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:

How to access to Kanazawa and Toyama from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Niigata.
Kanazawa is very popular destination in Hokuriku region. Toyama is also well known as the gateway to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Kurobe gorge. In this post, I will show you the access to these cities from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya and Niigata.
jprail.com
2011.10.27
How to get to Takayama by a train and a bus
Takayama is very attractive small town. It is very closed to another popular spot, Shirakawago. In this post, I show you how to get Takayama by train and bus.
jprail.com
2020.05.17
How to access to Shirakawago from Takayama, Kanazawa, Takaoka and Toyama.
This post gives you the access guide to Shirakawago from Kanazawa, Takayama, Toyama and Takaoka. You may find a lot of photos of Shirakawago. It helps you to understand how you stay in Shirakawago easily.
jprail.com
2010.07.31

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

Comments

  1. Selviana says:
    February 27, 2017 at 10:17 pm

    Dear Takeshi,

    I will be travelling to Japan on december 16-24, 2017 ( 9 days) with following itinerary :
    16 dec :Osaka
    17 dec : Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto-Osaka
    18 dec Osaka- takayama
    19 dec: takayama- Shirakawago
    20 dec : takayama- Tokyo (shinjuku)
    21-23 dec : Tokyo
    24 dec : Tokyo( Narita)

    Would you kindly suggest me which JRP would suit my itinerary best for transportation?

    Looking forward to hearing from you, thank you.

  2. LIN says:
    February 25, 2017 at 11:17 pm

    Hi i would like to ask for the Takayama Hokuriku pass, once arrived at Kansai Airport is there direct train to Kanazawa or will we be required to exchange train at Osaka station?

    Thank you!

  3. Anand says:
    February 25, 2017 at 10:11 am

    Hello Takeshi san,

    I am a student coming to Japan for Masters. Basically, I will be going from Kansai Airport to Komatsu with an intermediate stop at Shin-Osaka.

    I will be taking the LTD. EXP HARUKA 46 from Kansai-Airport to Shin-Osaka on April 2nd and from Shin-Osaka to Komatsu by LTD. EXP THUNDERBIRD 11 and April 3rd.

    I will be staying in Komatsu for a while so I am not planning to get the JR pass.

    These are my questions –
    1) Should I buy the ICOCA card? Can I use it to get a discount on the Thunderbird express?
    2) I wish to book regular tickets, without any pass, online prior to my arrival in Japan. Where can I do that? The JRWEST site seems to provide only the passes.

    Thank you very much

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      February 25, 2017 at 3:19 pm

      Hi Anand san,

      1. ICOCA cannot be used for express seat fee. It covers base fare only and Komatsu is not in coverage area. So ICOCA is not required.

      2. You cannot purchase a ticket online. You have to book and purchase upon arrival at Kansai airport station.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Tracy says:
    February 15, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Need your advise on which pass and transportation to take for my Japan trip:

    23 Mar – Narita to Ikebukuro
    24 Mar – Tokyo
    25 Mar – Tokyo
    26 Mar – Tokyo
    27 Mar – Tokyo
    28 Mar – Tokyo to Kanazawa
    29 Mar – Kanazawa to Osaka
    30 Mar – Osaka
    31 Mar – Osaka

    For tokyo, i see that most of the attraction places are not covered by JR pass. Is it adviseable to get daily Tokyo Subway Ticket with unlimited rides on Metro and Toei Line?

  5. Denise says:
    February 12, 2017 at 7:21 am

    Hi,
    I’m traveling from Osaka to Shirakawago. Staying overnight at the Shirakawago and the next day heading to Nagoya. What is the best railway route I should take?

  6. Kim says:
    January 19, 2017 at 2:31 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be travelling to Japan on February 18-25, 2017 ( 8 days) with following itinerary… Kindly advice on which transport or passes that suits my trip?

    18 Feb – Tokyo (Staying nearby at Shijuku Station)
    19 Feb – Tokyo
    20 Feb – Gokayama (by YOKOSO tour package)
    21 Feb – Gokayama (Staying near by Shin-Osaka Station)
    22 Feb – Kyoto
    23 Feb – Nara
    24 Feb – Osaka
    25 Feb – Osaka

  7. Sonia says:
    January 11, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be travelling to Japan on January 16-24, 2017 ( 9 days) with following itinerary :
    16 Jan : Tokyo ( Narita)-Osaka by Shinkansen
    17 Jan : Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto-Osaka
    18 Jan : Osaka- Kanazawa
    19 Jan : Kanazawa- Shirakawago- Takamayo- Kanazawa
    20 Jan : Kanazawa- Tokyo by Shinkansen
    21-23 Jan : Tokyo
    24 Jan : Tokyo( Narita)- Jakarta

    Would you kindly suggest me which JRP would suit my itinerary best for transportation?
    Also, Should i purchase Hokuriko Area Pass for bus transportation?

    Looking forward to hearing from you, thank you.

  8. Jane says:
    December 19, 2016 at 7:06 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be travelling from Nagoya to Takayama & Shiragawa-go in same day and next day to Kanazawa. Stay 2 nights at Kanazawa and proceed to Kyoto.

    Will be travel around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka for 7 days before proceed to Kansai Airport.

    Hence, would like to check with you; which passes are more suitable more my usage?

    Thanks
    Jane

  9. Ulrike Nadia says:
    November 29, 2016 at 1:08 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I have plan go to Japan on 30 Dec – 7 Jan 2017 (Total 9 days) with following itinerary :
    30 Dec : Namba Area (Den Den Town, Kuromon, Dontoburi, etc.)
    31 Dec : Takayama + Shirakawago
    1 Jan : Kanazawa
    2 -3 Jan : Kyoto Area
    4 Jan : Osaka (Osaka Castle, Tempozan, Umeda)
    5 Jan : Kobe Area
    6 Jan : Nara
    7 Jan : Early Flight to Jakarta

    Kindly advise regarding above itinerary, and which one better for transportation :

    Alternative 1.
    For 1st 7 Days Using JR Pass West Area + 1 Day Pass Osaka + JR to KIX Airport

    or

    Alternative 2.
    For 1st 5 Days Using Takayama Horiku Area + 1 Day Pass Osaka + 3 Days Kansai Thru Pass

    Thank you in advice for your help and advice..

    Best Regards,

    Rike

  10. Joanna says:
    November 24, 2016 at 11:17 pm

    Hi there,

    Here is my itinerary :
    17-20 Dec Osaka
    20-22 Dec (Kyoto) – 21 Dec will be day trip from Kyoto-Shirakawago
    22-26 Dec Tokyo

    Where can I get the train schedule departing from Kyoto stn to Kanazawa Stn?

    And which pass suit me best for the whole itinerary? Is it JR Pass?

    Thank you

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