NRT overnighting transit psgrs. must have a hotel booking.
Jun 29, 2011, 8:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 125
NRT overnighting transit psgrs. must have a hotel booking.
So, I had a friend fly into Japan a few months back (before the earthquake if that matters).
He flew in from Canada and his final destination was Singapore.
He had an overnight layovver at Japan. So, his plan was to just hang out at Narita. Now, what happened was that the Narita officials told him that he cant just sit around. He NEEDS to have a hotel.
He didnt want to spend any money and resisted, but they put their foot down and said, "Either pay or be deported back to Canada".
Obviously he ended up forking out the cash.
Whats up with this rule?
He flew in from Canada and his final destination was Singapore.
He had an overnight layovver at Japan. So, his plan was to just hang out at Narita. Now, what happened was that the Narita officials told him that he cant just sit around. He NEEDS to have a hotel.
He didnt want to spend any money and resisted, but they put their foot down and said, "Either pay or be deported back to Canada".
Obviously he ended up forking out the cash.
Whats up with this rule?
. He could have booked a refundable rate and refunded it after going out of the passport control area.
Jun 29, 2011, 8:41 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 125
Ya that was the weird part! He said, "I'll just wander around" and they didnt agree.
Jun 29, 2011, 8:48 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NY
Posts: 185
Could be part to help the hotels in the area but I think its more for tracking purpose if he had to leave the airport. If he would be able to stay in the airport I don't think they would have a problem with it. Like emma69 said it could be that the airport closes at night, immigration might require a destination when entering the country for control and tracking.
Jun 29, 2011, 8:53 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 125
Could be part to help the hotels in the area but I think its more for tracking purpose if he had to leave the airport. If he would be able to stay in the airport I don't think they would have a problem with it. Like emma69 said it could be that the airport closes at night, immigration might require a destination when entering the country for control and tracking.
Jun 29, 2011, 8:54 am
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
Could be part to help the hotels in the area but I think its more for tracking purpose if he had to leave the airport. If he would be able to stay in the airport I don't think they would have a problem with it. Like emma69 said it could be that the airport closes at night, immigration might require a destination when entering the country for control and tracking.
Jun 29, 2011, 8:59 am
#8
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Join Date: May 2011
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In the old days, if one had an overnight stopover on the same ticket and the stopover was the best connection, the airline would put you up in a hotel.
Once I was tempted to rent a car because car rental was less than a hotel.
Once I was tempted to rent a car because car rental was less than a hotel.
Jun 29, 2011, 9:07 am
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
I don't know, I believe so - there doesn't seem to be an option to skip it when I do online check in.
I'd have thought most students coming to the US would have at least their first night planned, even if it is a hostel (they don't require a booking confirmation, just the address)
I'd have thought most students coming to the US would have at least their first night planned, even if it is a hostel (they don't require a booking confirmation, just the address)
Jun 29, 2011, 10:33 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NY
Posts: 185
I don't know, I believe so - there doesn't seem to be an option to skip it when I do online check in.
I'd have thought most students coming to the US would have at least their first night planned, even if it is a hostel (they don't require a booking confirmation, just the address)
I'd have thought most students coming to the US would have at least their first night planned, even if it is a hostel (they don't require a booking confirmation, just the address)
In Japan you could always just write Holiday Inn or something while on the plane. I would think that if the info is there they wouldn't double check/ask about it.
Jun 29, 2011, 10:36 am
#13
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Jun 29, 2011, 10:53 am
#14
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
You should know the address of your school. I think they ask for your final destination within the country (for USA) please correct me if I am wrong.
In Japan you could always just write Holiday Inn or something while on the plane. I would think that if the info is there they wouldn't double check/ask about it.
In Japan you could always just write Holiday Inn or something while on the plane. I would think that if the info is there they wouldn't double check/ask about it.
I read the actual rules, and one option they give is that you can give the 'general area' if you are going to be touring
e.g. Street address: Touring the Grand Canyon
City: Grand Canyon
State: AZ
but I am guessing that may draw extra attention from the border agent - "well where do you think you are going to sleep, you can't just kip in the Canyon you know" etc etc. It might also prompt them to ask you for proof of sufficient funds (and if you don't have them, they could assume that you will need to work (illegally) to pay your way etc).
Jun 29, 2011, 11:01 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2006
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I think this is the issue. 2008 was my first transit through NRT. BWi-DFW-NRT-BKK. We overnighted in NRT and had a hotel. Due to time difference etc, we went to the airport early to get some food and checkout the scene--I love airports. IIRC, you could get in the front doors, but the airport did not open until 7am. I am sure they clear out airside when flights are finished for the evening. Its probably just not expected for such a large global hub airport to close at night.