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Yokohama | Tagged Posts

2019
15
February
Is the JR Rail Pass Worth It for a Week-Long Trip to Tokyo and Kyoto?

Question:

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Jennifer

Hello Everyone! Family and I are heading to Japan on Friday. Landing in Haneda and staying in Tokyo (Shinjuku) for 4 nights and then Kyoto for 4 nights. I am still unsure about getting the JRail pass or not anyone have any suggestions.

Humans say...

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Sara

Definitely get the JR pass, you'll be able to take advantage of the great intra-city transportation in Tokyo and if you just make one round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto on the shinkansen (bullet train) and use the pass to travel between Narita and Tokyo, you’ve already saved money with the pass

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Sara

Also, the pass is cheaper to purchase from outside of Japan

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Rob

Plan out your trip. If it doesn’t involve noticeable JR Pass savings skip it. It doesn’t work for all trains and I found I wasted my money on it.

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Tarek

If U only plan to go to Kyoto and back, then definitly you dont need a JR pass... tokyo and kyoto has local metro, bus systems and their 24 hr passes are inexpensive...

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Kristen

Well considering you are leaving Friday, it might be too late to get the JR pass as it gets mailed to you (based on my last searching back in feb). I agree, if you are not going back to Tokyo, it might not be worth it. I did not get one when I was there for 10 days and used the JR Line maybe 3 times. We got a SUICA card instead.

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Wendy

We are going to Japan in December, also landing in Haneda, staying in Shinjuku then travelling to Kyoto. We will be flying out of Osaka and with the research I’ve done for our itinerary, the JR Pass doesn’t make sense for us. However, if you’re doing a return trip from Tokyo to Kyoto and back, then it may be worthwhile for you. Safe travels!

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Janna

JR Passes are only worth it if you're doing several shinkansen trips. If you were doing Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka it might be worth it. But if you're just travelling between Tokyo and Kyoto once it wont pay for itself.

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Janna

When you arrive in the airport, grab a Pasmo or Suica card and load it up. It'll make traveling via Subway much easier. And rent a portable Wifi if you don't have an international data plan with your phone company. Google Maps is fantastic for navigating.

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Wendy

No not worth it if staying in Tokyo

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Sarah

Plan your travels on Hyperdia, it will give you accurate pricing and help you determine if it is worth it. I think Tokyo to Kyoto was about $100CAD and the 7 day pass is around $350CAD
http://www.hyperdia.com/sp/
Edit: You can also use it on the Yamanote and other JR subway lines in Tokyo. Trips are like 280-400円 so it wont make up the cost but it might be a nice bonus
HYPERDIA.COM
HyperDia | 乗換案内 路線検索 時刻表 旅費精算 通勤費 ダイヤ作成なら

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Lee

Like Sarah said Hyperdia can tell you how much all of your train rides will cost. 7 day JR pays for itself if you go round trip Tokyo-Osaka. In Kyoto, JR only gets you to Arashiyama - the rest of the city and sites are bus or subway. JR pass definitely works in Tokyo! So timing the 7 days so your RT to Kyoto is there and there's time left on it for within Tokyo will be worth it (Kamakura & Yokohama are just outside Tokyo and JR pass will save $ there; you can also use the JR pass to visit Osaka or Kobe for kobe beef lunch - 1/3 the price of dinner - from Kyoto).

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Lee

I have written about Japan and both cities on my accessible travel site: worldbyasscart.com if you need ideas or want to see pics/links to resources
WORLDBYASSCART.COM
World by ass cart – A disabled traveller's journey around a perfectly imperfect world

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Francis

to break even for JR pass is to take at least 1 trip of Shinkansan from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka (return) and 1 express trip from Haneda to Tokyo. However, I dont advise express trains from Haneda into tokyo during rush hour. Try the limousine bus, if there is a stop at Shinjuku.

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Vanessa

Francis I got the JR pass has I did daytrips from Tokyo, kyoto and Osaka. You can also use the JR line .

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Yee

.

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Mike

For sure take the fast train to Kyoto it’s downtown Tokyo to downtown Kyoto


A.I. says...

AI Profile Pic

To JRail Pass or Not in Japan?

Hello, fellow travelers! Exciting times ahead as you embark on your journey to Japan, starting with Tokyo (Shinjuku) and then Kyoto. One of the most common dilemmas faced by visitors to Japan is whether to purchase the JRail Pass or not. Let's explore the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

What is the JRail Pass?

The JRail Pass is a cost-effective and convenient way to travel across Japan via the extensive network of JR trains, including shinkansen (bullet trains). It offers unlimited rides on most JR trains for a fixed period, ranging from 7 to 21 consecutive days. The pass is available only to foreign visitors and must be purchased before arriving in Japan.

Factors to Consider

To determine whether the JRail Pass is worth it for your trip, consider the following factors:

  1. Distance and Number of Trips: The JRail Pass becomes more cost-effective the longer the distances you plan to travel and the more trips you intend to take. For your itinerary, the pass could be beneficial if you plan to take day trips from Tokyo or Kyoto, or if you plan to visit additional cities.
  2. Travel Flexibility: With the JRail Pass, you have the freedom to hop on and off trains without worrying about individual ticket costs. This flexibility can be advantageous if you prefer spontaneous travel or last-minute changes to your plans.
  3. Cost Comparison: Compare the cost of the JRail Pass with the total cost of individual train tickets for your planned itinerary. Keep in mind that the shinkansen (bullet trains) can be quite expensive when purchased individually.
  4. Local Transportation: The JRail Pass does not cover local transportation within cities, such as subways, buses, or taxis. You'll need to factor in these additional costs when evaluating the pass.

Recommendation

Based on your itinerary of 4 nights in Tokyo (Shinjuku) and 4 nights in Kyoto, the JRail Pass might not be the most cost-effective option if you plan to stay within these two cities. However, if you intend to take day trips or visit additional cities during your stay, the JRail Pass could be a worthwhile investment for the convenience and flexibility it provides.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your travel style, budget, and specific plans. Consider your priorities, crunch the numbers, and choose the option that best suits your needs. Whichever way you go, Japan promises an unforgettable adventure!



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