Originally Posted by
enakurt2
I'm visiting Japan for the 11th time but have been told by a family member there that the Friendly Airport Limousine no longer serves Shinagawa. I can switch to HND on the return to BWI but lose 2.5 hours en route. My question is, how easy is it to hop the NRT train from Shinagawa with one large suitcase each plus a backpack? My wife and I have never tried the train from Shinagawa to NRT but are willing to try it at least on arrival, maybe not on our return home due to a schedule change allowing a free change to our return flight. For now, we fly back out of HND and could take the Friendly Airport Limo bus, which my wife thinks is easier.
I'm Star Alliance Gold and I wonder if the premium airport lounge is significantly better at HND vs NRT? That might have some weight in my decision of which airport to depart Japan from.
The Narita Express is as mentioned by other people super easy to deal with to and from Shinagawa, and departs approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day. Of course speed wise getting from Shinagawa to Haneda is only 1/4 of the time of Narita, but in rush hour can rather crowded.
Lounge situation for Star Alliance is slightly different, ANA lounges are the same facilities and crowding. But Narita also has the United Club, which often can be the better option, especially in terms of less crowding.