I will be traveling from NRT to Yokohama and from Kyoto to NRT by train at the end of August.

Do I buy tickets in advance or at the stations? Does class of ticket matter? Do I need Japanese cash for the ticket? May I use my credit card?

Anything else?

I will have three suitcases which hook together and wheel and are cumbersome and heavy to lift (stairs would not be good).

Sylvia

The Limousine bus (http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/e/timetable/index_n/ycat.html) is the way to go to Yokohama. Better frequency (2-4 times an hour v. once for the NEX), lower price (Y3,500), oftentimes faster, and more comfortable than 2nd class on the NEX as the bus is usually fairly empty. No stairs at NRT, and you'll arrive in the basement of Yokohama station, with a taxi stand right next to it. Credit cards accepted. A very few busses go to the bayside hotels (IC, Pan Pacific, Nikko).


If you prefer the NEX, buy your NRT-YKH ticket upon arrival at the airport, as most locals do. If you buy it in advance it will only be good for standing room on another train, if your flight happened to be delayed.

Green cars (first class) are MUCH roomier (1+1 instead of 2+2 seating); in normal NEX cars legroom is tight (4 seats clusters, facing each other); Y4,180 in Y, 6,520 in F. Credit cards should be accepted, but I am not 100% sure.

In NRT to get to the NEX from arrivals one must go through 3 escalators, the last one without luggage cart (the provided carts are escalator-capable); there may be an elevator available. At YKH, one escalator down, then one up to get to the taxis; never checked for elevators there.

In the NEX, there are luggage racks near the doors for large pieces. In second class most people put their carry-ons between two seatbacks. The overhead bins are useless, too small for anything but a coat/briefcase.


As for Kyoto-NRT, you'll need to change from the Shinkansen to the NEX at Tokyo station. The NEX leaves from the very bottom underground platforms, and the Shinkansen arrives on the very top ones... Escalators are available, but luggage carts are not. There may be an elevator or not. A very unpleasant transfer if you have more pieces of luggage than hands.

Have you considered an open-jaws returning from KIX instead of NRT? There is an airport train going directly from Kyoto to KIX via Osaka, which would be much more pleasant.

End of August is a busy travel period in Japan. Purchasing your return train tickets upon arrival would be wise.

[This message has been edited by monahos (edited 07-12-2002).]

monahos: "Limousine bus is the way to go to Yokohama."

Excellent. I didn't know there was that service.

monahos: "As for Kyoto-NRT, you'll need to change from the Shinkansen to the NEX at Tokyo station. The NEX leaves from the very bottom underground platforms, and the Shinkansen arrives on the very top ones... Escalators are available, but luggage carts are not. There may be an elevator or not. A very unpleasant transfer if you have more pieces of luggage than hands."

The three pieces hook together nicely and I can do an escaltor, at least in the US, but not stairs.

monahas: "Have you considered an open-jaws returning from KIX instead of NRT? There is an airport train going directly from Kyoto to KIX via Osaka, which would be much more pleasant."

I didn't know about KIX when I booked. I have an award ticket, am actually going from NRT to HKG on CX business class. It will cost $100 to change the ticket, if I even can. And then getting it reissued since it's not on CX stock. I wasn't sure it would be worth it. What do you think?

Monahas: End of August is a busy travel period in Japan. Purchasing your return train tickets upon arrival would be wise.

You mean at NRT, before I board the bus, buy the ticket for when I leave from Kyoto? Should I just do it on line before I leave?

I appreciate all the help. Transfers are the hardest part of traveling for me.

Sylvia

Sylvia,

If you can get your outbound flight changed to KIX for $100, it would be fully worth it.

$-wise: Kyoto-Tokyo by Shinkansen is Y13,220 in 2nd class, and Y5,150 more in 1st. Kyoto-KIX costs a little less than Tokyo-NRT (Y3,490/4,220 v. 4,180/6,520 2nd/1st class. All in all, more than $100.

Time-wise: you'll save about 4 hours and a none-too-pleasant transfer in Japan, to be weighed against the inconvenience of re-issuing a ticket.

If you purchase your return train ticket upon arrival in Kyoto you should be fine. A Sunday afternoon Shinkansen back to Tokyo in a 2nd class, non-smoking car, might be running full in late August, but otherwise there are up to 10 trains an hour, not too much of a problem.

monahos: If you can get your outbound flight changed to KIX for $100, it would be fully worth it.

sylvia: Done. With the taxes, $112. Thank you!

I'll be leaving Kyoto on Monday afternoon September 2 by train for KIX. Trains seem to run every half hour. Do I need to go to the station Sunday or Saturday to buy a ticket? (Second (or first), non-smoking.)

Sylvia, pleased I was able to change the award ticket

Sylvia, glad everything is working out for you http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/smile.gif

The 'Haruka' Kyoto-KIX train does indeed run every half an hour, and should have plenty of seats on a Monday afternoon.

You can buy your ticket at any major JR station in Japan, at a 'midori no madoguchi' counter for reserved tickets. If you feel more comfortable with a ticket in hand, as your departure schedule is fixed, you could buy your ticket beforehand when going through a station (e.g. Yokohama, Kyoto, etc.) with short lines.

Doing an inbound from NRT and then outbound via KIX is the way to go. I've done that many times and it's a lot more convenient than trying to double back to NRT.

The Haruka express train from Kyoto to KIX is comfortable
(about a 75 minute ride). I stay at the Kyoto Granvia Hotel which is built right into the JR Kyoto Station so it is really convenient.

If you prefer the NEX...Credit cards should be accepted, but I am not 100% sure.

Credit cards are accepted at the JR counter in Narita Airport (underground not at arrivals level).

As things change so much, could anybody please confirm if this is still the fastest most effective route to Yokohama from NRT (This will be for 4 or 5 of us in October).

I have an important question regarding the limosine bus or alternative train connections.

Do any of them have toilets? I’ve never thought to look round to check when I’ve been in Limosine Buses – and I’ve only travelled into Ueno/Nippori by Skytrain or Ltd express (Skytrain does have loos) never on the Narita Express. (just checked, Limousine Buses have toilets on 70% of their buses - I've emailed them to see if the NRT-Minato Mirai 21 route has them)

Thanks!

I'm not sure how the bus could be faster, according to the limobus website it takes about 90 minutes transit time to Y-Cat, a direct NEX takes 90 minutes to Yokohama Station, and you can count on it not running into traffic.

The Limobus would probably take you direct to your hotel and at a slightly cheaper price, something to keep in mind if you have a lot of luggage.

As for toilets.

I would think a longer bus route like to Yokohama would be one of the buses with a toilet, but I've never taken that route to comment.

The Narita Express does have toilets, and so does the Yokosuka Line rapid train from NRT.

Keisei Skytrain = Skyliner. =)

Thank you again RRT!

I got this thorough reply from the Limousine Bus co.:
Please be advised that the route between Narita Airport and Yokohama Area has been serviced through the joint operation participated by Airport Limousine, Keihin Kyuko Bus and Keisei Bus.

Though all vehicles on the route are basically equipped with toilet, it is recommended for you to check with the staff at the counter to confirm, since some operational reasons might force otherwise.

edit: also got an email confirming that all their buses to YCAT do have toilets. ^


Unfortunately, we won’t be able to get the direct coach to Minato Mirai 21 after all (they don’t connect with British Airlines)

So it does leave a toss up between the train and the bus. We will have a lot of gear with us, so I’m reluctant to get an onward train connection once we’ve reached Yokohama.

Anybody know how much a taxi is between Yokohama Station or Yokohama City Air Terminal and the Intercontinental?

Anybody know how much a taxi is between Yokohama Station or Yokohama City Air Terminal and the Intercontinental?

YCAT and Yokohama station are close neighbours - so the taxi fare won't differ much. My estimate (based on a scientific method involving yahoo maps and the width of my thumb) is between 1000 to 1500yen. Five people with luggage would need at least two taxis...

Did you think about getting a taxi from NRT to the hotel? (No really - I'm serious). The regular fixed-price taxis would charge 22,000yen for the trip. Perhaps you can get a jumbo taxi for a similar price...

No WC in a jumbo taxi, mind you.

YCAT and Yokohama station are close neighbours - so the taxi fare won't differ much. My estimate (based on a scientific method involving yahoo maps and the width of my thumb) is between 1000 to 1500yen. Five people with luggage would need at least two taxis...

Did you think about getting a taxi from NRT to the hotel? (No really - I'm serious). The regular fixed-price taxis would charge 22,000yen for the trip. Perhaps you can get a jumbo taxi for a similar price...

No WC in a jumbo taxi, mind you.

I'd forgotten about the fixed price taxis - you might be onto something here. I guess a taxi would usually take a little less than the bus. If need be, I can always jump out with the colleague who needs the loo and continue on with them.

May have to break this forum's "Don't get a taxi!" mantra for once!

It's still not certain if there'll be 4 or 5 of us.

Decision is -
If given the OK by the 'vulnerable' traveller - then private car with MK taxi service (used them in Kyoto and they were great!)
If not -
1st choice get train - 12:16, 13:16, 13:43, 14:43
if next train is too long a wait away...
2nd choice get bus