Private Vehicle Recommendations - NRT to Tokyo

[Keith1010]

I posted this on the Asia Ports-Of-Call Board.  I am posting it here as well since it is for a Crystal Cruise and because I know some of you have taken Crystal Cruises which began or ended in Tokyo.

 

I am looking for recommendations for a private vehicle to get from Narita International  airport to downtown Tokyo.  I do realize Haneda airport is much closer but that is not an option for us the way we plan to fly.

 

I am not looking for public transportation options.

I would appreciate any and all input.

 

Thank you.

 

Keith

[bitob]

If you are staying in a hotel in Tokyo, ask your hotel.  That's what we did last time and they provided car service.

[ctjon]

One of the reasons we did the Crystal hotel before our May cruise - wanted the included airport transfer.  Turned out we were the only people from that flight and ended up with a private car taking us to hotel.  Yes, Crystal hotels are very expensive but when airport is long trip the included transfers makes it a little less so.

[Paulatmich]

I second calling up the hotel and having them book something.  For many of the luxury hotels in Tokyo (I've done it at the Peninsula, Ritz Carlton, and Grand Hyatt Roppongi), they are able to reserve a taxi for you and have a reasonable fixed rate charged to your room bill.  A hotel employee meets you at the airport with a sign, takes you to the taxi area, where a reserved taxi is waiting for you to take you to the hotel.  It works extremely well, and is a similar fare to just taking a taxi (without dealing with the language barrier of telling them where to take you), and any possible payment issues.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for the suggestions about making arrangements through the hotel.  I actually sent the Hotel a note inquiring about this yesterday including the cost.  I was just wondering if others had used any alternative companies and if others have please post them if you were happy.  However, it sounds like going with the hotel might be the way to go which is something we often do in places outside the USA these days.

 

Also it's been along time since I stayed in Tokyo and if my memory hasn't failed me the drive in the afternoon from Narita to say the Ginza area could take as long as ninety minutes.  Does that sound about right or is my age showing?  😀

 

Many thanks,

Keith

[Raptordash]

Keith,

Your memory is intact.  I was on a Tauck tour in Japan this past April and as part of the tour received a car service transfer from Narita to the Park Hyatt Hotel in late afternoon.  The drive took about 90 minutes.

 

Marc

[Paulatmich]

Your memory is correct, it's going to be 60-90 minutes for that drive through beautiful, industrial Japan.  But...if you look closely through some of rails on the side of the highway, you can very briefly see the castle in Disney Tokyo.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I posted this on the Asia Ports-Of-Call Board.  I am posting it here as well since it is for a Crystal Cruise and because I know some of you have taken Crystal Cruises which began or ended in Tokyo.

 

I am looking for recommendations for a private vehicle to get from Narita International  airport to downtown Tokyo.  I do realize Haneda airport is much closer but that is not an option for us the way we plan to fly.

 

I am not looking for public transportation options.

I would appreciate any and all input.

 

Thank you.

 

Keith

I have used a car service called Blacklane in various cities around the world. Very happy with their service. Fare will be around $300 USD 

 

Uber “Black” would be 27,000 Yen or about $250. They don’t have Uber X (cheaper). Black is the luxury car version of Uber.

 

Ordinary taxi from the airport queue. Around $210

 

https://www.blacklane.com/en/

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

 

 

[PaulMCO]

Most times I will take the Express bus.  But when I need a private transfer I will use Blacklane or the hotel.

[ryndam]

We stayed at the Peninsula pre-cruise. The hotel arranged a luxury van transfer (we were 2 couples traveling together) large enough to accommodate the four of us + our luggage in the same vehicle from NRT-hotel. And subsequently from the Peninsula-Yokohama port. There was a driver and an English-speaking escort on both transfers. I'm not sure of the individual price of the transfers, since the cost was packaged as part of the hotel stay.

 

Rob

[Stickman1990]

7 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

Also it's been along time since I stayed in Tokyo and if my memory hasn't failed me the drive in the afternoon from Narita to say the Ginza area could take as long as ninety minutes.  Does that sound about right or is my age showing?  😀

 

 

That’s about right, up to 90 minutes and best to allow for that - but it can often be a little quicker. In my recent experience the traffic is no worse in Tokyo than other major global cities these days 

 

Thats why Haneda is the most popular airport if you can get lucky with your airlines having flights into or out of Haneda 

[Keith1010]

I appreciate the additional comments about private transfers including experiences having hotels arrange this and the recommendation of Black Lane.

 

Thank you for confirming the time from NRT to Tokyo.  I do remember the views were not very attractive.  

 

Terry I will take another look at Haneda as it would be nice to have a much shorter drive to and from the airport.  

 

Thank you all.

 

Keith

[PaulMCO]

Keith -- their are a lot more new flights into Haneda.  United has just increased flights there with directs from ORD, LAX, EWR and IAD plus their already in service from SFO.  IAD and ORD will no longer have service to NRT on United.

[Keith1010]

Thank you Paul.  In my former life (when I lived on both coasts United was my go to airline.  That changed many years ago when we moved again.   I have an airline I plan to use and just have to evaluate this.  From a flight perspective it appears easier for me to do NRT so I have to weight that with the drive.  With that said, I have another six weeks before I plan to book so I will study this further as I evaluate flight schedules with the airline I plan to use.  I'm also in the process of finalizing hotels.

 

I very much appreciate your suggestion and would follow it if we still flew with United.

 

Many thanks,

 

Keith

[Arizonasunshine]

We used Blacklane earlier this year to go from NRT to a hotel in Yokohama. Would highly recommend them.

[NottheMonkey]

When I have flown into NRT for work in Japan, I have typically taken the high speed rail to Tokyo (the line is the Narita Express).  It is cost effective, always on time, and has great drop off points.  Plus, I always enjoy the high speed rail experience.  You should be able to get a great drop off point near your hotel.  Your hotel can arrange to pick you up.  Saves money, very comfortable after a long flight, good scenery along the way, and high speed rail is always enjoyable to me (the little kid in me). 

 

Should have added pay a little extra for green class.  Should run you about $100 one way for two people if I remember pricing right. 

Edited September 5, 2019 by NottheMonkey

[Stickman1990]

43 minutes ago, NottheMonkey said:

When I have flown into NRT for work in Japan, I have typically taken the high speed rail to Tokyo (the line is the Narita Express). 

 

He specifically said he didn’t want to take public transport so NEX doesn’t work as an option

 

There are several public transport options available from Narita to Tokyo or Yokohama includes Narita Express and the quaintly named Airport Limousine - which is a bus (actually many different buses running multiple routes to various areas) as well as other bus services running to different areas 

 

The vast majority of visitors would use public transport to get into the city from Narita 

 

Depending on the type and size of private car service he goes with it should cost $150-$200 one way - which isn’t too bad for a dedicated form of transport for 2 people I guess 

Edited September 5, 2019 by Stickman1990

[NottheMonkey]

Yes, I missed that.  End of work day and tired brain.  ;)

 

 

[Coral]

2 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

 

He specifically said he didn’t want to take public transport so NEX doesn’t work as an option

 

There are several public transport options available from Narita to Tokyo or Yokohama includes Narita Express and the quaintly named Airport Limousine - which is a bus (actually many different buses running multiple routes to various areas) as well as other bus services running to different areas 

In Osaka - I used the Airport Limousine. It was a very nice bus/coach. They leave frequently. It was cheap and took me within a block of my hotel. On the way back, the hotel staff took our luggage to the airport limo station and waited with us to make sure we got on the right bus. And in Japanese fashion, he refused a tip. I am not one that likes bus transportation but I have to say this was nicely done and I would use them again.

[Keith1010]

Thank you all again.  Many years ago Anne Marie and I would have chosen public transportation or some type of shared transportation.  Even today with less luggage and a shorter day of flying we might do just that.  However, this is not an option given amount of luggage and a very long flight(s).  

 

As someone who used to commute into a city for many years (rain, sleet or snow) on a bus and eventually bus/subway I am a big believer of shared transport.  Thank you though.

 

Also thank you for the additional recommendation on Blacklane.  

 

Again I will look at the closer airport (thank you Terry) and what flights are involved versus NRT.  If NRT I will look at the option of having the hotel make the transport arrangements  versus  Blackline.  Thank you all for this advice.  The good news with Blackline as is the case with many companies I was able to get a price for the transport so I can compare that with the hotel and most importantly for the positive recommendations for both options.

 

If anyone else has other private transport options by all means keep them coming.

Now I just need to finalize the hotel.  Lots of choices.  Choice is good but in large cities around the world the challenge is location and narrowing down the choice.  Thank goodness for some from this board who have given me advice off-line and also from the reading I have done on this and the port of Call Board about hotels, as well as other sites including  Trip Advisor and simply the Hotel websites.  I remember those days  before all of this existed.   

 

My previous time in Tokyo was for business so this will be the first time as a tourist.  Anne Marie and I have been to Japan a few times all with Crystal.  In 2014 while in Yokohama for three days as it included turnover of the ship, one of the days we were going to take the train into Tokyo.  Instead, we were "derailed" as I spent a good portion of one night at a Hospital.  😪  I then needed to rest on the ship for a couple of days.  Good things come from not so good things and likely part of the reason we chose this itinerary was the opportunity for Anne Marie to see some places we couldn't get to the last time (we had to cancel a private tour of another area on another day while docked at Yokohama)  while I rested.  One never knows in life what some detours might bring.  😎

 

Keith

[Coral]

Have a great time in Japan Keith! I loved my land trip there. 

[ctjon]

Somehow to me - paying for the airline trip and a cruise or other vacation - spending an additional couple of hundred is somewhat insignificant compared to ease and convenience of limo or other specialized transport.  In spite of "sleeper" compartments on a long long flight to Tokyo earlier this year we were exhausted and getting picked up and delivered was great and worth what it costs.

[Psoque]

Beginning around of May of 2020, there will be a lot more flights to Haneda.  As far as I know, there will be at least 50 more flights to Haneda, and 24 of them will be from US airports.  What I don't know is if all of these new flights are already loaded into the reservation systems.  Also, I have no idea how long would these new flights would remain in operation after the Tokyo Olympics.

 

Also, it is worth noting that the Airport Limousine Bus (the orange bus) from both Narita and Haneda are a lot nicer than any bust I've ever taken in other countries.  Also, in our experience, the bus driver/hotel people took very nice care of our luggage.  As soon as we arrived at our pick-up area at Narita, we did not really handle our bags until we arrived at Conrad, where their bellhops took over.  I'm not trying to encourage you to not get your own transfer sedan/taxi, but I really think the bus from the airport is very nice.  I'm not sure where you are staying, but the bus stops at a lot of hotels of various price ranges.

 

Personally, I highly prefer taking the bus vs. Narita Express train, unless the our schedule do not fit the bus schedule, or if the hotel we are coming from/going to is far from the bus stop.  We also usually stay in hotel that the bus stops at/departs from.  Also, nobody will help you with your luggage if you take Narita Express in contrast to the bus.

Edited September 6, 2019 by Psoque
added more info.

[Coral]

1 hour ago, Psoque said:

Also, it is worth noting that the Airport Limousine Bus (the orange bus) from both Narita and Haneda are a lot nicer than any bust I've ever taken in other countries.  Also, in our experience, the bus driver/hotel people took very nice care of our luggage.  As soon as we arrived at our pick-up area at Narita, we did not really handle our bags until we arrived at Conrad, where their bellhops took over.  I'm not trying to encourage you to not get your own transfer sedan/taxi, but I really think the bus from the airport is very nice.  I'm not sure where you are staying, but the bus stops at a lot of hotels of various price ranges.

 

I think the bus dropped us off at our hotel (Hilton) but when we returned, we walked a block because the time was better at that location and the bell captain walked with us with our luggage.

 

Though - I agree it is a long flight and maybe easier to just have someone waiting for you when you find your luggage.

 

I loved my trip to Japan.

[Keith1010]

Thank you so much Coral.

 

Psoque...Yes I see more flights for May.  I discovered that early this morning.  Keeping fingers crossed on this that it continues.  I  think this is where I say time will tell.  😀  Or is it choice is good.  LOL.  

 

Actually if the flights stay the same I would fly to NRT (most convenient from a flight perspective) and potentially from Haneda coming back.  But if it's not meant to be we'll go NRT both ways.

 

Jonathan, I agree.  I will be doing a private transfer and based on some additional input I have received I will have the Hotel arrange it.  I will however look to try out Blacklane on another trip based on the input I have received. They provide service in several places we hope to be visiting.  

 

Part of the fun of travel is the planning so I am enjoying all of this and always learning new things when we visit cities we have not traveled to for pleasure.    I am glad that we are at a stage again where we are planning as there was a period of time when things were on-hold.

 

Keith