Originally Posted by
jib71
How do you feel about driving yourself from HND to NRT? Should be possible to rent a large enough vehicle for significantly less than $500.
[snip]
I wonder how much it would cost you to ship your skis / board from Hokkaido back to Boston
I hadn't considered a one-way rental. That could potentially work. Looks like a full size rental would cost around $200 for the day, which is a lot less than taking a taxi. I did a quick check on shipping rates and looks like it'd cost at least $175 to ship a single pair of skis from Niseko to Boston.
Originally Posted by
evergrn
i have seen foreigners put ski bags up on the overhead rack of NEx and shinkansen but this to me is rude. However if you manage to score the rearmost seat in your train compartment (which has space behind you to place ski bags etc) or if you don’t mind sitting while holding your ski bags (what some jpnese do), then NEx is fine. Limo bus might be able to handle skis... I don’t know. All the bus operators in ski areas are used to putting skis in bus trunk, and tyo Limo buses are no different in design.
Anyways I’ve got a better idea for you. Why not ditch ur skis and ski bags and just bring along ur boots?
While I typically take the train in Japan, I'd rather not lug big heavy bags through the subway. I've considered just renting skis at Niseko instead, but that'll cost around $500 for rental ski/board for 6 days. Not really worth it, aside from travel convenience.
Originally Posted by
AlwaysAisle
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?
Indeed, we're booked on JL506 to JL8. I've never flown JL7/JL8, but I take CX811/CX812 a couple times a year and it's great. Definitely prefer that to a connection in ORD or LAX. Frankly, I'd rather fly to JFK and take an Amtrak over an LAX connection.
I believe you're correct that NH will interline bags to JL. NH is around $500 for two CTS-NRT including bag fees (no award space), so that's the same as a taxi. In principle, I've got no problem flying GK and they're the cheapest option. Roughly $350 for two CTS-NRT including bag fees. However, I'd lose protection on JL8 in the event of IROPS. It's a risk to only save a relatively small amount of money (if anything). Better off with the AA award at those prices, despite the airport change.
Thanks for the info on the limo bus! Good to know they take skis, so that'll definitely be our preferred option.