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How much is a 1-day rail pass?

Japan Rail Pass - is it necessary for my holiday?

  • I am going to Japan in July for 3 weeks, until the beginning of August... I am just wondering whether it would work out economical for me to get a JR Pass, if I plan on staying in Tokyo region alone? I would be staying in Capsule Inn, Kinshichou, which has many links to JR trains. The Japan Rail Pass currently costs £462 in the UK, and covers the following guidelines: •At present, the Japan Rail Pass does not cover Nozomi-type Shinkansen “bullet trains” on the Tokaido/Sanyo lines connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata (Fukuoka) and other cities. Although I would be staying in Tokyo, I would also be going on day excursions to Osaka and Kyoto. With the cost of the rail pass, would it work out beneficial to get the pass or stick with paying basic train fares? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

  • Answer:

    The JR Rail Pass would be worth it if you are going from Tokyo to Kansai and back. If you go there, be sure not to miss Nara. If you don't want to get the pass, another alternative is JAL's Yokoso Air Pass, where a flight within Japan is just 10,000 yen+tax. You could easily go to Sapporo if you wish. For the JR Pass and Air Pass you need to get them before going to Japan though. The Passes can save you a lot of money and are not for residents in Japan. It'd be well worth it if you are crossing the country. If you are not leaving the Tokyo area then you might get a JR East Pass. You can also get a Tokyo subway say pass for about 1000 yen per day. Staying in a capsule hotel one night is good for the experience, but you don't have to pay a lot for a clean modest hotel room. Try: There are many cheaper places to stay; hostels are one or cheaper hotels as well, as low as 2500 yen per night. You might look at: www.newkoyo.com www.juyoh.co.jp www.jyh.or.jp/english/ www.libertyhouse.gr.jp www.sakura-hotel.co.jp www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/ www.superhoteljapan.com/en/

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If you are going Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo-Osaka-Tokyo then yes, but why would you? Better to buy individual tickets and then go Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo.

Al

Yes, one round trip to Kyoto and you can get your money's worth. You can opt for the 7 day and do your excursions in a consecutive 7 day period. FYI, one day in Kyoto is a rush, I would stay there two days, one night.

wuzaracer

That price seems VERY high. I assume you priced a three-week pass, which would only be economical only if you were travelling every single day during a three week period. If I were you I'd buy a one-week pass and squeeze your long train rides into one week. Stay in Tokyo for a few days and see the sights, buy the pass, go to Kyoto, spend a few nights in Kyoto (which is what the previous poster meant), go on to Osaka, spend the night there, and then return to Tokyo. You said you were planning on sleeping in Tokyo every night. I would NOT advise you to do that. And have you ever been to a capsule hotel? I think foreigners think the idea of staying in one is cool, but. . .it isn't. It's for guys too drunk to get home (which would be pretty darn drunk) and old dudes who are one step away from being homeless. Capsule hotels are seedy and creepy. I planned to stay in one once, but then I walked in, looked at the capsule and walked right back out. Of course I am 1. female and 2. tall. Too claustrophobic, ugh!! You can find hostels and cheap hotels for the same price. Try hostels.com. Once your pass runs out (and before you buy it) you can still buy tickets to go wherever you want to go. I'd just use the pass for travelling the furthest distances.

tiger lou

you cannot buy the pass in Japan - you need to buy it before you come you can buy different durations. given your situation, a 7 day one makes most sense. Once you decide when you want to start the trip, you will need to "activate" it and it will be valid for 7 days from that point for unlimited travel on JR trains and (I think) some short distance trains (I am not sure if they work for the JR subway as I have not used one in years) even 1 trip from Tokyo to Kyoto then Osaka and back to tokyo will be worth it. Any additional trip would be a very nice bonus indeed Make sure to buy the JR West pass - if you were heading north, you would buy the JR East version The same pass will also work for JR trains (like to Hakone) Nozomi (the fastest train between Tokyo and Kyoto) is minimally faster than Hikari (the next fastest). Just make sure you do not get on the Kodama (stops in way too many stops along the way) You might (depending on your interest) buy two 1-week passes: one for JR East and one for JR West. Spend a couple of days in Tokyo, activate the JR West pass and go to Hiroshima, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto and return to Tokyo in 1 week then spend 1-2 days in tokyo again then go north to Sapporo and stop in a couple of places on the way back for 1 week and then return to Tokyo for the remaining couple of days before you fly home. Honestly, there is not a heck lot of stuff of fun stuff to do in Tokyo in July/August and i am not sure it is worth spending 2 weeks there. It's going to be hot and humid and the further West/South you go, the warmer it will get. Sapporo will be pleasantly mild Get your hands on a nice travel book and plan your trip well PS Capsule hotel for 1 night? ok Capsule hotel for several days/weeks? Not a good idea

Tony

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