Purchase Japan Rail Pass In Australia Before Travel (Save $44 - $93)

WaterMark on 05/03/2017 - 15:39
Last edited 06/03/2017 - 07:04 by 1 other user

Moved to Forum: Original Link

This post feels like a forum post however I believe it will save alot of money since alot of people booked with the Jetstar sales (me included). I thought I would recontribute back to you guys since I saved with that deal.

Whilst looking at Japan Rail Pass prices, I have gathered information that from 8th March 2017, they will trial selling Japan Rail Pass in Japan until 31st March 2018 (1-year). I thought this was good since I could just buy it when I get there but I found out the prices were significantly higher.

[O] = Ordinary
[G] = Green

Current prices:

07-day = [O] ¥29,110 ($336) / [G] ¥38,880 ($448)
14-day = [O] ¥46,390 ($535) / [G] ¥62,950 ($726)
21-day = [O] ¥59,350 ($685) / [G] ¥81,870 ($945)

Purchase price within Japan:

07-day = [O] ¥33,000 ($380) / [G] ¥44,000 ($507)
14-day = [O] ¥52,000 ($600) / [G] ¥71,000 ($819)
21-day = [O] ¥65,000 ($750) / [G] ¥90,000 ($1038)

As you can see it is an increase between $44 (Ordinary) - $93 (Green) per pass. So what can you do to avoid the price rise?

A. Travelling within 3 months
Buy Japan Rail Pass now from various authorised vendors in Australia. Note the prices can vary upwards.
- Cheapest Sachi Tours Postage: FREE (express), Pickup (30 minutes)
- $2 more expensive STA Travel Postage: $12 (standard), $22 (express) - needs passport number when checkout
- Feel free to comment if you found cheaper!

B. Travelling after 3 months
- Not sure if Japan Rail Pass will be sold in Australia anymore (not needed since you can buy in Japan). Even if they did sell, then the prices may be the new prices to be sold in Australia (if not, then the current prices)

The Japan Rail Pass can be used only by foreign tourists in Japan. Currently, the pass can be purchased only outside of Japan. However, from March 8, 2017 to March 31, 2018, it will also become available for purchase at an increased cost at selected stations* inside Japan on a trial basis. Source

Related Stores

sachitours.com.au

• 

  billbro on 05/03/2017 - 15:45

  +4

  Not sure where you read that the JR pass would no longer be sold by agents in other countries? From what I briefly read, there would just be an additional (albeit more expensive) option to purchase it in Japan.

  http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html#bm_002 - no indication that prices will be more expensive from what I can see.

  • 

    WaterMark on 05/03/2017 - 15:50

    Yeh I got that impression too that they would still continue selling it (hence option B in my post) but not 100% sure. The prices there were since September 2016 so they may change that when it comes to the 8th March 2017. I just posted this incase people were going to buy their passes in Japan so they know its more expensive. Personally I'd rather buy now than risk prices actually going up in Australia.

    • 

      gadget on 05/03/2017 - 16:13

      +1

      More likely it's being trialled in preparation for 2020.

      There's no bargain just because there is a pricing difference between buying outside Japan and when you're there.

      Being able to buy it locally just provides extra flexibility for the traveller and it makes sense for this to become available as Japan becomes a more popular tourist destination but to say that it may no longer be sold outside Japan or the prices will converge is just pure speculation. (Why change something that's been working well for many years? Besides, JR gets your money well before you travel so it's good for them)

      • 

        WaterMark on 05/03/2017 - 16:16

        I've adjusted the title to provide more clarity.

• 

  dazweeja on 05/03/2017 - 15:47

  +5

  Is your suggestion that JR passes sold in Australia will be more extensive just a guess? If so, there's no deal here.

  • 

    WaterMark on 05/03/2017 - 15:53

    If you are travelling within 3 months time then there is no harm in buying your passes now (to avoid potential increase). If not travelling within 3 months then dont buy. Simple as that.

    • 

      dazweeja on 05/03/2017 - 15:58

      +3

      Sure, but that's different to a deal. That's normal price. "You might save money" is not a deal. If there's no price increase and the yen drops in the next few months, you might end up paying more than you otherwise would if you follow this advice too. I think the information about the trial is worth posting, just in the forums.

      Edit: I've bought from here twice. $660 for 2 (delivered in 2-3 days):

      https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/

• 

  chubbysticks on 05/03/2017 - 16:13

  Japan mainly just sells the Japan wide JR pass. You might not be able to purchase the Regional passes. I always order my JR pass online and collect it from my local HIS travel office just to be safe. The Jr passes are usually ready for pick up the same day you place your order online with them. The travel agents are quite helpful if you have any queries on which JR pass you should buy and what you can check out. Prices are around the same as the ones sold online with a delivery fee. Just don't use your amex to pay for it because the surcharge is more. http://www.traveljapan.com.au/our-branches
  http://www.traveljapan.com.au/rail-pass

  • 

    YadaYadaYada on 05/03/2017 - 17:44

    +1

    It looks like they're about to start selling the Japan wide JR passes from limited spots within Japan. They have already started selling quite a few of the regional ones from within Japan, but it is supposed to be slightly more expensive from within Japan. This in practicality is not actually true though. For example, the JR East South Hokkaido Pass (http://www.jreasthokkaido.com/e/) is 26K JPY if you buy it overseas or 27K JPY if you buy it from within Japan. The travel agents here in Australia charged you roughly from 311 AUD to 339AUD recently when I went to get quotes, whereas if 27K JPY based on the exchange rates at that point in time equated to approximately 311AUD anyway (with a foreign exchange fee free credit card). To me there was no incentive to buying with the Australian agents unless you wanted to lock in that price.

    and now it looks like they're doing the same with the nation wide JR pass based on this post I found: https://www.jnto.org.au/plan-your-trip/transport/japan-rail-…

    I don't think there's a price rise - they are just introducing a higher price if you buy it internally. But make sure you compare what the cost is in AUD before committing to buying in either direction.

• 

  gembel on 05/03/2017 - 16:59

  +1

  It will be available from overseas travel agents (cheaper) and locally in Japan (more expensive).