Transport from Haneda or Narita Airport?

[suzyluvs2cruise]

We're 2 seniors who seasoned travelers but can no longer do public transport from airport to hotel/cruiseport or cruise port to hotel. We're cruising on Diamond Princess in April '25 and will be staying 3 nights pre-cruise at the Hyatt Regency in Yokohama. I'm aware that Narita airport is a farther distance from Yokohama than Haneda but in looking at flights Narita offers some good options time & price wise. Looking for information/recommendations on transport from Narita and Haneda airports to Hyatt Regency. Taxi? or Car Pickup? with approx cost and name of Car Pickup company. 

[Mrs. Claypool]

I have used Welcome Pickups in various cities around the world and I see that they operate in Tokyo, as well. 
 

They’ll probably cost a bit more than a taxi ride, but their service is reliable and their communication is excellent. 
 

Their website is welcomepickups.com. 

Edited October 1, 2024 by Mrs. Claypool

[bennybear]

Narita is extremely far but does offer a good airport bus service to Yokohama.  It goes right to The Grand,  a lovely hotel which was General MacArthur’s headquarters.  Not sure how close to your hotel but it’s a great spot with in view of the port. 

We took a taxi from Tokyo to Narita and it was well over an hour’s drive and over two hundred dollars.  
 

It’s also worth asking your hotel, the Hilton could arrange a driver.  
 

Or I would try hard to fly into Haneda. After a long flight a long drive can be daunting.   

Edited October 1, 2024 by bennybear

[suzyluvs2cruise]

On 10/1/2024 at 11:43 AM, bennybear said:

Narita is extremely far but does offer a good airport bus service to Yokohama.  It goes right to The Grand,  a lovely hotel which was General MacArthur’s headquarters.  Not sure how close to your hotel but it’s a great spot with in view of the port. 

We took a taxi from Tokyo to Narita and it was well over an hour’s drive and over two hundred dollars.  
 

It’s also worth asking your hotel, the Hilton could arrange a driver.  
 

Or I would try hard to fly into Haneda. After a long flight a long drive can be daunting.   

We wanted to fly into Haneda but the flight times did not work. Is it the Airport Limousine Bus that will go from Narita to the Hotel New Grand? 

[bennybear]

2 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

We wanted to fly into Haneda but the flight times did not work. Is it the Airport Limousine Bus that will go from Narita to the Hotel New Grand? 

Yes I believe that’s the one,  our friends took it and it worked well.  
 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

12 minutes ago, bennybear said:

Yes I believe that’s the one,  our friends took it and it worked well.  
 

I just looked and that route is not operational. We don't travel until April so I'll check again as that stop would be perfect for us. 

Edited November 30, 2024 by suzyluvs2cruise

[bennybear]

15 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

I just looked and that route is not operational. We don't travel until April so I'll check again as that stop would be perfect for us. 

Really Hope it works out, as a taxi will cost over 200$ 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

39 minutes ago, bennybear said:

Really Hope it works out, as a taxi will cost over 200$ 

Thanks....We can still use the bus to the Yokohama City Terminal and take a cab. 

[Hlitner]

We do everything reasonable, to fly in-out of Haneda.  It is simply more convenient and less expensive (in terms of transportation).  From Narita, there are some good options, such as using the train, but it can be a hassle for those of us who have reached that time in life were dealing with luggage is an issue.

 

Speaking of luggage, Japan has several trucking companies that operate fantastic luggage delivery programs.  It is possible, and finanically reasonable, to ship one's luggage ahead to a hotel.  This is an option for folks that plan on spending several days in a hotel in Tokyo, Kyoto, or elsewhere.  In fact, many Japanese also use these luggage forwarding systems.  I mention this, because the various companies do have counters at both Haneda and Narita.  The procedures are relatively easy and all the hotels seem to cooperate with the various programs.  If you were to spend 2 or 3 nights in a Tokyo hotel, you could ship your luggage from Narita to your hotel and it should arrive within a few hours or a day.  We used such a service to ship our luggage from our Tokyo hotel to our Kyoto hotel, which made traveling between those two cities much easier since we did not need to drag our luggage through train stations and on/off trains.  Two large bags cost us about $60 and the luggage was delivered the following day.  

 

We have an upcoming cruise out of Yokohama (also staying at the Hyatt Regency) and we will be flying into Haneda.  Rather than dealing with the hassles of public transportation, we will simply grab a taxi at Haneda and pay the price (less than $100) for the convenience of going directly from airport to hotel.  Japanese taxis are excellent as they are always clean, in great condition, and the drivers very professional.  Unlike most of the world, the Japanese taxis will not rip you off or take the "long way" to your destination.  Most taxis do take major credit cards (MC or Visa) although we always tell the driver we will use a credit card...before we get in the cab.  I have never seen the need to pre book transportation from an airport (unless one is with a large group) as there are always taxis and the queues near the terminal.

 

Finally, I should mention that there can be a language problem.  Although many drivers can read some English, that is never guaranteed (especially with older drivers).  We always print-out our destination and try to do it in both English and Kanji (many hotels have that info on their web site).  It taking a taxi from a hotel, you can ask the doorman for help (they can either talk to the driver or write down your destination),   But nearly all drivers will understand things like "Hyatt Regencyl...Yokohama."

 

Hank

[suzyluvs2cruise]

11 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We do everything reasonable, to fly in-out of Haneda.  It is simply more convenient and less expensive (in terms of transportation).  From Narita, there are some good options, such as using the train, but it can be a hassle for those of us who have reached that time in life were dealing with luggage is an issue.

 

Speaking of luggage, Japan has several trucking companies that operate fantastic luggage delivery programs.  It is possible, and finanically reasonable, to ship one's luggage ahead to a hotel.  This is an option for folks that plan on spending several days in a hotel in Tokyo, Kyoto, or elsewhere.  In fact, many Japanese also use these luggage forwarding systems.  I mention this, because the various companies do have counters at both Haneda and Narita.  The procedures are relatively easy and all the hotels seem to cooperate with the various programs.  If you were to spend 2 or 3 nights in a Tokyo hotel, you could ship your luggage from Narita to your hotel and it should arrive within a few hours or a day.  We used such a service to ship our luggage from our Tokyo hotel to our Kyoto hotel, which made traveling between those two cities much easier since we did not need to drag our luggage through train stations and on/off trains.  Two large bags cost us about $60 and the luggage was delivered the following day.  

 

We have an upcoming cruise out of Yokohama (also staying at the Hyatt Regency) and we will be flying into Haneda.  Rather than dealing with the hassles of public transportation, we will simply grab a taxi at Haneda and pay the price (less than $100) for the convenience of going directly from airport to hotel.  Japanese taxis are excellent as they are always clean, in great condition, and the drivers very professional.  Unlike most of the world, the Japanese taxis will not rip you off or take the "long way" to your destination.  Most taxis do take major credit cards (MC or Visa) although we always tell the driver we will use a credit card...before we get in the cab.  I have never seen the need to pre book transportation from an airport (unless one is with a large group) as there are always taxis and the queues near the terminal.

 

Finally, I should mention that there can be a language problem.  Although many drivers can read some English, that is never guaranteed (especially with older drivers).  We always print-out our destination and try to do it in both English and Kanji (many hotels have that info on their web site).  It taking a taxi from a hotel, you can ask the doorman for help (they can either talk to the driver or write down your destination),   But nearly all drivers will understand things like "Hyatt Regencyl...Yokohama."

 

Hank

Thank you! Your posts are always concise and appreciated. After researching and looking at You Tube videos I think we can do the Airport Limousine Bus and then take a cab from the stop closest to our hotel. We'll each have a backpack and a Med suitcase with 4 wheels. We'll take it slow and at our pace. With the bus someone will put the luggage in the hold and remove it so it should be easier than navigating it on the train.

 

Edited December 1, 2024 by suzyluvs2cruise

[monkey@cruise]

The Narita Airport direct bus departing from Narita Airport Terminal 2 and arriving at Yokohama YCAT, Services depart hourly.

 

YCAT Floor Map from Arrival stop to taxi stand (Luggage carts are available).

[Timspeed]

I’ll be needing this info for April 2025 also; as it’ll be my first time to Japan.

I’m young and in shape though and can take public transport if that option exists.

Edited December 2, 2024 by KarmaCruisers

[suzyluvs2cruise]

2 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

I’ll be needing this info for April 2025 also; as it’ll be my first time to Japan.

I’m young and in shape though and can take public transport if that option exists.

When are you cruising and what ship? Public transport is definitely an option. Which airport are you flying into? 

 

[kml246]

On 12/1/2024 at 10:28 PM, suzyluvs2cruise said:

When are you cruising and what ship? Public transport is definitely an option. Which airport are you flying into? 

 

 

I'm not the person you were asking, but we are flying into NRT in the afternoon of Apr 2. We're going to the Oakwood Suites Yokohama and sailing on Azamara Pursuit on Apr 6. First time in Japan, but we are seasoned travelers. Most times at arrival airports, we grab a cab or Uber for the trip. We normally have three checked bags and two carryon. NRT to Yokohama is a good distance. What recommendation do you have for the transfer?

 

Thank you,

Kevin

[monkey@cruise]

2 hours ago, kml246 said:

 

I'm not the person you were asking, but we are flying into NRT in the afternoon of Apr 2. We're going to the Oakwood Suites Yokohama and sailing on Azamara Pursuit on Apr 6. First time in Japan, but we are seasoned travelers. Most times at arrival airports, we grab a cab or Uber for the trip. We normally have three checked bags and two carryon. NRT to Yokohama is a good distance. What recommendation do you have for the transfer?

 

Thank you,

Kevin

Public transport options from Narita Airport Terminal 1 to Oakwood Suite Yokohama:
1- Taxi - 45,000 yen fare
2. Airport bus: Narita to YCAT, off at Yokohama Royal Park Hotel stop, then 2400 feet walking distace 
3. Airport bus: Narita to YCAT and taxi to hotel
4. Narita Express train to Yokohama Station:  take West EXIT and taxi to hotel.

[bennybear]

On 12/8/2024 at 10:45 AM, kml246 said:

 

I'm not the person you were asking, but we are flying into NRT in the afternoon of Apr 2. We're going to the Oakwood Suites Yokohama and sailing on Azamara Pursuit on Apr 6. First time in Japan, but we are seasoned travelers. Most times at arrival airports, we grab a cab or Uber for the trip. We normally have three checked bags and two carryon. NRT to Yokohama is a good distance. What recommendation do you have for the transfer?

 

Thank you,

Kevin

The airport buses are very comfortable and a much more reasonable cost.  

[monkey@cruise]

9 hours ago, bennybear said:

The airport buses are very comfortable and a much more reasonable cost.  

Narita Express train fare is 4,370 yen to Yokohama station vs Narita Airport bus to Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT) fare is 4,000 yen. 

[bennybear]

12 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

Narita Express train fare is 4,370 yen to Yokohama station vs Narita Airport bus to Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT) fare is 4,000 yen. 

 I meant it’s much less than a taxi.  The trains are great but depends on how much luggage one can manage.  The poster I was responding to had three checked suitcases plus two carry on.    

Edited December 15, 2024 by bennybear

[monkey@cruise]

1 hour ago, bennybear said:

 I meant it’s much less than a taxi.  The trains are great but depends on how much luggage one can manage.  The poster I was responding to had three checked suitcases plus two carry on.    

Most Japan taxi truck space holds two suitcases, a "Grand Taxi" may hold all the luggage but cost more.
An option is using JAL airport baggage delivery service (not necessary a JAL passenger), forward one/two suitcases to your hotel (same day service), and make yourself comfortable to ride any means of transportation to hotel. 
https://www.jalabc.com/en/hands-freetravel/airport-baggage-delivery/from-the-airport.html