enakurt2

I'm visiting Japan for the 11th time but have been told by a family member there that the Friendly Airport Limousine no longer serves Shinagawa. I can switch to HND on the return to BWI but lose 2.5 hours en route. My question is, how easy is it to hop the NRT train from Shinagawa with one large suitcase each plus a backpack? My wife and I have never tried the train from Shinagawa to NRT but are willing to try it at least on arrival, maybe not on our return home due to a schedule change allowing a free change to our return flight. For now, we fly back out of HND and could take the Friendly Airport Limo bus, which my wife thinks is easier.
I'm Star Alliance Gold and I wonder if the premium airport lounge is significantly better at HND vs NRT? That might have some weight in my decision of which airport to depart Japan from.

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

If you can catch the Narita Express from Shinagawa station then 1 stop at Tokyo station then non stop to Narita . It has dedicated luggage storage spaces. Depending on the hotel the airport limousine bus could pick you up from the hotel.
The trains to HND do not have dedicated luggage spaces so you may need to keep a hold of them if they have wheels to stop them rolling. The Tokyo monorail from Hamamatsucho has some luggage storage ( may need to lift luggage up a bit to a shelf if the floor level storage is full)

Don't know about Star alliance lounges ( I suspect they would be the ANA lounges ) as I am one world and use JAL/Cathay lounges when visiting HND/NRT


Regards

TBS

bmwe92fan

+1 - the train is simple and you can purchase your seats very easily at the station. You will come in basically in the basement -- just take the elevators up to the departures level -- which we prefer versus hauling the luggage up multiple escalators....

In terms of lounges we've found that the NRT lounges are less crowded and offer pretty much the same type of food than HND -- with the NH lounges having better food and wine than the UA lounge. Although at prime time (3-6pm) the lounges can get busy...

jib71

I turn my rolling suitcase on its side to transform it into a static suitcase. Simples.

Topcare

Same here and doubles as a seat for my child.

CPH-Flyer

The Narita Express is as mentioned by other people super easy to deal with to and from Shinagawa, and departs approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day. Of course speed wise getting from Shinagawa to Haneda is only 1/4 of the time of Narita, but in rush hour can rather crowded.

Lounge situation for Star Alliance is slightly different, ANA lounges are the same facilities and crowding. But Narita also has the United Club, which often can be the better option, especially in terms of less crowding.

brenc3

Narita Express will be more comfortable to NRT from Shinagawa, especially with large luggage. One seat and they come around with a snack trolley you can buy a snack to eat onboard (there should be drink vending machines aboard). If you're going to stress about it, that's the better option. But it's a long journey, >1hr.

NRT is less crowded overall and may have shorter security lines. I've been to the ANA lounge and was not very impressed relative to the JL lounge which is my usual. The United Club is ok in terms of seating and quiet.

HND is a very short train ride from Shinagawa on the Keikyu line but it's a regular commuter train. I did it 2pm on a weekday recently and it was not too crowded. I can't comment too much on the *A lounge situation at HND. Maybe try both airports coming in and going out and see how you like them. But otherwise I'd pick the more convenient flight option (plus one that maximizes time in Tokyo if that's a priority) and not stress too much about the airport transfer.

I'm not a big fan of the Friendly Limousine Bus because they can be slower than the train and can get crowded but Shinagawa -> HND is not that far.

jib71

I think N'Ex trolley service ceased some years ago.

enakurt2

paperwastage

HND intl terminal doesn't have gold track afaik? (Their priority security is only for J/F).

NRT t1 does, but it's automated (aka separate PNR +1 won't work. Unknown about same PNR +1).

bmwe92fan

This is an excellent point -- HND security screening has been awful since COVID -- and still is as they have not opened both north and south areas yet -- while NRT continues to be normal (fast) -- saving on average 30 minutes for us -- more than making up for the transit time.... If you want a Disney line experience --fly from HND -- NRT continues to be as efficient as ever with priority security -- which has still not reopened at HND... Of course the wait time varies by time of day - but for the international terminal it pretty much is packed all day. As a couple that does this monthly we now prefer NRT -- even though it's so much further from home -- but it's actually quicker in the end...

uanj

It seems to be getting better, in August and September my afternoon departures from HND were nowhere near as bad as May/June/July, which were truly frightening with security lines backed up well beyond the stanchions. Nonetheless I am very careful with my timing in and out of HND, NRT has been much smoother and more reliable. Same experience as you. With the business/first class security line back at HND it should be no problem for those with access.

NH has still not reopened their second lounge at HND T3 so it gets very crowded and there may be single seats open but it might not be easy finding 2 or more seats together. The lounge situation at NRT is quite a bit better.

enakurt2

Thanks

enakurt2

A one hour train ride is way better than the 2+ hours it used to take on the Airport Limousine Bus. Thanks

enakurt2

Thanks Paperwastage and bmwe92fan, I like the idea of smoother security screening and have changed my HND departure to DEN and BWI out of NRT.