TOP KANSAI AREA PASSES
In 2024, due to high levels of tourism in Japan. Many of the train passes that once brought travelers a good bargain, no longer do.
We have yet to find a useful calculator to help compare the cost of tickets vs passes. The one on the JR website doesn’t function.
So, it’s up to us travelers to do the maths, and figure out the best bang for our buck.
WHY GET A PASS?
You could, potentially, save money.
But, if you’re not planning on doing a lot of train travel, or you’re traveling in the less-expensive off-season. Most of these cards, will not be for you.
Check out The SUICA Card, instead. Listed, below.
KANSAI RAILWAY PASS/KANSAI THRU PASS
Once known as the Kansai Thru Pass, the Kansai Railway Pass is its new, more expensive, replacement.
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PRICES
2 days 5600 yen
3 days 7000 yen
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It is important to note this pass does not cover any JR lines. Which can provide faster service between destinations.
Days do not need to be used consecutively. But must be used within a certain, extended, time period.
THE SUICA CARD
The SUICA can be used not only on trains. But, busses, subway, and monorail as well.
While the rest of the cards have a flat, prepaid fee. This is where the SUICA card varies.
The SUICA Card is a rechargeable, contact-less card. That you fill with the amount of money of your choosing. Minimum 1000¥
(1000¥ ≈ $7)
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PRICES
1000¥ – 20,000¥
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The minimum to load your SUICA card the first time is 1000¥. From then on, the minimum is 500¥
Click, here. For more on The SUICA Card.
JR PASS – KANSAI AREA
While, the Kansai Railway Pass days do not need to be used consecutively. The JR Kansai Area Pass days, do.
The Kansai area JR pass is really only worth it if you’re not just traveling within the Osaka and Kyoto area.
While, a Shinkansen ticket between Kyoto and Osaka costs around 1500¥, a train ticket is around 600¥.
Even traveling from Kyoto to Kobe is costs around 1000¥ for regular speed and 3500¥ by Shinkansen.
Shinkansen tickets are NOT covered under the Kansai Area Pass.
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PRICES
1 DAY $19
2 DAYS $32
3 DAYS $39
4 DAYS $47
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JR PASS
Only really worth it if traveling extensively by Shinkansen and JR Trains.
since, the prices went up in 2024, the JR pass does not provide a savings for many travelers.
Loading a SUICA card and paying for one-off tickets seems to be the less expensive route for most.
EXCEPTIONS
When traveling on Shinkansen and JR trains outside of just the Tokyo and Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara) areas. Or for an extended period of time within JR pass train areas.
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PRICES
ECONOMY
7 DAYS $360
14 DAYS $576
21 DAYS $719
FIRST CLASS
7 DAYS $504
14 DAYS $791
21 DAYS $1007
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OUR RECOMMENDATION
Since, the price of the passes has raised significantly. Generally, we recommend skipping the passes, and loading the SUICA card, instead.
The only real way to see which works for you, is to look up the prices of each train you would take that is covered under said pass. Add them up. Then, see if that number exceeds the price of the Pass.
If the cost of individual tickets exceeds the cost of the pass. You know the pass is worth it.
For step-by-step instructions on how to purchase and download the SUICA card before your trip.
So, it is ready to use immediately upon your arrival to Japan. Click the link, below.
TRAVELING IN JAPAN – THE SUICA CARD
FOR MORE ON TRAVEL TO JAPAN, CHECK OUT THE POSTS, BELOW
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4 FREE JAPAN ITINERARIES- FOR FIRST, AND SECOND TIME TRAVELERS
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THE EASY 11 PHRASES FOR TRAVELERS TO JAPAN
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August 31, 2024
