Question about Plane vs Train in winter.

Hey guys, I need to be at Narita’s airport by January 3rd but I don’t know which is the best way to get there.

I live in Izumo, Shimane Ken. There’s no direct flights and the bus tickets are sold out.

My friend said that I can send my luggages using Yamato company and go halfway by train and the other half by plane via Osaka.

Or go all the way by train + shinkansen.

My concern is that the second option is cheaper but since it’s winter, I’m worried if this is safe. Are there many delays this time of the year? What do you guys recommend?

6 comments
  1. If there’s heavy snow, there may be some delays, and since many people will go back to work on the 4th, there will be lots of people on both the trains and flights to Tokyo.

    This means if there’s a delay, you may be affected, but I wouldn’t worry too much about not arriving relatively on time, even with some snow. Heavy snow would probably affect the air traffic in a similar way as the Shinkansen, if not worse.

    However, if you go by Shinkansen, you still have to go from Tokyo to Narita, so taking the flight is a lot more convenient.

  2. If you can, get up to Tokyo the day before your flight and spend the night. That way you have a little time if things are delayed.

  3. If the flights go from there to Haneda, there is an airport shuttle to Narita from there. Not ideal, but it’s an option.

    And there’s that Sunrise overnight train from Izumo which isn’t the cheapest, but maybe getting on there and then not having to get off until Tokyo makes it worth it?

    I have taken the Yakumo from there to Okayama and then switched to Shinkansen on many occasions, it’s not too painful. I don’t recall ever hearing about the Yakumo being delayed in winter, but maybe talking about trains isn’t that interesting.

  4. Take the train, arrive a day before and get a hotel room at (or near) the airport. Don’t risk taking train such a distance on the day of flight.

    Izumo has service by the night train, so that could be an option. Look into that asap as tickets sell out quickly.

  5. Thank you all so much! So many good advices and information! I’ll consider them all!

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