May 21, 2020, 5:59 pm
Japan Transit/Connection/Layover Master Thread
Jan 2, 2023 | 6:47 pm
#1366
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 79
You are not going to have much time for anything else than the transit, sadly. You land at 5pm, on a good day you might be on the train at 6pm, but as it is peak US arrival bank it may also be later than that. Optimally you can be somewhere nice around 7pm, and probably have to leave around 8pm if you want to be at Haneda at 9pm. Realistically you are probably somewhere nice closer to 8, but there is no reason to be at Haneda until 10pm anyway.
Does that sound feasible? Will I be able to purchase tickets with a CC, and be able to find my way through English signs?
I am more interested with the experience rather than a simple direct ride from NRT to HND.
I am ok considering other options.
Jan 2, 2023 | 10:07 pm
#1367
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NRT
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 10,049
For example
1. Ueno
Take Keisei line to Keisei Ueno. Spend a short time exploring Ameyoko market area. Then get the Yamanote line to Hamamatsu and transfer to the Monorail to HND.
2. Tokyo
Take the NEx to Tokyo station. Have a meal in one of the skyscrapers around marunouchi. Wander as far as the imperial palace and then head back to the station for Yamanote Line to Hamamatsucho (as above)
Jan 3, 2023 | 5:20 am
#1368
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,699
Would probably stay clear of shibuya/Shinjuku (it's easy to get lost. Good if you have spare time, not good if you're trying to find the right subway/track).
Also depends what you want to do? You can have a 10min meal at a Japanese fastfood place i.e. ramen place/gyudon(sukiya/matsuya/yoshinoya/...) with more time for exploring/buying snacks at Don quijote, or spend 30-60 min on a good restaurant
It's quite common to see people with carryon roaming around (or stick it in a storage locker, but that requires suica or coins/cash. Recent iphones can create virtual suica cards)
Also depends what you want to do? You can have a 10min meal at a Japanese fastfood place i.e. ramen place/gyudon(sukiya/matsuya/yoshinoya/...) with more time for exploring/buying snacks at Don quijote, or spend 30-60 min on a good restaurant
It's quite common to see people with carryon roaming around (or stick it in a storage locker, but that requires suica or coins/cash. Recent iphones can create virtual suica cards)
Last edited by paperwastage; Jan 3, 2023 at 10:31 am
Jan 3, 2023 | 9:12 am
#1369
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 79
Thanks for the feedback. I think I will go to the Tokyo Station and wander around Marunouchi area instead. I can choose a fast food place once there. I don't mind rolling my carry-on with me for the short-time I am there.
For purchasing train tickets, is it an easy thing to do? Will I be able to use a credit card?
For purchasing train tickets, is it an easy thing to do? Will I be able to use a credit card?
Jan 3, 2023 | 10:37 am
#1370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Diamond Metal (OWE), SK Gold (STE+, LTG), UA Platinum(*G),Marriott Titanium (LTP)
Posts: 26,602
Thanks for the feedback. I think I will go to the Tokyo Station and wander around Marunouchi area instead. I can choose a fast food place once there. I don't mind rolling my carry-on with me for the short-time I am there.
For purchasing train tickets, is it an easy thing to do? Will I be able to use a credit card?
For purchasing train tickets, is it an easy thing to do? Will I be able to use a credit card?
Last edited by CPH-Flyer; Jan 3, 2023 at 5:29 pm
Jan 3, 2023 | 5:19 pm
#1371
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Heart of the Sioux Empire
Programs: Delta 1MM/PM, BAEC GGL, Asiana Diamond Plus(Lifetime), AC *Tangerine
Posts: 1,015
The ticket machines take plastic so that's not an issue.
For time in town I'd go with the Skyliner from NRT to Ueno. I like the area better with Ueno Park to kill time at being right there, Marunouchi is lots of shops, offices and crowded most of the day. Heading to HND I'd take the Keihin-Tohoku Line to Shinagawa and catch the Keikyu to the airport, The Keihin-Tohuku parallels the Yamanote but there's a lot fewer stops.
For time in town I'd go with the Skyliner from NRT to Ueno. I like the area better with Ueno Park to kill time at being right there, Marunouchi is lots of shops, offices and crowded most of the day. Heading to HND I'd take the Keihin-Tohoku Line to Shinagawa and catch the Keikyu to the airport, The Keihin-Tohuku parallels the Yamanote but there's a lot fewer stops.
Jan 4, 2023 | 7:13 am
#1372
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 5,274
There is only one right way to do this transfer:
- Skyliner from Narita to Keisei-Ueno (way faster and cooler-looking than any other option into the city)
- Check out Ueno Park and/or Ameyoko
- Yamanote Line from Ueno to Hamamatsucho
- Walk to Zojoji temple and get a photo with the Tokyo Tower in the background
- Monorail from Hamatsucho to Haneda
Jan 4, 2023 | 3:22 pm
#1373
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 79
Thanks all for the feedback. I do prefer above ground and sightseeing. I'll use the Skyliner and go to Ueno instead, and like the idea of the Tokyo Tower picture too.
Just a clarification, am I able to pay the train/monorail fares with an international CC? Otherwise, I can withdraw some Yen from an ATM and use that.
For the Skyliner, do you recommend pre-purchasing the ticket online? Can they be used on a later train ride in case there is a flight delay?
Just a clarification, am I able to pay the train/monorail fares with an international CC? Otherwise, I can withdraw some Yen from an ATM and use that.
For the Skyliner, do you recommend pre-purchasing the ticket online? Can they be used on a later train ride in case there is a flight delay?
Jan 4, 2023 | 3:44 pm
#1374
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Diamond Metal (OWE), SK Gold (STE+, LTG), UA Platinum(*G),Marriott Titanium (LTP)
Posts: 26,602
Thanks all for the feedback. I do prefer above ground and sightseeing. I'll use the Skyliner and go to Ueno instead, and like the idea of the Tokyo Tower picture too.
Just a clarification, am I able to pay the train/monorail fares with an international CC? Otherwise, I can withdraw some Yen from an ATM and use that.
For the Skyliner, do you recommend pre-purchasing the ticket online? Can they be used on a later train ride in case there is a flight delay?
Just a clarification, am I able to pay the train/monorail fares with an international CC? Otherwise, I can withdraw some Yen from an ATM and use that.
For the Skyliner, do you recommend pre-purchasing the ticket online? Can they be used on a later train ride in case there is a flight delay?
For the yamanote/monorail tickets you will need cash. Skyliner is fine with a credit card. There may be an option to buy a through ticket from Narita via Ueno and Hamamatsucho, and then you can pay the whole thing with a credit card. But otherwise you will need cash....
Jan 4, 2023 | 4:10 pm
#1375
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 5,274
If you have a fairly recent iPhone you can download Mobile Suica and charge it with a credit card, then tap in and out of the Yamanote Line and monorail.
Jan 5, 2023 | 7:59 am
#1377
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
Update regarding HND MCT
Just an update for those curious. JAL facilitated the transfer of our family of four and checked luggage both ways with short connections at HND. To SEL our connection time was 30 minutes due to departure delays from ORD; ground staff was waiting for us at the end of the jetway and got us boarding in 15. Returning our departing flight left the gate early, then turned back for deicing, reducing our connection at HND to a mere 25 minutes. We still boarded on time due to phenomenal ground staff at HND and all of our luggage made it to the States. Really incredible.
Jan 5, 2023 | 4:51 pm
#1378
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 79
Thanks though
Jan 5, 2023 | 5:44 pm
#1379
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11
I have an iPhone 13. I installed the Suica app, but it's all in Japanese. Wasn't able to find how to switch to English. But anyways, to use the app, I suppose data should be enabled, but I am not planning to do so as to not incur roaming charges. It's no big deal, will get some cash.
Thanks though
Thanks though
Jan 6, 2023 | 6:25 am
#1380
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 79
I think you may have misunderstood. You're adding the Suica Card to your iPhone Wallet not the Suica App. So open your wallet app -> select the "+" in the upper right corner -> Select Transit Card -> Search for Suica -> and then follow the prompt to add the Suica card and add cash to the Suica card using Visa, Mastercard, or Amex (although I read that Visa doesn't work and I experienced that myself so try Mastercard or Amex - I was able to add funds with my Amex).