Order Your JRPass
Gitte
Gitte
about 10 years ago
1 response

With the Rail Pass seat reservation is free. However, I am wondering if you actually do need seat reservation. I mean, if you do not buy a Rail Pass, then the ticket would be half the price if the seat reservation is not necessary?Or do you always have to pay for seat reservation, if nothing else then for the unreserved seats?

Thank you

Gitte from Denmark

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Gitte,

From reading your question I think that you may be little confused by all the fares displayed in Hyperdia.

Takes this example: Kyoto - Tokyo. Which has the following ticket price: ¥ 13,020 consisting of the fare:¥ 7,980 and Seat Fee:¥ 5,040. The fare is the price you pay for the amount of distance traveled (km). The seat fee basically is the charge you pay for the Shinkansen and other limited express trains. Both fares make up the total price of the ticket. Lastly there's 3rd fee for seat reservations, this is what you pay for the actual reservation itself. In the case of Kyoto - Tokyo this is 310yen.

Normally you don't have to worry about these fees as the JR Pass covers them all, however it can be good to know about them if you want to find out if a JR Pass would be useful for you.

Lastly, the only trains which don't have a seat fee are local trains, which are mainly commuter trains.

Also see our blog post for more information about seat reservations and how to make them.

Hope this helps!
Daniel


Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $343.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 17323 questions about the Japan Rail Pass, or ask our Japan Rail travel experts

Ask Question

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Visit us on Facebook

Get inspired for your visit to Japan by following us on Instagram and don't forget your own shots once you are there.


Find out where to buy the japan rail pass online.

Order your JRPass Now!

We have special prices for children and great first class options. See all tickets or see our range of Regional Passes