TALKING POINTS (2)

1. International Airport. Read the information about To­kyo Narita Airport. Answer the following questions:

1)How long does it take to get from the airport to down­town Tokyo by train?

2) How much does the taxi ride cost?

3) Is it a good idea to take the bus to the centre?

4) How much time should you allow to make any connec­tion with an internal flight?

5) What's the beat way to get to downtown Tokyo from the airport?

TOKYO NARITA

Narita Airport is 65 km east of downtown Tokyo. The cab ride takes at least 90 min, but much longer at busy times of day (and it costs a small fortune). Far cheaper than a cab is Airport Limousine Bus, which will take you to the Tokyo City Air Ter­minal. The Narita Express train to Tokyo Station in downtown Tokyo takes around 30 min. The Skyliner train to Keisei Ueno Station takes 45 min.

All flights from Narita leave from the same terminal. Most Japanese domestic flights leave from Haneda Airport (80 km away on the other side of the city). The inter-airport bus takes at least 2 hours but it may be quicker to take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station, transfer to a suburban train there and finally transfer to the monorail at Hamamatsucho.

Work in pairs and make up a dialogue using this in­formation.

Read the dialogues below and make up a short text for a guide book about John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.

1.

Man:What's the cheapest way of getting to downtown

Manhattan from JFK?

Travel Agent:Mm... well, the cheapest way is by bus and sub­way, but that's, you know... 1 don't know...

Man:But what?

Travel Agent:Well. It's kind of complicated: you have to get a shuttle bus to Howard Beach subway station and then get a subway train. It's not a good idea, es­pecially if you're tired after your flight and have luggage and... and you're on your own...

Man:How long does it take?

Travel Agent:Well, it takes about an hour and a half. But, I mean, even if you take a cab, it might take that long.

Man:What do you recommend?

Travel Agent: Well...

2.

Woman:... so what's the best way of getting into Manhat-

tan?

Travel Agent:Well, the best way is by cab.

Woman:But that's expensive, isn't it?

Travel Agent:Yeah, but there is also the Carey Airport Express bus, which costs about $10, I think. Well, that's almost as quick as a cab. It usually takes about an hour, depending on the traffic. And they go to Grand Central Station and Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Woman:I see, how often do they run?

Travel Agent:Oh, well, they... they run every 20 minutes. Or you can take a Gray Line Air Shuttle — they'll drop you anywhere between 23^rd and 63^rd Street. That costs a bit more but they're much more conve­nient.

Woman:And they take about the same time, don't they?

Travel Agent:Yeah, about an hour and a quarter— it all de­pends.

3.

Man:... when Г get to New York, is it easy to get to the

centre of the city?

Thivel Agent:Oh, sure, you can just take a cab.

Man:I see, and how much will that cost?

Travel Agent:Well, er... when I last went, it cost about $30 — the rides are metered and you should add anoth­er 10 or 15 per cent for a tip.

Man:I see, and how long will it take?

Travel Agent:It might take30 minutes if you're lucky...

Man:And if I'm unlucky?

Travel Agent:It could take two hours if you arrive at a busy time.

Man:Hmm...

Travel Agent:Or... or you... you could take a helicopter — it s expensive but a wonderful way to arrive to Man­hattan. An unforgettable 15-minute flight. It costs two or three times the cab fare.

Man:Right! That's the way for me! Can I book that

now?

Travel Agent:There's no need. Just go to TWA International Terminal Gate 37. They go every few minutes.