Order Your JRPass
Order Your JRPass

Forum

Enter your new post below.

Back to Using the Japan Rail Pass

Is a JR Pass Worth it?

yoliemichelle
yoliemichelle
over 12 years ago
1 answer

Hi,
I'm planning a trip and am not sure if the JR Pass will save me money compared to buying each individual train ticket. Here is my planned trip:

Narita Airport -> Tokyo -> Numazu -> Kyoto -> Osaka -> Numazu -> Narita Airport

I know that for Numazu I will have to pay for a private train that is not part of the JR line and will then have to connect to a JR line to get to the other cities/prefectures. So not sure if the JR Pass will save me much with this itinerary. Also, can a foreigner purchase JR Passes for people that already live in Japan?

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 12 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

Normally a 7 day Japan Rail Pass costs roughly the same as a return trip from Tokyo to Osaka. So as you are including the Narita legs I'm fairly sure a 7 day pass will be worth it. Also, I think you can get to Numazu by JR from Osaka, at least according to Hyperdia (itinerary), so I will include that also in your costs:

  1. Narita airport terminal 1 > Tokyo: ¥2940, (62mins, 79km)
  2. Tokyo > Numazu: ¥4400, (63mins, 126km)
  3. Numazu > Kyoto: ¥10790, (131mins, 398km)
  4. Kyoto > Osaka: ¥540, (28mins, 42km)
  5. Osaka > Numazu: ¥12060, (161mins, 441km)
  6. Numazu > Narita airport terminal 1: ¥7420, (145mins, 205km)

TOTAL: ¥38150 for 6 legs

From these costs, as a 7 day rail pass is ¥28,300 you will make a minimum saving of ¥9850 with a rail pass over standard tickets.

The Japan Rail Pass is only valid for non-Japanese who are in Japan on a Temporary Visitor visa while in Japan (eg, student visa and so on are not valid), or for Japanese who are living overseas or who have a non-Japanese spouse. You can find full validity details here.

Hope this helps!

Useful!0
Reply

Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $336.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 18042 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
Japan Rail Pass

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!

Order Now

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