Tokyo Narita Airport

Yes Narita is extremely far from Tokyo. That said we have no other choice for international departures (except to and from Seoul Gimpo). Departing Narita is not pleasant especially from Terminal 1. Mainly because they have long walk times to the United and Northwest gates and it is still under renovation until 2006. Terminal 2 is much better organized and they do have shuttle trains to the outer gates. During busy travel seasons (Golden Week Christmas/New Year's and Obon in August) both terminals are subjected to maximum usage. There will be incredible lines if arriving and departing that's just a fact of life. As a resident of Japan I never have any delay arriving "home" as I can use the Japanese immigration lanes. However I have seen the horrible lines for foreigners. I usually have a quick exit to the baggage and go straight to the limousine bus ticket stand. From the plane opening its doors to taking my seat on the bus it rarely exceeds 40 minutes. Despite the location Narita is efficient considering the volume of traffic that goes in and out. But heaven help anyone who is stuck there during some sort of freak thunderstorm snow storm (which just happened 1/06) or other "emergency". The airlines and airport have no idea what to do with the backlog of passengers trying to get out on the next available flight (as most of the flights in and out of Narita are always full except to Europe). The hotels nearby are fairly awful and expensive with no international TV (the Hilton isn't too bad). Fingers crossed your experience at Narita won't be so bad as others may let you believe.

Arrival is always quite quick but I understand some comments about long lines at immigration. Slow and not efficient. The Narita Express into Tokyo is efficient but quite expensive compared to other cities. Departure at Narita is always a hell. The lines at the check-in area are huge - especially for the flights to US. Narita should organize these check-in area's better. After immigration which is slow again I normally go to the airline lounges immediately.

I use this airport at least once a year and I never have problems.It took me less than half an hour to go through immigration and the immigration personnel are very helpful and polite (unlike Europe (Manchester)). Luggage delivery at Narita is very fast and efficient. Narita is a clean airport plus the toilet are spotless. Unfortunately NRT is far away from the city centre and it took at least 2 hours from Tokyo. Overall I like this airport.

Arriving from Australia at Narita Airport on a Monday evening was like coming home to old friends. The Japanese are unfailingly polite and efficient. I was surprised then to find only two immigration officers stamping passports for non Japanese arrivals. At one stage I counted three hundred people standing in the queue with only two control points. This was clearly a regular occurrence because someone had thoughtfully posted time waiting signs at various points: eg "90 minutes from this point. The fact that the check in desks do not open until ninety minutes before departure is a nuisance for departing passengers. It often takes some organisation to get to Narita from Tokyo and this means a long wait with luggage in hand.

Been through this one over a dozen times and apart from the cost of getting there from Tokyo it's a very nice airport with plenty of space and facilities. The Keisei train line is definitely the best choice to get there the most affordable and certainly fast enough even if you don't get the Skyliner which is a bit more costly. When departing from Japan if you want to get rid of your luggage as soon as possible you may prefer taking the bus in downtown Tokyo Narita bus terminal where you can check-in before you get on the bus.

Narita Airport is generally nice. It's fully equipped with restaurants lounges entertainment stores even a large bookstore. The ambience is also quite good and adds a hip-hop modern touch. Still the drawback is its distance from central Tokyo. Without special transportation service it would be pretty hard to get there. Overall I'd give it 4 stars out of 5.

Actually the limousine bus from Yokohama should be around 3800 yens not 38000. Also there are about 5 or 6 ways to reach the city from Narita and unfortunately Narita Airport is about 2 hours from any in Tokyo or even 3 hours. But it is worth it.