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:
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
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
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
G | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR | R | R |
*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
Dear JP Rail,
We are arriving KIX at 7am but want to take Thunderbird to Kanazawa right away to stay 3 nights then back to Kyoto stay another 3 nights.
From KIX I will exit to train station
Should I buy JR Pass for my rail rides?
Where do I buy Thunderbird ticket and which platform shall I go?
Should I buy return tickets for Thunderbird express?
Arigatogozaimazu.
Lin
Hi Lin,
You can use Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass 7 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-to-kansai-kanazawa-and-toyama.html
You have to get Shin-Osaka first by limited express train Haruka.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
After that, you can take limited express Thunderbird. All train trips are covered by Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass. You can order this pass at official site and you get the pass at cheaper price.
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_hokuriku/
You can exchange the pass at Kansai airport station.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/kansai-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-station-ticket-airport-bus-and-high-speed-ferry.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi san,
We are a family with 3 children (16 years old, 13 years old and 10 years old), will arrive Osaka Kansai Airport on 12th December 7:15am, plan to go to Shirakawa-go on the same day, then go to 1 of the onsen on 13th, 14th and 15th in Osaka, 16th flight back.
Please advise.
thank you.
Hi Andy san,
You may use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
The following link shows the sample itinerary of day trip to Kanazawa and Shirakawago. But you can use this route for your trip.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
You have to add at least 2 hours for access to Osaka from Kansai airport. There are several popular onsen resort around Kanazawa.
Kaga Onsen
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4275.html
Wakura Onsen
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4256.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,Takeshi San,
I need your advise on the pass that suit my osaka-kyoto-kanazawa-Shirakawa-Go trip on 5th Nov – 12 Nov 2016
5th Nov 2016 – Arrive KIX and directly heading to Kyoto for 3 days sightseeing, stays at Khaosan Guesthouse.
7th Nov 2016 – Would like to take thuderbird to kanazawa and stay at Good Neighbors Hostel for a night
8th Nov 2016 – Take Nohi Bus to ShirakawaGo and stay a night.
9th Nov 2016 – Afternoon reach kanazawa and heading back to kyoto to take back my luggage and heading to Osaka- Iblis Style Hotel.
9th – 12 th Nov 2016 – Sightseeing at Osaka and will take 11.00am flight back to Malaysia.
Above is my itineary, I am struggle with JR Pass and railways pass which suits my plan.
Thank you i advanced for the advice.
Hi Eng san,
You may use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass for the first 5 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
You can take limited express Haruka from KIX to Kyoto. And also this pass covers Thunderbird to Kanazawa and Nohi bus to Shirakawago. It will cover the trip until you get Osaka on 9th.
However this pass does not cover any transportation in Kyoto, such as subway, city bus and even JR local train in Kyoto. You may add local deals for staying in Kyoto.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
You may find some deals for staying in Osaka and trip back to KIX at the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San,
Lot of thanks for the advice. By the way, how can i book the seat for Nohi Bus if i purchase Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass ?
Thank you once again
Hong Ling
Hi Hong Ling san,
You have to make a call. You can find the phone number in Nohi bus site.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
We are travelling from Kyoto to Ine-cho and from Ine-cho to Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama the next day on February 2017.
1. Can we know the train fares from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate Station if we consider taking JR Hashidate and Tango Relay train?
2. Is there any JR train or local train that we can take directly from Amanohashidate Station to Kanazawa?
And if there is no direct train from Amanohashidate Station to Kanazawa, do we have to go to Kyoto Station first and take Limited Express Thunderbird from there to Kanazawa?
3. Is Limited Express Thunderbird train tickets can be purchase at the Kyoto Station on that day? Or we have to purchase online in advance before we go to Japan?
4. Is there any JR train or local train from Takayama to Osaka Station without taking the Shinkansen? How about the fare?
5. Is it recommended if we buy Takayama – Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass if we just cover Kyoto-Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama-Osaka City for 10 days (don’t use Shinkansen at all)?
I’m sorry I asked so many question.
Thank you.
Hi Izzati,
1. You can find the fare and schedule at Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
2. There is no direct trains. You have to go back to Kyoto as you think.
3. You can purchase at Kyoto station or other JR stations. There is no online reservation available. But you can purchase it at any major JR stations in advance if you like.
4. One trip runs from Takayama to Osaka directly. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-wide-view-hida.html
5. Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is most economical choice for Kanazawa, Shirakawago and Takayama. But it’s valid for 5 days. You have to complete the trip in 5 days. And also this pass does not cover both Takayama-Nagoya-Osaka and Takayama-Osaka direct route. You have to take the route via Kanazawa when you go back to Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much Takeshi san.
Have a nice day!
Izzati.
No worries, Issati.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi:
I’m interested in the Kansai-Hokuriku pass. However, it only allows non-reserved seats. I’ve been told this is normally fine except that one of my travel segments, Osaka-Kanazawa, is always crowded and a reservation is highly advised.
Can you advise if I can pay extra to get a reserved seat on this segment? If so, is it just the difference between the reserved seat and non-reserved seat, or is it the whole ticket? Also, how would I do this online?
Many thanks for your help.
Allison
Hi Allison,
First of all, if you take reserved seat, you have to pay whole amount of reserved seat fee. This is not a smart way to use this pass. If you use this pass, take non reserved seat otherwise you cannot get a saving. And there is no online reservation either.
Usually you can get a seat if you show up at the platform 15 to 20 minutes before departure time. All trains of “Thunderbird” departs from Osaka. When you take this train, train is empty. It’s not hard to find the seat. Most of Thunderbird depart from Kanazawa station but only one trip of Thunderbird 20 (depart Kanazawa at 11:24 am) come from Wakura-Onsen. If you take this train, some of non reserved seats are occupied. If you avoid to take this one, it’s much easier to take a seat.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Many thanks for the explanation of the Kansai-Hokuriku pass. I have 3 questions related to this:
1) I plan to do this trip around April 5-12. Will this be a busy time for this route?
2) You said if I reserve I have to pay the full amount of the reserved fare. But this link: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_001.html mentions only a supplement fee if one uses a reserved seat instead of a non-reserved seat. Would this fee be as high as the ticket itself ( 7130 yen for a non-reserved seat or about 7500 yen for a reserved seat) or is it 520yen +/- 200 yen depending on high vs low season? Or yet another figure?
3) In the event my partner insists on reservation, can you explain if the seat reservation system requires pre-payment of the entire amount or is it due only when the ticket is collected? If the supplement structure works, how would I book the reservation as I assume I will not be able to do so until I’ve arrived in Japan and have the pass in my hand.
As before, appreciate your help.
Hi Allison,
1. Spring break will be over on 7th. So the first two days will be busy. In these days, cherry blossom season is always busy.
2. Unfortunately JR West does not allow to use reserved seat by this pass. If you use reserved seat, base fare is still covered but you have to pay full amount of reserved seat fee. Please see the chapter of “Train Accommodations” in the link below:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_hokuriku/
It says “* 2 Separate Express Tickets are required.”. That means you have to pay full amount of reserved seat fee that includes limited express supplement.
3. So if you want to book your seat, you have to go to the ticket window and pay full amount to buy a ticket. Basically there is no online reservation. The only way to book is at the ticket windo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Greetings Takeshi San!
We are a family of 3 and wish to travel to Ski Jam Resort in Fukui. What are travel schedules from Osaka-Fukui and Fukui-Osaka?
Many Thanks!
Rob
Hi Rob san,
You can find the timetable at Hypedia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
By the way, JR will revise timetable in October. Winter schedule will come up at Hyperdia sometimes in November.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much Takeshi San!
No worries, Rob san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi , We have time from Tuesday to Thursday. Can you advise during this period how we go from Osaka to Toyama on a easy going trip.
Hi Liew,
These following links may give you some idea:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/takayama-kanazawa-and-shirakawago/how-to-get-kanazawa.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route-from-nagoya-and-osaka-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi san!
If we’re going back to Kix for our 9pm flight back to manila, what time should we go back if we’re coming from toyama?
We want to visit also rinku town from kix. What is the best route you can suggest. Ex.
Toyama to kix then kix to rinku?
Hi Carol san,
You have to be airport by 6 pm. You should go to KIX first before going to Rinku town.
The best route is the following:
Toyama (Hokuriku Shinkansen) Kanazawa (limited express Thunderbird) Shin-Osaka (Limited express Haruka) Kansai airport
You may find the schedule at hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
How about the transfer from kix to rinku?
What should we take that is covered by takayama hokuriku pass?
Hi Carol,
You may take local train. Please use Hyperdia to find it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
What other JR pass can bring me from Kyoto to Kanazawa, besides national JR pass?
Thank you.
GC
Hi GC,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass and Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass are available.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-to-kansai-kanazawa-and-toyama.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hello, im travelling from kanazawa to osaka by thunderbird 22, is there a smoking room?
Hi Steven,
There is no smoking room. In these days, most of trains are completely non smoking.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com