Getting from Taiwan to Japan

[Glider_]

Hi All,

With the upcoming deval of Krisflyer miles, I'm looking to spend the paltry amount we have saved ASAP.
Mr Glider wants to go to Japan, but we don't have enough points to get there from Perth.
We have almost enough for PER-TPE-PER and would be willing to purchase the few extra points we need from SQ to get that far in J, then rev economy flights the rest of the way to Japan and back to Taipei.

Having never been to Taipei before, nor done Taiwan-Japan, I thought I'd ask the question of those that have. Is there a 'best' way to travel between the two? Ideally in and out of Tokyo as we will go there during the trip, but flexible for other airports throughout Japan as we'll travel around. I suppose 'best' for us is a combination of cheapest, most reliable and most comfortable. Mostly cheapest. Looking around October and November 2019.

Or should I just use Expedia and pick the cheapest flights on the days I can get around SQ award availability for our other legs?

 

[Melburnian1]

Have you considered purchasing a Japan Rail Pass (green - 1st class) and getting by air from TPE to cough, starting your pass in Fukuoka and perhaps exploring Kyushu by rail, including to hot springs, and then wending your way to one of the Tokyo airports or KIX, and flying from one of these back to TPE?

There are at least four airlines plying TPE - cough. (just over two hour flight) and six HND - TPE (four hour flight). Legacy plus low cost airlines.

Spoilt for choice!

You can also buy a Taiwanese rail pass that includes two days' travel on the Shinkansen equivalent travelling Taipei Main Station to Kaohsiung. Plenty to do, and perhaps by train and connecting bus visit Sun Moon Lake for something different. PM me if you are not clear on how to do this. Taiwan is worth seeing if you have the time.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi All,

With the upcoming deval of Krisflyer miles, I'm looking to spend the paltry amount we have saved ASAP.
Mr Glider wants to go to Japan, but we don't have enough points to get there from Perth.
We have almost enough for PER-TPE-PER and would be willing to purchase the few extra points we need from SQ to get that far in J, then rev economy flights the rest of the way to Japan and back to Taipei.

Having never been to Taipei before, nor done Taiwan-Japan, I thought I'd ask the question of those that have. Is there a 'best' way to travel between the two? Ideally in and out of Tokyo as we will go there during the trip, but flexible for other airports throughout Japan as we'll travel around. I suppose 'best' for us is a combination of cheapest, most reliable and most comfortable. Mostly cheapest. Looking around October and November 2019.

Or should I just use Expedia and pick the cheapest flights on the days I can get around SQ award availability for our other legs?

Sure - use skyscanner (or another OTA) and book something around your SQ flights.

Note there can be some lengthy immigration processing times (inbound and out) and it is likely you wil need to collect your luggage and re-check.

I'd be allowing at least a four hour transit.

you can also check indicitive schedules and carrier directly on google... in the search field type 'Schedule TPE-xx_' (where 'xx_' is your desired destination in Japan). Sometimes a low cost carrier will come up in the schedule and you can go directly to their site for the cheapest deal (we found a cheaper deal direct on Scoot today than offered on skyscanner), or importantly, a deal where you can get baggage and meals included (not always possible through an OTA).

 

[Yoshi-san]

Hi! I used to travel frequently between TPE and NRT. Now probably twice a year. So many flights!

Tiger air
Jetstar
Vanilla Air
Scoot
Eva
China Airlines (CI)
JAL
ANA
Cathay
Peach aviation

If to Kansai, then Phillipine Airlines also on then list.

Also flights between TSA and HND, but limited choice,

Most of the official sites should also cater for English speaker in the event you aren’t confident with Japanese/Chinese.

Going to cough great if you are going to tour Kyushu or Hiroshima area. Otherwise, many great prices between TPE-NRT. Just be aware of luggage restrictions with LCCs.

A few dates to consider avoiding:

First few days of Oct: mainland Chinese holiday
Oct 10th: Taiwan public holiday
Oct 14th, Nov 3rd, and 23rd: Japan PH

 

[Himeno]

Just about every carrier based in Taiwan and Japan, including the LCCs, fly the route as well as CX. Most flights are TPE>NRT and TSA>HND. There are also flights from KHH and TPE to NRT, KIX, cough, NGO and CTS.

For the suggestion about a Japan Rail pass, just note that they are not worth it unless you are getting at least 3 long distance trains during the validity period of the pass.

 

[Isochronous]

CX/KA is great on Taiwan-Japan routes.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hi! I used to travel frequently between TPE and NRT. Now probably twice a year. So many flights!

Welcome to AFF

 

[Glider_]

Have you considered by air from TPE to cough, starting in Fukuoka then wending your way to one of the Tokyo airports, and flying from one of these back to TPE?

There are also flights from KHH and TPE to NRT, KIX, cough, NGO and CTS...
...just note that the JR Pass is not worth it unless you are getting at least 3 long distance trains during the validity period of the pass.

Thanks!

Yes I'm very happy to consider an open jaw. We went to Japan last year and visited Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto/Osaka, and know that we want to go back to Tokyo + explore new places. It's the 'new places' which we're unsure of because although we love Japan, we don't really know what else to look at. So your suggestion of starting at the bottom and working our way up by rail adds an interesting and easy way to do so. Also helps minimise time flying in Y

Doing this would likely make the JR pass worthwhile, though we'd look carefully at the number and distance of trips first (thanks Himeno).

Spoilt for choice!

use skyscanner (or another OTA) and book something around your SQ flights.

So many flights!

Just about every carrier based in Taiwan and Japan, including the LCCs, fly the route as well as CX

CX/KA is great on Taiwan-Japan routes.

Thanks for the airline tips, there really is a buffet to choose from! I saw a plethora of options available and wasn't sure if there was a more obvious place to start or to just plug the dates in and pick whatever fits around the award flights and is cheaper on a trustworthy airline. I do like CX but that's a little biased because I'm simply unfamiliar with the other options.

A few dates to consider avoiding:

That is VERY helpful, thank you.

 

[Glider_]

Note there can be some lengthy immigration processing times ... I'd be allowing at least a four hour transit.

Thanks for the hot tip, that connection time recommendation is useful. Although we've had good luck with SQ interlining bags on separately booked *A flights I wasn't banking on being able to do so this time and assumed we'd need to go through the rigmarole of schlepping bags through customs and out to checkin etc. For that reason (and risk aversion since we haven't been through TPE airport before and may connect to a carrier we haven't used before) I was thinking of overnighting in Taipei on each side.

Taiwan is worth seeing if you have the time.

Very interested in hearing more about this. TPE was of interest to me as a possible stopover because we haven't been through there before. On doing a bit of internetting about Taiwan I'm having trouble finding information about fantastic things to see and do so wasn't sure if it was worthwhile. Your shinkansen-esque train trip is interesting, I'll look into it more. I'm keen to hear from anyone who can make suggestions for activities and accommodation for one or two nights in Taiwan. We like stuff like weird fun activities, food, impressive temples, amazing scenery and technology. Unfortunately only speak/read English.

 

[Melburnian1]

[QUOTE="Glider_, post: 1889716, member: 51747". ...(...risk aversion since we haven't been through TPE airport before and may connect to a carrier we haven't used before) I was thinking of overnighting in Taipei on

Very interested in hearing more about this. TPE was of interest to me as a possible stopover... I'm keen to hear from anyone who can make suggestions for activities and accommodation for one or two nights in Taiwan. We like stuff like weird fun activities, food, impressive temples, amazing scenery and technology. Unfortunately only speak/read English.[/QUOTE]

At the non-Taipei end of the newish airport railway, that is the non-Taipei terminus there is a large town/suburb/city with numerous hotel options. The website Urban Rail (dot) net will have a good rail map.

There are night markets everywhere. The special Taiwanese oyster omelette was not something I enjoyed, but you + 1 may well. There are many food items to try and the atmosphere is terrific, plus basement food courts all around. Probably unsurprising, but they are much busier at night than during weekday lunchtimes (although I may have been in non-office areas so that may give me a false impression).

In some ways Taiwan seems ahead of Australia, but like you the language barrier means I can't fully explore that with the locals. However many younger ones speak some or even more English, and are always helpful and friendly.

You can travel in Taipei to these night markets by metro (subway). Fares are cheap, as you'd expect, and trains frequent.

There are lots of hotels in various price brackets close to Taipei Main Station if you don't want to go to the other end of the airport rail line as noted above. At times I've been in windowless rooms: OK if one is out for much of the day and evening, but if you want to spend a bit more then avoid these. Hotels at all price levels seem to be clean from the limited number I've seen.

Just search TripAdvisor by typing 'XX (location) attractions' in the search bar and a whole list of activities ought appear. The gondola up the mountain in Taipei was better than I'd thought it'd be, and you can have extremely cheap snacks up there like Chinese sausage: delicious with a cold drink, and one doesn't get ripped off like in Australia.

No one was rude to us that I recall, a contrast to my mainland China visits. Tainwanese queue in an orderly fashion.

It's an impressive country. No wonder the mainland Chinese are jealous.

 

[Melburnian1]

Thanks!

Yes I'm very happy to consider an open jaw. We went to Japan last year and visited Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto/Osaka, and know that we want to go back to Tokyo + explore new places. It's the 'new places' which we're unsure of because although we love Japan, we don't really know what else to look at. So your suggestion of starting at the bottom and working our way up by rail adds an interesting and easy way to do so. Also helps minimise time flying in Y

Doing this would likely make the JR pass worthwhile, though we'd look carefully at the number and distance of trips first (thanks Himeno)...

Last time I checked point-to-point rail fares in Japan were costly, so if you for instance visit somewhere on Kyushu, then perhaps Hiroshima and Himeji on the way to KIX, NRT or HND, it should be worthwhile.

Plus you can make side trips, and if the mood takes you change your plans. Japanese rail staff are very good and quite a few in booking offices speak English: if they don't, pointing at timetables or enlisting the help of a keen volunteer translator works well.

 

[Himeno]

Last time I checked point-to-point rail fares in Japan were costly, so if you for instance visit somewhere on Kyushu, then perhaps Hiroshima and Himeji on the way to KIX, NRT or HND, it should be worthwhile.

Train fares in Japan are distance based with the price units varying by operating company. Long distance trains and certain express lines also have a reservation fee. eg, for the JR NRT-Tokyo line, on the NEX you pay the NRT-TYO distance fare + the seat reservation fee, while on the normal commuter train, you just pay the distance fare.
There are a number of places that don't have a JR line, thus can't be used on a JR pass, but do have a private rail line. There are around 50 train lines within or that pass through the Metro Tokyo area. Only around 20 can be used on a JR pass.

There are 6 different JR companies in Japan (JR Hokkaido, JR Shikoku, JR Kyushu, JR East, JR West and JR Central, split apart when the national network was privatized. They are identifiable by having different colours on their JR logo eg JR East has a dark green logo and JR Central has orange). Depending on which type of JR pass is used, you might be limited to only one or 2 of those 6. The Tōkaidō Shinkansen (the line between Tokyo and Osaka) is operated by JR Central, despite the terminus stations being in JR East (Tokyo) and JR West (Osaka) service areas.

A 7 day national JR Pass costs AU$383. A Hikari Tōkaidō Line Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo costs ¥14,340 (¥8,750 fare +¥5,590 seat fee). You would need at least 3 similar distance trips within the 7 days to make the pass worth it. There are also 14 day ($611) and 21 day ($781) national passes. (The Tōkaidō Shinkansen has 3 service types. Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. Nozomi trains are the fastest and only stop at the 6 largest stations such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya and Shin-Osaka. They can't be used on a JR pass. Hikari trains stop at more stations, between 7 and 14 stations depending on the service. Kodama trains stop at all 17 stations. They all have the same ¥8,750 fare and vary in the seat fee.)

With a JR pass, on trains with a seat fee, you need to go to a ticket office and reserve a seat, even though it won't cost anything with the pass. Trains without a seat fee, you can just board and show the pass to station staff to bypass the ticket barriers.

 

[Glider_]

At times I've been in windowless rooms

Yikes! Will definitely avoid these, thanks for pointing out that they're even a thing.

There are night markets everywhere. There are many food items to try and the atmosphere is terrific

You can travel in Taipei to these night markets by metro (subway). Fares are cheap, as you'd expect, and trains frequent.

Love a good night market with weird stuff to try. Yum! (though not always!)

 

[Melburnian1]

Yikes! Will definitely avoid these, thanks for pointing out that they're even a thing...

Fully understand the objection to windowless rooms, but while I didn't perceive street noise to be the problem it can be in some other cities, users may suggest that no windows equals a peaceful night's sleep (unless those in a next door room are inconsiderate, which again was not something I've encountered in Taipei.)

One odd feature of a chain at which we stayed was that sometimes the breakfast was in a different building and on top of that in the basement. Strange from an Australian perspective, but it worked fine. Just don't trot out in your PJs at 0800 hours.

 

[drron]

Slightly cheaper JR price on the site we use.
Japan Rail Pass - Order Online & Travel Japan

To see if you will get value use this site-a timetable plus gives prices.
HyperDia | 乗換案内 路線検索 時刻表 旅費精算 通勤費 ダイヤ作成なら
With the pass you don't pay the extra fee to get a reserved seat.Also you can use JR metro lines and some JR busses-a good sightseeing bus in Kanazawa for example.
And no extra for some special trains.
Joyful Trains | JR-EAST

We still find the JR pass good value.

 

[moa999]

On my last trip to Japan flying into Fukoaka and out of Nagoya with stops at Hiroshima and Kyoto along the way, just buying tickets as I went was substantially cheaper than the JR pass (and you can take the Nozomi trains).
As Himeno says you need to take a number of long journeys for it to make sense, and if actually looking to explore cities you will likely waste the pass on a few days.