Japan Transit/Connection/Layover Master Thread
 

Hello. Thank you in advance for any insight. My wife is trying to reach Kyoto to see her parents in Uji. We live in the States. United has cancelled until early June 2020 the non stop from SFO. So no matter what she must arrive into NRT from SFO. She says that upon arrival into NRT and testing negative she can not use public transportation then arriving at parents must self quarantine for 14 days. Is this all correct? So that lead us to look for "non public" transportation options to Kyoto. We got a quote from a taxi operator which operates two "Covid" friendly cars for $5000 USD one-way. Then found one for $3000 USD. Questions are- Can she once testing negative at NRT then take a flight to ITM or KIX then use public transport to reach parents home? Any cheaper known options to reach Kyoto from NRT? Is there indeed at 14 day stay at home quarantine in place for Japanese nationals arriving from the States? Any other items appreciated. Thank you.

As far as I understand, yes she will need to self-quarantine with no public transport for 14days, domestic transit is considered public transport (that’s what ANA website says), rules are the same at NRT and KIX, she still has to quarantine even after negative result.

Reguilar taxis are considered public transport, but I wasn’t aware of “Covid friendly taxis.” Best option for Jpn nationals returning from USA and Europe is to get picked up by family even if it involves a long drive, although I know that’s not feasible for some. Good luck!

Eta:
official info in Japanese
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10900000/000618977.pdf

Thank you. A friend has offered for KIX but NRT is just too far away to impose. Does anybody know what happens if a person tests positive?

I presume that you are then placed in the normal Covid treatment protocol where you’re either sent to a Covid patient holding hotel (if no/minimal symptoms) or hospital (if significantly symptomatic).

Once she tests negative, another option is rental car although I heard that those are harder to get at the airport locations now.

Thank you. Fourteen days in a covid hotel. Yikes.

Let’s hope she’s negative as expected.

I believe she can quarantine for 14 days in Tokyo and then take public transportation to Kyoto after those 14 days. Not sure where though.

Well. For at least now the big scare is over. A patient in the facility her mother visits tested negative after being hospitalized with pneumonia. Still no easy solution on arrival into NRT. Thank you all.

Yes of course.

I guess these are the hotels where NRT returnees can get to (after testing negative) using special bus service not considered public transport.

https://www.nl.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100029725.pdf

On Sundays there are flights to ICN with Asiana, with a possible connection to KIX. (Wednesdays too but with a day layover in Seoul).
I'm not sure what the arrangements are for transit at ICN - I expect someone on the Korea discussion board can tell you if that's viable or not.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cf34d95feb.png

KIX is still open. Why not figure out a way to fly there?

I agree that KIX would be much easier, if you can get there. On the other hand, looking at the airport homepage for today's flights, all but two (one from Seoul, one from Taipei) are cancelled.

If someone arrived at NRT or HND, how would they be stopped from taking public transportation? Are they just requested not to? How is that enforced? Can only employees take transportation to and from the airport?

I believe you can’t transit via TPE at this time. Who knows when that’ll be lifted. Maybe Korea is an option, but I don’t know.

Technically, not being able to take public transport or having to quarantine for 2wks is a request and not enforceable under penalty of law (at least that’s my understanding). I’m curious to see how tightly that is being enforced, but I bet 95% of people are compliant and those who aren’t are kind of selfish.

Yes, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's been done, maybe not talked about.

I would like her to fly from the States directly to KIX. It looks like there will be a option for Japan Airlines in early June 2020 and maybe Hawaiian from HNL to KIX. But the later is under quarantine with arrivals from mainland. So at this time only leaves via NRT with test then "legal" movement to Kyoto. She has read you are actually followed to your ride to verify non use of public transportation. And lots of things are done in Japan and not talked about. So as of now private car service is the only choice for emergency travel. I did see a KLM flight via AMS into KIX. That is way too much work as she would be travelling under stress. Thank you all again.

Sounds like you should go for the JAL straight to KIX then.
And if that one doesn't work, I would seriously consider the KLM via AMS into KIX option as long transit is hassle-free at AMS and the pricing works for you.
To me that is more preferable to dishing out $3000 to have to sit in a car with a stranger for 6 hours after a long flight + inspection/testing.

Flying via Europe from W.Coast USA to Jpn seems insane. But timewise it's actually pretty equivalent to going to S.Africa. Traveling to S.Africa is pretty grueling, but it's manageable by flying Premium Economy and using a transit lounge in Europe for shower and few hours' rest. Would be even better if I got to sit up front. (but I'd imagine it's pretty roomy in all economy cabins right about now)

Put it this way... if the prices were a wash between flying Y straight to NRT then take the long Covid-approved taxi ride, vs flying J via AMS to KIX and get picked up by a friend, I'd definitely go for the latter.
But this is strictly my personal preference, and your wife may feel differently.

Another question you should keep in mind is that whether/not you can count on your booked flight operating.
If it's anything like domestic USA flight, you just never know. I had a flight recently that got officially cancelled only 3 days before (was taken off booking inventory few weeks before).
For international flight, I would think it depends on the carrier. With ANA, for instance, it sounds like they have a limited schedule that they will more or less commit to through the end of May but it's still up in the air after that.

In response to post #10 above, that seems awfully expensive for coach, but I see broken fares with the outbound being booked in classes B and Y.

Would be a good time to check for frequent flyer award flights.

Paying $3000 for a car ride is crazy.

Without doubt she will be in a premium cabin. She is worth it. There are point options on JL from LAX and I don't mind driving her to LAX. In terms of cxld flights. Yes. Her SFO to KIX has cxld three times now on UA. The problem with UA is that they do not inform you of these cancellations. I literally check our UA reservations every Friday to see if there are any changes. It got to be so time consuming and useless to redo that two weeks ago I cxld all our paid reservations with UA and went for the two year electronic travel credit assuming flights are gonna be less than we paid pre virus.

Thanks again for input.

KIX just isn’t happening. If it’s urgent and worth the cost, use Narita. Else just keep trying with KIX. These are unpredictable and unforecastable times.

Possibility of NRT Transit in late June
 

Airlines are selling seats using NRT as a transit stop, but that doesn't mean it's actually going to happen.

Of all the places to ask it would be FlyerTalk. What do you guys think are the chances of Japan opening to transit PAX by late June? Their state of emergency is going to run out June 1. Origin of the flight would be TPE.

The only honest answer is that nobody knows. But you knew that, didn't you?

My gut feeling ... I'd guess that there is a 50/50 chance that Japan will allow arrivals from TPE (and other "safe zone" countries - possibly Australia, New Zealand, Korea?) to make airside transits at NRT by late June.

There has been no local contagion in Taiwan for almost a month. If the decision were based on a rational assessment of health-related risks, Japan should provide visitors from Taiwan with a way to enter Japan or transit at NRT right now. But that's not how things are. I have a feeling that Japan will seek to strike bilateral agreements about travel with other countries that have similar or better risk profiles. They will probably seek reciprocity from those countries to make those agreements. And they would want to segregate transiting passengers from "safe zones" away from people who are arriving from "unsafe zones" and who need to go into quarantine for two weeks before they are let out into the community.

And even if it becomes possible to fly from TPE with a transit at NRT to say Palookaville, I think it is unlikely that the reverse route (Palookaville to NRT to TPE) would be allowed. Effectively, you would have a one way ticket to Palookaville. You might be "trapped" there with no easy way to earn your way back into the "safe" zones of the world.

I don't know, and you don't know, but I'm sure someone on this forum knows someone that's seen a memo outlining plans.

Who knows if things will go to plan? Presumably the airlines that are selling seats using NRT as a transit stop have seen plans, but as you said, that doesn't mean it's actually going to happen.

Are international-international transits at NRT/HND actually banned at the moment?

JL just cxld LAX to KIX again. Like UA no information on cancellation. I've been checking the itin every morning and evening. In this modern age with email, apps and text airlines have become the weakest link when it comes to communication.

Sorry to hear of your cancellation. Approx dates of your flights? I have a booking on JL departing USA to HND June 3, sweating like a cat in a rocking chair factory.

In general, I would assume flights not running now but in the schedule to be running in a few weeks are very likely to be cancelled.

Now early July 2020 LAX to KIX.

Transiting NRT
 

Has anyone transited through NRT recently? I am flying from SFO and have 3h connection. What procedures are different? Do I need to go through a health check station and/or have they brought back transit security re-screening?

Also, the NH website says that the No 5 Satellite Suites lounge is open, but the Narita website says all lounges are closed. Does anyone know the status?

No, transits are not banned in Japan. restrictions are on entry to the country. Meaning transit will need to be in the same airport, you can't go between NRT and HND, and it can't be overnight in Narita as the terminals closes for the night.

I would fly a friend up from Kansai, have them rent a car, pick her up, return the car and then fly together with her back to Kansai from Haneda. Not an issue for Japanese nationals.

Overnite Layover Narita
 

Looking at a booking HKG-TUL with two stops, NRT + DFW. The stop at Narita is from 4PM to 10AM. It seems to me the only option is to stay within the terminal on the secure side for the duration. Foreign nationals from Hong Kong cannot currently enter Japan. The capsule hotel in the airport is closed.

Am I missing anything?

Is the secure side open 24h?

NRT is not 24 hrs. airport. Passengers cannot stay overnight at secure side of the terminal. HND is the one with 24 hrs. operation where passengers can overnight at secure side of the terminal.

Connecting in NRT
 

Has anyone connected in NRT since the covid19 restrictions went into effect. I am flying UA GUM-NRT-EWR, and have been in the mainland USA in the past 14 days. UA said it should be no issue, I just can't leave the transit area due to the covid19 entry restrictions. Any one know of any new screening measures on arrival in NRT? I am assuming just a temperature check.

I can't find any website that can positively confirm transits (from countries not allowed to enter Japan) are allowed through NRT at all. I'm a US national living in HK and am looking to fly HKG->NRT->SEA round trip in early August, but I'm not sure if this will be allowed or if there's quarantine implications.

According to American Airlines today, June 23, same day transits through NRT are not an issue (i.e. not transiting out of NRT to another airport).

I am trying to book award ticket using AAdvantage from Taipei to Chicago in early August. I am trying to make one connection. The only option to fit this criterion is to fly

TSA (Songshan Airport) - HND 14:20 - 18:30
HND - ORD 11:45 - 09:45

So this involves an overnight connection at HND airport. Due to the current restriction, I cannot enter through immigration, so I have to stay in the airside for that length. I don't mind doing that, but is it currently possible to do this? I know HND international terminal airside normally opens 24 hours, so that should be possible in normal situation. But is it still 24 hours during the pandemic period?

It is. The airside part of the transit hotel was closed until the 30th of June, at least. I have not checked if the did actually reopen July 1st. With the lack of traffic development, I would guess no. But there is always a bench, or the floor.