Voices
in
Japan

have your say

How would you rate Narita airport when compared to other major airports around the world?

35 Comments

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

35 Comments
Login to comment

They are doing quite well, I must admit. What they should fix however, is the computer that is "always" "randomly" selecting me for extra security checks. Gives random a whole new meaning. Still 8 out of 10 though.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

NRT is GREAT... Especially compared to LAX. JFK was pretty good via Domestic.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yes NRT is a bit far from Tokyo and can be a bit of a pain if you're needing to transfer to HND for a DOM FLT but as far as actual services go, not bad. Both terminals have great access from Keisei and JR lines. Overall check in, security and gates are good and really the only fault that maybe given is the "box like" plain-ness of some parts of the overall design whether it be the older parts or the recently re-done T1.

Plenty of places to waste time if there are delays so overall not bad. I'd rate it at 8.5 out of 10 as far as airports go.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Some of the best Airline clubs are in NRT. Northwest's World Clubs are fantastic. The JAL first class clubs have private security lines to get air side.

Making connections used to be okay before the flu scare made airport officials crazy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Narita Airport is clean, and a world - class airport in many ways. However, it is tiny when compared to other international airports around the world. It is in the boonies - far too far from Tokyo. How they can classify it as Tokyo International Airport, is beyond me. The car parks are overpriced, the Duty Free is overpriced, there is also the racist photographing and fingerprinting of foreigners. Some of the hotels in the vicinity are not up to interntaional standards, and somne of the staff there are not very welcoming to foreigners, especially those of us who speak Japanese. However, it still has many plus pouints, too. I would rate it as good, overall. for a small international airport. Its just a sad reflection of the isolation of Japan from the rest of the world.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Have passed thru narita airport over 250 times over past 19 years has never been a hassle only drawback is highway congeston in holiday seasons wish other airports could as efficent .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Like Japan...efficient,but boring.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Beats LAX and Kimpo ... easily !

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Overall the service is so so... Not very fantastic. I was travelling with my 5month old baby & would like to loan a baby troller. Everywhere i asked, they dont have it. They make me walk from this information counter to the other counters to ask for one while carrying my baby. Japan doesn't like babies silly, you think that is bad - just have your infant get sick while in Japan. Enjoy riding around from hospital to hospital to try and get someone to see the child. Population is on the decline sad to say..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

unscrejects - May I guess that you don't really travel much now, do you? I travel A LOT and Narita is among my top 3 favorites. You can't really choose the best (they all have goods and some bads) but Narita is really at the very top, where only a few other good airports are are. The location, I agree is not good, but the people working there can't really change this. Otherwise I really don't have anything to complain about Narita, like I said, one of the very best.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm sure JT has asked this before. And the same answers come up.

As posters say, the airport itself and the staff are fine. Shops are good. Restaurants could be better. But the location stinks. Yes, you might get a new Skyliner next year, but it's still going to be expensive. And N'Ex is a total rip-off. At times, the metro trains go faster than N'Ex. I take the quickest non-Skyliner Keisei and then Keikyu/Asakusa line to get home, and though I spend an extra 20 or so minutes on the train, the price is ONE-THIRD of N'Ex! No wonder N'Ex trains are always empty. You'd think that buses would be cheaper, but no, Japan has to be different. They most probably in business with the railway companies.

I only hope that when more international flights start from Haneda, they won't be more expensive than those starting from Narita.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

it benefits from being somewhat low capacity. it's nice to come back to an empty narita, but if it was a major regional hub like heathrow it would be a different story entirely

0 ( +0 / -0 )

mirkwood - boarding is down to the airline not the airport. On British Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and many other airlines have always given priority to families with young children. Why don't you take your own stroller? They're allowed in addition to your luggage - I've done several flights with a young child (and luggage!)and had no problem with Narita Airport.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Overall the service is so so... Not very fantastic. I was travelling with my 5month old baby & would like to loan a baby troller. Everywhere i asked, they dont have it. They make me walk from this information counter to the other counters to ask for one while carrying my baby. In the end, i gave up & just walk straight to the departure gate. No piority boarding too! Although i'm with an infant. So... nothing fantastic about their service in this airport.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think the sushi is to die for.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Pretty good, with Japanese efficiency, staff doesn't give you gruff like at US aiports. Location is so so, next year, Keisei Line will speed it up with the new Skyliner so Tokyo will be connected (via Nippori) in 36 minutes. That's reasonable, compared to many other International Airports. Immigration and Customs has been pretty fast, compared to the US and I've never waited longer then 15 minutes to clear. Even as is, 1000yen by Keisei Line offers cheap, reliable, alternate transportation.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's as comfortable as a "Masochist's Retreat". Narita is the worst airport I've ever been through.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'd like to have the option of buying some duty-free goods when I exit the flight like you can in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore's Changi etc - does anyone know why they don't have this feature?

They have it for the diplomatic staff, where I go. Normals can't make purchases there?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In terms of getting what it has to get done, it (and its staff) does a good job. I've never had to wait terribly long for check-in/Immigration/Customs, even after the introduction of the fingerprinting system. I am often astounded how quickly the bags arrive on the carousel after a flight. However, it does feel a bit soulless when you exit the aircraft, and after Immigration/Customs, exit into the reception hall (or whatever the post-Customs space is called). I'd like to have the option of buying some duty-free goods when I exit the flight like you can in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore's Changi etc - does anyone know why they don't have this feature?

The shopping/eating is probably good for Japanese, but falls far short of places like Changi, for example. As for reading matter, finding something written in any other language than English is both difficult and pricey.

The other up point for me is the inexpensive shower rooms in (I think) Terminal 2 (the one that has had the latest update in its duty-free shopping area). After a long, post-work trip out to the airport, I've often taken a shower, changed clothes and used their private lounge. Inexpensive (Y500 for 30 minutes shower room time, then unlimited private lounge use) and a pleasant way to start a trip. They have small sleeping rooms as well, but I've never availed myself of those. BTW, I've used the Terminal 1 shower rooms and, although they were newer, they were VERY cramped. Terminal 2's shower rooms are almost like a business hotel style bathroom.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The location is great, now that I live in east Tokyo near Chiba. Before when I was living in Kanagawa I often had to stay in Narita the night before departure or the night I arrived back in Japan

0 ( +0 / -0 )

One word... CHANGI. The airport, period.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I've always had the best of service coming and going from Narita. The people working the check-in counters, security, and departure gates are always professional and go out of their way to give first class service (even to low class travelers like me :)

Airports in the USA (I'm ashamed to say!) are staffed by rude imbeciles and thieves!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Average - better than some worse than others.

Living in West Tokyo the main bugbear is location. Now if Hanada plans go through and that opens up to more international flights - excellent!

Immigration lines are nothing compared to the US or UK.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I rate airports according to their environment. I am an eternal backpacker, so Narita is fine, well designed, but as someone said above, ¨robotic¨, I miss people chatting, etc versus people thinking they are on a catwalk. There´s one thing I love in Narita, though: the Y100 massage chairs. Man those are good! Before and after travelling they surely make you relax.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have to say it is good though it can be robotic...but then where are we? Overall it is a very good airport.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

IT's immaculately clean and pretty use friendly,except for the fact that it's 60 minutes from downtown Tokyo, but then again, I'd rather deal with NRT and N'EX then some dumpy airports in the states and its train links (e.g., ORD and the Blue Line).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The logistics and running of it are very good- few delays in check-in, immigration, baggage collection, customs. Last time I came back through Narita, I was on the trainheading home withjin 40 minutes of landing. Sure, the locaton may seem to be a hassle but I have used the airport so often now, I don't weem to notice.

But compared to HKIA, KLIA and Incheon, Narita is lacking. Shops (duty free and general) are not of the same standard you get at other major Asian airports.

Still, it is a good place to come and leave from

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Its location is a major pain. Essentially 4-5 hours are wasted before your aircraft starts moving, and thats assuming it has no delay. It's a fine airport otherwise, though Terminal 2's Arrivals hall feels a little tired.

The Shinkansen viaducts are still in place, as are the two stations. The JR narrow gauge line from Narita uses the viaducts, and I'm sure you know the two stations that were planned as Shinkansen stations are now shared between Keisei Railway and East JR's narrow gauge line to Narita.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The airport itself is reasonably nice but it's location makes the trip between Tokyo and the airport a journey of its own. When considering the aspect of ease (and timing) of access, it rates quite low.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Isn't there a curse on Narita airport from the Chiba farmers who vigorously defended the merits of a few households growing rice over that of a couple million air travellers?

I wonder how close the new JR alignment comes to the dynamited Narita Shikansen's original route...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The location is not so good as everyone knows, and some of the newer security measures can be a pain in the rear.

But overall, I like Narita when compared to other airports I've been in around the world. I was in Heathrow and Frankfurt earlier this year and thought they were both confusing-with Frankfurt a multi-level monstrosity. I didn't like Dublin either, for that matter, especially the check-in for U.S.-bound flights: waiting forever in that bunker-like, claustrophobic space.

However, nothing is worse in my experience than many of the major airports in the U.S. Lazy, surly airport personnel-from the baggage handlers/thieves to the mostly useless security and immigration personnel. And is there anyone working in a gift shop in a U.S. airport that doesn't think he/she is doing you a favor by waiting on you?

I'm often critical of things Japan on this site when I think the criticism is warranted, but I'll give Japan the advantage with many things related to air travel when compared to the places I've been in Europe, and especially the U.S.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The location is fine. It is in a semi-rural area. I'm sure those complaining about the position would not like to have planes buzzing their apartment 24/7. Narita is much better than Sydney airport.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The location blows (the 2-hour ride to Tokyo is brutal after an 11-hour flight) but otherwise, I have to give kudos to Narita's layout and security. I've never been hassled by the Narita immigration and check-in security personnel as I have in other countries. Waaaay more laid-back.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The location of it is ridiculously inconvenient.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites