Originally Posted by
swingaling
It looks like the wife and I will be going skiing with the inlaws in Hokkaido in February (BOS-CTS and v.v.); we are flying separately from the rest of the group. I've just booked the tickets and we have a 5h45m connection on the return. Unfortunately, our return is CTS-HND/NRT-BOS, so we'll have to arrange for a transfer from HND to NRT. Complicating matters is the fact that we'll be carrying one board bag, one ski bag, a boot bag and a large wheeled suitcase. Given so much luggage, the train is out.
Is the bus a practical option with this amount of baggage or should I plan on taking a taxi? A sedan will be too small to fit the skis/board, so we'd probably need something equivalent to a minivan. Alternatively, are there any fast baggage transfer services between the two airports (I assume no)?
A $300 cab ride isn't overly appealing, but we're on award tickets so not the end of the world.
Note: There is a 7:45AM flight into NRT instead, but it'd give us a 9-10 hr layover and an extremely early (3AM) start to the day from Niseko. I'm thinking the HND flight is the (slightly) lesser evil.
There are some (expensive) same day delivery service but I doubt any will able to guarantee the delivery from HND to NRT in 4 hrs. Give time for baggage retrieval and arrange shipping your ski and board to NRT, then need least one hour at NRT to check your ski and board to your BOS flight. Which mean there pretty much about 4 hrs. for delivery from HND to NRT and I do not think any of same day service can guarantee that.
Are you taking JL 8 NRT-BOS? I am a Beantown guy who frequent Tokyo and JL 8/7 became my usual since JL started BOS service, no more DFW/ORD/LAX/JFK connections.
^
As you have indicated JL has only one flight a day on CTS-NRT which is JL 3040 departing CTS on 7:50 a.m. arriving NRT on 9:20 a.m. However, NH (ANA) has NH 2154 departing CTS 1:05 p.m. and arriving NRT 2:50 p.m. Check with ANA but I think ANA will through check bags to BOS. Even ANA does not, but retrieving your luggage at NRT Terminal 1 and rechecking at NRT Terminal 2 will be better option than other options you currently have?
Limousine Bus website says they will take skies, golf clubs and fishing rods. For snow boards they will take if the board is less than 2 m (6.5 ft.).
P.S.
If you are willing to consider LCC, pay for check baggage and re-check your baggage at NRT on your own, then Peach flies 5 flights per day on CTS-NRT, Jetstar flies 5 flights per day on CTS-NRT, and Spring Japan flies 1-3 flights per day (depending on a day) on CTS-NRT. Are you willing to consider these?