I have received many inquiries about Nagoya-Osaka or Kyoto trip. There are lots of travellers who arrive in Chubu (Nagoya) airport and depart from Kansai (Osaka) airport or reverse or arrive in/depart from Chubu. Even if you have round trip between Nagoya and Osaka, JR Pass is too expensive choice. And there is no options to cover both Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto by JR. One way ticket from Nagoya to Osaka or Kyoto by Shinkansen is very common choice. However JR is not only railway that connect Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto. Kintetsu Railway that is the biggest private railway company operates many trains among these three cities, Nara, Ise and Yoshino. Kintetsu Railway has very useful deal for the travellers who want to travel in this area.
In this post, I would like to show you Kintetsu Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide.
What is Kintetsu Railway?
In Japan, there are many railway services. This is the biggest reason why you are very confused. Kintetsu Railway is NON JR and the biggest private railway company in Japan. Of course this railway service is not covered by any JR deals, such as JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass. Please see the map below to find Kintetsu Railway network.
Kintetsu Rail Pass covers all part of this network. As you see the map above, you can use this railway to get Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka (Namba, Uehonmachi, Tsuruhashi), Nara, Yoshino and Ise. And this pass includes three vouchers to take Kintetsu Railway Limited Express. Kintetsu Railway Limited Express has very nice accommodation and have same level service as JR’s limited express train. I tell you about detail of this limited express train and coverage below.
You may know about Kansai Thru Pass. This pass covers Kintetsu Railway and other major private railways in Kansai area. But this pass does not include Nagoya and Ise. And it does not include Kintetsu Railway Limited Express train voucher. As long as you travel both Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto, Kansai Thru Pass is not your first choice. Please find the detailed about Kansai Thru Pass at the link below:
How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
How good is Kintetsu Railway Limited Express?
Some of major private railway companies operate limited express as commute train without extra charge, such as Hankyu, Keihan and Hanshin. But Kintetsu operates limited express as special train. It has reserved seat only. You have to pay limited express surcharge on top of base fare and this limited express train has same level of interior as JR’s limited express train.
There are many kinds of fleets for limited express trains. But all fleets have 2+2 seat configuration and seat pitch is 1000 to 1050 mm. It is spacious and comfortable.
Especially if you travel between Nagoya and Osaka, trip time is more than 2 hours. The seat and interior are very important factor.
You can take limited express train up to three times by Kintetsu Rail Pass if you use it until the end of September, 2016. After 1st of October, 2016, you have to purchase a separate ticket to take limited express train.
Who is eligible
Visitors who land as “Temporary Visitor” status can purchase this pass. And Japanese who live in foreign country as permanent resident or who are married to a foreigner residing outside of Japan can purchase this deal as well.
Types and prices
A few types of pass, Kintetsu Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass wide are available.
| Types | Purchase outside Japan | Purchase in Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Kintetsu Rail Pass 5-day | 3,700 yen | 3,900 yen |
| Kintetsu Rail Pass Plus 5-day | 4,900 yen | 5,100 yen |
Child price is half amount of the adult price. It applies to child who is 6 to 11 years old. Adult price is applied to 12 years old and up.
5 year old or younger child is free. But when you take Limited Express train, all seats are reserved. You have to share your seat with your child. If you want to have a seat for your child, please purchase child pass for even 5 years old or younger child.
The pass must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night.
e.g.
If you start to use 5 days pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 5.
Sales location
If you want to purchase an exchange order before you leave, you can find the authorized travel agent list at the link below:
Kintetsu Rail Pass official site
They may ship the exchange order to you by mail. Please contact the nearest vendor. Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide can be purchased at both Chubu airport and Kansai airport. But Kintetsu Rail Pass can be purchased at Kansai airport only. You can find the sales location in the airport at the link above as well.
Coverage area and valid transportation
Both Kintetsu Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide covers all part of Kintetsu Railway network and include three limited express vouchers.
Kintetsu Rail Pass does not include limited express voucher. The separate ticket for taking limited express train is required.
Some of Kintetsu Railway Limited Express trains have upper class seat. But this pass covers ordinary reserved seat only. And Kintetsu Railway operates Sightseeing Limited Express “Shimakaze”. This train is not covered by this pass either.
If you do not want to pay any extra, you can take rapid express, express, semi express and local trains. These are commute trains. The interior is totally different from the limited express train.
When you take a train among Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, you can use these trains because of the short distance transfer.
Compare the pass and single fare
I would like to show you the fare table. Upper fare is base fare and lower is limited express surcharge.
| station | Osaka (Namba) | Kyoto | Nara | Nagoya | Ise (Toba) |
| Osaka (Namba) | – | 940 900 | 560 510 | 2360 1900 | 2040 1610 |
| Kyoto | 940 900 | – | 620 510 | 2590 1900 | 2280 1610 |
| Nara | 560 510 | 620 510 | – | 2250 1610 | 1940 1610 |
| Nagoya | 2360 1900 | 2590 1900 | 2250 1610 | – | 1710 1320 |
| Ise (Toba) | 2040 1610 | 2280 1610 | 1940 1610 | 1710 1320 | – |
| station | Osaka (Osaka-Abenobashi) | Kyoto | Nara | Nagoya |
| Yoshino | 970 510 | 1230 900 | 850 900 | 2390 2120 |
If you travel from Nagoya to Osaka or Kyoto by limited express by 30th of September, it is higher than Kintetsu Rail Pass at 3800 yen. It is really good deal for the traveller who wants to travel from Nagoya to Kyoto or Osaka. If you go to Ise from Kyoto, Osaka or Nara, it is better deal than single fare too. But if you visit Ise, Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide may be better deal for you. Please see next chapter.
If you travel after 1st of October, limited express voucher will not be included. You must have at least one round trip between Kansai area (Osaka, Nara and Kyoto) and Nagoya or Ise.
Compare cost and trip time between the Shinkansen fare and Kintetsu Rail Pass
Shinkansen is most common way to get Kyoto and Osaka from Nagoya. It is much faster than Kintetsu Railway Limited Express trains. But Shinkansen is much more expensive too. Before you decide to go for Kintetsu Rail Pass, you should compare these trains by cost and time.
Nagoya – Namba
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express | 2 hrs 30 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) and Subway | 1 hr 20 mins | 6840 yen |
Shinkansen and subway combination is much faster but the cost is almost double. And Kintetsu Railway is direct access without any transfer. This is the strongest point.
Nagoya – Osaka (Umeda)
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express and JR local train | 2 hrs 45 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge + 180 yen (JR) |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) and JR local train | 1 hr 10 mins | 6560 yen |
You have to transfer at Shin-Osaka to get Osaka by the Shinkansen. But it is same station and very easy to transfer from the Shinkansen to JR local train. If you take Kintetsu Railway, you can transfer at Tsuruhashi to JR Osaka Kanjo line. It is much easier than transfer at Namba to subway. Tsuruhashi station is much smaller than Namba. JR and Kintetsu stations are connected directly.
Nagoya – Shin-Osaka
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express and Subway | 3 hrs | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge + 280 yen (subway) |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) | 50 mins | 6560 yen |
Shin-Osaka is Shinkansen’s terminal station. Shinkansen is much more accessible than Kintetsu Railway. If you take Kintetsu Railway, you have to transfer at Namba to get subway. And subway fare is extra.
Nagoya – Kyoto
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express Need to transfer at Yamato-Yagi | 2 hrs 35 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) | 36 mins | 5800 yen |
Both Kintetsu Railway and Shinkansen are direct access to Kyoto. Shinkansen is 2 hours faster than Kintetsu Railway Limited Express.
Nagoya – Nara
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express and Kintetsu local train Need to transfer at Yamato-Yagi | 2 hrs 15 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) JR local train | 1 hr 30 mins | 6560 yen |
Shinkansen and JR trains are still faster than Kintetsu Railway. But the difference is smallest in all above cases.
Assessment
If you are really sensitive with cost, Kintetsu Rail Pass is a good choice for even Nagoya to Osaka or reverse one way trip. If you travel from Nagoya to Osaka and visit Nara and Kyoto, this pass gives you a huge savings.
Even though the Shinkansen is much faster, this pass is one of my most recommended deals.
Comments
Hi Takeshi san,
I would need some advice if I could get the Kintetsu Pass at the airport when I’m arriving early morning at 0530am. Or if I can take the Nankai Line to get into Namba and purchase the Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide inside Namba? I’ve planned as below-
Day 1- Osaka
Day 2- Nara
Day 3- Kyoto
Day 4- Nagoya
Day 5- Osaka
Thanks for your advice.
Hi Derrick san,
You should wait for the information center in KIX open at 7:00 am. Because only Shinsaibashi information center take care of this ticket and it opens at 11:00 am. It’s way later.
By the way, single ticket from KIX to Namba by Nankai railway is 920 yen. Return fare and normal Kintetsu rail pass is cheaper than Kintetsu rail pass wide.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Arigatou Takeshi san.
Is that mean that I should probably wait at the airport till 0700am and get the Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide so I could use to go into Namba and return to KIX on my departure day? Or would you advise me to get the pass just to travel among Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and Nagoya and use one way to return KIX?
Best Regards,
Hi Derrick san,
Yes. You should wait at the airport. That is the earliest place to open.
Don’t buy “Wide”. Regular Kintetsu pass is okay. You may purchase a ticket from KIX to Namba at KIX station. 920 yen (one way to Namba from KIX) x 2 is smaller than difference between Kintetsu “Wide” and regular Kintetsu pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi. Just to add that you can buy Kintetsu pass in KIX from the Kansai Tourist information center in cash only. Thereafter you go up 2F to buy airport pass from Nankai Electric Railway ticket office with credit card.
Thanks Takeshi San.
Your advice are appreciated!
I will purchase the Kintetsu Rail Pass then.
No problem, Derrick san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi, thank you for all these wonderful recommendations. Like to seek your views of my itinerary:
Day 1 – arrived Osaka Kansai airport 8am
– take Nankai line to Namba
– take Kintetsu Railway to Nagoya station (Kintetsu 5 days Rail pass Wide ¥5860)
– take Higashiyama subway to Sakae (buy separate ticket)
– take Meijo subway to Kamimaezu (my hotel)
Day 4 – leave Nagoya for Osaka
– take Meijo subway to Sakae ( buy separate ticket )
– take Higashiyama subway to Nagoya station
– take Kintetsu Railway to Osaka Nipponbashi (using Kintetsu 5 days pass)
– take Sakaisuji subway to Nagohoribashi (my hotel)
Day 6 – Osaka Nagohoribashi to Kansai airport
– take Sakaisuji subway to Tengachaya (buy separate ticket )
– take Nankai line to Kansai (using Kintetsu 5 days pass)
Is this correct? Thank you in advance
Hi Jacob,
You don’t need to use “Wide” pass. Ordinary Kintetsu Rail Pass at 3800 yen is okay for your trip because Nankai Railway from KIX to Namba is 920 yen. It’s cheaper than Wide pass if you pay single fare. If you are okay to change the train at Namba from Nagahoribashi to KIX, you can use other deal on the last day of your trip.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Wow, thank you so much Takeshi for the fast response and the great suggestion. Will do what you had suggested.
No problem, Jacob.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
my itinerary pls see below what pass i need they recommend the kintetsu wide pass is this best and economical for my itinerary ? feb 13 arrival in nagoya 830 pm
feb 14 nagoya to namba
feb 15 namba (osaka) to kyoto daytour only
feb 16 namba (osaka) to narra daytour only
feb 17 day tour around osaka
feb 18 departure KAnsai airport
Hi Nelia,
Kintetsu rail pass is recommended but don’t use “Wide”. Ordinary Kintetsu pass is okay because single fare between airport and Nagoya/Osaka is cheaper than difference between ordinary pass and wide pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I am coming to Japan via Kansai International airport @ 3 pm and going to Kyoto for 5 days, 6th day, I am going to Okazaki (Nagoya) 7-8th day, I’m going to Kiso Valley, 9-10th back to Osaka and back via Kansai airport.
I’m thinking of using ICOCA to get from Airport to Kyoto, on 6th day purchase the Kintetsu Rail pass wide. Is this correct? Does Kansai Wide Pass cover Nagoya?
Hi Rosalind,
You may use ICCOA and Haruka round trip ticket. And you can use Kintetsu Rail Pass. You don’t need to have Kintetsu Rail Pass “Wide” because you will have ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket. When you go back to KIX, you can change the train at Tsuruhashi from Kintetsu to JR. ICOCA and Haruka will cover from Tsuruhashi to KIX. You can take Osaka loop line local train from Tsuruhashi to Tennoji. And then take Limited Express Haruka from Tennoji to KIX.
Kansai Wide Area Pass does not cover Nagoya. This is not suitable for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
May I know if the Kintetsu Rail pass can be used on the Meitetsu Inuyama line?
Hi Sunny,
No. It covers Kintetsu only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi.
My wife and me will be travel from Singapore to Japan on 5th May – 14th May 2016.
This is our planned Itinerary :-
Day 1 -05.05.16 – arrival Tokyo (NRT) Narita Terminal 1 at 8am. accommodation Tokyo- APA Hotel Shinjuku Gyoenmae 5/5 – 9/5
Sight Trip – Western Japan
Day 2- 06.05.2016 – Sight Trip Hakone – buy Hakone Free Pass
Day 3- 07.05.2016 – Sight Trip- Central Tokyo
Day 4- 08.05-2016 – Sight Trip -Northern Tokyo
Day 5- 09.05.2016 – Sight Trip -Southern Tokyo
Day 6- 10.05.2016 – accommodation Shin-Osaka Hawk on pine tree 10/5 – 14/5
Sight Trip – Shin Osaka
Day 7- 11.05.2016 – Sight Trip -Nagoya
Day 8- 12.05.2016 – Sight Trip – Kyoto
Day 9- 13.05.2016 – Sight Trip – Nara/ Kyoto
Day 10- 14.05.2016 -Sight Trip – Osaka Then Departure Osaka (KIX) to Singapore (SIN) 11.30pm
Need you advise on the Transport whether which Rail Pass should I use?
From 5/5 – 9/5/16 which travel pass is the best to use inTokyo? JP rail or Tokyo City Pass
From 10/5 -14/5/16 Which Travel pass to use? Can I buy Kintetsu Wide Pass to use in Kyoto/Osaka & Nagoya?
Thanks
Appreciate your Help.
Dols Ong
Hi Dols,
First of all, JR Pass does not work. You need to purchase single fare ticket for Tokyo to Osaka. The following link shows you sample itinerary.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-tokyo-kyoto-and-osaka-in-7-days.html
For staying in Tokyo, the following links will give you many tips:
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
If you want to make a day trip to Nagoya from Osaka, Kintetsu Rail Pass is recommended. But you can drop by Nagoya on the way to Osaka. If you purchase one base fare ticket (Tokyo-Osaka) and two Shinkansen surcharge ticket (Tokyo-Nagoya and Nagoya-Osaka), you can stropver at Nagoya. You can save 4 hours for movement by Kintetsu railway train round trip between Osaka and Nagoya.
If you take this my suggestion, you don’t need Kintetsu Rail Pass. You can use Kansai thru pass for Kyoto and 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
Kansai thru pass is much better choice for Kyoto and Nara. Because Kintesu rail pass covers only Kintetsu train. It does not cover any other transportation. But Kansai thru pass covers Kintetsu and other railway, such as subway in Osaka and Kyoto, and local bus too. You need to take local transportation in Kyoto. This pass will help you much more.
At last, please find some deals for access to KIX at 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
Good evening
I get a lot of information that you shared. I need an advice. We’ll arrive Osaka Airport on April 30 , 2016 at night. For places, we wanna go to Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara. We’ll go back on May 6, 2016 in the afternoon.
If I buy ticket like ICOCA and Haruka, is it worth? Because I’m still confused which city that we should go for the first time until we’ll be back.
Thanks in advance
Hi Titania,
If you arrive late night, you can go to Osaka only. Please find the info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-access-to-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe-from-late-arrival-flight-at-kansai-airport-kix.html
If you arrive in early evening, you can get Kyoto. I have two sample itineraries that include Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-osaka-and-kyoto-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
You can squeeze Nagoya at some point in this itinerary. Kintetsu rail pass is the best deal to get Nagoya. But it’s easier to get Nagoya from Osaka. There are lots of direct limited express service between Osaka and Nagoya. But there is no direct train between Kyoto and Nagoya.
Nara can be accessed by Kintetsu rail pass. So try to include Nara in five days coverage period.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
What’s your view of our proposed use of the below rail pass based on our 10 days trip ie Kyoto (31-2/2), Nagoya (2-4/2)& Osaka(4-8/2):
– Kintetsu wide pass to activate fr 1/2 onwards
– JR Hokuriku pass fr 3/2 onwards
Any suggestion to optimise most appreciated.
Hi MH Veno,
I agree with you to use Kintetsu Wide Pass. But I don’t understand why you use Hokuriku area pass. Are you going to Hokuriku area?
I need to see more detail about your trip. I don’t see what you will do when you are in Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hey!
Need some advise. Me and my partner are are in dilemma in purchasing the JR pass or the normal railway pass.
We will be travelling 12 days in Japan
Arrived at KIX airport.
4 days at Osaka
4 days at Kyoto and Namba
4 days at Tokyo
Depart at KIX airport.
Hi Idil,
You may use JR pass for the last 7 days of your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi San,
We have 3 days in Nagoya, we intend to buy the 2 days Kintetsu Railways pass, may i know how what is the duration from Nagoya to Osaka and to Kyoto?
If we miss a train, how long have we to wait for the next train?
When is the last train from Osaka and Kyoto? Because we have to return to Nagoya on the very day.
I ask the above Qs because I cant find the timetable in English in the website.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Hi Jenny san,
First of all, your choice is not two days pass but five days pass.
http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/ticket/krp.html
Two days pass covers only Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.
Limited Express train usually runs every one hour. Reservation is required to take this train. So if you miss the train, you have to book it again. The pass allows you to book up to 5 times. And also if you go to Kyoto from Nagoya, you have to change the train at least once, Ise-Nakagawa or Yamato-Yagi. There is no direct trains between Nagoya and Kyoto.
The last train departs around 20:30. You may find it at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com