Order Your JRPass
Back to Itinerary check

Jr pass for itinerary help :)

emdee
emdee
over 10 years ago
1 response

Hi I am coming to japan for a 15 day trip in November. I am planning to visit

Tokyo / Hiroshima / Kyoto (w. day trips to Nara, Arashiyama) / Nagano / Nikko

I cannot decide if it would be worth buying the Rail Pass or using Night buses and short trains (nara/arash./nikko).

Do you think for this kind of itinerary it would be worth using the JR Pass?

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

Looking at your itinerary, I do think that a 14 day JR pass would be a great help, both in terms of savings over normal rail prices and in convenience. Looking at savings, you would be sure to make some nice savings, especially with all your planned day trips. The JR Pass would absolutely cover all your train travel to these places. As for convenience, you buy one ticket for all your travel meaning that you won't have to buy tickets every time you travel and it also makes for very easy budgeting.

Now let's have a look at the JR Pass vs Night Buses. It is hard to make an exact price comparison as night bus rates change by the day. Given that I do think that you would spend (slightly) less money if you used night buses for your major travel instead of the train, especially since you can save on accommodation costs as well. Personally I would take the train over any night bus. Simply because it is hard to sleep in them, you can't look outside because curtains are everywhere and you pretty much loose the next day due to fatigue. This is not what you want when your time is limited in Japan and want to make the most of your trip. Also trains are much more comfortable and you have to ride the Shinkansen at least once when you visit Japan.

Anyway that is what I think, let me know your thoughts!
-Daniel

PS: You are kinda asking the wrong forum if you want a positive review of night buses, this is the JRP Forum after all :)


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 17329 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