expired Posted by serra | Staff • Jan 22, 2024
Jan 22, 2024 3:55 PM
Item 1 of 1
expired Posted by serra | Staff • Jan 22, 2024
Jan 22, 2024 3:55 PM
Roundtrip Nonstop Flight: San Jose, CA to Tokyo, Japan
(Travel Jan - Feb 2024)$518
$725
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Otherwise, you'd add anywhere from Spirit's cheap $135 RT to LAX from NYC, or maybe $250+ on Delta NYC-SJC and then catch Zipair the next day (add the cost of a hotel room each way???).
But, maybe make a mini-trip of it with a visit to the Bay Area for one, or more days.
Otherwise, it looks like non-stop flights from the east coast will be $1200+
On a side note: I really liked Zipair. But, you really have to be prepared and expect that you'll pay for seats, baggage, food, etc. That still adds up to much less in certain seasons than othetr major airlines. The plane was in good condition, the food was not bad--but you really should get a Bento box or other take-out meal to bring on board rather than get the airline food. The Zipair food was much better than the meal I had on United, which was free, and awful.
Pay about $11 for access to the lounge before your flight so you have time to relax and get drinks (unlimited non-alcoholic included), and some simple light snacks.
I can confirm that in Tokyo they are very strict about the baggage weight, so you should watch that carefully.
You pay extra for everything, but the prices were quite reasonable, I thought. The plane was a fairly new-looking, clean 787. Food was pretty decent and, again, reasonably priced. Crew was fine - not excellent, but still much nicer/friendlier than a typical US-based airline, imo.
I recommend purchasing a compact luggage scale and take it with you, though. They are very strict about weight limits and, if you are over limit at the airport, there is an extra surcharge compared to pre-purchasing the weight-limit increase. I picked up so many souvenirs that I was really close. I pre-weighed my luggage the night before and realized I was over the limit, so I ended up wearing my jacket at check-in (even though it was a hot July day) and stuffed my coat pockets with all my heaviest stuff. They weigh all bags, but not anything you're wearing
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The plane availability is kinda crapshoot, even if you are dealing with a large airline. I once got stuck at HND for two days (not a bad airport to be stuck in, actually) because the equipment for my UA flight broke down and they could not find another plane. On the third day I was asked to go over to NRT and catch a different flight.
Stops at Shibuya Station, Cerulean Tower Tokyu, and Shibuya Mark City.
same bus can be taken on the way from Shibuya back to Narita.
https://www.airport-bus-alliance.com/limousinebus/result-t.html?airport=%E6%88%90%E7%94%B0%E7%A9%BA%... [airport-bus-alliance.com]
There is also something called the low cost bus between Narita and Shibuya, but there are very few trips(e.g., two a day per direction).
Stops at Shibuya Station, Cerulean Tower Tokyu, and Shibuya Mark City.
same bus can be taken on the way from Shibuya back to Narita.
https://www.airport-bus-alliance.com/limousinebus/result-t.html?airport=%E6%88%90%E7%94%B0%E7%A9%BA%... [airport-bus-alliance.com]
There is also something called the low cost bus between Narita and Shibuya, but there are very few trips(e.g., two a day per direction).
When you arrive at NRT, get the Pasmo Passport IC card (only available at the major airports) that you can use as a debit card to buy tickets as well as in some convenience stores. It costs 1500 Yen (about $10), can be reloaded, though it expires in 28 days, and you won't get the balance refunded, unlike the regular IC card. It's very difficult to get the regular IC cards due to the chip shortage.
You cannot use your credit card to buy train or bus tickets at some ticket machines when you are there and you will have to use cash or your IC card. It was convenient to withdraw cash from ATM machines at places like 7-Eleven, which are all over the place.
EDIT: And another plug for Google--add the Google Translate app to your phone and download the Japanese language pack to your phone. You can use your phone camera to do live translations while viewing directly.
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the issue is where Shibuya is relative to Narita.
first off, Shibuya district is quite large, so where you are going matters.
second, Narita Express is an option to Shibuya Station, as are many other trains, but see the first point above because it ultimately depends on where in Shibuya you are going.
third, time of day matters. for example, Narita Express doesn't run until 730AM, so if you are ready to go at 6AM you're actually faster off with the next bus or even Keisei Skyaccess train as it will get you into Tokyo about 45 minutes faster than waiting for the Narita Express.
everyone will have their own opinions on this, and everyone has different comfort levels.
can't go wrong with any of the options, just be aware of how much walking you have to get from where the transportation service ends and where you are actually going.
the issue is where Shibuya is relative to Narita.
first off, Shibuya district is quite large, so where you are going matters.
second, Narita Express is an option to Shibuya Station, as are many other trains, but see the first point above because it ultimately depends on where in Shibuya you are going.
third, time of day matters. for example, Narita Express doesn't run until 730AM, so if you are ready to go at 6AM you're actually faster off with the next bus or even Keisei Skyaccess train as it will get you into Tokyo about 45 minutes faster than waiting for the Narita Express.
everyone will have their own opinions on this, and everyone has different comfort levels.
can't go wrong with any of the options, just be aware of how much walking you have to get from where the transportation service ends and where you are actually going.
if you're already going to get the rail pass then it is included in that price, but the rail pass is expensive now so not worth it unless you're taking Shinkansen at least 4 times.
Buy a separate ticket to LAX one day before the flight? I'm scared of losing the flight to Japan due to flight delays when going to LAX.
Screw paying a premium just for a connecting flight and 20hr layover.
Screw paying a premium just for a connecting flight and 20hr layover.
For outbounds you can regulate the risk this way. While I have never been burned doing the self-transfer, I do have concern for inbound. Once I got stuck in Tokyo for two days because the flight out of HND did not depart due to an equipment failure (and a failure to find a replacement). If I had done a self-transfer (I did not on this particular itinerary), I would have been forced to change the connecting flight, either by paying the difference in fare or buying a whole new ticket, depending on the fare class.
The risk is greater for inbound because you have fewer options to fly out on the same day.
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