JR West Kansai Area Pass is one of the choices for the traveler who stays in Osaka and make some day trips to the surrounding places, such as Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji and Wakayama.
In this post, I would like to share the information about JR West Kansai Area Pass with you. And I will compare the price of the pass and the regular fare. You can find that you can get the worth by your trip or not.
Coverage area
Please refer the map in JR West Kansai Area Pass official site as well to get the detailed map.
The pass covers most of points of interest, such as Osaka (Umeda), Namba, Universal Studio Japan, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, Kansai airport, Himeji.
Expansion of the coverage area in Kyoto
And also Kansai Area Pass includes the following exchange vouchers:
- Keihan Railways Kyoto Sightseeing Pass 1-day
- Kyoto City Subway 1-day pass
These passes expand the coverage in Kyoto so much:
Kansai Area Pass did not cover Keihan and subway in Kyoto. These lines cover eastern part of Kyoto, such as Gion, Kiyomizudera.
You may exchange the vouchers in the designated stations. Please find the detailed information in the official press release:
JR West official press release
You can use these passes separately.
e.g.
You have Kansai Area Pass 2-day
Day 1 trip to Kyoto and exchange Kyoto city subway pass only
Day 2 trio to Kyoto and exchange Keihan Railway Kyoto sightseeing pass
But in my opinion, you should use these two passes in same day. If you use only JR line and Kyoto city subway line, the coverage are limited.
The places where you cannot go by Kansai Area Pass
Major spots that are not covered by this pass is Mt. Koya. But if you want to go to Mt. Koya, Nankai Railway is the best way. Nankai Railway is not covered by JR West Kansai Area Pass anyway. Nankai Railway’s Koyasan World Heritage Ticket or Kansai Thru Pass is a right choice for trip to Mt. Koya.
Nankai Railway Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
Who is eligible
Visitors who land as “Temporary Visitor” status can purchase this pass.
Types and prices
| Purchasing from the travel agent overseas (Before arrival) | Purchasing from JR West online (Before arrival) | Purchasing from JR West station (After arrival) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-day | 2,400 yen | 2,4000 yen | 2,400 yen |
| 2-day | 4,600 yen | 4,600 yen | 4,600 yen |
| 3-day | 5,600 yen | 5,600 yen | 5,600 yen |
| 4-day | 6,800 yen | 6,800 yen | 6,800 yen |
*Child rate is half of the adult prices above.
*5 year old or younger child is free. Maximum 2 children per one adult.
The pass must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night (midnight to midnight).
e.g.
If you start to use 3 days pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 3. The time when you start using does not matter.
If you want to purchase this at the lower price, you can purchase it at authorized travel agents. You can find the dealers list and exchange location at the link below:
JR West Rail Pass Dealer’s list
You also can purchase this pass online through JR West official site. But the price is not much cheaper than the price which is sold at the station.
Valid trains and bus lines
This pass covers all JR local trains and non reserved seat of Limited Express Haruka. You CANNOT ride any other express trains, such as the Tokaido Shinkansen the Sanyo Shinkansen, the limited express Thunderbird. But as long as you travel in Kansai area, Rapid Services Network is enough to cover your trip. It is actually crowded because these trains are the commuters one. But these are fast and frequent. The following list shows you trains that you can ride by JR West Kansai Area Pass.
- The limited express Haruka (Kansai airport-Tennoji-Shin Osaka-Kyoto, non reserved seat only)
- Special Rapid Service (Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe-Himeji)
- Kansai Airport Rapid Service (Kansai airport-Tennoji-Osaka)
- Yamatoji Rapid Service (Osaka-Tennoji-Nara)
- Miyakoji Rapid Service (Kyoto-Nara)
Of course, you can ride any local trains that are not shown on above list.
Hotels and Ryokans in Nara
Hotels in Himeji
Hotels in Kobe
Hotels in Himeji
Hotels in Kansai Airport
On the other hand, JR West Kansai Area Pass does not cover any private railway lines, subway lines and the bus lines. Most of major private railway companies and subway lines are shown on the following list:
- Osaka Metro (Subway)
- Kyoto Municipal Transportation (Subway and city bus)
- Nankai Railway (Namba-Kansai airport, Namba-Mt.Koya)
- Kintetsu Railway (Namba-Nara, Kyoto-Nara)
- Hankyu Railway (Sannomiya-Umeda-Kawaramachi)
- Keihan Railway (Yodoyabashi-Kyobashi-Shijo-Sanjo)
- Hanshin Railway (Namba-Sannomiya, Umeda-Sannomiya-Himeji)
- Sanyo Railway (Umeda-Sannomiya-Akashi-Himeji)
These above railways and bus lines are NOT covered. When you are in Osaka or Kyoto, subway trains and city bus services are very convenient. So you may have to pay a single fare or purchase other pass. This is the biggest disadvantage of JR West Kansai Area Pass. You can find the coverage of this pass in these posts:
Compare cost between pass and single fare. Best way to use.
First of all, please see the fare table for major sections below:
| Stations | Osaka | Shin Osaka | Kyoto | Kansai airport | Sannomiya (Kobe) | Nara | Himehji | JR Namba |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka | – | 160 | 540 | 1160 1150 | 390 | 780 | 1450 | 190 |
| Shin Osaka | 160 | – | 540 | 1330 1150 | 540 | 890 | 1450 | 210 |
| Kyoto | 540 | 540 | – | 1830 1150 | 1050 | 690 | 2210 | 890 |
| Kansai airport | 1160 1150 | 1330 1150 | 1830 1150 | – | 1660 1150 | 1660 730 | 2730 1150 | 1030 730 |
| Sannomiya (Kobe) | 390 | 540 | 1050 | 1660 1150 | – | 1210 | 950 | 690 |
| Nara | 780 | 890 | 690 | 1660 730 | 1210 | – | 2210 | 540 |
| Himeji | 1450 | 1450 | 2210 | 2730 1150 | 950 | 2210 | – | 1620 |
| JR Namba | 190 | 210 | 890 | 1030 730 | 690 | 540 | 1620 | – |
*If there are two fares, basic fare is shown at the top and limited express surcharge at the bottom. For example, if you travel from Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka, basic fare is 1330 yen and surcharge is 1150 yen.
As you saw the fare table above, most of trips from Kansai airport is very efficient because of limited express Haruka. If you travel to Osaka, Kansai airport rapid may be better than Haruka because Haruka do not stop at Osaka. But if you think about getting on Haruka, Kansai Area Pass is considerable. Even one day pass is cheaper than basic fare + surcharge. If you go to Namba, you can access there by JR trains. But Nankai Railway gives you much better access to Namba. Especially if you think about transfer to subway at Namba, Nankai Railway Namba station is much easier to transfer to most of subway lines. Please see the details at the post, How to access from Kansai airport to downtown Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.
Next, I recommend you to use this pass for the trip to Himeji. Special Rapid Service connects Osaka with Himeji in 62 minutes. This train is the fastest and most frequent service. If you think about Kansai Thru Pass, this pass do not cover JR trains. If you go to Himeji by Kansai Thru Pass, the pass cover all part of your trip to Himeji. But you will spend more than 90 minutes. Kansai Thru Pass is very efficient for the trip to Kyoto or Mt. Koya. But if you go to Himeji, I recommend you to use JR West Kansai Area Pass.
If you go to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe from Osaka, it may not be very efficient. The fare range is between 500 and 1,000 yen. The difference between 1 day pass and 2 days pass is 2,000 yen. If you will purchase 3 days or 4 days, the price difference is 1,000 yen. If you have two trips, from Kansai airport by Haruka and trip to Himeji, you will already make more than 4,000 yen worth. You can use the pass to Kyoto, Kobe or Nara. But if you use 2 days pass for trip from Kansai airport and trip to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe, you may not be able to make more than 4,000 yen worth.
JR West also sell ICOCA and Haruka. This discount ticket include trip from Kansai airport by Haruka and 1,500 yen value e-money in ICOCA prepaid card. If JR West Kansai Area Pass is too expensive for your trip, ICOCA and Haruka may be suitable for your trip. ICOCA can be used for not only JR trains but also Kyoto subway, Osaka subway and other major private railway companies. ICOCA is more flexible than JR West Kansai Area Pass. Please see the details about ICOCA at the post, ICOCA and Haruka ticket. Very flexible and good deal for tourist who stay in Kansai..
At last, if you want to explore some more places, I strongly recommend you JR West Kansai WIDE Area Pass. This pass is available in 4 days pass only. But the area where is covered is much bigger. And limited express train and Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama are covered by this pass. And the price is only 1,000 yen higher than Kansai Area Pass 4 days. I am very happy if you are interested in other places outside of Kansai area.
Comments
Dear Takeshi,
Your articles are the most helpful! Still, I need your input on which pass I should take, if any. I’m going to Kansai with my sister in early May, and here’s our itinerary
Day 1, Thursday, May 5
KIX – directly to Nara – Osaka Namba – Stay in Osaka
Day 2, Friday, May 6
Namba – USJ for the whole day – Kyoto, stay in Kyoto
Day 3, Saturday, May 7
Kyoto City – Arashiyama – KIX in the evening (around 9pm)
I plan to use Kansai Thru Pass 2 days for Day 1 and Day 3, but must it used on consecutive days? Or is it more valuable to purchase single tickets instead?
Thanks for your advice 🙂
Hi Muthia,
You may use Kansai thru pass on day 1 and 3. You don’t need to use it in consecutive days. I think it is the best deal. But you have to change the train at least twice to get KIX from Arashiyama, taking Hankyu railway to Umeda, subway to Namba and Nankai railway to KIX. But there is no other better deals.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San,
please advise which pass I should purchase for the below travel plan I have in Osaka/Kyoto/Nara area. Thank you.
22 April : Osaka travelling to Kyoto Station. Check in to Kyoto Tower Hotel. Go to Shijyo-Kawaramachi for kimono rental. Set off to Kiyomizu-dera Temple -> Kinkakuji -> arashiyama to (keihan sanjyou) to Gion to Kyoto Tower Hotel.
23 April : Kyoto to Nara Park to Kyoto Station to Nishiki Market to Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine to Kyoto Station to Osaka.
Thank you 🙂
Hi Linda san,
You may use ICOCA and Haruka to Kyoto for day 1 and Kansai area pass 1 day for day 2.
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 may use ICOCA to travel in Kyoto for day 1. For day 2, most of places can be accessed by JR train except Nishiki Market. You should visit Fushimi before Nishiki market because it’s located between Nara and Kyoto. You can get Gion-Shijo by Keihan railway but Keihan is not covered by Kansai area pass. If you still have some fund in ICOCA, you can take Keihan by ICOCA. Otherwise add single fare. And also you need to take city bus to Kyoto station from Nishiki market. This is not covered by the pass either.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Just to double check with you… By getting JR Kansai West Area Pass (1 Day), it will cover everything in the below (checked from Hyperdia) right?
Shinimamiya > Osaka – by JR Osaka Loop Line/ JR Kishuji Rapdi Service
Osaka > Himeji – by JR Special Rapid Service
Himeji > Sannomiya – by JR Special Rapid Service
Motomachi > Osaka – by JR Kobe Line Rapid Service
Osaka > Shinimamiya – by JR Yamatoji Line Regional Rapid Service/ Osaka Loop Line
Thank you & regards,
Scieszka
Hi Scieszka,
Yes, it covers all.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
Thank you so much for sharing your post with us. I am staying in Japan for 9days-9nights. I am still hesitant which ticket to get – ICOCA or JP West Kansai or Kansai Thru Pass.
See, we will be arriving at night time (Day 1) at the Kansai Airport and will stay in Osaka for the next 4 days, then will check in a house in Kyoto for 3 days and then back to Osaka for 1 day.
On the first four days (Day 2-5) we intend to visit USJ, Kobe, Nara and Himeji. I was thinking of availing the 4-day JR West Kansai Pass.
On our three days in Kyoto, I was thinking of availing the 3-day Kansai Thru Pass OR an ICOCA card.
For our airport transfers (Day 1 and 9), I was thinking of getting a HARUKA round-trip ticket to the Kansai Airport.
Can you please help me decide? Your input would be of great help.
Thank you!
Hi Karla,
Kansai area pass 4 days is too much. Single ticket is much cheaper than this pass to visit Kobe and USJ. It’s okay to get Nara by this pass but not give you a big discount. Only trip to Himeji is suitable for this pass.
Kansai thru pass is also too much to Kyoto. You may use ICOCA or single ticket to get Kyoto and use Kyoto city deal.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
ICOCA and Haruka is a right choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for the quick response, Takeshi!
Is it too much still if i get the Kansai Thru Pass fo 3 days (Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji)?
Thanks again,
Karla
Hi Karla,
Before choosing the pass, I recommend you how you use this 3 days. Are you going to spend one full day for one place? Or are you going to combine two places, like Himeji and Kobe? You have to make sure this first. Otherwise you cannot choose the best deal.
In my opinion, Himeji can be combined with Kobe. You may complete Nara in half day if you want. Kansai thru pass is too much for only Osaka. Subway pass is okay. So you may use only 2 days pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, Takeshi-san,
here is my iti:
day 1 kyoto (stay near kyoto station)
fushimi-inari – kiyomizudera – sannen-zaka – ninnen-zaka – yasak shrine – gion
day 2 kyoto (stay near kyoto station)
kinkakkuji – nijo castle – tenryuji – bamboo grooves – togesukyo bridge
day 3 kyoto -> nara -> Osaka (stay near namba)
nara deer park – todaiji temple – kofukuji temple then to Osaka
day 4 osaka -> himeji -> kobe -> osaka (stay near namba)
himeji castle – kobe harborland
day 5 osaka sight-seeing (osaka amazing pass)
day 6 USJ (single pass)
1. should i use 2 days kyoto sighseeing pass OR kyoto bus pass?
2. for day 3 & 4, which is better between kansai thru pass OR day 3 single pass and day 4 JR west kansai area?
3. is kansai thru pass ang JR west kansai area cover osaka subway?
4. can you give me advise what pass should i get for this whole trip?
thankyou
Hi Zie san,
1. Kyoto sightseeing pass is better if you have enough budget. Traffic is always busy and so try to minimize using bus in Kyoto.
2. Kansai thru pass is better. JR train is faster than Hanshin-Sanyo railways. But you will stay in Namba. You have to take subway to get JR Osaka (Umeda) from Namba. Even if you take subway and JR to Himeji, it’s still faster than Hanshi-Sanyo. But the difference is smaller.
3. Only Kansai thru pass covers subway in Osaka. This is one of reason why Kansai thru pass is recommended. You can take subway in Osaka to visit some places after trip to Nara and Himeji and Kobe.
4. Other passes are okay. Your itinerary is good to go!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
I’ve been reading all your posts all day as we will be visiting Japan for 9 days.
I just have a question for our itinerary in one day.
My family will be staying in Umeda area and would want to visit Nara and Fushimi Inari shrine in one day. JR West seems to be the convenient ride to transfer from Osaka – Nara – Inari – Osaka. It is cheaper to get Kansai Area Pass for one day?
Also, will it be even cheaper to use other railways? If we use Kintetsu line we will be using subway which will be added cost.
Or is it better to just not do all those in one day?
Sorry if I ask to many questions. Thank you Takeshi 🙂
Hi Lucy,
Kansai area pass one day is cheaper than single fare and it the best choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your post. It is a great help.
I would like to ask your opinion on whether the passes below will work for my itinerary:
Apr 3 – flying in to Osaka, Osaka – Kyoto, Gion, Maruyama, Kiyomizudera
Apr 4 – Philosopher, Heian, Nishiki, Fushimi, Hirano, Ninnaji, Nijo
Apr 5 – Arashiyama, Kyoto – Osaka, Tsurumi, Osaka castle
Apr 6 – Osaka to Nara (day trip) + night viewing Osaka castle
Apr 7 – Osaka to Yoshino (day trip) + night viewing Kemasakuranomiya park
Apr 8 – Osaka to Himeji (day trip) + Kasagiyama park, Dotonbori, Expo 70, Japan Mint
Apr 9 – flying out
I am thinking of getting
Apr 4 – Kyoto City Bus Only Pass
Apr 5 – Osaka one day ticket Enjoy Eco card
Apr 8 – JR West Kansai Area Pass for 1 day
The other days, I just buy the independent tickets. Or should I get the other passes like Kansai Thru Pass or 2 day Kintetsu Rail pass for April 6-7? Thanks so much. Greatly appreciate the help.
Best regards,
Saut
Hi Saut,
I recommend Kansai thru pass for day 6 and 7. You may use Kansai thru pass 3 days and use one of 3 days for day 5 too. Because the difference between 2 day and 3 days is 1200 yen. You intend to use Eco card and single fare. It will be more than 1200 yen. And also Kansai thru pass gives you flexibility. You may take subway in Osaka after trip to Nara and Yoshino.
By the way, how about arrival day and departure day? If you arrive and depart at KIX, you may use some deals.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
If you arrive and depart at ITM, limousine bus is your choice and single ticket is only your option.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, thanks so much for the prompt reply. It helps greatly with my planning.
So the recommendation is Day 5,6,7 using Kansai Thru Pass 3 days, right? Ok I will buy it then.
I will be arriving at KIX and departing for Kyoto on Day 3. I am still mulling over the options right now. What would you suggest?
Would the Kansai Thru pass on Day 5 (part of the Kainsai Thru Pass 3 days mentioned above) cover Kyoto to Osaka (to be exact Daikokuchu)? Planning to stay in Osaka from Day 5-9 and using Osaka as the base for trips to Nara, Yoshino and Himeji.
Many many thanks.
Hi Saut,
You may use ICOCA and Haruka from KIX to Kyoto.
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
Kansai thru pass covers Daikokucho. Please see the full coverage map to make sure where you can go by this pass.
http://www.surutto.com/images/ticket/kansai_thru_pass/english/en_map.pdf
You may use Nankai railway deal to get KIX from Osaka, like Kansai Chikatoku ticket or Rapi:t Tokuwari.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks so much Takeshi.
I will follow the recommendation on Haruka and ICOCA.
Do you provide advice on passes outside of Kansai like Sapporo, Tokyo, Fukuoka too? I will be travelling to these areas too in the same trip to Kansai area.
All in all, you have been a great help in solving the puzzle of Kansai many passes.
All the best,
Saut
Hi Saut,
I can give you some advice about the pass in other areas. But I need to see whole part of the detailed plan. How do you go to Sapporo, Fukuoka and Tokyo from Osaka. Do you take domestic flight or take trains? Where do you visit during staying in Fukuoka, Sapporo and Tokyo? How many days are you going to spend in these cities.
Anyway I need these info to choose the deals. If you haven’t decided it yet, please fix your plan first. Otherwise I cannot show you it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, the following is my complete itinerary:
Day 0 : flying in Tokyo to transit for 12 hours from 6 PM to 6 AM the following day. Plan to stay at the airport and travel to Ueno then Chidorigafuchi for yokazura.
Day 1 : flying from Tokyo to Fukuoka and to Nishi, Chikae, Ohori, Fukuoka castle , canal city
Day 2 : Beppu, Umi Jigoku, Beppu Kintetsu ropeway, Yufuin, Yufumi Doori, Yunotsubo Kaidou, back to Fukuoka
Day 3 : half day in Fukuoka and flying out to KIX then Kyoto (refer to previous itenerary)
Day 4-8 : the same itinerary as above messages thread
Day 9 : flying out from KIX to Sapporo, stay in Sapporo, Otaru, Kitaichi Hall, Otaru music box museum, steam clock, otaru canal, back to sapporo, ramen street
Day 10 : historical village hokaido, oodori park, sapporo clock tower, sapporo factory, nijo fish market, sapporo central whole market, sapporo beer museum, nakajima or makomania park, ramen street
Day 11 : fly from sapporo to tokyo, narita, stay in tokyo, shinjuku, asukayama, rikugi, ueno, sumida, chidorigafuchi. If the sakura blossom already ended the maybe go to matsumoto instead
Day 12 : chureito pagoda, kawaguchi lake, kachi kachi ropeway, kawaguchi music forest, back to Tokyo
Day 13: fuji shibazakura or lake motosuko, inokashira park, meguro river, yoyogi
Day 14 : tsukiji fish market, fly out from tokyo at 6 pm
I intend to purchase the following
Day 1 : fukuoka tourist city pass (1 day)
Day 2 : nihihetsu bus from hakata to beppu, discount bus ticket for kemenoi bus – one day wide pass, kamenoi high speed bus from yufuin to fukuoka
Day 3 – 8 : will follow the recommendations mentioned above
Day 9 : sapporo otaru welcome pass
Day 10 : donichika tiket, bus kaitaku no mura yuki to hokaido village
Day 11 : individual ticket using icoca card
Day 12 : individual JR ticket to chureito, retro bus, individual jr ticket from kawaguchi to shinjuku
Day 13 – 14 : individual tickets
Are the above the optimal passes to get for my itinerary?
Once again, many thanks,
Saut
Hi Saut,
You’ve made a great itinerary and have already picked the deals. I don’t have many things to tell you. I only have some tips for Tokyo part of your trip.
If you go to Matsumoto, you may use JR East Pass Niigata and Nagano.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-tokyo-kyoto-and-osaka-in-7-days.html
You can take Narita Express between Tokyo and Narita, limited express to Matsumoto (or Shinkansen to Nagano and limited express to Matsumoto), and limited express to Otsuki. It does not cover Fuji Kyuko Railway between Otsuki and Lake Kawaguchi. But you will make two trips between Tokyo and Otsuki. This pass will work.
If you don’t go to Matsumoto, you cannot use this pass, it’s too expensive. Trip to Matsumoto is the key. In this case, you may pick up Narita access and subway pass combo.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html
And express bus is better to get Lake Kawaguchi than JR because it’s direct and cheaper.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Thanks for above such useful information。 i would like to have your recommendation for my travel trips.
02/05/16 KANSAI AIRPORT – KYOTO (2980 yen)
06/05/16 KYOTO – OSAKA (540 yen)
08/05/16 OSAKA – NARA (780 yen)
08/05/16 NARA – OSAKA (780 yen)
11/05/16 OSAKA – KANSAI AIRPORT (2310 yen)
should i go ahead to purchase the JAPAN RAIL PASS WEST? Or any other pass that i can consider?
i do have SUICA card. Can SUICA CARD to be used at OSAKA and KYOTO area? i had checked thru online, stated can’t, just to double confirm.
What is the meaning for below comment.
*The pass can be purchased once per visit. So you cannot purchase multiple passes for one person, like 1 x 2 days pass.*
Correct me if I’m wrong. i cant purchase the ticket continues day? or i can purchase the ticket at below way.
02/05/16 – 05/05/16 – 4 days
06/05/16 – 09/05/16 – 4 days
10/05/16 – 11/05/16 – 2 days
Regards
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
You may use Haruka discount ticket to get Kyoto.
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#Price
Kansai area pass does not work. You have take a train at least 2000 yen value everyday.
Suica CAN BE used in Kansai area, like Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. It couldn’t be but now it’s completely no problem. So you may use Suica to get a train for Kyoto-Osaka, Osaka-Nara-Osaka. Forget about Kansai area pass.
You may purchase Haruka discount ticket again to the airport. But there are some more deals available.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
First off, thank you for your time and effort on updating this website. It is a wealth of information! I know very little about Japan but will be travelling to Osaka alone in May of this year for 2 nights staying at the Kansai Airport Hotel Nikko. I’ve heard from many that the transportation system is very complex. Would you be able to recommend what’s the most efficient way to see Osaka and Kyoto?
First day I arrive at KIX at 4pm and plan to visit only a few major spots in Osaka. Osaka Castle then Shitennoji Temple, and finally Minami at night before heading back to the airport hotel.
Second day I will leave the hotel very early (7am if possible) to travel to Kyoto and hope to visit Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji and Gion before heading back to the airport hotel at night.
Based on what I’ve read on this site it seems I should not by the JR West Area Pass for my first day travelling around Osaka although it would be beneficial for when I travel to Kyoto?
I hope my plans are not too ambitious!
Thank you in advance!
Peony
Hi Peony,
My recommendation is 2 days Kansai Area Pass. It covers all places in day 1 and Arashiyama and Fushimi in Kyoto in day 2.
And also you can take limited express Haruka between KIX and Tennoji, KIX and Kyoto. Haruka is only direct train service between KIX and Kyoto. It gives you comfortable trip.
Kansai thru pass 2 days is considerable. It gives you all transportation other than JR. You can take bus and subway in Kyoto. It covers all places in both Osaka and Kyoto. However there is no direct trains between Kyoto and KIX by this pass. You have to change the trains at least twice. I think Kansai area pass + all day bus pass in Kyoto to get Kinkakuji and Gion is better combination.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi for your reply! I’ll do as you suggested!
No problem, Peony.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for helping us understand the various rail passes.
I checked hyperdia & found our trip from tennoji to saga arashiyama via ltd express haruka will cost 2160 yen. We prefer to take this as it involves only 1 transfer. Can you confirm that in this case, it will be cheaper to get the JR west kansai area pass as i can use this to get back to tennoji later in the day?
Hi Bea,
Yes, you can. One way trip from Tennoji to Sagaarashiyama by Haruka and local train is almost equal to this pass. So if you can go back to Tennoji by this pass, it’s way cheaper than single ticket.
Of course you can take Haruka on the way back to Tennoji again.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi.
No problem, Bea.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com