evergrn

Yeah, definitely forget about heading off first to NRT just to drop off luggage. One potential option is go to Ueno and then store your stuff at Keisei Ueno station's locker. If you've got a suitcase and their large lockers are all taken, then just walk right over to JR Ueno Station where they have plenty more lockers. Then at the end of the day, collect your stuff and take the Skyliner train from Keisei Ueno to NRT. Ueno itself is a pretty good neighborhood to spend some time in. Places like Asakusa and Akihabara are also nearby.

They let you do that, even if you're not a patron?

travelislife

Yep, no questions asked, just went up to the bell hop and handed over bags, put tags on, gave me the other half. Bag storage is generally used by people who haven't checked in yet due to too early or have checked out so they have no room anyway. It was actually one of the train station security guards who told us to do that when all the lockers were closed off!

gotofly

I need some help in how to go to HND airport from NRT. I arrive at NRT at 12 noon and will go to HND to catch a domestic flight to Nagasaki.
How much time I should allow between two flights and also can I use JR pass to go from NRT to HND.

jib71

Rather than taking the train, for a quick and seamless trip from NRT to HND I suggest the "Limousine Bus":
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
(It's a bus).

As for the train option - You can't go all the way to HND on JR lines. You could use your JR pass to go as far as, say, Shinagawa. From there you can transfer to a different railway company (Keikyu) that goes to Haneda. A handy site if you want to check train times is Hyperdia:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

WRT how much time to leave between flights, I think an important consideration is whether you purchase them on one PNR. If not, then give yourself more leeway.

VogelFrau

So, I know the whole Bus vs. Train question has been widely discussed, but I'd like your opinions anyway!

Need to transfer from Haneda to Narita. Domestic to International, both with ANA on a single ticket. No checked luggage. Connection time is 3 hours 40 minutes.

I know the bus supposedly takes about 90 minutes, but the flight arrives at Haneda at 3:15 pm, which is approaching afternoon rush hour (it'll be a Thursday, if that matters)... And of course there's the possibility of delays.

Would you recommend the bus anyway? Or is the train trip decently easy to make? I have zero experience with Tokyo trains, but I speak passable Japanese.

Thanks a lot for your time and advice!

NewbieRunner

Welcome to FT, VogelFrau!

There are actually some through trains between HND and NRT but information is not easy to find. These trains cover three separate railway companies, Keikyu, Subway Asakusa and Keisei Lines.

There is a train leaving HND International Terminal at 15:54 and arriving in NRT at 17:36. Since HND is a lot quieter than NRT there is a very good chance you can catch this train if your flight arrives on time especially since you don't have any checked baggage. It will cost 1,760 yen. The next through train leaves the International Terminal at 16:31 arriving in NRT at 18:14 but there are earlier trains requiring only one change.

The best way to find these connections is to search Jorudan by entering 'Haneda Airport International Terminal' and 'Narita Airport'. Make sure to select 'Unreserved'.

jib71

I don't think the road traffic at 4pm is going to have a huge effect on the bus journey time from HND to NRT - unless something exceptional happens.

I'd still take the bus.

AlwaysAisle

Don’t want to nitpick, but the trains which run between Haneda Airport and Narita Airport are not non-stop. It is through service between three different train companies, allows single train service without transfer, but the train itself actually stops at little more than few stations between Haneda Airport and Narita Airport. The train is run by standard commuter trains, does not have space for large luggage storage.

NewbieRunner

You are quite right. I should have used the term 'direct' or 'a through train'. I will correct my post. However, the OP does not have any checked baggage and I find the service extremely useful. In HND train stations are much easier to find than bus stations.

VogelFrau

Thanks for the tip!

Also, how much time do you guys think I'll need to get through security at Narita?

NewbieRunner

As I haven't departed from NRT in the afternoon I cannot comment but as it gets closer to departure time ANA employees will walk around security and exit passport control areas looking for passengers who need to be fast-tracked to their departure gate. They are very good at making sure passengers don't miss their flight.

jib71

Perhaps. But I've never had any trouble finding the right bus stop.

NewbieRunner

You obviously have more experience of HND than me. The first time I arrived at HND International Terminal and had to find the shuttle to go to the domestic terminal I was escorted by an ANA employee but she nearly took me to a wrong floor on a wrong elevator. Last time I had to go to the domestic terminal I took the monorail.

jib71

That sounds positively weird. I've never needed directions - just followed signs.

NewbieRunner

I can navigate my way around Frankfurt Airport better than any Japanese airports.