Possible Trip to Japan - Thoughts
This is just some ideas I've been having about the proposed trip to Japan in the spring of 2010. Please feel free to post replies with thoughts or critiques, I want to try to firm up some plans of action now. (Note: All prices are approximate since airlines do not plan 14 months in the future)
1. Flying on weekdays is much cheaper than flying on Friday/weekends. Is it worth it to plan a trip, say Thursday to Thursday, to save maybe $400 on tickets, or spend that money to go Friday to Sunday. That would mean not only more on the ticket, but paying for 3 more days at the hotel.
1a. Remember, Japan is across the Int'l Date Line, so leaving on Thursday means arriving Friday afternoon, and leaving Japan on Thursday afternoon means returning Thursday night.
1b. In talking to Brandon, he's thinking of maybe a Thursday to Tuesday type trip. Shorter, but cheaper.
2. Flying out of JFK is cheaper than flying out of Philly International or BWI. Maybe $200-$300 per ticket cheaper. Jess recommended renting a car in Philly, and "returning" it at JFK, then doing the same on the way back. I'm not sure this would be cheaper than long-term parking at the airport, though.
3. Leaving Norristown: I know Matt Benson has offered anyone on the trip crash space at his place in New York, but I'm not sure this is the best option. Most flights to Japan leave between 6 and 8 AM, and you should arrive 2-3 hours early for CHI. It might be best to simply have everyone meet here in Norristown the afternoon before, then simply drive direct to JFK, leaving between 1 and 2 AM, to get there at the right time.
3a. A bit of further checking shows that non-stop flights might leave as late as 11, but I'm not sure that this affects the idea that it might be best to leave straight from Norristown.
4. PASSPORTS. YOU WILL NEED ONE. I don't know who all has a passport already, but they can take 6-8 weeks to arrive. I know we have about 14 months, but don't forget and wait until the last minute.
That's pretty much it. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.
1. Flying on weekdays is much cheaper than flying on Friday/weekends. Is it worth it to plan a trip, say Thursday to Thursday, to save maybe $400 on tickets, or spend that money to go Friday to Sunday. That would mean not only more on the ticket, but paying for 3 more days at the hotel.
1a. Remember, Japan is across the Int'l Date Line, so leaving on Thursday means arriving Friday afternoon, and leaving Japan on Thursday afternoon means returning Thursday night.
1b. In talking to Brandon, he's thinking of maybe a Thursday to Tuesday type trip. Shorter, but cheaper.
2. Flying out of JFK is cheaper than flying out of Philly International or BWI. Maybe $200-$300 per ticket cheaper. Jess recommended renting a car in Philly, and "returning" it at JFK, then doing the same on the way back. I'm not sure this would be cheaper than long-term parking at the airport, though.
3. Leaving Norristown: I know Matt Benson has offered anyone on the trip crash space at his place in New York, but I'm not sure this is the best option. Most flights to Japan leave between 6 and 8 AM, and you should arrive 2-3 hours early for CHI. It might be best to simply have everyone meet here in Norristown the afternoon before, then simply drive direct to JFK, leaving between 1 and 2 AM, to get there at the right time.
3a. A bit of further checking shows that non-stop flights might leave as late as 11, but I'm not sure that this affects the idea that it might be best to leave straight from Norristown.
4. PASSPORTS. YOU WILL NEED ONE. I don't know who all has a passport already, but they can take 6-8 weeks to arrive. I know we have about 14 months, but don't forget and wait until the last minute.
That's pretty much it. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.