Almost ashamed to post a question ;) So maybe I'll ask for confrimation and then sneak in a question at the end.

Heading out to the Le Meridien Grand Pacific this time. (gotta get my SPG stays). I know this is super convenient for my "exit" to Narita as I used to stay at the IC before I was downgraded from RA. But what should I do on my way "in" to town?

My flight arrives at 15:05. I suppose that if I actually make the 15:50 bus I should take the bus. Otherwise the 16:17 NEX is my next best bet.

What happens if I miss the the 16:17 NEX? Is the 16:50 bus better than the 16:47 NEX+Yamanote to Shimbashi+Yurikamome? I gotta think yes.

I will be one of the FIRST passengers off the plane :D

Almost ashamed to post a question ;) So maybe I'll ask for confrimation and then sneak in a question at the end.

Heading out to the Le Meridien Grand Pacific this time. (gotta get my SPG stays). I know this is super convenient for my "exit" to Narita as I used to stay at the IC before I was downgraded from RA. But what should I do on my way "in" to town?

My flight arrives at 15:05. I suppose that if I actually make the 15:50 bus I should take the bus. Otherwise the 16:17 NEX is my next best bet.

What happens if I miss the the 16:17 NEX? Is the 16:50 bus better than the 16:47 NEX+Yamanote to Shimbashi+Yurikamome? I gotta think yes.

I will be one of the FIRST passengers off the plane :D

If you had your personal chauffeur pick you up this question would be moot! :mad: ;)

If you had your personal chauffeur pick you up this question would be moot! :mad: ;)

Typical inaka drivel. ;)

Schoflyer - If you're arriving on an ANA flight, I suggest that you make an advance reservation to use the Ainori "shared ride" service:
http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/common/news/ainori/index.html

The price is 4500yen to Daiba (Minato Ku) - but this becomes 3500 if you print this coupon to get a 1000yen discount (valid up to end of March 2006):
http://www.ana.co.jp/amc_e/news/ainori/coupon.html

PLUS you will earn 35 miles (+ 500 bonus miles) with ANA.

My parents used the Ainori in October. They waited less than 10 minutes at Narita for the other passengers on their bus to assemble. I think two or there other passengers were sharing the ride with them - all heading for the same area of Tokyo. It went very smoothly. ^

==============

For non ANA customers - the options you mention are correct.

If you find that your flight arrives early - and you can make it onto the 15.16 Skyliner, then this would be a good option. (Take the Skyliner to Nippori - and then Yamanote Line to Shimbashi - and then Yurikamome)

If you find that you have just missed 15.50 the bus by a cats whisker, then you might be able to catch the 16.00 JR Narita Kaisoku (so called "rapid"). It stops at Shimbashi station, so you can change to the Yurikamome there. (Saves one change of trains).

Actually, the 16:00 rapid from Narita airport gets into Tokyo station LATER than the 16:13 (or whenever) N'Ex. These express trains tend to stop once or twice for extended periods in either Narita, Sakura, or Chiba, to let the N'Ex pass them.

So it's probably better to plan on transfering, although the rapid is cheaper.

Actually, the 16:00 rapid from Narita airport gets into Tokyo station LATER than the 16:13 (or whenever) N'Ex. These express trains tend to stop once or twice for extended periods in either Narita, Sakura, or Chiba, to let the N'Ex pass them.

So it's probably better to plan on transfering, although the rapid is cheaper.

Yes - The 16.13 N'EX will overtake the 16.00 "rapid" train and arrive earlier at Tokyo station.

But if you take the N'EX, then you have to change trains at Tokyo station... Estimated ETA at Shimbashi = 17.30

On the other hand, the 16.00 rapid will take you all the way to Shimbashi with no need to change trains and ETA at Shimbashi = 17.28.

Either way, you need connect at Shimbashi to the Yurikamome for Daiba.

So - The "rapid" is a slower train than the N'EX, but for this particular journey (which requires you to go via Shimbashi), it makes sense.

(IF you miss the 16.00 "rapid" - one of your options may be to take the 16.13 N'EX to Tokyo ... and then transfer onto the "rapid" at Tokyo station. This may be easier than a transfer to Yamanote line, since "rapid" trains are in the same deep basement floor as the N'EX. I'm not sure if it will be the same platform, though...)

FYI Ainori service is discontinued.

For the record, I de-planed at 25 min after the hour and purchased my bus ticket at 43 minutes past. about 20 steps out to the curb, 3 minutes wait an boarded the bus. Arrived at hotel the hotel 95 mintues from the time I deplaned. Very smooth on this day.