kyoto to narita airport-shinkansen versus flight
Dec 20, 2018, 11:38 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,900
Trains between Kyoto and Shinagawa run literally several times per hour. They may not all be the fastest Nozomi trains, but there is some sort of Shinkansen passing through or starting up every five to ten minutes. If you arrive at Kyoto Station too early, your train may not even be up on the schedule board yet.
Since I find trains relaxing and the process of flying stressful, I'll opt for the Shinkansen any day.
Since I find trains relaxing and the process of flying stressful, I'll opt for the Shinkansen any day.
Jan 13, 2019, 9:23 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: somewhere between ORD and Willis Tower
Programs: UA MM, Premier Plat, Costco EM
Posts: 1,392
Thank you all for the advice. I ended up redeeming a 5k MP award NRT-ITM (able to snag lie flat seats on 773ER) (we arrive NRT on a TPAC 2 hours earlier), and then plan to take bus from ITM to Kyoto Statiion and taxi to HR Kyoto - I will share how it goes next week. Thanks for all the help!
Jan 14, 2019, 5:47 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kobe/Osaka
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,585
Thank you all for the advice. I ended up redeeming a 5k MP award NRT-ITM (able to snag lie flat seats on 773ER) (we arrive NRT on a TPAC 2 hours earlier), and then plan to take bus from ITM to Kyoto Statiion and taxi to HR Kyoto - I will share how it goes next week. Thanks for all the help!
Jan 14, 2019, 12:35 pm
#20
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,846
Thank you all for the advice. I ended up redeeming a 5k MP award NRT-ITM (able to snag lie flat seats on 773ER) (we arrive NRT on a TPAC 2 hours earlier), and then plan to take bus from ITM to Kyoto Statiion and taxi to HR Kyoto - I will share how it goes next week. Thanks for all the help!
Jan 14, 2019, 4:53 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,674
I have experience with both. If you have a lot of luggage I recommend flying.
If you are travelling reasonably light, then train is great. You also get to see scenery, which I always find think is a good way to pass the time.
Just remember the etiquette on Japanese trains. Don't make any significant noise in the cabin. If you need to make a call move to the joining sections.
If you are travelling reasonably light, then train is great. You also get to see scenery, which I always find think is a good way to pass the time.
Just remember the etiquette on Japanese trains. Don't make any significant noise in the cabin. If you need to make a call move to the joining sections.
Jan 14, 2019, 7:08 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,376
Thank you all for the advice. I ended up redeeming a 5k MP award NRT-ITM (able to snag lie flat seats on 773ER) (we arrive NRT on a TPAC 2 hours earlier), and then plan to take bus from ITM to Kyoto Statiion and taxi to HR Kyoto - I will share how it goes next week. Thanks for all the help!
Jan 19, 2019, 2:34 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: somewhere between ORD and Willis Tower
Programs: UA MM, Premier Plat, Costco EM
Posts: 1,392
When you arrive at ITM, you go out to the bus and there are bus ticket vending machines curbside near where you get on the bus. Those machines don't take credit card. It has to be cash (or Suica, Icoca, etc). If you don't have cash, you have to go to their ticket counter which I believe is inside the terminal.
Jan 20, 2019, 1:07 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,376
Yes the bus is nice. And it drops you off right by Donkihote (which is an amazing store). Enjoy Kyoto!
Jan 23, 2019, 9:05 pm
#25
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
Thank you all for the advice. I ended up redeeming a 5k MP award NRT-ITM (able to snag lie flat seats on 773ER) (we arrive NRT on a TPAC 2 hours earlier), and then plan to take bus from ITM to Kyoto Statiion and taxi to HR Kyoto - I will share how it goes next week. Thanks for all the help!