Can someone clarify this for me. Looks to me like to get from Kyoto to Narita you need to go Kyoto to Tokyo station then change to Narita Express. Total time looks to be about 3.5 hours, not 2.5. Is there a direct Shinkansen service Kyoto station to Narita airport in 2.5 hours? On Japan Rail Pass so cannot use Nozumi.

Need to board BA NRT-LHR at 10:55 a.m.; judged this impossible departing from Kyoto that morning. Planning on returning to Tokyo night before to make this flight, which is far from preferable - so would really appreciate knowing if I have overlooked anything. Thanks!

I think you have it figured out. The earliest shinkansen leaves Kyoto at 6:20 am. The Nozomi makes the trip to Tokyo in about 2 1/2 hours and the Narita Express from Tokyo Station to NRT is a bit over an hour. The first train from Kyoto would get you to Tokyo around 8:45 am and even if you caught the very next NRT Exress, you wouldn't get to NRT until around 10:00 am. Probably too late to get through all the international check-in and security. I certainly wouldn't try it.

JR

ANA flight from Osaka/Itami to Narita departs 8:00 am and arrives NRT domestic at 9:10 am, the morning JAL connection ITM - NRT is rather late arriving at 9:50 am. There is no other way you are going to make it to NRT from Kyoto in time. About 27.000 Yen one way.

Other choice would be to either stay at a NRT Airport hotel or close to Ueno or Tokyo stations. If you choose the latter it's going to be an early wake up call and commuting in the morning rush hour.

Next time get your outbound flights arranged from KIX or NGO and avoid all the NRT related hassle.

Okay, thanks to both of you for the quick replies and the reality check. The ANA flight sounds too close for comfort not to mention cost. Back to Tokyo for our final night it is, then. That is actually okay, much better than rushing/worrying. We have an immediate onward flight Heathrow to Mauritius, so missing the BA departure would be fatal.

Re: "Next time get your outbound flights arranged from KIX or NGO and avoid all the NRT related hassle." Couldn't do it. This is a BA "FIRST" redemption ticket...have to take what we could get. :)

One other thing. If you stay at or near Ueno or Nippori, you can get straight on the Keisei Skyliner or Express direct to NRT, avoiding the rush hour traffic around Tokyo Station. I really prefer the Skyliner to the JR Narita Express. It is cheaper, faster, less crowded and more comfortable.

Another option, as mentioned by Mosburger, is to just go on out to Narita the evening before and stay at one of the airport area hotels and avoid ALL traffic problems. Since you have such an early departure, you won't be doing anything in Tokyo that morning anyway.

JR

JR - Thanks again for the info. Realizing we are subjecting ourselves to more hassle and traffic/crowding...I think we decided to stay at Park Hyatt for one last night. We did look into the Hilton or Radisson or some other hotel out at Narita...this being a Saturday night and our final night in Japan on a RTW trip...I think just to be able to go out downtown will be worth it for us to put up with the hassle the next morning (which is a Sunday, so maybe not as bad as a weekday). Also the Park Hyatt, it is free for us (with points) whereas it would be cash out of pocket for any airport hotel. Also we have a Japan Rail Pass so no cost to do the Narita Express.

Thanks you again!
-- Jordan

Boy I agree there. Free beats not free any day.

If you haven't been to Tokyo before, I recommend an evening stroll around Ginza just for the lights and people. There are lots of other things to do on a single night in Tokyo, too. Depends on your personal tastes.

JR

From the PHT, take a cab to Shinjuku station. I prefer the South entrance, the get-off is a bit ad hoc, but it works and the cab doesn't have to go well past the station to make a U-turn to the "New South" exit. There is now a lift down to the Narita express tracks from the South entrance so you don't have to carry bags down a flight of stairs.

The easiest entrance to get to by taxi is the West entrance, but it's a long hike from there to the Narita Express platform.

How gutsy are you and what class are you flying? There is an 8:03 departure that gets in at 9:29. Otherwise, you have to catch the 7:07am that arrives at 8:35. Reserve your ticket no later than when you arrive in Tokyo, with a one night layover it's preferable to waiting and having the hotel do it.

Thanks Richard. The Japan forum is really a great one - you are all so helpful!

I think we will take the 7:07 am. We are in first class, but I don't want to risk anything. Once we get to Heathrow, we have only a 2 hour layover and then down to Mauritius. The Mauritius service is only three times a week, so if we miss the flight, we basically don't get to go to Mauritius. So I will err on the side of early for this whole leg, I think. We will have some time to check out the BA first louge at NRT, though I've heard there isn't too much to write home about.

Thank you all again :)

The Limousine Bus is a fair alternative to the 7.07 train. At that time in the morning I would prefer it to the hassle of taxi and schlepp thru Shinjuku station with luggage.

There's a limo bus that leaves from Park Hyatt at 7.05.
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/e/index_route.html

100 minute journey time - should be punctual on a Sunday.

Unfortunately, you can't use your JR Pass for that ...

To each their own, I'd take the train any time, as long as my case had wheels! From the south entrance to Shinjuku, turn right after you pass the ticket turnstiles. Narita express leaves from one platform, depending on which side, it's either track 3 or 4. There are electronic signs that tell you where to stand for your particular car number, which is on the ticket. The "schlepp" from the south entrance is about 150 yards.

Also if you have an opportunity reserve your Narita Express ticket a day before (if you already haven't done so). It saves time the next morning, also its extra insurance in the off chance the NEX s sold out.

Thanks, will do that.

I don't think September is too busy of a period (doesn't appear in any of the guidebooks as a "must reserve your seat" period), but I agree it makes sense. I think we will reserve our Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo and return-to-Narita legs on arrival. The rest we will just wing it.

May I ask one other question - in searching threads I did not find an answer. The green car ticket is not that much more...is it worth paying $70 more for green car? Is it just a bigger seat, or do you get refreshments or any other perks? What do you folks recommend? This is for a party of two (I say this because it looks to me like the regular seating is 2x3 and the green car seating is 2x2 - in other words this seems to lessen the need for green car as you can reserve a set of two seats together in the regular car).

Are you talking about getting a green car JR pass?

Biggest benefit = You have a greater chance of getting a reserved seat on any train that you choose to take.
(You get two bites at the cherry so to speak - Try for a seat in the green car - if it is full, you try for a seat in the regular car). This is especially useful at peak travel times and on occasions when you reserve a seat at the last minute. Outside of peak times you can get away with the regular pass.

In terms of comfort = More room in the seat. Slightly more recline. On some bullet trains you used to get a cup of green tea and a cookie or something, but I could never work out which ones (These days I do all my train journeys in regular cars... which are quite comfortable enough really).

Shinkansens offer 2+2 in Green and 2+3 in Regular cars.
The Narita Express the regular cars are all 2+2 seating. In green cars it is 2+1 seating.

My personal opinion is the green car pass is a waste of money.

The seats in "regular" cars are already nice and comfortable and have plenty of leg room.