Actually the airport with most connections intl/dom is Centrair(NGO). Much better than KIX where they split the domestic frequencies with ITM and now KOBE.

 

Yeah, I've heard other people recommend Nagoya for connections. They just built a new airport there, right? I think the problem though is getting an int'l flight TO Nagoya. From the US, I guess UA flies from SFO, and NW from DTW, but I don't know of anything else.

 

I usually plan to arrive at HND about an hour before flight time for domestic flights. If you are star gold and flying ANA you can use the lounge.

I sometimes take the monorail from Hamamatsucho, sometimes the train. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. But I am making day trips. If I had serious luggage, the limo bus is the way to go.

Hope this helps. (typing this from my hotel in Ginza)

 

Thanks, gardener. I am Star Gold, and I was wondering what benefits that would get me on an internal Japan flight. Is there a separate check-in line? Is the lounge worthwhile?

We won't have tons of luggage, but we will have rollaways -- and children! On a Monday morning -- like 7:30 am -- should I avoid public transportation and just take the limo bus?

 

I'm reviving this thread in hopes that someone can advise as to the best plan to get from Narita to Shinjuku based on my JFK-NRT flight arriving at 9PM. There are 4 of us, each with one medium (ish) and one carry on bag.

I've looked at the Limo Bus direct to hotel (Century Southern Tower) but the last bus is before we arrive. There are buses that would take us as far as Shinjuku Station West Exit and I believe it's about a 10 min. walk from there to the hotel. The total trip would be approx 1hr 45min including walking to hotel.

The last train on the NRT Express leaves Terminal 1 at 9:44PM. This gives us very little time to get through immigration, collect luggage (which will be Priority tagged), buy tickets, and catch the train. Total time on the train is 1hr 30 minutes if I add in the 10 minute walk (which could be slightly less from the Southern Terrace)

I like the idea of taking the train but I can't imagine I'd have enough time and with luggage it might not be the best option although at that time I would think there won't be too many people.

Can anyone offer their experience and advice?

 

lsk4jmi, all is not lost. The Kesei Liner leaves NRT Terminal 1 at 2149, 2154, 2214, 2230 and 2234. It will take you to Nippori where you can transfer to the Yamanote Line. Check HYPERDIA.
Yes, it's not as quick as the Narita Express, but it will get you there.

 

Check http://www.hyperdia.com/ which will give you accurate train times not only for this but for all of Japan.

 

Frankly, I am not in love with getting on the Yamanote Line at nearly midnight with that much luggage. IIWM I'd take the 10:05 pm limo-bus to Shinjuku Station and cab, not walk, to the hotel. Dragging one roller bag on the sidewalk isn't a problem but at almost midnight, with the inebriated sararimen reeling down the sidewalks, I wouldn't want to do it with two bags each. If you can't make the 10:05, there are two later buses.

 

Wow, thanks for that visual!!!

Wouldn't this be the same issue if I took the Limo Bus or the NRT EXP to Shinjuku Stn?

 

Thanks for the link. This will be very useful for my trip which will include several trains around Japan. I did check for my late arrival date and I can't seem to get the Limo Bus to even show up at all. If I uncheck every option except the bus, still nothing. Hmmmm

 

I love options! Thanks! It's making decisions I seem to have issues with.

 

You should be checking the Limo Bus timetable here.
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/pla...es/index/2/212

 

I would like to emphasize abmj-jr�s point. Yamanote line around midnight can be surprisingly crowded. One may think that commuter trains at that late at night are light load, but in Tokyo Yamanote line and other commuter trains around midnight can be as busy as evening rush hours. Public transportation does not run 24 hrs. in Tokyo and 12 midnight � 1 a.m. is usually last train for the day, and many people who were drinking and out all night long are starting to go home at once. Also, surprisingly many people who were working that late going home on last train of the night. If you have luggage with you then I do not particularly suggest taking Yamanote line that time of the night, either. When I took Yamanote line and other commuter trains at Tokyo that late at night to get home I was surprised that trains were as crowded as evening rush hour of 5 p.m. � 7 p.m.

 

Yes, I have this, thanks. There is no bus after 9PM that goes to the Century Southern Tower so I would need to get off at Shinjuku Station West and walk. Not sure about a taxi from the station.

As an alternative, would it be crazy to take the Limo Bus to a different Hotel (the bus to the Hilton would work in terms of time) and then take a taxi from there?

 

You will get the 21:49 Skyliner with great ease. If you are quick and a bit early then the 21:15 NEX is possible.

With the Skyliner you will be on the Yamanote at 22:30, which is before the peak drinking crowd. I wouldn't worry about it. Unlike a comment above, the Skyliner is much faster. About 30 minutes faster than NEX.

Anyway, taking the bus to another hotel or Shinjuku station are good options too.