Best tickets from Kansai (KIX) for Kyoto & Nara

Hi there,

For a trip of 13 days focussed entirely in that area, I recommend you purchase individual tickets as needed and bus passes/metro passes depending on use.

If you think you'll do a lot of travel, it'll be worth looking into the surutto kansai passes, but you'll have to do a fair amount of travel (possibly include he return from/to KIX?) for these to be good value.

If you think you'll do some day trips outside Kyoto, then it may be worth looking at other passes, but based on your travel above, I think pay as you go, with smaller metro passes as needed is the best option.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for your reply and valued advice, may I ask you the following, upon arrival at Kansai, can I purchase a one-way (single) ticket to Kyoto and what would be the 'best' / 'Cheapest' ticket to purchase?... ie: what do I ask for? I assume I do not need to organise this ticket before I leave Australia?...also should I equest a reserved seat, I expect I will catch the 'Haruka' around 7.30 / 8.00am?...not sure if these are busy times etc., or should I wait till later in the morning?.
As for my seven days in Kyoto and my three days in Nara, I intend to do lots of walking to 'enjoy the views' and only catch trains and busses where absouletly necessary. Thank you sincerely for your advice.

Hi there,

The Haruka is the one to get if you're wanting the simplest trip to Kyoto with no changes (recommended!). As the cost of the ticket is ¥3490 to Kyoto, I recommend you purchase a 1 day Kansai Area Pass for ¥2000, either online or at KIX on arrival. This will cover your journey on the Haruka to Kyoto and net you a small saving too.

7.30/8am will be relatively busy, but I'd expect you to be fine on the Haruka as it's not an extremely busy local commuter train. The Area Pass does not include free seat reservations, so you'll need to pay another ¥500 for this. I recommend you ask the JR staff about the passenger levels on the Haruka once you arrive at Kansai and base your decision on that.

As you'll be mainly walking, after the 1 day pass into Kyoto I recommend simply purchasing tickets as needed. Transport in these cities is not too expensive, so it won't break the bank.

Hope you have a great trip!