Hey guys, I've got my Japan trip coming up in about a month for myself + 2 travellers, and we'll be travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka for around 5 days. We've been to Japan before but have never used a JR pass. I've had experience with overnight Willer Express buses between Tokyo and Kyoto and it wasn't a very pleasant experience for me, hence why we're opting for the bullet trains this time round. I've found things like this which offer discounted return shinkansen tickets between the 2 major cities, and it seems cheaper than the JR pass (which is A$327 each for 7 days). I was just wondering if other ozbargainers found the JR pass to still be worth it in the end, with other smaller train rides in between. We're not planning to travel outside of Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka/Nara due to time limitations. Cheers.
Japan: Is The JR Pass Worth It (Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Tokyo) ?
Last edited 09/09/2017 - 23:45
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since you're not stopping in between, the much cheaper local trains aint worth it.
flying is a little cheaper at 10000yen/pp/leg but getting to the airport is a hassle.
no point getting the pass if you're not going outside those cities imo. found myself wasting a lot of time on the yamanote line just because i had the jr pass :(
in osaka, twas only used to get to usjoh and buying the tickets separately will let you on the nozomi to save a bit more time
I think the JR pass will be cheaper than individual tickets for that route, but not much.
Up to you if the included JR line travel is worth it within Tokyo, I found it best to plot the shortest route and pay with Suica if necessary, or JR if it was on the JR lines.
The JR pass is great if you are touring around, but about break even for just a couple of trips.
There is an alternative ticket at certain times of the year, I think to help out students at end of term? If your travel dates line up, that is quite a bit cheaper.Rent a car. There are big one way fares but if you just keep the car (park it in Kyoto and then train -45 minutes- to Osaka then return to Kyoto to pick it up.or if you do airbnb then look for a place that has parking or nearby parking.
Look at hyperdia.com … put in your route and it'll tell you timetables and what each will cost.
Another Willer Express traveller here. Bought the 3-day 10000 yen Bus Pass. Osaka-Nagoya-Tokyo-Kyoto. Kyoto to Osaka by train. Osaka-Hiroshima-Osaka. Well worth the 10000 yen. BUT if you're the type who can't sleep on a lounge chair, it will not be pleasant. Zombie mode.
Trains:
Try here: http://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/I punched in your trip for just random times during the day and it was "close call" AKA not worth it. I even threw in a return Narita Express ticket (¥3400) as well and it's still too close.
Here's your English train cost website: http://www.hyperdia.com/
Cars:
My experience with renting a car last year was that tolls are damned expensive especially around Tokyo (¥5600 round trip between Tokyo -> Mito approx 1 hour away) But it was nice to see a more rural side of Japan.Planes:
My experience flying to Osaka via Jetstar was good, but it's about an hour to the airport both ways but the flights were $80 each way. I think PEACH airlines can be as low as $120 return to Osaka if your lucky.
hell yes!!!
if you're smart about it when you initially get on the train go to your allocated seat, wait for ticket checker and then move up into the business class carriage .
did this for ages whilst travelling between tokyo kyoto and osaka.
you can drink alcohol and smoke in some carriages it's so すごいね！
they are all non smoking as of Aug 1
damn shame, well then enjoy your asahi on the train then
I always buy the JR pass for the following reason; once I buy it I don't have to worry about the cost if I decide to do a day trip down somewhere. It is a sunk cost to me at that stage and it opens up opportunities to do things which I might not have planned. Unlike nubix I don't feel the need to get on the train to make sure I have got my value out of it. Some trips I probably come out ahead, some maybe a bit behind, but I find it provides me with a kind of freedom to explore as I please, without thinking about the cost.
Thanks for all the advice guys :) Still undecided, since it seems like the cost factor will be similar either way, but I'll discuss with my travelers and decide soon. Cheers
The cost factor may be similar up front but it is the hidden savings that can help. The JR pass can be used on JR lines within cities, saving you an additional $2 or so per trip. It won't help all your trips but will help some. For example it's the quickest option between Shinjuku and shibuya in Tokyo.
You then have the flexibility to do day trips, including to Hiroshima, as previously stated in this thread. Which I would highly recommend.
I went to exactly the same cities this year and didn't get a JR pass (because it's more expensive and a lot of hassle getting it).
- When I landed in Tokyo, I just got a PASMO and used that.
- Then got a one way bullet train ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto
- from Kyoto to Osaka just used the same PASMO card
- then I fly directly back from Osaka, without going back to Tokyo
Same. That's what I did too!
Hey there, I'm going to Japan in April for 14 days would you recommend JR pass or Pasmo + Bullet train?
I'm also doing Tokyo -> Kyoto -> Osaka then back from Osaka.
Also would you know the diff between Pasmo and Suica?
Cheers!
If you decide to do something like a day trip to hiroshima then it's totally worth it. You can use it on some local lines in Kyoto and Osaka which will also save you a bit of money. Best to find a calculator and chuck in your trips.
I used this website to give me a approximation of the cost.
I would say that it does. Simply because, as far as i remember, yo have the Shinkansen included and also the trains in Tokyo, which already saves you a lot of money, problem is based on a shirt trip, maybe u won't be able to make the best out of it.
peach/jetstar/skymark flight from tokyo to osaka, train or bus for the rest. check for specials. you're going from Tokyo to Osaka, and then Kyoto is about 30mins-1 hour from osaka.
If you are in Tokyo for a few days, yes get the pass because you'll be spending 1000円 a day catching the trains around.
Japan is a country built on transportation. plan your trips well so you:re not in transit the whole time youre here. activate your card on the day you:ll start using it and get as much value out of it. i spend 16 days travelling in 2013, nearly 2.5 days of that was in transit catching a train across the country and back.
Jr pass definitely. We realized how much money was spent just doing inner city travel. That is just in between stations in Tokyo etc daily. With Jr its all included!
Then with Jr pass you can go travel to other cities between Tokyo,kyoto etc on a whim. No charge. No worries. No booking of tickets or flights ahead of time and stressing about making it in time. All inclusive.JR Pass if you do return Tokyo-Osaka. If you're going to take just 1 way bullet train, don't get JR Pass. It ends up more expensive. Plus, in Kyoto you'll be using buses more. In Tokyo, Metro is closer to more tourists attractions than JR.
yeah do it mate so worth it.
what i found staying in Japan get the normal price ticket for the shinkasen, once onboard and your ticket has been checked, you can move freely around the train. i would always go sit in the business/first class section of the train.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/charge/index.html?src=pcbp
Search and compare.
Hint. Pick the tokaido line for Tokyo <> Kyoto.