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Youth fares on regular train tickets

azwat
azwat
about 9 years ago
4 responses

Hi,
Before my 21-year-old son starts a semester at university in Tokyo, he and I will be traveling (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hirashima-Tokyo) for a week. We want to travel on the shinkansen (not slow trains), but I understand that he is not eligible for the JR Rail Pass. What is the most economical way for us to travel? I also understand that he can try to get a student discount ticket from his university, but I don't know how difficult that will be. I've read that there are youth fares (20% off for up to 25 year olds) on regular tickets but cannot find details. Should we consider flying back from Hiroshima? Thank you.

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
about 9 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Although I am aware of other countries having a system in place for discounted rail tickets below the age of 26. You best best is to see if you can qualify for a Gakuwari (or student discount) via the University.

Other ways to get a discount is to buy a ticket at a Kaiji Korner, this will give you 5-10%discount over normal tickets.

Looking at flights could be an option, the most economic option would be to have your son fly back and for your to take the train using the JR Pass.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

azwat
azwat
4 posts
about 9 years ago

Good thought on just my son flying back. And thank you for the Kaiji Korner info. We will still try to get the student discount.

azwat
azwat
4 posts
about 9 years ago

Daniel,

Additional question (I can't find this online): I assume you can purchase regular return (round trip) Shinkansen tickets. Hyperdia doesn't seem to display those. Is there another site that quotes return tickets? More importantly for our particular plan (multiple cities over six days), do we have to by a regular ticket for each leg of the trip, or can we buy an inclusive ticket since we are returning to the same point?

Thank you.

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
about 9 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Generally return tickets are the same price as twice a one way tickets. Sometimes you get a small discount when buying tickets both ways at the same time (about 5-10%).

You may also purchase a ticket which allows for a stopover, however you should specify this at point of purchase.

A great explanation can be found HERE.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

azwat
azwat
4 posts
about 9 years ago

Excellent referral. I had read about the stopovers but hadn't completely understood. Thanks again!


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