The Limited Express Thunderbird timetable and the train information. The train bound for Kanazawa from Osaka and Kyoto.

thunderbird 683Kanazawa, Toyama, Wakura-Onsen, Fukui
683 series is the primary fleet for limited express train in Hokuriku region, such as Thunderbird and Shirasagi.
683 series is the primary fleet for limited express train in Hokuriku region, such as Thunderbird and Shirasagi.

The limited express Thunderbird connects Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Fukui, and Kanazawa. One round trip of this train operates to Wakura-Onsen. This train is the fastest way to get to Kanazawa from Osaka/Kyoto. If you go to Kanazawa from Osaka, simply take this limited express train.

This train is fully covered by JR Pass, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, and Hokuriku Arch Pass.

In this post, I will explain you about the train information of limited express Thunderbird.

Route, schedule and trip time

Thunderbird runs one or two departure(s) in every hour and it runs more than 20 round trips a day. Average trip time is 2 hours and 45 minutes to get to Kanazawa from Osaka. Please see the route map below to find the trip time on the major segments and stations on the route:

The Limited Express Thunderbird train operation route (Click to view large)

You can find the timetable in the link below:

Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine

Accommodation

683 series for the limited express Thunderbird

Thunderbird is serviced by 681 or 683 series. 681 series is a bit older fleet than 683. But both fleets are basically same.

The seat pitch in a Green seat is 1,160 mm (46 inches). It is the standard of most JR trains. The seat layout is 2+1. It offers very spacious leg room and quite good seating.

The seat pitch of an ordinary seat is 970 mm (38 inches). It is a little bigger than the standard of JR trains. Some seats on Car #3 are exclusively available for women and small child. Some of JR trains offer this service for women travelers.

By the way, the seat pitch of most major airlines is 76 cm (30 inches) to 84 cm (33 inches). You can imagine how spacious an ordinary seat is. Unless you have a big body, an ordinary class seat is fine.

*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.

Train formation

Thunderbird train formation

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*G=Green seat R=Reserved seat NR=Non reserved seat
Smoking is not allowed on board.

Images

Green seat

Ordinary seat

Sanitary space

Other resources

I have a few more posts which explains you about the access to Kanazawa and surrounding area, such as Shirakawago, Takayama. Please refer the posts below to find more information. I believe these posts will help you to build your trip plan:

I hope this post will help you to create your trip plan.

Comments

  1. ohcaroll says:

    hi takeshi san,

    is the Takayama-hukuriku area Pass (5days @ 13500yen)is also the same as Kansai Hokuriku Pass 7days?

    will i be able to access all JR lines from KIX to Osaka
    then Osaka kyoto, then Kyoto- kanazawa-toyama

    i will beusing the Thunderbird express traing Kyoto to Kanazawa, is this the right exit gate 1640-1852 (arrival gate 5)
    then transit Kanazawa-Toyama 1903-1925 (departure gate 12)?

    how about the trip going back to Toyama to KIX? what are the trains i should ride using the JR covered by this pass?

    thanks, carol

  2. chelsina says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Im planning to go Japan in May. Planning to buy Kansai Hokuriku Pass 7days as i will be going Toyama and Wakayama.

    would like to know, when i have redeemed the pass in Kansai Airport, I will be heading straight to Kyoto, sightseeing and lunch. Then, Kyoto to Kanazawa using Thunderbird 1640-1852 (arrival gate 5), then transit Kanazawa-Toyama 1903-1925 (departure gate 12). will this be sufficient time for the transit? Because in hyperdia, sometimes they state transit trains’ interval time 2-3 minutes. Usually how long transit interval time should i reserve for the next train?

    I have never been to Japan. But i read tourists using these JR special passes must go through counters for tickets. So does this means, when i reached kanazawa station, I must go to the counter again to get another ticket kanazawa-toyama? will 30minutes time be sufficient for this? OR can i just go claim at Kyoto station for Kyoto-Kanazawa and Kanazawa-Toyama tickets together?

    I also read Kansai Hokuriku tourist pass also covers Takaoka-Toyama Ainokaze train. but must pay excess. is it true?

    does this kansai Hokuriku tourist pass include kyoto city JR trains/subways trains?

    • Hi chelsina,

      If you use JR pass, you can book reserved seat in advance. I usually complete all booking when I arrive Japan and exchange the pass. Once you get a reserved seat ticket, you don’t need to go anywhere. Once you show your pass to enter your station, all you have to do is changing the train. It’s very tight to change the train in 2-3 minutes. But if you have 10 minutes, it’s way enough to change the trains.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Sherman says:

    Takeshi san

    I’m visiting Fukui on 12/2 and return on 17/2 with my colleague with flight arriving KIX, I’m learnt that Haruka is available from KIX to Shin-Osaka, then I should take the Thunderbird. Since my flight arriving KIX may be around 4:00pm already, would you recommend the below?
    1/ Book the tickets for Haruka and Thunderbird in advance?
    2/ Do you recommend to purchase the JR pass for reducing ticket cost?

    If so, please advise how and where can I book the tickets ?

    Thank you very much!

    Sherman

  4. Sally says:

    Hello!!

    I will be travelling from Okayama – Shin Osaka – Fukui. Can I buy the Thunderbird ticket in Okayama along with my shinkansen ticket?

    Thank you!! 🙂

    • Hi Sally,

      Yes. It’s completely no problem.
      You can purchase any JR trains ticket at most of JR stations in advance. If you want, you can purchase it before your departure date. Of course you can purchase it just before you depart from Okayama.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Trinket says:

    Hi! We will go to Japan on January 29. We enter thru Osaka and plan to take the overnight bus to Kanazawa. Are there overnight JR bus from osaka to Kanazawa?
    We will also go to takayama and shirakawago then back to osaka. Can you recommend a better and cheaper transportation? Thanks!

    Trinket

  6. Peter says:

    From this page,
    http://www.jr-odekake.net/train/thunderbird/compo.html
    I think car 1 seems to be the last car heading towards Osaka

    Is this correct, does car 1 face towards Kanazawa?

  7. Jason says:

    Thanks Takeshi San,
    I am using Toyama as the base for this trip, planned going from Kansai airport to Kanazawa and then Toyama on 1/29 on my own, on 1/30 booked to join a local tour to Shokawa River boat and Suganuma and then, on my own, take the Kaetsuno bus to Shirakawago light up the evening (reservation not available for the trip going but have booked the Kaetsuno bus on the way back to Toyama), on 1/31, from Toyama go to Okuhida Shinhokata ropeway via the newly opened Toyama-Okuhida line by Nohi Bus and spend a night there, on 2/1 get back to Toyama and that night head to Kansai airport for the plane returning to my country. I will not be staying in Takayama or taking train going from or bound for Nagoya. Seems it will be using the JR lines of western side Chubu where the Thunderbird runs plus local buses from Toyama most time. Thanks, Jason

    • Hi Jason san,

      Takayama Hokuriku Area pass is the best choice. You can take Haruka from KIX to Shin-Osaka and Thunderbird from Shin-Osaka to Kanazawa. Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama from Kanazawa is also covered. Even though most of trip by bus in your trips are not covered by this pass, this pass is much cheaper than single fare. Kaetsuno bus may be covered but it doesn’t seem to be regular scheduled bus. It may not be covered.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Jason says:

    Dear Takeshi San, I am trying go to Hokuriku area from Kansai airport only for 4 days( mainly for the Shirakawago light up in Jan), so mean to combine both Kansai area daily pass and the Hokuriku area pass(4 days). Since I heard that with both passes, I cannot ride the Thunderbird. Such a bad news! So I want to know is that too time consuming if taking only the type of trains available with both passes ?? I have a few days travel time only, so better to shorten time on transport though. I am considering getting the Takayama Hokuriku area pass, but then, that one does not cover the train or Shinkansei from Nogoya to the Kansai airport where my plane departs. Do u have any kind advice on selecting the right pass? Thanks in advance. Jason

    • Hi Jason,

      I want to make sure the following things:
      1. How do you get Shirakawago? Do you take express bus from Kanazawa or Takayama? Do you intend to take tour?
      2. Even if you use Kansai area pass and Hokuriku pass, Nagoya is not covered anyway. How do you visit Hokuikuri region, Shirakawago and Nagoya? I want to see the detailed itinerary of your trip.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Jim says:

    Hello
    we are arriving at Kansai on the evening of 28 December and want to travel to Nagano / Myojo-Kogen on 29 December. We are planning to travel with the Thunderbird 13 to Kanazawa, and from there to Nagano.
    As far as I can see we cannot reserve seats on the train until we are in Japan – is this correct? Will we be able to reserve seats on the Thunderbird when we arrive on 28 December to travel on 29 December?
    Thanks for your help.
    Jim

  10. Endy says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    I will be returning to my home in Oosaka from my few day long Tokyo trip on the 26th and I decided to take a big detour and check out Shirakawago.
    I don’t know how crowded these trains are, and I would need your advice if I should be making reservation for the hokuriku shinkansen between Ueno and Kanazawa, and especially if it is needed for the Thunderbird between Kanazawa and Shin-Oosaka. I really wouldn’t want to miss any of these trains because there are no free seats left having to stay out in the middle of winter.
    However I don’t have to stick to any specific train so I am good as long as I can get on any of the morning shinkansen trains and I would be taking any one of the last Thunderbird trains, probably one between 18:06 and the last train at 20:35.

    Thank you in advance!

    • Hi Endy,

      In this year, the busiest days are 28th to 30th. You need to book your seat if you travel in this period. And school winter break starts on 25th. After this date, it will be busier. Reservation is still recommended in winter break too.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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