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
hi mr takeshi,
I will be traveling from Hiroshima to Fukuoka for 3 days, I will be leaving Thursday and returning sunday. What is the best bullet train for me to take?
Hi John,
You can find timetable and fare at Hyperdia. I wrote about how to use Hyperdia at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
And also you can find PDF timetable at the link below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Japan with 2 other friends in January. We will arrive at Narita Airport and leaving from Osaka Airport.
We will be in Japan for about 13-14days and during that time we will go around in this order
1. Tokyo – 5 days with day trip to Hakone and travelling around Tokyo
2. Kyoto – 5 days with day trip to Nara and travelling around Osaka
3. Osaka – 5 days travelling around Osaka
Is it best to purchase 7 days or 14 days JR pass? Or better to purchase individual fares?
Please advise the cheapest train or line to travel with minimal cost.
Also what’s the best way to get from Narita Airport to Shibuya Tokyo?
Thanks a lot,
Jen
Hi Jen,
JR Pass does not work. 7 days pass price is almost same as round trip fare between Tokyo and Osaka.
You can use N’ex direct ticket to get Shibuya from Narita.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
In Tokyo, you can use subway pass, Tokunai ticket or single fare as you need.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-metropolitan-district-pass-tokyo-tokunai-pass-good-choice-for-sightseeing-in-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
Hakone free pass is the best choice for Hakone.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
Single ticket for Tokyo to Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
In Kyoto, subway pass and bus pass are available.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
Single fare is the best for Nara from Kyoto and to Osaka from Kyoto.
In Osaka, there are many choices and you have to make sure the location to stay and what you will do in Osaka. The following link may help you to build your itinerary.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Mr.Takeshi,
I would like to check the enquire the cheap and most convenient mode of transportation.
My itinerary is as follows:
12 Dec 2014-From Kansai Airport to Toyoko Inn Shin-osaka Chuo-guchi Honkan Inn. We would have a lot of luggages. After checking into the hotel, we would like to travel to Osaka and Kobe to visit places of interests. At night, we will go back to d hotel in Osaka.
13 Dec 2014- We will travel out for a whole day for sightseeing again and back to the hotel at night.
14 Dec- to travel from our hotel Toyoko Inn Shin-osaka Chuo-guchi Honkan Inn to Universal Studio.
Is it cheaper to buy day pass which is special for tourist having short visits.
Appreciate your valuable advice.
Thank you.
Irene
Hi Irene,
Please read the link below. You will find the solution for your trip.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
My husband and I are traveling from Namba to KiiKatsuura on 28 Nov 2014 to 1 Dec 2014. Returning from KiiKatsuura to Kansai Airport (KIX) on 1 Dec 2014.
Can you advice what is the best mode of transportation? Should I buy a JR pass? I trHyperDia website but not sure on how to go about buying the tickets? Can I buy it from Namba station?
Here is my intinerary
21 Nov kansai airport – Namba (Osaka)
22 Nov Kyoto
23 Nov Takayama
24 Nov Nagoya
25 Nov Osaka
26 Nov Osaka
27 Nov Osaka
28 Nov Namba (Osaka) – KiiKatsuura
29 Nov KiiKatsuura
30 Nov KiiKatsuura
1 Dec – KiiKatsuura to Kansai airport
May I know the cheapest and convenient way to travel around?
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Lynn,
You can use several deals in your trip. JR Pass is not your choice. I recommend you the following:
KIX-Namba
Kanku Tokuwari Rapi:t Ticket
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/tokuwari.html
Osaka-Kyoto-Takayama-Nagoya
Takayama-Hokuriku Tourist Pass
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-tourist-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
But you have to take Kanazawa-Shirakawago route. There is not deal connect Takayama and Osaka/Kyoto directly.
Nagoya-Namba
Kintetsu Rail Pass
http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/useful/ticket/rpw1-3.html
Namba-Kiikatsuura-KIX
Kansai Wide Area Pass
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/the-newest-jr-west-rail-pass-for-kansai-and-okayama-kurashiki-kinosakai-and-shingu-area-kansai-wide-area-pass.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your quick responses. 🙂
I have a question on Namba-Kiikatsuura-KIX. If I were to buy the Kansai Wide Area Pass, I suppose this be used for round trip as long as it is within the 4 days (28 Nov – 1 Dec)?
How would the card be activated?
Can I buy it in Namba station or Kansai Airport or do I have to buy before I travel to Japan?
I read this pass is valid for non-reserved seats, will it difficult to get seats?
If I decide to travel from Kyoto->Nagoya->Namba. Which will be a better pass for me to purchase?
22 Nov Kyoto
23 Nov Nagoya
24 Nov Nagoya
25 Nov Namba (osaka)
26 Nov Osaka
27 Nov Osaka
28 Nov Namba (Osaka) – KiiKatsuura
29 Nov KiiKatsuura
30 Nov KiiKatsuura
1 Dec – KiiKatsuura to Kansai airport
Thank you,
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
You can purchase Kansai Wide Area Pass at KIX. You can choose the date to start to use when you purchase.
It’s not very hard to the seat. Usually it is quite easy to find the seat. It may be almost empty in this season.
If you travel Kyoto-Nagoya-Namba, Kintetsu Rail Pass covers all trips. But Kintetsu is much slower than Shinkansen. If you want to use Shinkansen, there is no deals available. Single ticket is only way to get it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi,
Sorry I have one question on the Kintetsu Rail Pass. This is my intinerary, so the Kintetsu pass is ok for me :
21 Nov kansai airport – Namba (Osaka)
22 Nov Kyoto
23 Nov Nagoya
24 Nov Nagoya
25 Nov Osaka
Thank you!
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Kintetsu Rail Pass does not include for KIX-Namba. You can use Nankai Railway deal as I mentioned at previous reply.
KIX-Namba
Kanku Tokuwari Rapi:t Ticket
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/tokuwari.html
Other 4 days are okay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Mr Takeshi / JP Rail,
Thank you in advance for helping to answer my questions.
I will be travelling in a group of 8, from 2yr-78yr old. The following is my itinerary from dec4:
day1: reach kix at night.
day 2: kix to kyoto rich hotel
kiyomizu-dera temple area
gion
day 3: arashimaya
kinkakuji
day 4: nara half day
nishiki market
day 5: kyoto to kaneyoshi ryokan
osaka castle
tennoji
day 6: kuromon market
shinsaibaishi/ dontobori
day 7: kaneyoshi ryokan to kix
May I know the cheapest and convenient way to travel around?
Is it convenient to get a taxi to kyoto rich hotel if i take haruka? What is the estimated cost? I presume I have to take 2 taxis? or bus? does airport limousine bus stop at my hotel? cost? (considering I have young and old and luggages to handle)
Is it convenient to take trains and subways? I heard there are not many escalators or lifts.
Please advise me on the trains and lines that I could take at a minimal cost. Thank you.
Hi Fish,
I think your itinerary is almost same as my sample itinerary.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
The difference is that you will have day trip to Nara from/to Kyoto. But single fare is only choice for this trip anyway. I show the fare in the post above.
The taxi it the best way to get your hotel. Your hotel can be accessed from subway Gojo station. But it’s almost 1km away from the station. If you don’t have a luggage, you can access. But it’s hard to move with luggage and your family member.
I don’t have any taxi fare. But you need two taxis and I guess taxi fare at least 1000 yen per taxi.
If you want to minimize your cost, you can use all day bus pass in Kyoto. I showed Kyoto sightseeing card is recommend in the post above. But the price is tow times higher.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
Subway is faster than bus. But you have to take bus to get many places anyway.
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
You can go anywhere in Kyoto by bus. There are huge numbers of bus routes in Kyoto. You can find the best route at google map.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I will be travelling from nagoya to takayama by train next year july , stay overnite at takayama and next day go to Kanazawa by bus and stop over in shirakawago then spend the nite at Kanazawa. The next morning will go back to nagoya by train. Can someone suggest to me what is the cheapest mode of transports and how much will be the total transport cost to work out my budget for this trip? Thanks.
Hi Jojo,
If you travel until June 2015, Takayama-Hokuriku Tourist pass is available.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-tourist-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
Unfortunately this pass will be on sale until end of June. After that, there is only single ticket is available. I think bus is cheaper than train. Please see the following:
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/nagoya.html
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Here is my itenery palnning in March 2015
21 kansai airport -nara
22 nara – kawaguchiko
24 kawaguchiko – takayama
26 takayama – toyama
28 toyama – kyoto
31 kyoto-nara
4 nara – kansai airport
what is the best for purchase the JR ticket ?
thank you
aishah
Hi aishah,
You can use JR pass 7 days for Mar 22 to 28.
On arrival day, you can use Kansai Area Pass 1 day.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
In Kyoto, you can use all day bus pass of Kyoto sightseeing card.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
Single ticket is your choice for other days. Kansai Area Pass cannot be used for the departure day. Because it can be purchased only one pass per visit.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling solo to Japan,Osaka this coming Jan 2015 .
If I were to buy the JR Kansai Area Wide Pass for 4 days, may I know do I need to pay additional if I take some train having unreserved seat?
Because I saw in HyperDia website, the ticket amount having ‘fare amount’ and ‘seat amount’.
Thanks for advice.
Hi OH PF,
Kansai Wide Area Pass does include non reserved seat for any trains, except Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to the east.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
HI Takeshi,
Thanks for the reply.
Following is my itinerary for Jan 2015:
17 Jan- Reach Osaka Kansai airport
18 Jan- Travel from Kansai airport- Kyoto
21 Jan- Travel from Kyoto-Kinosaki
22Jan-Travel from Kinosaki-Kobe
24Jan- Travel from Kobe- Osaka
25 Jan- Travel from Osaka-Wakayama then back to Osaka
28-Travel from Osaka- Kansai Airport
I am planning buying Kansai Wide Pass (4 days) to cover trip for 21~24.
Other than that I use the single pass.
Do you have better option?
Thanks
Hi OH PF,
You can use ICOCA and Haruka for Jan 18 and Jan 28.
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 can get return trip to/from KIX and ICOCA will cover part of your trip to Wakayama.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi takeshi,
thanks a lot
No problem. Enjoy your trip!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi Takeshi,
so i will buy
18 & 28 Jan- ICOCA&Haruka
21-24 Jan-Kansai Wide Pass
other than that i use single pass.
is my understanding correct?
Thanks again.
Hi OH PF,
It’s correct. You are ready to go!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, Takeshi-san,
I was thinking about visiting Amanohashidate from Kyoto on my part of JR Pass trip.
I found that JR train goes to Amanohashidate station, but by looking at this map, there is extra charge?
http://www.jrpass.com/map
I was wondering how to figure out the extra charge fee on this or other part of orange ‘Extra charge’ part of lines on this map?
Thank you.
Hi Naomi san,
Yes. Limited Express Hashidate goes through Amanohashidate. But this train goes on non JR line, Kitakinki Tango Railway. So you have to pay extra. Please see the link below. I wrote about this train.
https://jprail.com/trains/limited-express-hashidate.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi there,
My friends and I are going to be in osaka. From there, we are planning to go to takaoka, then to Tokyo. How is the jr pass going to work? And what would be the price?
Thanks
Hi Joy,
JR Pass is way more expensive than single fare. If you buy single fare, you can use one single trip ticket from Osaka to Tokyo via Takaoka. It costs less than 20000 yen. And it is valid for 5 days and you can make a stopover at Takaoka. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail