Japan or elsewhere? and HOW MUCH?

[Snowie Meli]

OK, so the boss took so long to approve my annual leave that airfares to Japan have soared stupidly high. Direct flights to Tokyo are going to set us back about $1500 each ($3000 total!)

We could do jet star for about $1000 each return from Sydney via the gold coast BUT I’m just not sure about jet star. Has anyone travelled with them? Are they worth a $1000 airfare over spending the extra 500 for a direct flight with another airline? I’m also no fan of jetting over the country when you can go direct. But the jetstar seems OK just a stop over in gold coast.

I have found some deals to Tokyo, for around $950, but they go via a couple of countries and take up to 25 hrs travel time instead of 10 (direct)

The dates we have off are 15th-31st Jan wanting to fly out on 15th and arrive in Syd 31st.

Other options we were thinking of looking at (but have not looked at airfare prices) are Canada Europe or US? I am still thinking however, Japan is going to be the cheapest even if we STILL pay $1500 for airfares.

What does everyone think? Am I clueless and $1500 for direct flights is actually good? Should we try and find a package deal that includes airfare? How much should we be spending on a trip to Japan incl flights, transfers, accommodation, lift passes and hire (we are not brining our aussie toothpick on piste skis)?

I thought it would be best to organise hire (fat skis + poles only) and lift passes in Japan, is that the case? If so how much should we budget for that?

Should we wait until closer to the date and book something last minute? Will that be cheaper or stupider? I suppose we were naively thinking we could organise this trip for around $5000 for the 2 of us, I can see now that is NOT going to happen. Airfares are going to blow that figure out of proportion.

Let me know your thoughts, if you know of any good package deals I would LOVE to hear from you :D

[Jahoota]

jetstars ok. I personally think an $500 to fly to japan and back is worth it but thats just me.

The boys ski trip to japan next year has set us back $2100 each. thats jetstar airfares, direct mini van transfer to shiga there and back, 7 nights accomodation, lift tickets and breakfast. I sure the super budhet might do it cheaper but I'm not going to get my panties in a bunnch to save a couple hundred bucks.

yesterday I saw some Vaustralia fares late jan 2010 around $1600 return sydney > salt lake city. I'd look at that option as well. Its a winner in my book. smile.gif

[Vet]

When you look at Vaustralia (I'm LAX-Mel on 31/1) see if there's premium economy for an extra $300. There was on my my flight.

If you go to LA, look at Southwest to Sacramento ($59, and 2 bags are free). Get an avis.co.uk one way car to Sth Lake Tahoe and dump the car, or look at economycarrentals.com for return or one way: our jeep is $35 a day with a drop off at LAX.

Have a look at resortime.com for lake tahoe's 'lake tahoe vacation resort' at $US420 for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom unit, self catering, on a beach, serviced by a free shuttle to Squaw Valley or not far to the Heavenly lifts. (You might've missed the sale) or there's casino rooms at $US70 a night on priceline.com.

Grab a heavenly season pass at $US369 - $U30 a day over 12 days on snow is cheap. Or grab a Kirkwood season pass at $269(?) and drive 1 hour to awaesom terrain. Or get the free Squaw Valley Shuttle from the casinos to Squaw, return.

We might be neighbours.

Happy hunting.

[blutek]

Hi, back to NRT, Bestflights is showing:
JAL $1,499
QF $1,800
Jet* $1,122
All prices include all taxes.

For me, JAL is the best option.
Jet* will have more short run discounts, maybe $800 or less, but who knows when.

[karen97]

Jet Star is ok to fly with.

[Vet]

Originally posted by blutek:
Hi, back to NRT, Bestflights is showing:
JAL $1,499
QF $1,800
Jet* $1,122
All prices include all taxes.

For me, JAL is the best option.
Jet* will have more short run discounts, maybe $800 or less, but who knows when. Vaust for Syd-LA is $1400 incl taxes. Jetabroad has up to $200 cash back so nett its $1100- the same as Jetstar.

[Snowie Meli]

Hey all, thanks for the advice. we found some cheap jet star flights, could do the lot under $2000. BUT if we ski Niseko, the price will be blown out because we then ahve to get to chitose. If we ski hakuba, from what I can tell, its quite hard to get to all the resorts without a car.

So then we thought we might try and find a Japan air flight that goes strait to chitose, with maybe a stopover in Tokyo for a couple of days on the way or way back (A bit of sight seeing maybe).

The other option is, to find a package deal with the lot! Vet thanks for the jetabroad site, i'm going to take a look and see what our options are with that.

[Vet]

you're welcome. I can't wait for all the grateful snowatchers to send me a bottle of duty free bourbon. :D

As for package deals, I saw great deals so I ran my trips thru 2 specialist ski holiday places. They came back with nearly 3x more than what I'd pay for self catering units even with cash flights. And their hotels means meals are needed: ouch.

[ 12. November 2009, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: Vet ]

[Crystal]

Snowie Meli

You could try asking some agents what they have int he way of package deals. I use a good one so drop me a pM if you like

[Jahoota]

sm,

we used Chuo taxi between toyko & hakuba last year. Using Jumbo taxi this year to shiga. The price per person is around $300 return. http://www.chuotaxi.co.jp/index.php?id=8

Now, you can use the shink and bus and it will be around $200 return (I think - Kaz??, bear?? paul???). However, poostar flights get in late and rather than an a night in tokyo then skink + bus etc we opted to just get there to maximise ski time. Worked out cheaper for us. Just another idea you can use...

[SA]

Shink is 20000 yen for the 4 day flexi JR East pass. Bus is 1500 yen each way, unless you get the book of tickets.

[SA]

If you get in too late to get to Hak on the shink/ bus, just get the Shink and o/ night in Nagano and get the first bus in the morning. You should be on snow around 10am.

[Vet]

$300 'per person' for a taxi? How many passengers, Hoots. If the total was $1200 for 4 people, Snowmellies 'two of us' could be a hefty $1200. Surely a car would be cheaper.

[Jahoota]

Originally posted by Vet:
$300 'per person' for a taxi? How many passengers, Hoots. If the total was $1200 for 4 people, Snowmellies 'two of us' could be a hefty $1200. Surely a car would be cheaper. 5 of us Vet. But I dont know the min number of passangers to run the bus. All I know we have emnough. Here's the flyer for those interested. It doesnt indicate what the min is. Being japanese it probably runs for just two!

http://www.chuotaxi.co.jp/public/_upload/type019_8_1/image/image_12103862499.JPG

12000 yenmen is around AUD$150. It just works out a better deal for us in the trade off between fart arsing around on trains/buses and cost to maximise permission slip from the missus time.

Its just another option that can be considered....

[Jahoota]

Originally posted by SA:
Shink is 20000 yen for the 4 day flexi JR East pass. Bus is 1500 yen each way, unless you get the book of tickets. so there's AUD$270 + the accom in nagano. The return taxi is $288.

Now, it not saying the train/bus/nagano is a bad idea. In fact, if you have the time its a great idea!!! Plus with a 4 day pass you can go lots of places!!!

But for time limited souls like me the taxi option cant be beat for main island sking for hassle free getting there and back at low cost.

plane lands at 7pm. get to hakuba around 1am. ski time at 9am!

[Vet]

Originally posted by Jahoota:
plane lands at 7pm. get to hakuba around 1am. ski time at 9am! [/QB]Nice find Hoots.

Saving pennies 7 + 1 = 9am. that adds up in my book :D

[SA]

I considered that - but I figured for me it'd be better to get to bed around 11pm after a long day's travel already.

Horses for courses :D

[blutek]

The JR East Any 4 Day pass is a great deal.
Use it for Narita Express, Nagano Shinkansen, JR local trains.
You can go to MyokoKogen by rail (10+ metres of snow annually). It's 4 hours travel from Narita.
You can still use the pass on JR in Tokyo for another two days.

For MyokoKogen see:
www.myoko.tv/foreign/english/ (http://www.myoko.tv/foreign/english/) -

[Vet]

RazzFrazz'in... The Jetabroad cashback is over. The fare to NZ in Sept for 3 of us is up $299 from $930 ret to $1214 return. :mad: :mad.

VAustralia to LAX is no longer $1100 Snowmellie.

[Snowie Meli]

:( Left things too late!

Oh well, better luck next time! More deals will come up *fingers crossed*

[Crystal]

You could always look at Canada.... I know ski tours Canada have some great airfares over there for this year. $1100 I think.

[Sandy]

If you want to get to Hakuba in the cheapest possible way, you can do it for 4700yen + 1190 = 5890 yen(about $73, or 11,380 return $143), AND be at the lifts ready at 8am next morning (if you arrive on the 6:30pm evening flight)!!!!

[ 17. November 2009, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: Sandy ]

[Jahoota]

Originally posted by Sandy:
If you want to get to Hakuba in the cheapest possible way, you can do it for 4700yen + 1190 = 5890 yen(about $73, or 11,380 return $143), AND be at the lifts ready at 8am next morning (if you arrive on the 6:30pm evening flight)!!!! geez thats a good deal. bus? c'mon sandy, tell us more! smile.gif

[Jahoota]

just spotted it in the other thread...


Originally posted by Sandy:
From Narita Airport, catch the Keisei Limited Express(or Keisei Skyliner) to Nippori (tokyo), then the JR Yamanote Line to Shunjuku (1190yen or 2110yen).
Then take the Alpico bus direct from Shinjuku - Hakuba(about 4.5 hours). 4700yen one way, or 9000yen return (if less than 7 days)

http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/hakuba_shinjuku/index_e.html good deal for sure.

[SA]

Originally posted by Sandy:
If you want to get to Hakuba in the cheapest possible way, you can do it for 4700yen + 1190 = 5890 yen(about $73, or 11,380 return $143), AND be at the lifts ready at 8am next morning (if you arrive on the 6:30pm evening flight)!!!! Do tell them how they'll feel after spending the night on the bus ;)

[Snowie Meli]

This is all looking very possible, I think Hakuba is they way to go, I've been speaking with an agent who might be able to get some ski in ski out accommodation to one of the Hakuba mountains. whole trip is going to be under $6000 (2 ppl total) for 2 weeks! with 10 nights in Hakuba, and 2 in Tokyo and 2 in Osaka smile.gif smile.gif happy happy me!

Is it best to buy lift tickets over there? Is it ANY cheaper to do it before you go? because if not, I think we will purchase there.

Also, the travel insurance she quoted me was high, does anyone know of any good travel insurance places that are good value?

[KT]

how much did u get quoted for the 2 weeks insurance?

[blutek]

Puchase your tickets there. There are too many variables that can occur; weather, injury, visiting other places, etc.

Do you get free travel insurance cover with your credit card. Some Gold & Platinum cards have it available.

Can you use the Shink's from Nagano> Tokyo >Osaka. Otherwise via Matsumoto it can take up to 6 or 7 hours.

With 8 resorts in Hakuba valley, you won't be bored.

[Vet]

look at tid.com.au for insurance and the annual traveller policy tthat covers +1 and kids who are on the same holiday.

Mine covers the Vets 365 days a year for $`350. If I buy it in Feb, it covers 2 o/s ski trips too, eg one in January 2009 and the next in January 2010. I think it covers Oz skiing too.

They, thru Mondial Assistance, didn't hestate with my leg and Lil Vet's fractured cheek. Book it thru skivictoria.com.au for a 5% discount. ;)

[Sandy]

Originally posted by blutek:
Puchase your tickets there. There are too many variables that can occur; weather, injury, visiting other places, etc.

Do you get free travel insurance cover with your credit card. Some Gold & Platinum cards have it available.

Can you use the Shink's from Nagano> Tokyo >Osaka. Otherwise via Matsumoto it can take up to 6 or 7 hours.

With 8 resorts in Hakuba valley, you won't be bored. Yes, get tickets there, as there are usually plenty of discount coupons around.

Whether you take the Shinkansen ShinOsaka- Tokyo-Nagano or Shinkansen ShinOsaka-Nagoya, then Shinano-Nagano, either will take around 4 hours. (then the bus, which take 1 hour, but you may wait for 30 min+ ) (the tokyo option will cost more)

If you go ShinOsaka-Nagoya, then Shinano-Matsumoto-Hakuba, yes it can take 6 hours.

[ 20. November 2009, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: Sandy ]

[Vet]

Is credit card 'insurance' quick to authorise medical help? I'm cheeeep and if I could rely on free credit card insurance I would. But I think tid.com.au are still chasing my plat card 'insurer'. I can't speak highly enough of any 'real' insurer who uses Mondial Assistance to get you outta there.

[kort]

Snow Meli - i thought you were looking at the US?

Vet - We will be in Heavenly at the same time won't we? I just cant recall your dates :S

[Snowie Meli]

Hey All! Thanks for all the info.

OK so we paid on the gold credit card and have the travel insurance associated with that, and under normal circumstances, I'd go with that alone, but because we are skiing I thought it would be in our best interests to get some 'real' travel insurance? (in the mean time the gold credit card insurance can be our cover until we get cover?) I was quoted almost $400 for the 2 of us for just over 2 weeks. EEPS! that's almost half an airfare! So I think I'll shop around on that one.

I think we will buy lift tickets AND train tickets over there. It seems to be the best option.

Kort, we were looking at Japan for our "little" trip, the big trip has Canada and US and now Europe on the cards, but it has been pushed back about another year or so! Figured we would save a bit more and that way we can ski a bit more! The dates for the “little trip” are 14-29th jan.

Anyway good news is, the airfare and accommodation are booked and paid for! So I'm very happy, those things came in at $4000 for the two of us!

I'm so excited! I can barley contain myself at work!

[kort]

Nice work snow meli!

You have probably seen this article re: snow insurance but if you haven't its a worthwhile read

http://www.mountainwatch.com/cwatch/News/7340489/The-Right-Insurance-For-your-Snow-Holiday

[blutek]

Download the PDS for your free insurance - it will be underwritten by an insurance company. Read the Terms & Conditions carefully, if it covers what you require, then it's OK. We use it, but we contacted them first to doublecheck that it covered skiing claims.

We missed our night flight from NRT last Feb. The emergency contact was invaluable in dealing with Qantas in Aus at midnight to get us rescheduled onto a full flight the next night (when the local J girls said impossible).

[Vet]

$400 insurance for 2 weeks? What's the price for annual cover starting 14 January 2010.

[Shorty936]

woo hoo woo hoo

Looks like i am heading to Lake Tahoe in feb for my 1st overseas snow trip

Woo HOOOOOOO

graemlins/snowboard2.gif

[Vet]

You'll love it.

Pity we're flying back on 31st January or I'd show you around.

Check out mt rose's '2 for tuesday' deal on lifts.

PM Hairfarmr about touring out to Kirkwood. Its steep n deep.

Search the o/s forum here for "Taxman & Vet's Fabulous Adventure'. Podlette has a trip report on Tahoe too.