Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pangaea]

I just got my itinerary and I have a 19 hour layover in Tokya Narita airport. I will get there at 4pm on Friday and my connecting flight doesn't leave until 11am the next morning. Has anyone else had an overnight layover in this airport? What am I supposed to do? I had to spend the night in Dulles airport a few years ago and it was not a good experience. I thought an international airport would have some activity all night long, but I ended up alone in a deserted airport all night. I did not feel safe and it is not an experience I want to repeat. I am not looking forward to this. Does anyone know if there is a safe place I can go in the airport to try to get some sleep? Are there showers in the airport? Is there a hotel attached to the airport? Any help would be appreciated.

[Stout]

Head into Narita city and check out the few attractions they have there. Also not so far from Disney Land/Disney Sea, if you don't mind that sorta thing and using some cash.

[Zackback]

I would love that!
Everytime I go back and visit the US I really look forward to stopping in Japan for the short layover. I love seeing and talking tothe Japanese girls there. I always wish my time there would never end.

[pangaea]

Well, I'm not interested in Japanese girls or making a video. I am more interested in where I'm going to sleep and if I will be safe. I'm also pregnant and dealing with fatigue and nausea. Spending some time sight seeing might be nice, but I am not sure if I will be up to it. If anyone can recommend a hotel near the airport or tell me how to get by overnight in the airport, that would be very helpful. Thanks.

[Stout]

[yodanole]

Actually you can just go to the hotel counter and they will take you to and from the hotel by shuttle bus. You won't even have to go through customs.
If you do go through customs then you have to deal with the whole being in Tokyo for a short time without any particular knowledge. (As far as I don't know you and your experiences).
If it were me I would stay in an airport hotel and eat at the hotel restaurant and sleep after reading a book. However the hotels are isolated behind tall fences and you will be limited to hotel only options.

[Redcap]

I wouldn't recommend a 19 hour airport camping trip to anyone.

Your options are rather limited, given your arrival time at Narita. You'll probably be too late for the guided tours of Tokyo that operate out of the airport. If Disney appeals to you, you will have to research the logistics of getting there from the airport.

If you're considering grinding it out, there are very small bedrooms available for rent at Narita airport. The rooms are rented out by the hour (approx. $15-20/hr), and do not include a bathroom/shower. If you want a shower, you'll have to pay extra for the privilege. The website for Narita will provide more info about this, and other guest services.

As is the case with most airports, the majority of amenities at Narita start packing it in after 8:00 or 9:00pm. The rooms I described probably fall into this category.

As others have suggested, the most sensible option for your pending ultra-long layover is to book a room at one of the many hotels near Narita. It's money well spent. You'll be a lot more comfortable in a hotel room than commandeering a row of lounge seats at Narita, and you'll be much more rested for your flight. You also won't have to worry about having a fellow traveller attempt to liberate your belongings while you sleep, and you'll also have the benefit of a wake-up call at the hotel to ensure that you don't over-sleep and miss your flight. As yodanole noted, you won't have to clear Japanese customs and immigration if you stay at the hotels near the airport.

A quick internet search on a couple of hotel booking sites will provide you with the best deals. Additionally, you may want to contact the airline and ask them if they have any partnerships with Narita hotels, whereby passengers can get rooms at discounted rates.

[cert43]

Wow! 19 hours ( sounds like you wanna stay in Japan) ....huh..

Why don't you try searching the job boards before living in the Narita Airport ( better for your baby too)!!

[Koreadays]

call the airline and get on an earlier flight...

19 hour lay over.. WHY?

[pangaea]

I've been wondering why myself. My boss booked and paid for the plane ticket. My dilemma now is whether to reserve the hotel room or try to get on an earlier flight. If I'm staying in a hotel, I prefer to have a room reserved in advance rather than walking in. That way I have a guaranteed room and I know the price. But that also means if I do manage to get an earlier flight, I will be out the cost of a hotel room.

[Died By Bear]

Your boss paid for the ticket? Does your boss hate you? Does your boss know how long you'll be there? Seems like a really inconsiderate thing to do to a pregnant woman. That, or your boss is a real cheapskate.

[Redcap]

[jonbowman88]

The reason your boss bought you this ticket is because it was the cheapest. The reason it's the cheapest is because no one in their right mind buys a ticket with a 19 hour layover.

[Kuros]

Are you positive accommodations aren't provided by the airline? When I had my monster layover in Narita (16 hours), they also gave me a shoebox hotel room (very nice but small) in which to stay.

[iselynjenniep]

i flew home in may, my boss also booked my ticket, and i also had a 19 hour layover at narita. BUT japan airlines paid for my hotel and i think they do for all customers with an overnight layover. you should have whoever booked the flight call and see about this. my school didn't tell me about the hotel until i asked. you don't need a voucher or anything, you just take the free shuttle to the hotel and they have your name in the system. this was the hotel:
http://www.nikko-narita.com/english/