until I checked out even though it clearly said prepaid (who knows)
There is a 7.00am rapid (partial express) train that leaves from basement in airport building (terminal 2 was the terminal we always used) The fare is cheap about 1200 yen one way. The trip is 1.5 hours but you get to experince japan rail crush in comfort as you have a seat as you got on at the first/second stop.
You will have to use ticket machine to buy ticket.
Tokyo station didn't seem that bad to use to us anyway and we had two kids in tow.
I would walk to look at Imperial palace from moat after exiting station on the west side. Then I would walk to Ginza through Hibiya before returning to Tokyo Station in loop.
It would take at most 1.5 hours brisk walk with plenty of time to stop on way.
The rapid trains leave at about 10mins past hour for return. You need passport to exit railway station on return to airport, same when you catch shuttle from hotel.
The Narita Express does the same things but costs 3200 yen odd. You must have reserved seating which isn't difficult to organise, you can book when you arrive and purchase ticket. The trip is then only 1 hour. But the first one leaves at 7.45am.
If you catch the 6.30am shuttle bus from airport you can easily make the 7.00am rapid train.
The Narta express may be best for your return trip as they run much more frequently.
The skyliner is cheaper 2000yen but goes to a different area in Uneo which wouldn't be as suitable for a quick stop over.
That would be my thoughts and good luck.
We just returned from 16 days to Japan as a family today!. We stayed in Narita for 1 night at beginning and at end.
I have a suggestion for trip/lay over plan.
It took us about 1.5 hours to clear airport after landing.
I would pack into hand luggage enough clothes for 1 night. You can organise luggae store at the airrval floor (Level 1) ABC luggage store(Jal company) charge 800 Yen for 1 piece then 500 Yen per additional piece. You will have to pay for 2 calendar days.
We stayed at Holiday Inn which is 15 minutes from airport by courtesy shuttle.
The rate for 21 day advance purchase organised on internet was only 7500 yen plus 15% taxes. I booked it by phone at same rate but they didn't actually charge me until I checked out even though it clearly said prepaid (who knows)
There is a 7.00am rapid (partial express) train that leaves from basement in airport building (terminal 2 was the terminal we always used) The fare is cheap about 1200 yen one way. The trip is 1.5 hours but you get to experince japan rail crush in comfort as you have a seat as you got on at the first/second stop.
You will have to use ticket machine to buy ticket.
Tokyo station didn't seem that bad to use to us anyway and we had two kids in tow.
I would walk to look at Imperial palace from moat after exiting station on the west side. Then I would walk to Ginza through Hibiya before returning to Tokyo Station in loop.
It would take at most 1.5 hours brisk walk with plenty of time to stop on way.
The rapid trains leave at about 10mins past hour for return. You need passport to exit railway station on return to airport, same when you catch shuttle from hotel.
The Narita Express does the same things but costs 3200 yen odd. You must have reserved seating which isn't difficult to organise, you can book when you arrive and purchase ticket. The trip is then only 1 hour. But the first one leaves at 7.45am.
If you catch the 6.30am shuttle bus from airport you can easily make the 7.00am rapid train.
The Narta express may be best for your return trip as they run much more frequently.
The skyliner is cheaper 2000yen but goes to a different area in Uneo which wouldn't be as suitable for a quick stop over.
That would be my thoughts and good luck.
