NRT to Tokyo to Odawara (round trip)
 

Otherwise, known as the JR Pass or NO JR Pass question.

During our 7-day trip, we will be in Tokyo for four days, Odawara for two days, and then back to Tokyo for a day before flying home from Narita.

From all that I've read, the JR Pass will not save me any money. In addition, I will not be able to use the super fast train on the cheaper pass.

Is the most economical way simply to take the Airport Limousine to/from Narita and pay for two days of Tokyo metro at a discount at the same time (as mentioned in a thread)? Then, take the train to Odawara and back. This option seems to price out at 25,000Y for two people.

Many local and rapid/express trains also run from Tokyo (via JR) or Shinjuku Station (via Odakyu Railways) to Odawara Station, you certainly do not need to take the more expensive Shinkansen to get there.

Also why are you going to Odarawa anyway? To visit Hakone? If so you might want to get one of the Hakone Free Passes from Shinjuku instead.

Where is your hotel in Tokyo?
You might want to do a Suica & NEX package, or if cost is the upmost concern (budgeting) cheaper train alternatives exist as well.
Limousine bus & Metro pass works out if you stick to Tokyo Metro (which is entirely possible).

Depends on your itinerary, plans etc.

No JR pass is economic if the farthest you are going from Narita is Odawara. Also, the shinkansen don't really run that fast on the section from Tokyo to Odawara. There are plenty of regular trains that run from Tokyo station to Odawara and for a reasonable extra fee, you can ride in some comfort by taking the green car. This can be done on the platform if you have a Suica card with enough value stored on it.

Both the Narita Express (using the N'Ex/suica deal) and the Keisei line are cheaper than the airport limousine.

The fare from Shinjuku to Odawara on the Odakyu line limited express is Y1720, and half that if you take a regular train.

Thanks for your prompt responses.

We will be staying on points at either the Conrad or the Park Hyatt. The detour to Odawara is to experience the spa at the Hilton.

I'll continue to read FTalk for more info and advice. For some reason, this trip seems so much more complicated than our recent trips to Europe, South America, and Hong Kong where my husband and I speak the local languages. Fear of being Lost in Translation, perhaps?

You'll probably find it very easy. Virtually all the trains and train stations have English/Romaji signage, especially trains going to/from Odawara/Narita Airport/Tokyo, all well traveled areas that buying to a ticket to those places should be extremely easy (or use the ENGLISH function on the ticketing machine). Many tourists go through Odawara on their way into Hakone.

If you are staying at the Park Hyatt you'd probably want to take Odakyu Railways down to Odawara Station from Shinjuku Station.
If staying at the Conrad you'd probably want to take Japan Railways (JR) down to Odawara.

Both railways have reasonably priced trains to Odawara without having to take the speedy Shinkansen.

Since you're fretting about complexity of the trip, I'd go for the Conrad. The location offers somewhat simpler connections for your trip.

I think the Conrad is better located for Tokyo sightseeing in general, being right near Shimbashi Station, with the Yamanote and Tokaido Lines and two subway lines.

On the other hand, for easy access to Odawara and Hakone, Odakyu Shinjuku is only a short cab ride or a long walk from the Park Hyatt, so it all depends on what your priorities are.

I understood from the OP's previous post that he's going to Odawara, not Hakone. Odawara is easy enough to reach on the JR Tokaido line from Shinbashi (1hr20mins)- a short walk from the Conrad. For a quicker trip, it's possible to change to Shinkansen at Shinagawa.

But the Odakyu Romance Car is so much nicer ;) from Shinjuku Station.

You can however get green seats on the Tokaido Line from Shimbashi Station, the problem with the green seats on the double decker cars of those JR trains is there is virtually no luggage space unless you sit on the single level sections (found at each end of the green car, there are usually 12 seats at each of these end sections).
All seats are unreserved so first come first serve.

You should have space if you sit in the regular part of the Tokaido line train.

If price is not a concern then either the Kodama Shinkansen from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station or a taxi fare from Park Hyatt - Shinjuku Station and Odakyu Railways to Odawara works out well too.

I don't mean to overload the OP with information, it's just showing that you have many many choices to choose in getting to Odawara covering all price ranges and locations.

Again, arigato to all for your helpful information. And based on railroadtycoon's advice, I've booked the Conrad.

"Fretting" per jib71's comment - that about sums it up! As a youngster (i.e. college student), I would grab a last minute non-rev standby ticket and fly places without any advance planning. (Father worked for the airlines.) Everything was an adventure and I relished the unexpected surprises.

Now as I am older, I "fret" and dread surprises. So, my advice to all you youngsters is to get most of your traveling done before you get to the "fretting" age. :p

Once you get to Tokyo, you'll see that Japan isn't so frettening after all.

Ok. I'll start relaxing and fret less. I'll just pretend that I'm young again. ;)

Looking into your reqs, as pointed out the Conrad Tokyo is right next to JR's Shimbashi station. However, I have found that the Hilton Odawara that you want to go to is actually further south of Odawara at Nebukawa station, which means a local train.

Fortunately, there are trains that leave every 15-20 minutes from Shimbashi on the JR Tokaido main line that stop at Nebukawa. The journey will take about 75-100 minutes. You may want to try for one of the rapid trains, which skips some stops. The three morning rapid trains leave at 9:18, 10:36, and 11:36 during weekdays.

As for what rail pass combination is best for your visit, it depends. What do you expect to do inside of Tokyo? The easiest solution would be the Suica + N'Ex option and just pay as you go. Or you can combine that with Tokyo Metro passes or JR one-day metropolitan passes for your days inside of Tokyo. If you can tell me what your itinerary is for inside Tokyo, I estimate out the costs and give you a more accurate recommendation.

Fretless is good.

The hilton runs a shuttlebus from Odawara station as well Mon-Fri:

http://hiltonjapan.ehotel-reserve.co...e_20100313.pdf