Narita: how to get between terminals?
 

My partner will be flying into Terminal 1 on United and I'm flying into Terminal 2 on ANA shortly afterward. How can she go from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2? Is there a free inter-terminal bus available curbside? Some other way?

Hi,

You may wish to refer to the Narita Airport Website for more details.

Ah sorry, I got confused, I thought you were traveling into terminal 1 and catching a flight in terminal 2.
But rereading I guess you both want to meet up and go into Tokyo after arriving on seperate planes.

I believe there is an airside connection as well, provided by the airline, if you have an international to international connection. However it sounds to me like you both are getting off the respective (air)bus at Narita, in which case you both go through customs and immigration and then one of you uses the shuttle bus service referred to on the airport website to meet the other.

There are more efficient methods if you are both proceeding into Tokyo -- e.g., meet up on the Narita Express -- but these are difficult to coordinate without both having a Japanese cell phone (in case one flight or the other is late).

Yes, I should clarify: We are flying into Narita on different airlines and then trying to meet up to catch a bus (most likely) or train (not sure yet) into Tokyo. We won't have cell phones that work in Japan.

Looked at the Narita airport website and looks like there's an inter-terminal bus the earlier arriver can take to meet the later arriver - and just plan to meet outside the doors upon clearing customs and retrieving luggage?

That solution works. There are two exits from one of the customs (I think at T1), north and south, but each exit conveniently has a TV screen over it showing the other exit! Still it might be a good idea to arrange some sort of backup plan if all else fails. For example, you could agree that after a certain time of day, each person will get to your hotel independently and meet there.

but these are difficult to coordinate without both having a Japanese cell phone

Yes... why oh why does Japan have to be so difficult? :rolleyes: It has only been recently that I could even get my US cash cards to work there.

One (somewhat risky) tactic would be to bring a pair of US walkie talkies along. The unlicensed band in Japan may differ from the US so you will want to keep the transmissions short. I can research this if you want. Or, maybe we could even send you a pair from Japan so you don't have any risk of interfering with anyone.

Its not that difficult.

Just plan to meet each other at a designated spot.

For example, the Keisei Skyliner counter or Japan Railways Counter, there's only one of each and they are clearly marked and easy to find.

@:-) JR and Keisei have counters on the main floor as you exit immigration, and also in the lower (train) levels. If you plan to meet at a counter be sure you specify which level. @:-)

Ok, the 1st floor train counter, outside the customs check point, exchange atm, information center, wear a red hat with a feather, lol.

I'm saying its not too complicated where you have to end up getting cellphones or walkietalkies.

Some other options (places) to meet would be a designated restaurant in either of the terminals (such as McD's in Terminal 2) where you can sit and wait, or at one of the baggage delivery services such as NPS or ABC. These are located at towards the end/off to the sides in both terminals, away from the crowds, and are easy to ask directions to. Too many people standing around the arrival exits.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! I think we've got it figured out...