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Youngest lands at Haneda at 11.40pm(ish) and needs to get across city to Taito area for his hostel. It seems most public transport will be shutting down at midnight, so he will possibly need a taxi.
We know they are expensive.
What's best - (which) app and order, or just leap into one at the queue?
Never used an app, but getting a taxi at Haneda has been very easy in the past. Just follow the signs and go get one. Japan is complicated / foreign / confusing / amazing / glorious / parallel universe enough without making it more so 🙂
EDIT: does he/you know its a great idea to take a print off, or have in Japanese on your phone, the place he is going, ideally with written address and also indicated on a map?
^ like that idea...
Also no experience at Haneda specifically but Japanese taxis were always very organised and efficient when we lived there. The only problem we had was typically when a train full of drunk salarymen all wanted to get home after the last bus and therefore the queue was about as long as the 40 min walk that we were faced with...
When considering prices don't forget there's no tipping, so it's not quite as bad as it looks in comparison to many other countries.
Also, the driver operates the door, not you.
1. [most important] Buy data eSIM from Nomad or alternative and install it before departing. Having data is essential and the wifi in the airport sucks.
2. If he's going to a hostel, email them first and ask them for something to show the taxi driver. Having just the location on Google Maps might not be that useful.
3. The taxi has electric doors which the driver opens.
👍
Only flown to Narita but it might be worth seeing if there's an airport hotel he can stay at. I know how knackered I was after the flight and fortunately I landed mid afternoon but it even still was a fun challenge getting the train then having to navigate on foot. He'll have a grand time of it. It can get jolly hot.
As above, just go to the taxi rank and wait inline. I found getting around the city pretty easy.
Japan is complicated / foreign / confusing / amazing / glorious / parallel universe enough without making it more so
Agree with this entirely. Tell him not to overthink it. The people are incredibly polite and helpful too. I hope he has an amazing time.
It crazy how big Tokyo actually is (OK fair enough it's not just the main centre):
That isn't Tokyo, it's Kanto (7 prefectures, including Tokyo but a whole lot more besides, such as Fuji-san).
I was there a few weeks ago. It's easy, just follow the directions out of the airport and there's a line. The taxis these days take cards but it's still worth checking with the driver. First time I went to Japan - less than 10 years ago - it was mostly cash transactions. Tell him to write down the destination on a piece of paper or have google maps open and show that to the driver.
Japan is an amazing place to visit, I love it.
Print off in Japanese with map in case you get an old timer like advised above. Thought just saying Hilton would be fine, my guy couldn’t understand that or Google maps.
We have printed off hostel info in Japanese and a map, plus booking for it.
A question about esims - plan was to activate the esim today at the airport, so it is working when he arrives. What then happens if I change or cancel his UK contract and SIM - will the esim just work still?
Be ready for an interior covered in crocheted lace doilies.
Use the Limousine Bus services that run to most of the big centres. They have offices in the big international terminals. Its a common way for both business and tourists to travel over Tokyo - its also much cheaper than a taxi.
Be ready for an interior covered in crocheted lace doilies.
and don't put your bag on the seat
Use the Limousine Bus services that run to most of the big centres
They're not running when he lands at midnight.
He's in Doha now for a few hours changing flights, so he will work out out without me or STW now. 😘