Osaka shuttle

I’m writing in response to the reader’s letter “Call for Airport-Ship/Hotel Transport,” regarding the exorbitant charges made by cruise lines for transit to and from airports (Nov. ’05, pg. 16).

On a cruise we took in October ’02, we disembarked in Osaka, Japan. As we had obtained our own air separately, transport to the Osaka Kansai Airport was not included. We would have had to pay the ship $178 for two for this service.

We became acquainted with a Japanese passenger on board and he told us of a shuttle service outside the ship terminal. However, we would have to use Japanese yen to buy the tickets on the bus, and we did not know the exact fare, so we purchased 4,000 yen on the ship.

On the bus we were charged ¥2,600 for two tickets. At the exchange rate offered on the ship, this made our bus fare $22.60 for two. We saved $155.40 and had yen left over for a later trip.

Incidentally, I logged onto the website suggested in the above-mentioned letter, www.airporttransitguide.com, but it offered only four examples. Basically, it was just advertising for a guidebook. I wanted to check current prices and availability of Osaka shuttle service.

BETTY ZANDER
Cibolo, TX