How to choose discount railway ticket and pass for the trip in Kansai area

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Katsura river in Arashiyama, Kyoto is very popular in Spring and Fall. ©Yasufumi Nishi/© JNTO
2011.11.27
Dotonbori (道頓堀) is one of the popular spot around Osaka Namba area. ©JNTO
Dotonbori (道頓堀) is one of the popular spot around Osaka Namba area. ©JNTO

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

  • 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:

How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
Kansai thru pass is one of the best option to travel in Kansai area, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama, Koyasan. This post shows you how to use this pass.
jprail.com
2012.10.07

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)
Limited Express Haruka connects Kansai airport and Kyoto via Tennoji and Shin-Osaka. This is covered by Kansai area pass.
Limited Express Haruka connects Kansai airport and Kyoto via Tennoji and Shin-Osaka. This is covered by Kansai area pass.

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:

How to use JR West Kansai Area Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
This posts explains you how to use Kansai Area Pass. It is one of JR West rail passes and it covers whole part of Kansai area.
jprail.com
2012.10.19

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

Kyushu Shinkansen Sakura and Mizuho give you direct trainsfer to Shin-Osaka from Kyusyu.
All Shinkansen trains non reserved seat on Sanyo Shinkansen are covered by this deal.

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:

Kansai WIDE Area Pass user guide. The best deal for the traveler who want to travel Kansai and surrounding areas, such as Okayama, Kurashiki, Kinosaki and Kumano.
Kansai Wide Area Pass offers bigger coverage area than Kansai Area Pass. This pass covers Kansai area and surrounding places, such as Kinosaki, Kurashiki, Okayama, Kii-Katsuura. Please find the details about Kansai Wide Area Pass in this post.
jprail.com
2012.04.26

ICOCA and Kansai One Pass

ICOCA is most popular IC card in Kansai area. (C) タンジェント (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
ICOCA is most popular IC card in Kansai area. (C) タンジェント (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

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.

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Kyoto
Hotels in Osaka
Hotels in Kansai International Airport
Hotels in Nara
Hotels in Kobe

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.

Kansai One Pass 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

  1. JACK says:
    July 29, 2012 at 9:28 am

    Hi Takeshi
    I’m going to Kansai region on 22nd-30th nov , we are 4 adults. Please give us suggestion for rail pass.

    22/11 KIX- go to hotel at shin-osaka- visit Kurashiki – back to Shin-osaka
    23/11 Shin-osaka to Kinosakionsen
    24/11 Kinosaki onsen – Amanohashidate – Nara
    25/11 Nara-Uji
    26/11 Kyoto
    27/11 Kyoto
    28/11 Kyoto
    29/11 Kyoto – Mt. Koya (Temple Lodging)
    30/11 Mt. Koya – Osaka – KIX

    Thanks in advance

  2. Andrew says:
    July 27, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    Dear Takeshi!

    I was interested to ask u a question. I will need to go from osaka to Kobe and I would like to know where I can buy the cheapest ticket and how. I will be in Kobe for 3 days and then i have to go back to osaka. Please can u tell me the cheapest way. Can i simply buy a single ticket from osaka to kobe and then when i finish my stay to kobe can i buy a kobe to osaka ticket as well. Thanks for any information. You are very helpful, and I am a tourist .

    Andrew.

    • JPRail says:
      July 28, 2012 at 7:32 am

      Hi Andrew,

      There is no passes because it is very short distance. But as you see in this post, Hankyu or Hanshin railway is cheaper than JR line.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  3. Lina Teoh says:
    July 15, 2012 at 7:12 am

    hi,

    Just come across your webpage, great info to me!

    Well, let’s get advice from you on my trip to Japan in next few weeks.

    i will be travel from Tokyo –> Osaka –> Hiroshima –> Kyoto –> Nara –> Hakone –> Tokyo
    (Total 16 days). Basically i have an idea on some of the info. But just confuse should I buy Kansai Thru Pass when i travel in Kansai area.

    Day 1 – Tokyo to Osaka (start the use of JR pass – 14days)
    Day 2 – Osaka

    Which pass should i use if i only travel to Osaka Castle, Aquarium Kaiyukan and Tempozan in this 2 days? – One-day unlimited Pass or Osaka 2 days unlimited pass?

    Day 3 and day 4 – Hiroshima (use JR pass)

    Day 5 to Day 8 – Stay in Osaka and travel to Kyoto and Nara

    Day 5 – Kyoto (around Kiyomizudera area) – buy City Bus All-day Pass right?
    Day 6 – Kyoto (Nishiki Market, Heian Jingu Shrine, Fushimi Inari Shrine)
    Day 7 – Kyoto (ARASHIYAMA, Ninna-ji Temple; Ryoanji temple, Kinkakuji Temple)

    Day 6 and Day 7 I should use Kyoto Sightseeing Two-day Pass Card?

    Day 8 – Nara –> Regular fare/ticket enough?

    Day 9 and 10 –> from Osaka to Hakone (stay at Hakone) -JR pass and Hakone Pass use?

    Day 11 – Day 16 – Tokyo (JRpass and Regular fare, right?)

    Regards,
    Lina.

  4. Buggygirl_80 says:
    July 12, 2012 at 10:05 pm

    Hi i would like some suggestions as i am totally blind on where/how to get around, i have ticket for me and my lil one (10mths old by then as we are going in mid Oct). and for 11 days/10 nights.

    Day 1: Osaka- kansai airport ( plan to go straight to kyoto with Kansai 3 day pass?)
    Day 2: Kyoto
    Day 3: Kyoto (will stay in kyoto and travel to towns near by due to we have lil one hence would be easier without switching hotels from place to place.)
    Day 4: Kyoto check out to Tokyo with JR 7 day pass? – some suggest to stay in Shinjuku,
    Day 5: Tokyo
    Day 6: Tokyo
    Day 7: Tokyo
    Day 8: Tokyo – Yokohama – Back to Osaka
    Day 9: Osaka
    Day 10: Osaka
    Day 11: Leaving from Osaka Kansai Airport

    I wanted to actually get up to Hokkaido if we have suffiecient time but understand that it might be hard to plan with little one. And I understand it is going to be rather relaxing instead of a stress one hence i really don’t want to plan so thorough and much in detailed just in case our plan could not work out as planned. Could you kindly advice whether the above workable and as well what i am concerning the most will be most likely transportation, like i said i am totally blind and have got no idea if the above are right.

    Thanks!

  5. adhita zulfa says:
    July 10, 2012 at 11:49 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m Adhita from Indonesia and will have trip to Jakarta – Osaka 17 – 25 July 2012. If I already bought JR Pass (FYI, I stay at Osaka near Tanimachiyonchome station) for 7 day-pass and plan to visit Kyoto, Nara, Hakone and off course Tokyo, is it possible to visit those cities in round-trip on a day (i.e. visit Tokyo and back to Osaka on the same day)?

    This is the itinerary:
    18 July 2012 – Osaka – Universal Studio
    19 – Osaka – Tokyo (round-trip)
    20 – Osaka – Kyoto (round-trip)
    21 – Osaka – Hakone (round-trip)
    22 – Osaka – Nara (round-trip)
    23 – Osaka – Tokyo (round-trip)
    24 – Osaka – Minami – Namba – Osaka Tenmangu Shrine (Tenjin-matsuri)
    25 – back to Jakarta

    Can you give me suggestion the efficient yet cheapest way as transportation mode during our trip in Osaka and Tokyo since there is so many subways operating in those cities.

    One thing, if I but the 7-day pass ticket, Is date 25 still covered by JR Pass if I start using it on 18 July?

    Thank you.

    -adhita

  6. thomas says:
    July 7, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    Hi, i plan to go to osaka- kyoto-tokyo from 3 december till 14 december. This is our schedule,

    3/12: Kansai airport – osaka
    4/12: Osaka-Kyoto-Osaka
    5/12: Osaka- Tokyo
    6/12: Disneyland
    7/12: Tokyo
    8/12: Tokyo
    9/12: Tokyo- Osaka
    10/12: Osaka
    11/12: Osaka – Kobe
    12/12: Osaka
    13/12: Unversal Studio
    14/12: Back

    3/12 to 4/12 : Kansai Thru Pass (2 days pass)
    5/12 to 11/12: JR Pass 7 days
    12/12 to 14/12: Kansai Thru Pass (3 days pass)

    1. Does the tickets able to cover all the popilar travel spots in Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo?
    2. Any other alternative plan that have a cheaper transport fees?

    Thank you in advance.

    Regard,
    Thomas

  7. Which Pass? - www.hardwarezone.com.sg says:
    July 2, 2012 at 6:55 am

    […] but anyway here's a website article which might help in your choosing of passes for kansai area: JPrail website __________________ travelblog: […]

  8. Visa says:
    July 1, 2012 at 12:57 am

    Hi, i will go to japanwith 2 kids (8&9 years old).
    Pleasegive me suggestion for transportation and another.

    Day 1. Osaka – kansai airport in early morning
    Day 2. Osaka
    Day 3. Osaka – kyoto – osaka
    Day 4. Osaka – nagoya
    Day 5. Nagoya
    Day 6. Nagoya – tokyo
    Day 7. Tokyo
    Day 8. Tokyo
    Day 9. Tokyo – hakone
    Day 10. Hakone – akihabara
    Day 11. Tokyo
    Day 12. Tokyo – haneda airport at night

    Thanks in advance

  9. Adrian says:
    June 27, 2012 at 1:09 am

    Hi, I’m planning to go from Kyoto to Nara for a half day trip in the morning, then to Osaka to catch the Tenjin matsuri in the afternoon before going back to Kyoto. I’m planning to get the 1-day JR West Pass. Can you please let me know which train I can take that is included in the pass? (for example the Yamatoji Rapid Service from Nara to Osaka, and other rapid service trains)

    Thanks!

  10. Daniel Lau KP says:
    June 26, 2012 at 1:31 am

    Dear Sir

    I am going to Osaka in next month from July 11 to 17. Similar questions as above. Pls see my itinerary and seek your advice whether which day is good deal to buy the Kanai Thru pass or single ticket:

    Day 1: KIX to Osaka , arrival early in the morning
    Day 2: Kyoto
    Day 3: Kobe
    Day 4: Nara
    Day 5: Kyoto
    Day 6: Universal Studio
    Day 7: Osaka to KIX

    Pls advise which day is the best deal to purchase Pass or single?

    Thank you in advance

    Daniel

    • JPRail says:
      June 26, 2012 at 12:34 pm

      Hi Daniel,
      Can you switch Day 3 and Day 5? Because you will have more chance to take a transportation in Kyoto and Nara. If you can, you can use Kansai Thru Pass 3 days for Kyoto and Nara. If you cannot, you can use 2 day pass for Day 4 and 5. I think it is very hard to get your money worth to go to Kobe by Kansai Thru Pass. But it depends on where you want to go. If you get Kobe Port liner or Kobe subway or Kobe city bus, you may get your money worth.
      The key is Kyoto. You need to get city bus many times to explore in Kyoto.

      If you use Limited Express Haruka from KIX, you can use JR West Kansai pass 1day. It is cheaper than basic fare + surcharge between Shin-Osaka and KIX.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

    • Karen says:
      June 29, 2012 at 10:04 pm

      Hi, I plan to go to Osaka on 11th-18th aug, we hv 7 adults & 2 kids (5yrs + 1yr). And this time we go by ourself.

      Day 1 Osaka
      Day 2 Kyoto
      Day 3 universal
      Day 4 Nara
      Day 5 Gifu
      Day 6 Gifu
      Day 7 Osaka
      Day 8 Home

      Gifu is one of my friend suggested to go, but we know it’s quite far for us to carry kids travel so long journey. Hope u can give us some comments… Thank u very much

    • Daniel Lau KP says:
      July 4, 2012 at 1:05 am

      Thank you very much for your advice

      With warmest regards

      Daniel

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