There are JR lines and lots of private railway lines, such as Hankyu, Hanshin, Kintetsu and Keihan in Kansai area. There are so many kinds of ticket or passes as well. It makes you confused to choose it.
In this post, I would like to share the information about the discount tickets and passes that cover Kansai area.
- Kansai Thru Pass
- JR West Rail Pass – Kansai Area Pass
- Hankyu Tourist Pass one day and two days
- Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass one day and two days
- Kintetsu Rail Pass one day and two days
- Hanshin Tourist Pass
- Kansai Wide Area Pass
- ICOCA and Kansai One Pass
- For traveler who use national or regional pass
- For the traveler who stay in Kyoto or Osaka and visit inside city only
Kansai Thru Pass
- Online purchasing price (2-day) – Adult : 4,300 yen / Child : 2,150 yen
- Online purchasing price (3-day) – Adult : 5,300 yen / Child : 2,650 yen
- Coverage – All Non JR lines, subway lines and city bus in whole part of Kansai area
- Valid period – 2 or 3 days (not required using in consecutive days)
This is the most recommend one. This pass includes all major private lines and subway lines, such as Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan, Kintetsu, Nankai, Osaka Metro and Kyoto Subway. You can access Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Mt. Koya, Kansai airport, Wakayama and many more place. This pass is sold at 5,300 yen for 3-days and 4,300 yen for 2 days. It gives you the greatest value in any railway pass of Kansai area. But if you think about only round trip between Kyoto and Osaka, the regular fare may be cheaper. Please see the details at the post in the link below:
JR West Rail Pass – Kansai Area Pass
- Price (1-day) – Adult : 2,200 yen / Child : 1,100 yen
- Price (2-day) – Adult : 4,300 yen / Child : 2,150 yen
- Price (3-day) – Adult : 5,300 yen / Child : 2,650 yen
- Price (4-day) – Adult : 6,300 yen / Child : 3,150 yen
- Coverage – All JR railway lines in whole part of Kansai area
- Valid period – 1 to 4 days (midnight to midnight)
This pass includes most of JR lines in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji and Kansai airport. But the Shinkansen and all express trains are not covered except Kansai airport express “Haruka”. Please see the details about this pass in the link below:
Hankyu Tourist Pass one day and two days
- Price (1-day) – Adult : 700 yen / Child:Not available
- Price (2-day) – Adult : 1,200 yen / Child:not available
- Coverage – All Hankyu railway lines
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) and two days (must be used in consecutive days)
Hankyu Railway operates trains among Umeda (Osaka), Takarazuka, Kawaramachi (Kyoto near Gion), Arashiyama (Kyoto) and Kobe (Sannomiya). The price of this deal is very attractive to cover three cities, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. If you access to Kobe-Sannomiya from Umeda, single fare is 320 yen. If you access to Kyoto-Kawaramachi from Umeda, single fare is 400 yen. You can get the worth of one day pass by one round trip to Kyoto-Kawaramachi from Umeda. If you look for deal to access to just Kobe, Arashiyama and Gion area, this is a good choice.
But if you want to visit all part of Kyoto and many places in Kobe, Kansai Thru Pass is better choice. Because you have to take other train or bus than Hankyu Railway. Kansai Thru Pass covers all.
Please see the link below to find more information:
Hankyu Railway official site- Hankyu Tourist Pass
Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass one day and two days
- Price (1-day) – Adult : 700 yen / Child : 350 yen
- Price (2-day) – Adult : 1,000 yen / Child : 700 yen
- Coverage – All Keihan railway lines
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) and two days (must be used in consecutive days)
Keihan Railway connects Yodoyabashi (Osaka) and Demachiyanagi (Kyoto). It covers Kyoto and Osaka only but the price is cheaper than Hankyu Tourist Pass. And many places in Kyoto are located along Keihan Railway. Fushimi Inari shrine, Uji, Kiyomizu-dera temple and many places in Higashiyama area can be accessed from Keihan Railway stations.
This pass has same issue as Hankyu Tourist Pass. You may have to take subway to get Keihan Railway station in Osaka, such as Yodoyabashi, Nakanoshima, Kitahama, Temmabashi and Kyobashi. And when you visit western part of Kyoto, such as Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji temple, you have to pay extra to access this place. Kansai Thru Pass may be better choice if you have another trip(s).
Please see the link below to find more information about Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass:
Keihan Railway official site – Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass
Kintetsu Rail Pass one day and two days
- Price (1-day) – Adult : 1,500 yen / Child : 750 yen
- Price (2-day) – Adult : 2,500 yen / Child : 1,250 yen
- Coverage – All Keihan railway lines
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) and two days (must be used in consecutive days)
This deals covers Kintetsu Railway in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.
In Nara, many of places can be accessed by walk from the station. But this deal can take you to Kyoto station only You cannot use this deal to access to most of places in Kyoto.
Please see the link below to find more information about Kintetsu Rail Pass:
Kintetsu Railway official site – Kintetsu Rail Pass
Hanshin Tourist Pass
- Price – Adult:700 yen / Child:Not available
- Coverage – All Hanshin railway lines
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)
Hanshin Railway operate trains among Umeda (Osaka), Osaka-Namba, Kousoku-Kobe and Kobe (Sannomiya). The price of this deal is very attractive. If you access to Kobe-Sannomiya from Osaka-Nmaba, single fare is 410 yen. It is paid off by just one round trip. If you look for deal to access to just Kobe, this is the one for your trip.
However if you access to Arima-Onsen and/or Himeji, Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass may be better choice.
Please see the link below to find more information about Hanshin Tourist Pass:
Hanshin Railway official site – Hanshin Tourist Pass
Kansai Wide Area Pass
If you may travel both inside and outside of Kansai area, Kansai Wide Area Pass is the best choice. You can get same coverage as Kansai area pass in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji and Wakayama. And also this pass covers Kinosaki Onsen, Shirahama, Kii-Katsuura, Shingu, Okayama, Kurashiki and even Takamatsu in Shikoku. You can take non reserved seat on limited express trains and Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama. Please find more information in the post below:
ICOCA and Kansai One Pass
You may use these cards to take any trains and buses in all Kansai area. You can use even other area’s card, such as Suica, Pasmo too. These cards give you convenience. You can avoid to purchase a ticket whenever you make a train trip. You can take any kinds of trains, such as JR, subway and Non JR trains. However these cards do not give you any discount and unlimited ride.
If you meet these following things, IC card is your choice.
1. You intend to visit a few places in a day.
2. You need to take several kinds of trains and buses, like subway, Hankyu, Keihan, JR.
3. You cannot fix your plan and want to have some flexibility.
However if you have day trip to other cities, such as day trip to Kyoto from Osaka, Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass is better choice in most of cases.
Kansai One Pass
This is same type of card as ICOCA. You can use this pass by same way as ICOCA. But this card is designed for overseas tourist. Preload amount is 2,500 yen (plus 500 yen deposit and sold at 3,000 yen) and you can get discount at many attractions. ICOCA is sold at any JR stations throughout Kansai area. But Kansai One Pass is sold in the designated stations only. Please see the link below to find the detailed information at official site.
For traveler who use national or regional pass
If you use JR pass (national pass) or other regional deal, such as Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, JR train network in Kansai area is covered. You may have same or better coverage than Kansai Wide Area Pass. If you use these passes, please try to use this pass as much as you can. I think you may add only city deal, such as bus pass in Kyoto.
For the traveler who stay in Kyoto or Osaka and visit inside city only
These above deals are too much for the city sightseeing only. You may find the deals in the links below:
How to choose the best train pass for sightseeing in Kyoto
How to choose the best train pass for sightseeing in Osaka
I hope you get the best deal in this post and enjoy your trip in Kansai area.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Osaka & Kyoto as follows.
I seek your advice on the what pass is best for my travel,
9-16 December
I will arrive on 9 Dec from Kansai Airpot and will stay in Osaka Cty till 16 Dec,
16-24 Dec
On 16
dec will depart from Osaka to Kyoto and on 24 Dec will take train to the Kansai Airport from Kyoto
Looking forward to your reply
Hi Peggy,
Please see the link below. You will find which deal you need:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-osaka-and-kyoto-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
P.S. You have left your email address in your inquiry but I deleted. As I mentioned above the comment section, I do not reply to the inquiry by email directly to readers. I only replied on this site.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Your post has a lot of great information but I’m hoping you can provide me with additional guidance for my trip to Osaka and Kyoto. My rough schedule is as follows:
Day 1: Travel from KIX to Kyoto.
Days 2-4: Sightsee around Kyoto
Day 5: Travel from Kyoto to Osaka (staying near Dotonburi
Days 6-11 Sightsee around Osaka with possible day trip to Nara.
Day 12–travel from Osaka to KIX
Hi Mike,
You may refer my sample itinerary in the link below. You can find which pass you need:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for your reply!
Recently I read about the Kintetsu 1 day rail pass and I thought that would save me more time for my 4th day itinerary. I plan to use this pass to travel from Kyoto to Nara (drop luggage in locker) and return to Osaka-Namba at night. They cost almost the same compared to my initial plan of going to Osaka-Namba and then only to Nara.
Will I need to stop at Yamato-Saidaiji station (from Kyoto) and get on the Namba line to get to Nara?
I am also worry I might get confused on which train to get board on as I also understand Kyoto station is very huge and with many lines.
Thank you.
Hi CN,
You may use Kintetsu rail pass if you want. Some trains go directly Nara and not required to change trains at Yamato-Saidaiji.
Please see the links below about Kyoto station and signage in the station.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/kyoto-station-guide-how-to-transfer-among-shinkansen-kintetsu-subway-and-jr-local-trains.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/signage-and-announcement-in-the-station-and-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your reply!
Please see my travel plan below and hope you could give any comments if you have. Trying to save cost 🙂
Day 1
From KNX to Kyoto Station via Haruka discounted ticket (I have ICOCA)
Day 2 & 3
Travel around Kyoto using 1 day bus pass each day
Day 4
I need to drop my luggage near my stay at Shinsaibashi station and travel to Nara, so from Kyoto Station to Osaka Namba via JR Special Rapid Service and change to Midosuji Subway line from Osaka Namba to Shinsaibashi. To travel to Nara, from Shinsaibashi station to Osaka Namba and change to Kintetsu line to Nara and return using the same. I will use ICOCA card for all travelling here?
Day 5
Osaka Amazing day pass
Day 6
Minimum traveling around Osaka using ICOCA
especially on day 4 (from Kyoto to Osaka to Nara and return to Osaka)
Day 7
Travel to KIX using Nankai Airport Express Rapi:t via Osaka Namba station.
Please comment if there any better cheaper or efficient way of travelling especially on day 4 (from Kyoto to Osaka to Nara and back to Osaka).
Thank you so much!
Hi CN,
You have chosen the right deals. It’s good to go.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your prompt reply!
As suggested by you, I have decided to use Limited Express Rapi:t from Nankai railway to KIX. I can only buy this at the Nankai Namba Station Service Center at 2F ? Can I buy it and collect prior to my departure date?
You mentioned that I could take the ordinary rapid train using ICOCA, may I know which is the ordinary rapid train that you mentioned? Where can I check the fares for this train? (just for my personal understanding) I tried to google and I only found that there are two trains (1) Airport Express and (2) Rapi:t Airport Express as suggested by you.
Hi cn,
Please see the link below. You will find the info which you need.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
If you use Rapi:t deal, you can pick up in advance.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Would like to firstly thank you as I am returning to this site seeking for your advice again (after my first visit to Japan 4 years back then)!
This time I will be travelling to Osaka and Kyoto and would like to seek your advice on the transport.
I will be heading to Kyoto right after touching down at Kansai Airport and plan to go to Osaka for the next fews days before returning to Kansai Airport, at such I have decided to buy the discounted Haruko tickets (I already have ICOCA) straight from Kansai to Kyoto (I cant buy returns ticket as I will be departing from Osaka to Airport and not Kyoto) and buy a return ticket from Kyoto to Osaka. I am planning to stay around Dotonbori area and according to the Haruko website, their station back to the airport from Osaka will be only from Shin-Osaka and Tennoji, does this mean I will need to travel from Kyoto to Tennoji to Namba (Dotonbori) and from Namba to Tennoji to Kansai (via Haruko)?
Hi cn,
Welcome back to my website. I’m very happy to hear that you will visit Japan again.
If you want to take Haruka, you need to take a local train from JR Namba to Tennoji. However Nankai railway is much more convenient from Namba to KIX. You can get Kansai from Namba directly by Nankai railway. Nankai railway Namba station is much closer to Dotonbori than JR Namba.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/namba-stations-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-among-nankai-kintetsu-hanshin-subway-and-jr.html
You can take limited express Rapi:t or ordinary rapid train. As you probably know, you can use ICOCA to take Nankai railway trains. But if you want to take limited express Rapi:t, the following deal is cheaper than using ICOCA + seat fee.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/rapit/aboutrapit/
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/webtoku.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! Can you recommend which pass best suits our itinerary?
Day 1 KIX to Osaka Namba
Day 2&3 Osaka (incl USJ)
Day 4 travel Osaka to Kyoto
Day 5, 6 & 7 Kyoto including arashiyama & kyoto illumiere site
Day 8 travel Kyoto to Nara
Day 9 travel Nara to KIX
Many thanks.
Claud
Hi Claud,
You may use several local deals in the cities.
KIX-Namba
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Kyoto
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Nara
No need to get any passes.
Nara to KIX
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/NR
You may use single fare for city to city transfer. You can get Kansai one pass instead.
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We will be travelling to these areas : Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Himeiji in Nov. Here’s our itinerary . Appreciate if you could advise whether we’ve selected the right pass :
Day 1 : Arrival in Osaka ( KIX) Hotel (staying overnight)
Day 2: Travel to Kyoto using express haruka train with icoca and haruka discount set of icoca prepaid rail card . Stay in Shimogyoku region.
Day 3 : Kyoto
Days 2 & 3 : Kansai thru pass
Day 4 : Kyoto – Osaka
Special Rapid Service ?
Day 5 : Osaka
Day 6 : Osaka
Days 5 & 6 : Either Osaka amazing pass / Osaka Visitors Ticket
Day 7 : Day to trip Kobe & Himeiji from Osaka
-Kansai Area Pass one day
Day 8 : Day trip to Nara from Osaka
Kansai Thru Pass
Day 9 : Home
Thank you so much!
Hi Vera,
You may use ICOCA and Haruka on day 2. You may use ICOCA when you take subway or train in Kyoto. But don’t use it for taking bus. You can add city bus pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Kansai thru pass is a good choice. But you may use it for day 4, 7 and 8. As you mentioned, you can use ICOCA and bus pass in Kyoto. Special rapid is the fastest service if you move from Kyoto station to JR stations in Osaka. But if you stay in Osaka other than JR stations, non JR trains, such as Hankyu, Keihan or Kintetsu railway is better way. These are covered by Kansai thru pass. You can take subway or non JR trains for sightseeing in Kyoto and/or Osaka before/after you move from Kyoto to Osaka.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
If you stay near JR station, you don’t need Kansai thru pass at all. You can use ICOCA and bus pass in Kyoto. You can use ICOCA for Kyoto to Osaka. As you think, you can use local deals on day 5 and 6. And you can use Kansai area pass 2 days for day 7 and 8.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I need some help on the affordable pass for my itinerary below.
Day 1 – Arrive at KIX airport late night
Day 2 – Osaka area
Day 3 – Kyoto day trip, back to Osaka
Day 4 – Kobe half day, adjourn to Nara, back to Osaka
Day 5 – USJ
Day 6 – Osaka to Hakone
Day 7 – Hakone
Day 8 – Hakone to Tokyo
Thank you for you kind assistance
Hi Pamella,
Please see the following:
KIX-Osaka
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Single ticket is okay for USJ.
Kyoto and Kobe/Nara
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Single ticket for Osaka to Odawara
Hakone Free Pass
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
Single ticket for Odawara to Tokyo
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi-san.
I need to clarify for Kansai Thru Pass, can we use for downtown Osaka as well or we need to purchase another pass? which pass would you recommend? Im still very confused with the Osaka/Kansai passes.
Hi Pamella,
You can take all subway lines and non JR trains by Kansai thru pass. You don’t need any other passes.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Many thanks for your sharing
No worries, Pamella.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi!
Could you please help me with choosing the best pass options for the below itinerary.
We are a family of 5- 3 children under 10.
16 days/ 15 nights
1: arrive Narita airport late night. Overnight there.
2-4: Gunma with Nikko day trip. Hiring car (what pass would be suitable if car hire doesn’t work out)
5-9: Osaka base. Traveling to Kyoto and Nara.
10-13: Tokyo
14-15: Disney
16- home
I was wondering if the 7 day pass would benefit us, or do you think getting a Kansai area pass would be more beneficial, as jr is limited use in Osaka/Kyoto.
Was thinking of picking to a 3 day travelers pass for Tokyo stay.
Am I on the right track?
Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Diane,
For day 2 to 4, Tokyo wide pass is your choice.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/tokyo-wide-pass-is-newer-version-of-kanto-area-pass-nikko-fuji-gala-yuzawa-and-odaiba-are-covered-by-this-pass.html
For day 5 to 11, you may use JR pass 7 days.
You can use other deal after JR Pass is expired.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com