Originally Posted by
Syque
Hey All,
I'm starting to plan a trip to Japan this spring with rewards points in economy with United miles. I want to choose a flight itinerary within the next 2 days so the saver rewards don't disappear while I'm waiting around indecisively.
Here are the departure options that I'm torn between for my travel dates. They both have the same mile + $ cost.
Option A: Nonstop JFK to NRT on ANA
Depart 6pm Saturday, arrive 9pm Sunday
Travel time: 14 hours + 4.5 hours ground transportation
Option B: JFK to YYZ to HND on Air Canada
Depart 10:30am Saturday; 1.5 hour transfer; arrive 3:40pm Sunday
Travel time: 16.25 hours + 3.5 hours ground transportation
Pros of option B:
1)HND is a lot closer to downtown Tokyo
2)Arrive with time to settle into my accommodations, get dinner, venture out for a SIM card, and have plenty of hours to sleep and adjust to the time zone shift
3)It sounds like Tokyo shuts down super early compared to what I'm used to in NY. The last train headed downtown from NRT leaves at 10:37pm, and a taxi costs a whopping $200. I don't want to get stranded at the airport if my flight is delayed and/or customs takes a long time.
4)I might feel a bit vulnerable walking alone with a large bag at night if the streets are empty when I get off the train late at night. I Don't want to pay for a taxi if I don't need to.
Cons of option B:
1)Chance that a bad delay of the first flight could cause me to miss the second flight
2)2 hours longer overall travel time
3)General airport hassles 3 times instead of 2
Which do you think is better? I'd be interested in hearing from people familiar with these routes or people who chose the connection in similar situations.
Also, is there any significant difference in food/IFE/comfort between AC and ANA in economy for this route?
1 & 3) HND is much closer but depending on your hotel location it may not necessarily be more convenient if using the train. The transit points are different, from Haneda it's Hamamatsucho for Monorail and Shinagawa for Keikyu. From Narita it's Nippori/Ueno for Keisei and Tokyo Station for JR (which also continues around to Shinjuku if stsying on that side.). Don't worry about the arrival time of NH at NRT, you'll have more than enough time to make one of the trains, I've arrived on the late flight from ORD several times, it's quite similar. Tokyo doesn't shut down early at all once downtown. Plenty of 24 hour food and many regular shops are open till 10.
2) You're not going to get a sim card without a Japan residence card anywhere downtown. Get one at the airport that are for tourists. Several places have them, forget if they are rental or for sale.
4) Japan is incredibly safe, on par with Singapore. No one is going to be interested in swiping your bag. The old story about dropping your wallet here and someone will turn it in to the nearest police station with cash still inside is pretty much true.
Whichever route you decide, you'll be ok. I think I'd personally go with AC in your case just because the arrival time in the afternoon is more convenient to settling into an opposite time zone, but if you end up on NH don't worry.