I have had a setback

[Capstone]

I would also avoid transferring between the Narita & Haneda airports in Tokyo if you can. I also had to do that one time and it took about 2 hours - I had read that it would take about 90 minutes but it ended up being closer to 2 hours in the end because of the traffic. Those 2 airports are not anywhere near each other - unfortunately for me, the time that I did it I had no other choice as that was the only flight option available at the time. I transferred between the 2 airports via the airport limousine bus rather than taking the train because taking the train would require that I change trains/lines and I did not want to go through the hassle with luggage.

[Capstone]

I've had to do it in Shanghai (there are 4 Shanghai airports) and it was a hassle.

Hey Jeff if you ever have to transfer between Pudong and Hongqiao airports in Shanghai again just take a taxi instead of the shuttle bus. The first time that I did the transfer I used the shuttle bus which wasn't too bad but still somewhat of a hassle, so on the return leg of my trip I took a cab which turned out to be so much better. You can find a cab and be off right away and the trip is much faster than the shuttle bus. I used a cab both times on a subsequent trip and did not have any problems that time either. Since cabs are cheap in China it is a good option - it cost right around 170RMB each time that I did it which is about $25.

[Jeff S]

Thanks for the tip. I'll remember that. I've never had to deal with taxis in China - always had a driver, so don't know the drill. They're really pricey in Japan.

[thekfc]

I just did a search with the link/info piglett provided and saw what he meant.
If I didn't have a lot of luggage & have the extra time I would do the airport change. With a 10 hours & 50 minutes connecting flight time, that would give enough time to explore some parts of Tokyo - but that is just me.   

If I am not mistake, I think that piglett was talking about this itinerary.:

Out Bound Flight:
American Airlines     
Boston Logan (BOS)   10:40am -03Jul, Sun Nonstop
Chicago OHare (ORD)  12:20pm -03Jul, Sun Coach  2hr 40min
   
American Airlines     
Chicago OHare (ORD)      01:25pm -03Jul, Sun Nonstop
Tokyo Narita (NRT)      04:15pm -04Jul, Mon Coach  12hr 50min
   
Japan Airlines     
Tokyo Narita (NRT) 06:35pm -04Jul, Mon Nonstop
Manila (MNL) 10:10pm -04Jul, Mon Coach 4hr 35min

Flight Duration : 20hr 05min     Layover Time : 3hr 25min     Total Trip Time: 23hr 30min     
 
Return Flight:
Japan Airlines 
Manila (MNL)  02:25pm -14Jul, Thu Nonstop
Tokyo Narita (NRT) 07:50pm -14Jul, Thu Coach 4hr 25min

Please note, you have an airport change - Connecting flight wait time 10 hours 50 minutes
   
American Airlines
Tokyo Haneda (HND) 06:40am -15Jul, Fri Nonstop
New York Kennedy (JFK) 06:30am -15Jul, Fri Coach 12hr 50min
   
American Airlines 
New York Kennedy (JFK) 08:50am -15Jul, Fri Nonstop
Boston Logan (BOS) 09:55am -15Jul, Fri     Coach 1hr 5min

Flight Duration : 18hr 20min     Layover Time : 13hr 10min     Total Trip Time: 31hr 30min

[piglett]

I think he means having to take ground transportation from one airport to another - like La Guardia to Kennedy - probably Narita to Haneda in Tokyo.

BINGO that's exactly what I'm talking about. taking a silly bus or cab from 1 airport to another is not my idea of a good time (probably asking for trouble IMHO) But KFC is correct i would have 10 hours to do it.
i like saving $400 (over the other flights) but I'm not sure I'll bite
the other thing is i start out from the wrong airport. i can have my mom who's 66 drop me off in Manchester NH with no problem, she lives less than an hour away & has done so in the past. However if i need to get to Boston it's a whole different deal. they have added a tunnel & moved the roads around in the last few years & mom is not so keen on trying out the new way to the airport. she knew the old way but being older now i think asking for a ride to boston is pushing it. the last time i rode with her she just about got us killed    we got up to an exit & she wasn't sure it it was the correct one for us SO SHE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAM HIGHWAY my mom used to be a kick @ss driver, hell she used to drive a taxi at one point many years ago but i guess old age is catching up with the old girl 
 
 
" If I am not mistake, I think that piglett was talking about this itinerary."
 yes correct KFC that's the one

 
 
thanks guys
pig
 
PS I think I'll wait till Monday after midnight & see what other flights the airlines have posted. & i can go from there.

[Jeff S]

Well the nice thing about Haneda is that it's almost right downtown with easy train and subway access - so you can get your crap there, check in and take in Tokyo easily. It's only on your return trip, too.


Here you go:

[piglett]

Well the nice thing about Haneda is that it's almost right downtown with easy train and subway access - so you can get your crap there, check in and take in Tokyo easily. It's only on your return trip, too.


Here you go:

wow that looks like a maze.........
how long is the taxi ride from 1 airport to another? 2 hours i would arrive at 4:15pm & need to depart from Narita at 6:35pm
I don't think it can be done at rush hour but i could be off the mark
also is it worth risking missing my flight to Manila???
 
thanks
pig
 
:EDIT ok Jeff i'm all screwed up there is NO airport change on the flight going to the PI just on the return trip .....he he i didn't notice that one thanks

[Jeff S]

Yeah. There's a bus service that can probably do it in 90 minutes - and remember, it's only on your trip home not your trip there.


I know it looks like a maze, but you can just head from Haneda to one place on that day and return - Tokyo station if you want to see the imperial palace, Ueno if you like museums, or Ginza if you want to experience downtown shops and restaurants.

[piglett]

Yeah. There's a bus service that can probably do it in 90 minutes - and remember, it's only on your trip home not your trip there.


I know it looks like a maze, but you can just head from Haneda to one place on that day and return - Tokyo station if you want to see the imperial palace, Ueno if you like museums, or Ginza if you want to experience downtown shops and restaurants.

maybe there will be another cheep Kano or 2 & we can split the cab fare??? there is always safety in #'S you know
however I'm not so sure what will be open at 7:50 pm when i arrive in town. I wonder if i will have to carry my bags or maybe they transfer them for me ?
 
 
pig

[thekfc]

Piggy, this is Tokyo, not New Hampshire where everything closes @7pm.  Tokyo do have a night life.

I am not sure if they will transfer your luggage for you between airports but you can always leave it at baggage storage or the coin-operated lockers.

[piglett]

Piggy, this is Tokyo, not New Hampshire where everything closes @7pm.  Tokyo do have a night life.

really ......maybe i don't have help to round up the cows either  he he he

 
 

I am not sure if they will transfer your luggage for you between airports but you can always leave it at baggage storage or the coin-operated lockers.

the locker works for me, i would perfer that the airlines do the transfer for me but I'll take it as it comes.
 
 
thanks
pig
 
 

[Capstone]

wow that looks like a maze.........
how long is the taxi ride from 1 airport to another? 2 hours i would arrive at 4:15pm & need to depart from Narita at 6:35pm
I don't think it can be done at rush hour but i could be off the mark
also is it worth risking missing my flight to Manila???

LOL! Don't worry pig, the Tokyo subway system is really easy to navigate but doing so with luggage could be a real PIA. Forget about taking a taxi between airports - the very high cost of doing so would negate the savings of your air ticket. The airport shuttle bus advertises that it takes about 90 minutes to get from one airport to the other but like I already said it took me about 2 hours because of the traffic.

[Jeff S]

maybe there will be another cheep Kano or 2 & we can split the cab fare??? there is always safety in #'S you know
however I'm not so sure what will be open at 7:50 pm when i arrive in town. I wonder if i will have to carry my bags or maybe they transfer them for me ?
 
 
pig

I don't care who you are - that there is funny.


Yeah I see it's overnight. Probably want to grab a hotel. Plenty of those but that too would probably kill any savings too.

[piglett]

I don't care who you are - that there is funny.


Yeah I see it's overnight. Probably want to grab a hotel. Plenty of those but that too would probably kill any savings too.

i'll have to pass on the hotel boys
i'll have plenty of time to sleep once i am on the plane heading to New York, 12 hours & 50 min. should be enough to do it
 
 
pig

[thekfc]

Piggy, this would throw a little wrench on your return trip - only if your were planning on returning home "lite" with luggage.

On your return trip you should bring some of the things that your wife will need when she do come to NH, especially things that are hard to come by in your area (tabo, nipa broom, non-perishable items, etc,) and some of her personal items  - to help lessen her load / so she can have more room in her luggage for her things when she come.

Also get her true size in clothing (even if you have to measure) 
That would help if you have to buy stuff for her before she comes - store usually have their "real" clearance (clearing out) sale in August/September to make room for the winter items. And if you do buy clothing items - save all the receipts.

[Ray]

On your return trip you should bring some of the things that your wife will need when she do come to NH, especially things that are hard to come by in your area (tabo, nipa broom, non-perishable items, etc,) and some of her personal items  - to help lessen her load / so she can have more room in her luggage for her things when she come.

Also get her true size in clothing (even if you have to measure) 
That would help if you have to buy stuff for her before she comes...

Good idea kfc on bringing back some of her favorite stuff. But I would forget about the nipa broom because (a) it won't fit in a suitcase and (b) it's not a necessity. It's about time for Filipinas to toss the nipa brooms and get a Swiffer Duster. I'm sure they will survive without the walis, at least until he finds one here in the States.   
 
Things to consider bringing back with you would include her favorite shampoos, conditioners, soaps, feminie hygeine products  , and a of course her tabo! 
 
Piggy, you paid dearly for that 2x50lb baggage allowance, so I would use it to the max and get your money's worth.
 
HOWEVER, from my personal experience, forget about buying her any clothing items before she gets here. Let her pick out her own clothes!! (a word to the wise...    )
 
 
Ray
 
 
 
 
 
 

[michaelb]

Let her pick out her own clothes!! (a word to the wise...    )
 
 
Ray

A very wise word to the wise, no matter where she is from.

[robert angel]

Re:
>>Things to consider bringing back with you would include her favorite shampoos, conditioners, soaps, feminine hygiene products<<

Yea--that's good advice --even the stuff they sell here with the same name brand labels, look and smell isn't the same as over there and there are brands there you just can't find here at all. Watch your travel weight--pack as light as you can going (you're gonna leave the chocolate there, aren't you?--don't forget Victoria's Secret big annual June sale is coming up either)  and pack as heavy as you can (w/o penalty) going back.

Piglett: bring both pairs of your underwear and 2 of your 3 pairs of shorts!  The wife will wash them every other day! When you're buying her 'stuff' over there, just remember how much more it would be costing when inevitably you'd otherwise have to buy it here!

While we're at it---instead of $140 for a dental filling--you can get one filled in there for $3 or $4. Have her teeth checked.

Kfc is right about the clothing that you can buy there. Especially if she's petite, but also because the way the clothing is 'cut' and fits, it's harder to find clothes that fit right over here for many Filipinas.
It's also hard, but not impossible, to measure her for Asian, versus USA standard sizing, but there's not much sizing uniformity any more between different brands of American clothes, so if you go that route, definitely save the receipts.

That way, Piglett, when winter's over, you can return the coat!  Squeeeek!!!

[Jeff S]

Sure he should risk BOTH pairs on one trip?

[piglett]

Sure he should risk BOTH pairs on one trip?

ha ha ha you guys are very funny 
my wife already has some of my clothes due to the fact that she had washed them & they were not yet dry so i told her to just hang onto them till i return. so i'll be packing very lite on the trip there.
 
i decided to jump on the crazy Japan airport switch flight due to the fact that i save about $400 which i can now use to pay for the wifes nursing credential review.
 
here is my cost breakdown so the lurkers who may some day get in gear & head to the PI will have some kind of numbers to work with.
 
my airline ticket came to $1335.00
taxes came to $123.95
trip insurance $55
total $1514.35
 
 
 
 
pig

[piglett]

Good idea kfc on bringing back some of her favorite stuff. But I would forget about the nipa broom because (a) it won't fit in a suitcase and (b) it's not a necessity. It's about time for Filipinas to toss the nipa brooms and get a Swiffer Duster. I'm sure they will survive without the walis, at least until he finds one here in the States.   
 
Things to consider bringing back with you would include her favorite shampoos, conditioners, soaps, feminie hygeine products  , and a of course her tabo! 
 
Piggy, you paid dearly for that 2x50lb baggage allowance, so I would use it to the max and get your money's worth.
 
HOWEVER, from my personal experience, forget about buying her any clothing items before she gets here. Let her pick out her own clothes!! (a word to the wise...    )
 
 
Ray

while i am there her & i will be shopping for pants for her (she only owns 2 pair)i'll bring most of what we buy back with me along with most of her flip flop collection (she has about 30 pair )
 
ok what's up with the 50lb thing on bags???
last time they allowed me three 65lb bags (Delta)
 
 
pig

[thekfc]

-don't forget Victoria's Secret big annual June sale is coming up either)  and pack as heavy as you can (w/o penalty) going back.

The SAS is currently going on online & will start in the store on June 14th.  They also have a sale on beauty products, the Secret Garden are 6 for $20 (online) so I bought a few and use 2 coupons that I had, plus I got a free gifts. We are saving the beauty products to send as gifts for x-mas.
For the June SAS June I am (we are) waiting until the very end to get clothing as gifts - they will be cheaper.

Things to consider bringing back with you would include her favorite shampoos, conditioners, soaps, feminie hygeine products  , and a of course her tabo!     

Especially those!!!!!!

As Robert mentioned, they may have the same brand name but they are not the same.
We went to Jersey City (Filipino community) last weekend and she found some of her favorite shampoo/conditioner (Palmolive & Vaseline) so we boght a few bottles. The one item that I haven't found in the Tri-state area yet is Clear Shampoo. I found it on Amazon but not in any physical store.

 Personally I had no problem with the clothing (tops) that I bought for my wife before she came. I already knew her size from the stuff I gave her and I stuck with the same brands, bottoms I didn't mess with.

[thekfc]

my airline ticket came to $1335.00
taxes came to $123.95
trip insurance $55
total $1514.35

That would be for the summer season - the winter (January/February) would be less.

while i am there her & i will be shopping for pants for her (she only owns 2 pair)i'll bring most of what we buy back with me along with most of her flip flop collection (she has about 30 pair )

Remind her that she cannot wear them in winter. 
 

ok what's up with the 50lb thing on bags???
last time they allowed me three 65lb bags (Delta)

There are airlines that charge you extra for check luggage and some i=even charge you for carry-on. 

[Ray]

ok what's up with the 50lb thing on bags???
last time they allowed me three 65lb bags (Delta)
 

Did you fly business or first class?
 
I believe their checked baggage allowance for standard economy class is 2 bags at 50lb each.
 
Call them and confirm the allowance before you start packing...
 
Ray
 
 

[piglett]

Did you fly business or first class?
 
I believe their checked baggage allowance for standard economy class is 2 bags at 50lb each.
 
Call them and confirm the allowance before you start packing...
 
Ray

actually i 1st asked if they could somehow strap me to one of the wings so that i could receive a deeply discounted fare. they declined so i was forced to buy one economy ticket 
 
 
pig