Overnight at NRT
I am planning a trip to Jakarta in April on ANA via Tokyo/Narita (NRT). The problem is that the ANA flights from the U.S. arrive in the afternoon, but their connecting flight to Jakarta is a 9:30 a.m. flight and they have already told me that they do not provide hotel accommodations in Tokyo. Hence, I was thinking of camping out at NRT all night. Can someone tell me if NRT is a 24/7 airport where passengers can spend the night or will I be forced to depart the airport during the overnight hours?1
From http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/travel/faq_ask/asklist.htmlAircraft operating hours is between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.. Customers are not permitted to remain in the passenger terminals outside aircraft operating hours. However, under special circumstances, for example when an aircraft arrives after public transport stops operating, customers may be allowed to sleep in designated areas. Moreover, customers catching early morning flights are advised to use nearby hotels and accommodations around the airport.
Some "first hand experiences" on the net indicate that it is possible to sleep at the airport, however it might well be due to security staff not being prepared for such situation/not trying to make a fuss/... It is certainly not common to sleep in Japanese airports and I would advise against it unless there is no other option.
You already have a long flight from the US to Jakarta and could probably need some real rest in a bed (futon). Take into account what you gain by being less tired once you get to Jakarta.
If you arrive in the afternoon, you could explore a bit in Narita town, stay somewhere around there and have a short trip to the airport next day. In any case 9:30am is not very early and you could also easily make it there from central Tokyo if you wish.
2
#1:I lived in Tokyo for two years a while back as a miltary contractor. My job also involved traveling to virtually all U.S. military bases in Japan and so I have actually traveled the entire length of Japan - from Sapporo to Okinawa and many places in between.
During my time in Tokyo, I have traveled many times between NRT and central Tokyo using the Narita express - unless things have changed, the journey time is quite long as I recall. Hence, this time I will probably just stay at an airport hotel.
Can anyone recommend a modestly priced, decent hotel close to the airport? If they have a complimentary airport shuttle, it would be great.
Thanks.
3
With that much free time I would definitely leave the airport... if nothing else, the town of Narita itself has some interesting sights. However, if you were to sleep there, I doubt if they'd kick you out:http://www.sleepinginairports.net/asia/tokyo_narita.htm#.UMYlNINTxrM
4
Can anyone recommend a modestly priced, decent hotel close to the airport?Could you be a bit more specific (e.g. budget)? I found most all hotels I stayed in Japan decent, but your requirements might differ. Otherwise there is some recommendation at http://www.mgnewman.com/Naritax/stay.html
During my time in Tokyo, I have traveled many times between NRT and central Tokyo using the Narita express - unless things have changed, the journey time is quite long as I recall.
Yes, with an afternoon arrival I would not go to central Tokyo. I find airports pretty boring and ugly, so I'd head for Narita town, which is just a couple of minutes by train or bus.
Edited by: bamse
5
Actually, I noticed that the Hilton Narita is offering a rate of 6,000 Yen, but it is an advance purchase rate. I am a member of the Hilton Honors program and so I stay at the Hilton if the rates are comparable to other properties in the area. Does anyone know anything about the Hilton Narita? I presume it is comparable to any Hilton hotel? Also, they have a free shuttle to the airport which makes it convenient. Does anyone know if they serve complimentary breakfast for their guests?Thanks.
7
Go back to the North East Asia section and look up the FAQs and see what you can find about Narita city, so you can do some exploring, unless you want to pay to go downtown Tokyo. I would recommend staying at this place instead of any place downtown (and being forced to take very early morning transportation to the airport):http://www.apo-resthouse.com/english/index.html
8
There is a big overcapacity at airport hotels near Narita and it's quite easy to get a rock-bottom rate at any of them. Just put your date into a booking site such as http://www.booking.com and see what you'll get. Breakfast is usually extra at most airport hotels, but you may get a rate that includes it or pay extra locally. Your Hilton rate is very good. Read reviews on Tripadvisor.Look at the very useful and updated http://www.mgnewman.com/Naritax/index.php
10
ANA has a hotel not far from the airport. It's not budget accomodation but I do not remember it as being expensive either. There was a free shuttle to and from and you could check in for your flight at the hotel so you didn't need to haul your luggage back to the airport or stand in line at check-in.Edited by: harju
11
Agoda.com may come in handy for Narita city hotel bookings too.If you book one of the airport-area hotels, they should provide a free shuttle to the airport, and perhaps a free shuttle to a shopping center (AEON).
On a tangential note, need any help with finding Jakarta accommodations?
12
in reply #1 Bamse wrote: It is certainly not common to sleep in Japanese airportsI've no experience in NRT overnight, but I can say that it is increasingly common to see people sleeping in HND.
Since HND expanded its international flights last year, I've flown from there three times. Many international flights depart HND at 6am or so. As it isn't possible to arrive HND by public transport at 4am (the required 2 hours prior for international flights), your choice is nearby hotel + taxi or sleeping at the airport.
In spring 2011 I was one of a few HND sleepers. In summer 2011 there were dozens of HND sleepers. And in summer 2012, it was a bit difficult to find a bench to stretch out on; there were now dozens if not a hundred (or more) HND sleepers.
Not everyone sleeps; many, like me, spend the evening drinking the 24/7 conbini beer, adjusting to destination time zone. But a great number are also fully horizontal, under blankets, snoring loudly.
Short story long, at least in HND, spending a night in the airport seems to be a growing trend.
13
#11:I have a couple of friends who live in Jakarta and so I am all set in terms of accommodations there.
