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
I will be traveling with my wife from July 23 to 31 in Hokkaido, Japan.
July 23- arrive in New Chitose Airport
July 24- travel from New Chitose Airport to Lake Toya
July 25 travel from Lake Toya to Noribetsu
July 26 travel from Noribetsu to Ashikawa
July 27 travel from Ashikawa to Furano and back
July 28 travel from Ashikawa to Sapporo
July 31 travel from Sapporo back to New Chitose Airport
Please let me know the cost of taking the JR lines.
Thanks.
Hi Jeff,
Please use Hyperdia to find those fares.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I am doing some planning for my Dec 2016 Ski trip, and am so happy to come across your website. Thank you for creating such a comprehensive and informative website for travellers! I am a rough Itinerary in mind, and would like to seek your opinion on the best way to travel:
Day 1: Arrive Osaka
Day 2: Osaka
Day 3: Osaka
Day 4: Leave Osaka for Kanazawa. Transfer to Nohi Bus to Shirakawago. Overnight.
Day 5: Shirakawago to Tanayama, then back to Kanazawa by Train
Day 6: Kanazawa
Day 7: Leave Kanazawa to Iiyama/ Nozawa Onsen
Day 8-day 13: Ski Nozawa/ Madarao
Day 14: Leave for Tokyo
Day 15: Tokyo to Narita
I think I can use the Takayama-Hokuriku TOURIST Pass for the first 5 days? And single trips after that?
Or is there another pass that is better for my travel? Appreciate your advice please. Thank you!
Hi Su san,
You are right. There are other rail passes but it will not work because you will stay in Nozawa for 6 days. As you think, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass and single fare are the best choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, do I need a 7 day JR pass if my itinerary are as follow:
day1. arrive Tokyo (Haneda)
Day 2: tokyo Shirakawago – tokyo
day 3: tokyo – Kyoto -tokyo
Day 4 -5 : tokyo
Day 6: Return home
Hi Chloe,
Yes, you may. It give you a great saving.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
This will be our first trip to Japan and I was hoping you can help guide us on our itinerary. We really do not want to purchase a 14 day JR pass and wanted a better effective cost option.
May 21-24 Tokyo
May 24-26 Kyoto
May 26-29 Osaka
May 29-31 Tokyo
(May 30th – Day trip to Mount Fuji – perhaps taking the bus?)
I was thinking we can purchase a 7 day JR Pass starting May 24th (departing from Tokyo to get to Kyoto then going back to Tokyo on May 29th from Osaka) I calculated the 7 days and the JR pass will expire on May 30th. As for Mount Fuji, perhaps taking a bus for a day trip.
Transportation from Narita Airport – we were thinking to take the skyline to go to Tokyo as well as going back to the airport.
Does this sound like one of the better ideas? I know we will have to purchase like a pasmo pass for local transportation within the city. It’s just that the 14 day pass was a bit high.
Thank you for your help in advance. I hope that wasn’t too confusing.
Sincerely,
Linh
Hi Linh,
7 days pass is a right choice and starting the pass on 24th is also right.
Pasmo or Suica is okay to explore Tokyo. But if you visit 3 or 4 places a day, subway pass is better idea. Keisei railway has a deal of skyliner and subway pass combo.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/value_ticket/subway.php
You may purchase subway pass only if you want. Please see the link below about coverage of subway pass.
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
JR pass covers the trip to Fuji partially.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Express bus is easier access if you go to Lake Kawaguchi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for replying back to my itinerary. I do have a question:
If we do Mount Fuji on the 23rd at 10am which will start the JR pass-7 days, the 29th is when it will expire or the 30th at 10am?
Since we plan to travel Tokyo to Osaka within that 7 day period. We have to be back to Tokyo on the 29th so we thought we can fit in Mt Fuji during the time we are in Tokyo and start our JR Pass a day early.
Also can we have JR pass for Mount Fuji?
Thank you so much again!
Linh
Hi Linh,
JR pass will be expired at 23:59 on 29th if you start on 23rd. It doesn’t matter what time you start it. The pass is valid from midnight to midnight.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San
I shall be Travelling from Sept 13 to 28 . My itinerary is as follows:
13-14 Tokyo
16-18 Kyoto
19-20 Osaka
21-22 Kobe
23-24 Hakone
25-28 Tokyo
Pls advise the most cost effective option for us. Thanks!
Hi Brendan san,
Actually you don’t have many choices. Because Tokyo-Osaka or Kyoto or Kobe round trip fare is less than JR pass 7 days. But you will spend more than 7 days for Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. Even 7 days pass does not meet your plan. 14 days pass is way more expensive. So my recommendation is single fare for intercity transfers and local pass at each cities. You may use subway pass in each cities and Hakone Free Pass. Please see the following links:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
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/kansai-area/osaka-kyoto-kobe-and-nara/guide-to-take-trains-in-kobe-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San
I shall be Travelling with my husband from 2 to 16 May. My itinerary is as follows:
2 may arrive Osaka Itami airport
2-4 May in Osaka
5-7 May in wakayama
8-10 May in Nara
11-12 May in Kyoto
13-14 May in Kobe
15 May in Osaka
16 May depart Osaka for home
Pls advise the most cost effective option for us . All our hotels are within walking distance from the train stations. Also will rail pass also allows us to travel on the local buses and trains too.
Hi Carol san,
There are many deals in Kansai area but single fare is the best option for city to city. You may use ICOCA.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICOCA
You can purchase this card at any major JR stations, like Osaka, Kyoto. This card does not give you any discount but it makes your trip be easier.
You may add subway and/or local bus deal in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. Please find some more info at the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
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/kansai-area/osaka-kyoto-kobe-and-nara/guide-to-take-trains-in-kobe-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I’m planning to arrive in Tokyo on July 14th .
Then travel to Kyoto on July 19th.
Then travel to Osaka on July 21st or 22nd.
After Osaka, I will take the plane from Osaka airport to go to Seoul.
What would be the most cost effective option for me – the 7 day JR pass?
Thanks in advance!
Kate
Hi Kate san,
JR pass does not meet your plan. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-tokyo-kyoto-and-osaka-in-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San,
My itinerary as follows:
Arrive Osaka – 13 May,
Osaka to Takayama – stay night of 13 & 14 May in Takayama
Takayama to Shirakawago – Stay night of 15 May in Shirakawago
Shirakawago to kanazawa – Stay night of 16 May in Kanazawa
Kanazawa – Toyama-Alpine Route- stay night of 17 May in Shinano Omachi.
Shinano Omachi to Nagoya (maybe via Matsumoto & Kiso Valley) – and stay night of 18 May in Nagoya
Nagoya to Osaka – stay night of 19, 20 and 21 May
I only have to be in Osaka on the 20th. I would have like to stay one more night in central Honshu but was trying to maximise the JR 7 day pass which means i have to be back in Osaka by 19. Could you advise if there is any other passes that would suit me better and i can save money? Thank you very much Takeshi-san
Hi Eileen san,
JR pass 7 days if only choice for your trip. There is no other better deals available unfortunately. If you stay in other places on 19 May and come back to Osaka on 20 May, even 7 days JR pass may not be paid off. And of course you have to pay extra for the trip to Osaka.
If you want to save your cost, you have to be Osaka by the end of May 19.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you very much for your advice. One last question, would you think it is better that i get a return trip from Nagoya to Gifu & Gifu to Nagoya at the Airport machine? I will be on my way to Gifu on 18 April and back to Nagoya on 20 April.
Hi Alice,
You cannot purchase a ticket for 20th on 18th. You have to purchase it on the spot.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I will be travelling with my husband to Japan from 2 May to 15 May. Our itinerary is as follows:
2 May: Arrive at Kansai Airport
3 May: Osaka >> Kyoto
4 May: Kyoto >> Nara >> Kyoto
5 May: Kyoto >> Hiroshima
6 May: Hiroshima ferry to Miyajima
7 May: Miyajima >> Kyoto
10 May: Kyoto >> Hakone
11 May: Hakone >> Tokyo
15 May: Depart from Narita Airport
What would be the most cost effective option for us- the 14 day JR pass? We are also aware we will be travelling a lot during Golden Week so will try to reserve our seats when we arrive in Japan!
Thank you!
Julie
Hi Julie,
You may use 7 days pass from May 5 to 10. This is most cost effective. You can use other deal or even single fare when you are in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.
You may find these local deals for staying in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo at the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.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
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com