JR West Kansai Area Pass is one of the choices for the traveler who stays in Osaka and make some day trips to the surrounding places, such as Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji and Wakayama.
In this post, I would like to share the information about JR West Kansai Area Pass with you. And I will compare the price of the pass and the regular fare. You can find that you can get the worth by your trip or not.
Coverage area
Please refer the map in JR West Kansai Area Pass official site as well to get the detailed map.
The pass covers most of points of interest, such as Osaka (Umeda), Namba, Universal Studio Japan, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, Kansai airport, Himeji.
Expansion of the coverage area in Kyoto
And also Kansai Area Pass includes the following exchange vouchers:
- Keihan Railways Kyoto Sightseeing Pass 1-day
- Kyoto City Subway 1-day pass
These passes expand the coverage in Kyoto so much:
Kansai Area Pass did not cover Keihan and subway in Kyoto. These lines cover eastern part of Kyoto, such as Gion, Kiyomizudera.
You may exchange the vouchers in the designated stations. Please find the detailed information in the official press release:
JR West official press release
You can use these passes separately.
e.g.
You have Kansai Area Pass 2-day
Day 1 trip to Kyoto and exchange Kyoto city subway pass only
Day 2 trio to Kyoto and exchange Keihan Railway Kyoto sightseeing pass
But in my opinion, you should use these two passes in same day. If you use only JR line and Kyoto city subway line, the coverage are limited.
The places where you cannot go by Kansai Area Pass
Major spots that are not covered by this pass is Mt. Koya. But if you want to go to Mt. Koya, Nankai Railway is the best way. Nankai Railway is not covered by JR West Kansai Area Pass anyway. Nankai Railway’s Koyasan World Heritage Ticket or Kansai Thru Pass is a right choice for trip to Mt. Koya.
Nankai Railway Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
Who is eligible
Visitors who land as “Temporary Visitor” status can purchase this pass.
Types and prices
Purchasing from the travel agent overseas (Before arrival) | Purchasing from JR West online (Before arrival) | Purchasing from JR West station (After arrival) | |
---|---|---|---|
1-day | 2,400 yen | 2,4000 yen | 2,400 yen |
2-day | 4,600 yen | 4,600 yen | 4,600 yen |
3-day | 5,600 yen | 5,600 yen | 5,600 yen |
4-day | 6,800 yen | 6,800 yen | 6,800 yen |
*Child rate is half of the adult prices above.
*5 year old or younger child is free. Maximum 2 children per one adult.
The pass must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night (midnight to midnight).
e.g.
If you start to use 3 days pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 3. The time when you start using does not matter.
If you want to purchase this at the lower price, you can purchase it at authorized travel agents. You can find the dealers list and exchange location at the link below:
JR West Rail Pass Dealer’s list
You also can purchase this pass online through JR West official site. But the price is not much cheaper than the price which is sold at the station.
Valid trains and bus lines
This pass covers all JR local trains and non reserved seat of Limited Express Haruka. You CANNOT ride any other express trains, such as the Tokaido Shinkansen the Sanyo Shinkansen, the limited express Thunderbird. But as long as you travel in Kansai area, Rapid Services Network is enough to cover your trip. It is actually crowded because these trains are the commuters one. But these are fast and frequent. The following list shows you trains that you can ride by JR West Kansai Area Pass.
- The limited express Haruka (Kansai airport-Tennoji-Shin Osaka-Kyoto, non reserved seat only)
- Special Rapid Service (Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe-Himeji)
- Kansai Airport Rapid Service (Kansai airport-Tennoji-Osaka)
- Yamatoji Rapid Service (Osaka-Tennoji-Nara)
- Miyakoji Rapid Service (Kyoto-Nara)
Of course, you can ride any local trains that are not shown on above list.
Hotels and Ryokans in Nara
Hotels in Himeji
Hotels in Kobe
Hotels in Himeji
Hotels in Kansai Airport
On the other hand, JR West Kansai Area Pass does not cover any private railway lines, subway lines and the bus lines. Most of major private railway companies and subway lines are shown on the following list:
- Osaka Metro (Subway)
- Kyoto Municipal Transportation (Subway and city bus)
- Nankai Railway (Namba-Kansai airport, Namba-Mt.Koya)
- Kintetsu Railway (Namba-Nara, Kyoto-Nara)
- Hankyu Railway (Sannomiya-Umeda-Kawaramachi)
- Keihan Railway (Yodoyabashi-Kyobashi-Shijo-Sanjo)
- Hanshin Railway (Namba-Sannomiya, Umeda-Sannomiya-Himeji)
- Sanyo Railway (Umeda-Sannomiya-Akashi-Himeji)
These above railways and bus lines are NOT covered. When you are in Osaka or Kyoto, subway trains and city bus services are very convenient. So you may have to pay a single fare or purchase other pass. This is the biggest disadvantage of JR West Kansai Area Pass. You can find the coverage of this pass in these posts:
Compare cost between pass and single fare. Best way to use.
First of all, please see the fare table for major sections below:
Stations | Osaka | Shin Osaka | Kyoto | Kansai airport | Sannomiya (Kobe) | Nara | Himehji | JR Namba |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Osaka | – | 160 | 540 | 1160 1150 | 390 | 780 | 1450 | 190 |
Shin Osaka | 160 | – | 540 | 1330 1150 | 540 | 890 | 1450 | 210 |
Kyoto | 540 | 540 | – | 1830 1150 | 1050 | 690 | 2210 | 890 |
Kansai airport | 1160 1150 | 1330 1150 | 1830 1150 | – | 1660 1150 | 1660 730 | 2730 1150 | 1030 730 |
Sannomiya (Kobe) | 390 | 540 | 1050 | 1660 1150 | – | 1210 | 950 | 690 |
Nara | 780 | 890 | 690 | 1660 730 | 1210 | – | 2210 | 540 |
Himeji | 1450 | 1450 | 2210 | 2730 1150 | 950 | 2210 | – | 1620 |
JR Namba | 190 | 210 | 890 | 1030 730 | 690 | 540 | 1620 | – |
*If there are two fares, basic fare is shown at the top and limited express surcharge at the bottom. For example, if you travel from Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka, basic fare is 1330 yen and surcharge is 1150 yen.
As you saw the fare table above, most of trips from Kansai airport is very efficient because of limited express Haruka. If you travel to Osaka, Kansai airport rapid may be better than Haruka because Haruka do not stop at Osaka. But if you think about getting on Haruka, Kansai Area Pass is considerable. Even one day pass is cheaper than basic fare + surcharge. If you go to Namba, you can access there by JR trains. But Nankai Railway gives you much better access to Namba. Especially if you think about transfer to subway at Namba, Nankai Railway Namba station is much easier to transfer to most of subway lines. Please see the details at the post, How to access from Kansai airport to downtown Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.
Next, I recommend you to use this pass for the trip to Himeji. Special Rapid Service connects Osaka with Himeji in 62 minutes. This train is the fastest and most frequent service. If you think about Kansai Thru Pass, this pass do not cover JR trains. If you go to Himeji by Kansai Thru Pass, the pass cover all part of your trip to Himeji. But you will spend more than 90 minutes. Kansai Thru Pass is very efficient for the trip to Kyoto or Mt. Koya. But if you go to Himeji, I recommend you to use JR West Kansai Area Pass.
If you go to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe from Osaka, it may not be very efficient. The fare range is between 500 and 1,000 yen. The difference between 1 day pass and 2 days pass is 2,000 yen. If you will purchase 3 days or 4 days, the price difference is 1,000 yen. If you have two trips, from Kansai airport by Haruka and trip to Himeji, you will already make more than 4,000 yen worth. You can use the pass to Kyoto, Kobe or Nara. But if you use 2 days pass for trip from Kansai airport and trip to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe, you may not be able to make more than 4,000 yen worth.
JR West also sell ICOCA and Haruka. This discount ticket include trip from Kansai airport by Haruka and 1,500 yen value e-money in ICOCA prepaid card. If JR West Kansai Area Pass is too expensive for your trip, ICOCA and Haruka may be suitable for your trip. ICOCA can be used for not only JR trains but also Kyoto subway, Osaka subway and other major private railway companies. ICOCA is more flexible than JR West Kansai Area Pass. Please see the details about ICOCA at the post, ICOCA and Haruka ticket. Very flexible and good deal for tourist who stay in Kansai..
At last, if you want to explore some more places, I strongly recommend you JR West Kansai WIDE Area Pass. This pass is available in 4 days pass only. But the area where is covered is much bigger. And limited express train and Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama are covered by this pass. And the price is only 1,000 yen higher than Kansai Area Pass 4 days. I am very happy if you are interested in other places outside of Kansai area.
Comments
Dear Takeshi/JPRail.com,
Would appreciate your advice on the pass to buy for this itinerary –
Day 1 – Arriving Osaka 22:00, get off at Teradacho station
Day 2 & 3 – Osaka city tour (Bay Area, Kita, Minami, Tennoji)
Day 4 – day trip from Osaka to Kobe
Day 5 – Osaka to Okayama & Naoshima, overnight in Hotel Areaone Okayama
Day 6 – Okayama & Kurashiki & Takahashi
Day 7 – Okayama & Onomichi
Day 8 – Okayama to Kyoto, overnight in Japaning Hotel Kyoto Tambabashi (Fushimi Ward)
Day 9 – Kyoto, Arashiyama & Sagano
Day 10 – Kyoto, Kinkakuji, Kiyomizudera, Higashiyama
Day 11 – Kyoto, Fushimi Inari & back to Osaka, overnight in Chuo-ku Osaka
Day 12 – Osaka city tour – KIX airport, flight departure 22:00
Many thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
The following deals are recommended:
Day 1
No deals available. Just use a regular ticket to take the train to Teradacho. Your arrival time is very late. You may miss the train. Actually the last train connection to Teradacho leave at 23:09. There are a few more trains after this. But you cannot get Teradacho. Tennoji is the closest place where you can get by the later train. You may be able to walk to get Teradacho from Tennoji.
Day 2,3 and 12
Please see the deal in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Day 4 to 8
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
Day 9 to 11
Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Regular ticket for Kyoto to Osaka
Please see the link below to find the deal for Osaka to KIX:
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! Thank goodness I found your website. I would really appreciate your advice on the best transport options & passes to get for my trip in a November.
Day 1 (Mon): Arrive KIX around 4pm. KIX to Kyoto (Bus or Rail is better?). I’m staying around Kyoto Main Train Station.
Day 2 (Tues): Kyoto
Day 3 (Wed): Kyoto
Day 4 (Thurs): Kyoto
Day 5 (Fri): Kyoto to Osaka station. Hotel is around Osaka Train Station
Day 6 (Sat): Osaka
Day 7 (Sun): Osaka
Day 8 (Mon): Osaka
Day 9 (Tues): Osaka to KIX (Bus or Rail?)
I’m keeping my itinerary flexible. But would like to visit Fushini Inari, Arayashima Bamboo forest, Nara & Kobe.
Which transport passes do you recommend and how should I include the above sights into my itinerary to optimise the passes?
Thank you in advance! Domo arigatou gozaimasu!
Hi Chris,
You may use basically Kansai one pass + Haruka, and the local deals in Osaka and Kyoto.
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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
You can find the info how you manage the trip to Kyoto and Osaka in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you! ( ◠‿◠ )
No worries, Chris.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshisan,
I will be bringing my parents to Japan for 6 days in March 2020.
Our itinerary is landing and leaving in Osaka Kansai International airport, plan to visit Kyoto/Osaka/Fushimi Inari Shrine/Arashimaya/Nara park/Himeji Castle/Kobe/Dotonbori.
Should we buy 7 day JR pass?
Thank you for your kind attention.
Hi Kuan san,
No. JR pass is too expensive. There are several options but you have to decide which city you will stay. There are some sample plans in my site. Please see the links below to get some idea:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/visit-osaka-and-kyoto-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi/JPRail.com
here my rough iternary.
Day 1 Explore Kyoto-Gion-arashiyama-Sagano romantic train
Day 2 Shiga- metasequioa namiki- & all around biwako lake
Day 3 Nara n Osaka All in
Day 4 Wakayama n KIX @night fly. So actually i oredy bought Kansai area pass 4day. izit cover for all above, n if not: can i cancel for JR pass n take Kansai thru pass?
Any suggestion to modify my iternary? thanks=)
Hi Kaora,
Actually 3-day Kansai area pass for day 2 to 4 is okay. On day 1, you may not have many chances to take JR trains. Sagano train is not covered. So you will use only once to take the train from Arashiyama. But you have already purchased the pass. 4 day pass is okay. You can get the worth of it by your trip plan.
Kansai thru pass does not work because it does not cover around Lake Biwa so much. Kansai area pass is better choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Day 1 – Kansai Airport to Minamimorimachi (Arrival at 6 am) & visit Osaka Aquarium
Day 2 – Osaka to Kyoto & Arashiyama (back to Osaka)
Day 3 – Osaka to Nara (back to Osaka)
Day 4 – Osaka to Tokyo
I was initially looking at buying the JR Pass to due to Osaka to Tokyo Shin-kasen but its not worth the price as i can likely get a kodamo train to Tokyo for 10,000 Yen. What passes do u suggest for the above itinerary.
Thank you for the reply.
Hi Vajid,
You may use Osaka Kaiyu Ticket Nankai railway version at 3,100 yen for day 1.
https://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/basicinformation.pdf
For day 2 and 3, you may use Kansai thru pass 2-day:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
For the Shinkansen ride from Osaka to Tokyo, Platt Kodama is most affordable deal:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
JR pass does not work for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I brought the Kansai Wide Area Pass.
Can I check if I am able to use the pass to take the Nankai airport express from Namba Station to Kansai Airport?
Hi Sara,
This pass does not cover Nankai railway because this pass covers only JR trains.
If you want to use this pass to get Kansai airport from Namba, you have to take a local train from JR-Namba to Tennoji. And then take the limited express Haruka or Kansai Airport rapid train from Tennoji to Kansai airport.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I would like to check which pass is suitable for my trip. This is my first time visiting Osaka, I will be bringing both my parents and my Son. Hope to get some advice from you. 🙂
1st Day: Arrived at Kansai Airport > Going to Kyoto
2nd Day: Exploring Kyoto Area (Arashiyama, Yasaka Pagoda, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji Temple)
3rd Day: Nara Area > Osaka City
4th-7th Day: Osaka City
Appreciate & Thank you so much!
Hi P.S.
Please read the link below and find the sample itinerary. You can basically follow this sample itinerary.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
What pass/ ticket would you reccomend for me?
Day 1 arrive 8pm kansai and want to go straight to Kyoto
Day 2 &3 sightseeing in Kyoto
Day 4 Himeji morning/ Kobe afternoon to take a cruise
7 day cruise
Day1 Kobe-Osaka-Kansai
Many Thanks for any recommendations
Andrea
Hi Andrea,
Day 1
Take the airport limousine bus to Kyoto.
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KY
Day 2 and 3
Use 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
Day 4
Kansai area pass 1 day
Day 1 after cruise, use a regular fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi / JPRail.com,
Please kindly advise what kind of rail pass(es) should I be getting for my literary below:
Day 1: KIX to Osaka (hotel is near to both Nipponbashi and Tanimachikyuchome stations).
Day 1: In the afternoon to visit Cup noodle museum and Umeda Sky Park.
Day 2: Tour around Osaka – to visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka Museum of History, Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, Osaka Castle, Hep 5, take Cruises
Day 3: Universal Studio Japan
Day 4: Day trip from Osaka to Nara (and back to Osaka)
Day 5: Day trip from Osaka to Himejii & Kobe (and back to Osaka)
Day 6: Osaka to Kyoto (hotel is near to Kyoto station) for the next 3days
Day 6: After check in to visit Tenryu-ji Temple & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Okochi Sanso Villa
Day 7: Visit Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion & Fushimi Inari Shrine & Gion
Day 8: Day trip from Kyoto to Uji
Day 9: Kyoto to KIX
Thank you in advance!
-Ping
Hi Ping,
You may use the following passes and tickets:
Day 1 Yokoso Osaka Ticket
https://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
But noodle museum is outside coverage area. You have to add the fare to take Hankyu railway from Umeda to Ikeda.
Day 2 Osaka amazing pass
https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/
Day 3 using Kansai one pass instead of purchasing regular fare ticket
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
Day 4, 5 and 6 Kansai thru pass 3-day
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Day 7, 8 using Kansai one pass to take train, subway and city bus
Day 9 Haruka discount ticket to take Haruka from Kyoto to KIX
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your recommendations.
On second thought, would you recommend that I stay in Osaka throughout, making Day 6, 7 and 8 as day trips from Osaka to Kyoto, Osaka to Uji (instead of staying in Kyoto). And then leave from Osaka to KIX on Day 9. Will that have any cost saving on traveling?
By the way i also happened to read about Nankai Line Airport Express – Kansai Airport to Namba Station (KIX/Namba Pick Up). Is this a recommended ticket/pass to purchase for my Day 9 Osaka to KIX?
Once again, thank you in advance for helping out.
Thanks.
-Ping
Hi Ping,
If you do so, you can use Kansai thru pass 3-day for day 6,7 and 8.
For day 9, if you stay in Namba and take Nankai railway airport express, regular fare is 920 yen. This is most affordable way. If you stay in Osaka other than Namba, you may use subway and Nankai railway deal. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
Appreciate all your excellent tips and recommendations!
If i will to travel to KIX from Kyoto to catch my flight home on 25Dec, would you recommend that i do my seat reservation and booking in advance (for the Haruka limited express train)? How can i go about doing so?
Thanks!
-Ping
Hi Ping,
Actually December 25th is not a busy day in Japan. You may use Kansai area pass to take a non reserved seat on Haruka. If you really really want to be sure to secure your seat, you can do it in advance at Kyoto station. In this case, you have to buy a regular fare ticket. And you may take the airport limousine bus too. You can get a seat on the bus because the standing passenger is not allowed:
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KY
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi / JPRail.com,
What would you to advise for the following (I have included a trip to Hiroshima from Osaka), please see below:
Itinerary
Day 1
KIX to Osaka KIX to Osaka (hotel is near to both Nipponbashi and Tanimachikyuchome stations)
Day 1: In the afternoon to visit Cup noodle museum and Umeda Sky Park.
Day 2: Tour around Osaka – to visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka Museum of History, Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, Osaka Castle, Hep 5, take Cruises
Day 3: USJ in Osaka
Day 4: Osaka to Hiroshima & Miyajima then back to Osaka
Day 5: Osaka to Himeji & Kobe to Osaka
Day 6: Osaka – Kyoto
Day 7: Kyoto to Golden Pavilion & Fushimi Inari Shrine to Uji to Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto – Nara to Kyoto
Day 9: Kyoto to KIX
Thanks!
Ping
Hi Ping,
You may use the following deals:
Regular fare for airport to Nippombashi by Nankai railway and subway. You may change trains at Tengachaya.
After arriving in Osaka, you can use Osaka amazing pass but noodle museum is outside the coverage area:
https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/
Regular fare to USJ
Kansai Hiroshima area pass for day 4 to 8
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html
Limousine bus from Kyoto to KIX
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KY
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello !
I am going to Kyoto for a few days and even if your article is very helpful, I am still a bit lost with all theses cards and passes and fares …
Could you please advise me on which pass I should get ? Or can you tell me if I even need a pass ?
Basically, here is my trip :
Day 1 : Kansai Airport –> Kyoto
Day 2 : Kyoto (need to use the JR line twice this day)
Day 3 : Kyoto (I can use the Kyoto subway but it is not compulsory)
Day 4 : Kyoto –> Kansai Airport
Thank you very much !
Have a good week !
Regards,
Noémie
Hi Noémie,
You may use ICOCA and Haruka round trip to Kyoto.
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 take the express train Haruka between KIX and Kyoto. In Kyoto, you can use ICOCA to take bus, subway, JR trains and other trains.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
Thank you very much for your reply !
Have a good day !
Regards,
Noémie
No worries, Noémie.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Taksehi/JPrail.com
I would like to go from
Day 1 – Kansai Airport to Shinsabashi Station (Reached Osaka 6pm)
Day 2 – Exploring Osaka City – (The train within Osaka is not covered under JR pass?)
Day 3 – Exploring Osaka City – (The train within Osaka is not covered under JR pass?)
Day 4 – Shinsaibashi Station to Kyoto ( Hotel Wing International Kyoto-Shijo Karasuma)
Day 5 – Kyoto to Nara , & Nara Back to Kyoto
Day 6 – Exploring Kyoto
Day 7 – Kyoto to Kansai International airport
Could you please advise on the most efficient pass that I should use? Thanks!!
Hi wilex,
These following deals and tickets are recommended:
Day 1 Nankai railway and subway deal
https://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
Day 2 and 3 Many deals are available.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Day 4 to 6 Kansai thru pass 3-day
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Day 7 Regular fare to take the bus
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KY
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks. Will there be any changes to your recommendation if i had the icoca card?
Hi W,
If you don’t intend to visit many attractions in Osaka, you may use ICOCA. And also some of the bus to KIX from Kyoto accept ICOCA. But there are three bus operators run the limousine bus. One of three companies which is Keihan Bus does not accept it. I cannot say which one is operated by Keihan Bus.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com