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Which pass is correct for me?

jessicar
jessicar
over 9 years ago
4 responses

Hello,

Do you have any advice on which pass/es are the most economical for us? I am getting pretty confused with so many different passes and which trains are included with which pass?

Our itinerary for my husband and I are as follows:
11th July Osaka airport to Kyoto,

16th Kyoto to Nara day trip, 15th Kyoto to Kobe day trip (possible),
17th July Kyoto to Naoshima Island,
19th Naoshima to Hiroshima,
20th Hiroshima to Miyjama island,

2nd Miyjama island to Hiroshima,

23rd Hiroshima to Nagoya,
24th Nagoya to Tokyo.
27th toyko to narita.

I am thinking the bullet train Hiroshima to Nagoya to Tokyo part?
So I am asking for advice with the other part please. Maybe a 4 day Kansai wide pass in the middle?

Thank you for your assistance,
Jessica

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hello Jessica,

You've made a very nice itinerary. I've needed some think to think about this one though, as adding in a JR Pass seemed rather hard on first sight. I think the best option would be to use a 7 day JR Pass from July 19th - July 25th. This way it covers all other expensive travel, including the Shinkansen to Nagoya and Tokyo.

For the first part, including travel to Naoshima consider using a 4 day JR Kansai Wide Pass. You could use it for travel to Nara, Kobe and Uno harbor for the ferry to Naoshima.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

jessicar
jessicar
4 posts
over 9 years ago

Hello Daniel,

Thank you so much for your assistance. Yes, its a tricky one!

What about the JR Kansai Area pass 1 day on July 11th to encompass the trip KIX to Kyoto?

Do you think the 4 day Kansai Wide July 15-18th is more economical in our situation rather than the 8 day Sanyo Pass?

With the JR pass for the last 7 days. I don't think you can use the pass on the fast bullet train (Hiroshima to Nagoya, Nagoya to Tokyo) is this correct? Does it cover a slower train Hiroshima to Nagoya?

Thankyou for your assistance,
Jessica

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi Again!

The JR Pass does cover the Shinkansen between Hiroshima and Nagoya and Nagoya - Tokyo. What can be confusing is that it is not valid for certain types of trains, namely the Nozomi and Mizuho. You can however use all other trains such as the Sakura and Hikari Shinkansen. These will also get you to Nagoya and Kyoto in good time.

For arrival and travel to Kyoto, I would recommend the Icoca + Haruka Package.

Lastly I would recommend a 7 day JR Pass over the Sanya pass as you can use the 7 day JR Pass for travel to Nagoya and Tokyo as well.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

jessicar
jessicar
4 posts
over 9 years ago

Thank you Daniel!

Would you still recomment the Icoca + Haruka Package at 3030yen for one way? Rather than the Kansai Area one day at 2060yen?

Thank you for your help.

Jessica

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi Jessica,

Yes!

The Haruka + Icoca package comes with a 1,500yen charged ICOCA card. You can use this to travel around Kyoto and locally in other cities. The ICOCA card has a value of 2000 yen, 1500 credit for travel and 500 as deposit. So the train ticket is only 1060yen!

jessicar
jessicar
4 posts
over 9 years ago

Great thank you!
Getting my zeros mixed up already sorry!


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