If you have skis with you, you can generally also forget taking standard taxis in Tokyo. You need to pre order mini vans with space for it. But even with just boots and ski wear for 3 and baby gear, you might easily find the luggage space in a standard taxi challenging. I would take the hotel with the absolute minimum amount of transport involved, and take a bus from Haneda to Narita.

A day time taxi from Haneda to Narita is 30K+ JPY so the saving on the hotel needs to be pretty dramatic for that to make sense.

Thanks for the responses...good to get an injection of realism; faffing about with skis (and everything else) late at night not a good idea...we'll be arriving international, so the Royal Park appears to be the best bet.

tb

So will you be heading toward a ski resort or leaving from a ski resort?

If you are going to or leaving from a ski resort in Japan, consider using a takuhaibin, one of Japan's terrific luggage delivery services.

If you are arriving to ski in Japan, take your equipment to the desk of one of the delivery services at Haneda, and the skis and all will be at your resort when you arrive. Yes, really. Japanese people do this kind of thing all the time. I was leery the first time I entrusted luggage to one of these companies, but they have never failed me, and my bags are sometimes in the room when I arrive.

If you are leaving a ski resort, ask the hotel desk about sending the equipment to your airline at NRT for you.

Since you have nearly a full day between flights, this should be possible, definitely possible if you are in-bound, and possibly possible if you are out-bound-- the hotel desk at the ski resort will be able to advise you on the feasibility of this option.

THanks for the tip...we're actually transiting TYO on our way to ski in Canada...but good to know for future..

tb

Has there been a change in the Access Exp train from NRT to HND in terms of transfer?

Looking at the schedule via hyperdia for next week and it looks like all trains are stopping at Aoto, I used to be able to just remain on the train without any transfer from NRT to HND a few months ago.

The direct trains are still around. Eg. 10:07am from Narita terminal 2 arriving at Haneda International terminal at 11:34am is still there.

Ah, interesting I see it now, although I think there's perhaps been reduction in the service since I'm not seeing any direct train after 7pm on weekday of my arrival. I'll likely have to just transfer at Aoto.

Question for Aoto transfer, is it just getting off the train and wait on the same platform/side or will I have to change platform?

It does seem the evenings does not have direct trains. Some will need a change at Aoto and some at Keisei Takasago.

In both cases it is arrival at platform 1 departing platform 2.i have never been to either station, but it would be most logical that it is just the other side of the platform.

The "Help! I have a connection in Japan!" Master Thread
 

Hello everyone,

This is my very first post at flyertalk. I hope to get advice from experienced flyers. I am traveling from PEK-NRT-YVR on 2 separate tickets: (PEK-NRT on Air China) and (NRT-YVR on Air Canada). These two flights are on the same day. I have a few questions:

1. Will I be asked to provide a Japan visa when checking in at PEK? My final destination is YVR; I'm just connecting at NRT.
2. If I check in baggage at PEK, will Air China through-check my baggage on Air Canada to YVR for me? If Air China does not through-check my baggage, will I need to go through immigration at NRT? (I don't have a Japan visa so I'm worried.)
3. If I do not check in baggage at PEK, will I be able to check in my Air Canada flight at NRT without going through immigration? Is there an Air Canada check-in counter "inside" the security-cleared area? I'm not sure if Air Canada's mobile app will let me check in because of the visa verification.
4. Or is it possible that Air China helps check in my Air Canada flight at PEK?

Sorry for so many questions. There are all interlinked ones. Thank you for your help in advance. I believe I'll obtain very useful advice from many of you!

1. Depends on number 2, but generally you would be able to transit in Japan without having a visa. As long as it is an airside transfer.

2. I don't really know what Air China's rules are for checking luggage through, you would need to check in the right forum, but if they don't you will need to go through immigration to claim and recheck your luggage. And then for number one, you would need to show a visa at check-in.

3. Yes, you can go through transit security as log as you just have a printed version of your ticket. Go to the transit counters after security to be checked in.

4. That really depends on Air China, you should check in the specific forum. Though it is not common for airlines to check in and issue boarding passes for a separate ticket on another airline. So I would highly doubt it.

Just call Air China and see if they'll check bags through to AC. They're both Star Alliance, so chances are good (there are interline agreements even between airlines of different alliances). But it still remains that every airline has unique rules and interline agreements are one of those things that seem to change from time to time. So you're best off contacting the airline directly.

Hi everyone! We're flying ANA and stopping over at Narita Airport Terminal 1 for 3hrs.

I have a basic question: Does the airport have small carts for carry-on bags while we walk around during the stopover?



*We're NOT stepping through customs and going to baggage claims, I understand there are baggage carts there.

Yes there are carts for carry on.

Perfect, thank you!

NRT to HND connection and 12 hr layover
 

Hello, we will be arriving NRT on MH at 7:15 am
departing HND on JAL 7:25 pm in J
We will have a 12 hour layover. I have read some confusing options.
We have two roller carry on bags and two medium size roller luggage.

1. We want to see the typical downtown Tokyo. Grab some sushi.
Where do we go?
how do we get there.? I have read take the express train to Tokyo station or shinagwa and find a locker.
Or keisei line to Asakusa??

I have read Shibuya and Shinjuku are options. Do you recommend?

2. How do I get to HND from town? How much time do I need? I have lounge acces so don't mind relaxing there before the flight considering I've been flying since the night before.

Appreciate any help. Will arrive Friday.