Youth fares on regular train tickets

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

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.

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.

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

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