9 hrs in Tokyo

"Vitaly Shmatikov" wrote in message
...

Figure a minimum of an hour and half to get into town or
back

The train takes only an hour, and puts him pretty much where he wants
to be in Tokyo (if I were him, I'd take Keisei Skyliner to Ueno).

Sure, the train itself takes an hour. It's not unreasonable to add in at
least 15 minutes on either end of that due to the fact that you WON'T be
arriving at the station exactly when the train is pulling out, you'll have
to get through the station at the destination end, etc., etc.. There is
always more time involved in any mode of transportation than just the actual
trip time.

Bob M.

XOR wrote:
Thanks to all for the info. I really appreciate it. Now I can decide
if it's worth it or not, will have to think about it. One extra
question - what happens when my luggage is checked through (to SAT
from BKK), but I go through immigration/customs w/o it? Esp. given the
heightened security these days, is this an issue?

Nope, no problem. If you're not on the plane, though, they'll probably take
your luggage off and get annoyed with you.

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/

In article , Miguel Cruz
wrote:

XOR wrote:
Thanks to all for the info. I really appreciate it. Now I can decide
if it's worth it or not, will have to think about it. One extra
question - what happens when my luggage is checked through (to SAT
from BKK), but I go through immigration/customs w/o it? Esp. given the
heightened security these days, is this an issue?

Nope, no problem. If you're not on the plane, though, they'll probably take
your luggage off and get annoyed with you.

One (domestic) flight I was on left almost an hour late waiting for
"Debby" to show up. Finally her pal realizing there was a hold up on
her account said that she had no intention of taking the flight. So we
had to wait while they got her bags off the plane before we could go.

Amazing.

--
First they gerrymander us into one-party fiefs. Then they tell us they only
care about the swing districts. Then they complain about voter apathy.
-- Gail Collins

Gerry wrote in message ...
In article , Miguel Cruz
wrote:

XOR wrote:
Thanks to all for the info. I really appreciate it. Now I can decide
if it's worth it or not, will have to think about it. One extra
question - what happens when my luggage is checked through (to SAT
from BKK), but I go through immigration/customs w/o it? Esp. given the
heightened security these days, is this an issue?

Nope, no problem. If you're not on the plane, though, they'll probably take
your luggage off and get annoyed with you.

One (domestic) flight I was on left almost an hour late waiting for
"Debby" to show up. Finally her pal realizing there was a hold up on
her account said that she had no intention of taking the flight. So we
had to wait while they got her bags off the plane before we could go.

Amazing.


heh. At LHR a few months ago, waiting in the departure area, I kept
hearing over the speakers "Will Mr. X please proceed to Gate Y for an
on time departure." few more minutes... "Will Mr John X please
proceed to Gate Y"... more minutes "Will Mr John X proceed to Gate Y
IMMEDIATELY. YOUR PLANE IS READY TO LEAVE." More minutes... "JOHN X
MUST PROCEED TO GATE Y NOW OR WE WILL HAVE TO REMOVE YOUR BAGS FROM
THE PLANE."

"MR JOHN X MUST PROCEED NOW!!! A CAR IS WAITING TO **DRIVE** YOU TO
THE PLANE AS IT HAS ALREADY LEFT THE GATE AND THE PLANE IS NOW LATE
DEPARTING!"

Finally, 'MR JOHN X, YOU HAVE NOW MISSED YOUR FLIGHT, YOUR BAGS ARE
BEING REMOVED FROM THE PLANE, AND THE PLANE IS NOW 30 MINS LATE
LEAVING. INCONVENIENCING ALL PASSENGERS ABOARD." The speaker wasn't
quite shouting, but her voice got stronger, more pronounced with each
message.

My guess is the guy probably fell asleep and didn't hear (the name was
rather English-sounding, so it's a good bet it wasn't that he didn't
understand English). . Given that a similar thing happened a few more
times whilst I was waiting, tho never to that extreme, I'm guess this
happens a lot I was thinking I'd be rather embarassed if my name was
called all over LHR T4.

Hence, my concern, but glad to hear it's not an issue provided I make
the plane...maybe an argument for staying in Narita area rather than
going along into Tokyo. My luck I'd hit a train delay (or does that
only happen in England ;-)) and never get back...

On 15 Jan 2004 11:00:27 -0800, (XOR) wrote:

My luck I'd hit a train delay

No Japanese train would ever **dare** be late.
Exceptions are allowed only for snow, typhoons and earthquakes.

"Dick Locke" wrote in message
...
On 15 Jan 2004 11:00:27 -0800, (XOR) wrote:

My luck I'd hit a train delay

No Japanese train would ever **dare** be late.
Exceptions are allowed only for snow, typhoons and earthquakes.

How much snow does Tokyo/Narita get?

dennis

(XOR) wrote in message . com...
I've been through Narita more times than I can count it seems, but
never out of the airport. I may end up with a 9 hour layover at NRT.
Is that enough time to actually *do* anything in Tokyo - figuring the
time it takes to get to/from the airport, checkin/immigration etc ?

I can avoid it, but usually do the 6 or 7am flight from BKK, which
doesn't actually help me much since that requires leaving for the
airport at 3/4am and not really sleeping anyway. This 9 hr layover
flight would have me leaving just before midnight instead, arriving
into NRT in the am. I'd only do it if it offers me the chance to do
something in Tokyo.

I'm the author of the Narita Layove page referred to in this thread.

http://www.mgnewman.com/narita/

I would think that after an overnight flight from Bangkok you'd be too
tired to make the journey in to Tokyo. You'd be pressed for time and
end up traveling during the morning rush hour. Narita City is a very
pleasant place and has a lot to offer, especially for a first time
visitor to Japan.

One thing to remember is that not much opens before about 10:00 AM, so
plan your travel accordingly.

On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 21:49:13 GMT, "Dennis G. Rears"
wrote:


"Dick Locke" wrote in message
.. .
On 15 Jan 2004 11:00:27 -0800, (XOR) wrote:

My luck I'd hit a train delay

No Japanese train would ever **dare** be late.
Exceptions are allowed only for snow, typhoons and earthquakes.

How much snow does Tokyo/Narita get?

dennis

Coupla inches every few years. No snowplows.

In article , XOR
wrote:

My guess is the guy probably fell asleep and didn't hear (the name was
rather English-sounding, so it's a good bet it wasn't that he didn't
understand English). . Given that a similar thing happened a few more
times whilst I was waiting, tho never to that extreme, I'm guess this
happens a lot I was thinking I'd be rather embarassed if my name was
called all over LHR T4.

Probabaly soon to be a federal crime, maybe even a felony, for missing
a plane in which your bags have been stowed. On the other hand
Guantanamo is lovely so much of the year...

--
First they gerrymander us into one-party fiefs. Then they tell us they only
care about the swing districts. Then they complain about voter apathy.
-- Gail Collins

(XOR) wrote in message . com...

heh. Well. Unfortunately I must 1)travel on a US carrier and 2)fly the
cheapest economy flight - it's essentially coming from US government
funds, so these are the restrictions...

Not sure if there will be one open at that time of morning, but you
might find a public bath in Narita (are there onsen in that area?) and
clean up a bit. Very relaxing and refreshing.

John W.