This website shows you a lot of the train passes. But some of you plan to buy a regular ticket. Even if you will use the rail pass, you may have to compare the price of the pass and the regular fare to make sure that you can get the worth of it or not.
In this post, I would like to share the information about the fare calculation with you.
Hyperdia
This is the easiest way to get the fare and the timetable of most trains in Japan. Please refer the link below to learn more:
Google map
Google map can show you the train and the public bus routes. It also shows you the fare.
JR’s rule on passenger’s ticket
JR companies have the biggest train network in Japan. If you travel between major cities, you will take JR train in most cases.
The fare rule is so difficult to understand for the tourists from overseas. Even some travel agents in Japan do not understand the rule completely.
I wrote about this rule as simple as possible in the post below. You can learn the rule of purchasing and using a regular ticket.
JR company’s official site
Some JR companies have the timetable and fare search engine in their official sites.
JR Hokkaido official website
This website offers you the fare and timetable search of most JR trains.
JR West English website
This website offers you the fare and timetable search of most JR trains.
JR Shikoku English website
This website shows you the fare table of most of JR Shikoku lines.
Comments
sorry i mean 14 days jr pass 🙁 thankyou
Hi Tika,
You can use 7 days JR pass for day 3 to 9. 14 days pass is too expensive.
You can get Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka by JR pass to take JR train include Shinkansen (bullet train). But you may need to add extra fare or pass in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo because you may need to take subway or city bus. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
I think you can use Haruka discount ticket. And you can add Kansai one pass to get Kobe and Osaka after JR pass is expired.
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi i need your advice, i’ll travel to japan for 12 days.
Day 1 : kansai airport- hyogo area
Day 2 : hyogo- kobe area
Day 3 : hyogo – kyoto
Day 4 : kyoto
Day 5 : hyogo-tokyo
Day 6 : tokyo
Day 7 : tokyo
Day 8 : tokyo and back hyogo
Day 9 : hyogo osaka
Day 10 : hyogo osaka
Day 11 : hyogo osaka
Day 12 : hyogo kansai aiport
I spend a lot of time in hyogo because i have friends there. Should i purchase 21 days JR Pass or is there any other affordable option? Thankyouuu
Hello Takeshi,
I am travelling in the Kansai region in April, and am not sure of the most effective combination of passes for my travel. Any recommendations would be very welcome.
Day 1: Osaka to Nara and then back to Osaka
Day 2: Osaka to Kyoto.
I will stay in Kyoto for 2 more days (day 3 and 4)
Day 5: Kyoto to Toyooka
I will stay in Toyooka for 2 more days (day 6 and 7)
Day 8: Toyooka to Osaka
Which pass will cover this most effectively? jP rail 7 day pass or the 5 day Kansai Wide pass, with the trip from Toyooka to Osaka purchased at the time of travel? Or is there a pass that I haven’t noted that would cover the 7 days of travel for The Kansai region?
Any input is appreciated!
Best regards,
Tara
Hi Tara,
You may use Kansai thru pass 3 days for the day 1 to 3.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
And you can use Kansai wide area pass for day 4 to 8. If you intend to visit Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, try to visit on day 4. Because these two places can be accessed by JR trains which means you can use Kansai wide area pass to get these places. Other places cannot be accessed by Kansai wide area pass but Kansai thru pass does. Kansai thru pass covers non JR railways, subways and city bus. These transportation cover other than Arashiyama and Fushimi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Me and my family (total 5pax) will be travelling from Kansai airport-Kyoto-Osak-Kansai airport for 6 days (from 8-13/3). We will be staying in kyoto for 4 days and then move to Osaka. There are too many passes and it is hard to recognize for me. Need your advise on the passes to purchase.
Day 1: kyoto (could you advise pass to use on this say?)
Day 2: arashiyama and surrounding (kansai thru pass)
Day 3: nara (kansai thru pass)
Day 4: osaka (kansai thru pass)
Day 5: osaka area eg. Dodontori, namba (could you advise pass to use on this day?)
Day 6: to airport (could you advise pass to use on this day?)
Hi Mandy san,
Kansai thru pass is a good choice for day 2 to 4.
For arrival day, you can use Haruka discount ticket at 1600 yen.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
You don’t need to have ICOCA.
For day 5, there are lots of deals. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
For day 6, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi-san, we looking forward to visit Japan (^^)
Hi Takeshi,
Im planning on being in Japan on April 13 to April 23. Im planning to get the 7 days JR Pass. I will be visiting Kyoto on the 14th to 18th and will not start my 7 days on the 13th when i land and pay the normal fare for the train from Narita Airport to Central Tokyo. 18th to 23rd will be around Tokyo and the Jr Pass will expire on the 20th. I will have 3 days left and will also need to go back to Narita airport to head home. What do you think is best?
Toby
Hi Toby,
Let’s compare which one is better, using JR pass on 13th Apr from Narita to Tokyo or using JR Pass on 20th in Tokyo.
If you use JR pass on 13th, you can take Narita Express to get Tokyo. It costs 3000 yen. And if you still have time, you can explore Tokyo by JR trains.
If you use JR pass on 20th, you can use JR trains in downtown Tokyo. The fare in downtown Tokyo is around 200 to 300 yen.
I think you should start using JR pass on 13th and you can get more saving.
You can use Tokyo subway ticket in Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
There is no deals to go back to Narita. Single fare is only way and most affordable one is budget bus from Tokyo station.
http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
I’m traveling for 1 month in Japan. I know I want to go to Tokyo and Kyoto. I’m not sure where else I will go, but probably at least 3 other places (probably Osaka, Nara, Mt Fuji, Okinawa, Hiroshima). Do you think 21 day JR pass is worth it or should I just do single since I’m traveling 30 days? Also, if you have suggestions for first trip to Japan on must-see cities, that would be great too!
Hi Katherine,
I recommend you to build the detailed itinerary before choosing the deals. At this point, I cannot say 21 days pass is the best choice or not. Actually if you have round trip between Tokyo and Hiroshima, and stopover at Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Fuji, 21 days pass is too expensive. The total fare is almost equal to 14 days pass. Okinawa is not covered by any rail passes because it’s in island.
But if you add more places, 21 days pass may work.
Hokkaido is very far but it’s recommended. Takayana, Shirakawago and Kanazawa are very popular too. Please refer Japan Guide to find more info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Mr Takeshi
Any recommended pass for use n tokyo and nagoya for 2 way. Tks.
Ms Ho
Hi Ms. Ho,
Platt Kodama is only available deal.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
I will be arriving in Japan on 1st May (Narita), spending the night at Shinagawa and wanting to take bullet train through to Hiroshima. On the 8th May I will be returning on the bullet train from Hiroshima to Shinagawa and then to Narita. In Hiroshima I propose to take the ferry to Miyajima.
If I take a non JP Rail pass train how much is the return trip? What is the cost of the train to Narita airport?
Is it worthwhile getting a Rail pass for 7 days?
Hi Ellie,
Actually even 14 days pass is cheaper than regular fare. If you want to know the exact fare, please use Hyperdia to find it.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, I’ll be traveling for 3weeks in May, landing at New Chitose airport and leaving from Kansai airport.
Places covered: New Chitose – Asahikawa – Sapporo – Day trip to Otaru – Hakodate – Tokyo – Fuji Five Lakes – Tokyo – Shirakawa-go – Kyoto – Day trip to Nara – Osaka – Miyajima – Osaka.
Would the 21-day JR Pass be worth this journey?
Thanks for your advice!
Hi Kate,
Yes. You may use 21 days pass. It’s cheaper than single fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, need your advice, my partner and I I I are travelling to hokkaido on Feb 9-14 and staying at Chitose. Would like to know if getting a Hokkaido pass is worth it.
Travel itinerary:
Day1: Chitose-Sapporo
Day2: Chitose-Otaru
Day3: Chitose-Noboribetsu
Day4: Chitose-Sapporo (again)
Hi Gigi,
Regular ticket is cheaper. Hokkaido Rail Pass is way more expensive.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com