>>Can anyone tell me whether this is valid for a single or return trip to Narita airport and how many internal train rides can one use with it?<<

This combo is sold only for a Tokyo bound trip. If you want to save some money when you return to the airport, you might catch the Keisei Skyliner (1,920 yen) or the limited express (1,000 yen) from Nippori. They are much cheaper than the Narita Express normal fare.

keisei.co.jp/keisei/…top.html

1,500 yen credit is provided on the suica card in this package. It all depends on destinations in Tokyo how many times you can take trains on it.

http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/

e.g. From Shinjuku to Shibuya ( unreserved ) ==> 150 yen, 7 minutes on the Yamanote Line

If you intend to return the suica card after use, make sure the credit is zero, otherwise JR East will charge you 210 yen handling fee. They will deduct the price from the remaining credit.

>>any idea where to purchase it prior to arriving in Japan?<<

You can buy only at Narita Airport or Narita Terminal 2 Station.

www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html

Scroll down to the bottom.

How to use suica:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_002.html

You can top up the credit as you need to.

Hi Optimistk

Thanks for all the great advice.

I see that you're based in Tokyo. Hope you don't mind me asking your recommendation of where to stay. My husband, daughter (14) and I will be in Tokyo for 2 days en route home from a hectic 3 week trip in Europe. We just want to get a feel for the city and what it has to offer.

Shinjuku or Shibuyu have been suggested. What do you suggest?? any hotel suggestions?

Thx again

>>Thanks for all the great advice.<<

My pleasure.

>>I see that you're based in Tokyo. Hope you don't mind me asking your recommendation of where to stay. My husband, daughter (14) and I will be in Tokyo for 2 days en route home from a hectic 3 week trip in Europe. We just want to get a feel for the city and what it has to offer.

Shinjuku or Shibuyu have been suggested. What do you suggest?? any hotel suggestions?<<

I'd suggest Shinjuku, and particularly the three establishments below. I have edited directions to these places with images after getting off the Narita Express.

1) Century Southern Tower

http://tinyurl.com/5kde2m

www.southerntower.co.jp/english/index.html

2) Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku

http://tinyurl.com/44s848

http://www.sunroute.jp/HotelInfoSVE

3) Oakwood Apartment Shinjuku

http://tinyurl.com/62779p

http://tinyurl.com/2s7k4b (Oakwood's website)

orbitz.com reportedly quotes a good rate for this place.

Booking sites:

http://www.hotelpricefinder.com/

http://www.mytrip.net/en/index.html

I want to travel to Europe as well. I travalled in France, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland last May. Considering to travel to London sometime this year to see friends there.

Happy travels.

Hi Optimistk

You're full of goo info!! Looks like you've been to some pretty great places too.

Another question on JR if you don't mind.

I've had a look at the rail map and it seems like Keisei and the Limited express don't go to Shinjuku. Is this correct??

If this is so, then what options do we have to get from Shinjuku to Narita via a direct route?

We are loathe to have to change trains etc with ALL our luggage!

Thx again.

>>I've had a look at the rail map and it seems like Keisei and the Limited express don't go to Shinjuku. Is this correct??

If this is so, then what options do we have to get from Shinjuku to Narita via a direct route?

We are loathe to have to change trains etc with ALL our luggage!<<

I understand your sentiment.

Narita Airport access map:

narita-airport.jp/en/access/train/index.html

As you see, the Narita Express would be the best mode of transport to the airport without transfer, though it's not the cheapest way. It costs 3,110 yen from Shinjuku to the airport.

Narita Express airport bound timetable:

http://tinyurl.com/3q8955

Also the airport limousine bus is an alternative.

limousinebus.co.jp/en/…shinjuku_h.html

Hope this helps, and have a wonderful day.

BTW, are you going to Pompeii and Sorrent?

I made a one day trip from Rome to both places by the Italian Eurostar and the Circumvesuviana 4 or 5 years back.

You might prepare walkable shoes for Pompeii. The paths are uneven with a lot of steps. However the site is fabulous. Was impressed with the advanced civilization in old times.

The Circumvesuviana carriages were all graffiti-covered when I visited. I wonder if they have eliminated all of them by now...don't be astounded at the sight if that's still the case.

You better try an authentic pizza in Naple if you have a time to spare. Restaurants in Naple opened rather late for dinner so that I couldn't eat a proper one.

It must be long flights from Oz to Europe, so take care of yourselves.

If you take the Keisei trains, you should change to the JR Yamanote Line at Nippori station. The transfer is very easy with no steps in between (there are escalators), and the distance between the two platforms is no more than a couple hundred meters.

On the way back to the airport, I always recommend train transport since traffic never becomes an issue and you can plan exactly when you need to leave. The price is similar to the limobus anyway.

For a 2 day trip I would consider leaving the bulk of your luggage at the airport and traveling light into Tokyo. You won't regret it.

Hi all

Thanks for the great tips. At last it's sounding less daunting!!!

Sammyfloyd Now I may reconsider using the Kesei, it is much cheaper

Route 246, How does one go about leaving luggage securely at the airport?

Optimistk, we're also docking at Naples and I was looking at taking the Circumsuviana to Pompeii, doing a tour there, then down to Sorrento and over to Capri by hydrofoil and finally back to the ship. Some have said this is overambitious...but hey we'd like to see as much as we can

500yen per suitcase per calendar day for full service luggage storage at the airport. Slightly cheaper for the automated lockers, if you can find them. Full service luggage storage is at arrival hall next to luggage delivery counters, after exiting restricted area.