How to use JR Rail Pass Calculator - Save money on your trip (2024)

FAQs

Do you save money with a JR Pass? ›

If you calculate that your travel costs will be lower if you buy individual tickets for each journey, then it's not worth buying a JR Pass. However, if you take into account journeys on Shinkansen high-speed trains or other means of transport, the savings you make become substantial.

The calculation is based on the day and not time. It doesn't matter what time you start the pass, it will run out at midnight on the final day. For example, the 7-day pass that starts on January 6 at 1pm will still be valid until January 12 at 11:59pm – not January 13 at 1pm.

We recommend that you book your JR Pass from Klook at least 2 weeks before your trip to Japan. This allows enough wiggle room in the validity period of your Exchange Order. You can't purchase your JR Pass more than 3 months before your trip, as it's past the validity period of your Exchange Order.

No, the Japan Rail Pass is a strictly personal pass and can be used only by the person whose name is printed on the pass.

Whether a Japan Rail Pass is worth it for you depends on your route. If you'll be travelling at a fast pace to lots of places, especially on the expensive bullet trains, then a rail pass may save you money. If you are only travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto and back within a week, the pass no longer saves money.

While the metro lines do no accept the JR Pass, other IC Cards, such as the Pasmo and Suica, may be used. These cards give you access to almost any train or bus in Tokyo, and are a perfect complement to the JR Pass.

It also covers the Tokyo Monorail, some local JR bus lines, and the JR-West Miyajima ferry service. JR Pass also covers night trains. However, it is not valid for the sleeper wagon, private wagons in night trains, and special compartments for which you will have to pay an extra fee.

How much does a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto cost? A standard fee for a one-way Tokyo to Kyoto ticket is around 160 USD during peak seasons and 100-120 USD off peak, although the price heavily depends on such factor as what travel class you prefer or do you purchase a ticket with reserved or unreserved seats.

All seats should be booked before boarding the train. The JR Group does not allow you to change to a reserved seat once you have boarded the train. Before booking a seat, it is necessary to first have traded the Exchange Order for the JR Pass and selected an activation date.

Can you reserve seats with JR Pass before activation? ›

It's suggested to confirm all these travel plans well ahead and to have things prepared at least a few days in advance, but also note that reservations for seats can only made with a JR Pass after the voucher exchange and the activation date has been issued.

All Shinkansen trains are covered by the JR Pass. The Nozomi and Mizuho high-speed trains (Tokaido and Sanyo lines) are also included, subject to purchase of a special complementary ticket. JR Pass holders wishing to travel free on these lines can board local and semi-fast trains.

Shinkansen or bullet train

In just 2 hours and 30 minutes, you can get from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station. A one-way trip costs 13,620 yen (unreserved seat) or 14,650 yen (reserved seat), and is not covered by the JR Pass.

The JR Pass does not cover trains that are not operated by Japan Railways, such as the Odakyu Line, Tokyo Subway, and Keio Line. Some services under the JR pass require additional base, express charges, or surcharges, which will be collected on the respective trains.

The Japan Rail Pass is measured in full days rather than hours. This means that if you were to activate it any time on day 1, it would end at 23:59 on day 7. This means that if you were to activate it at 9am on Friday, it would expire at 23:59 on the following thursday night.

While you may need to pay if you take a train operated by a different company, the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area) still presents an insanely good value for just 30,000 yen. As with other passes, you can ride Shinkansen and limited express trains as well as all ordinary trains too within the area covered.

For many years, the JR Pass was incredibly good value for visitors with itineraries that visited a few destinations, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. However, since the price rise in October 2023, the price increased around 70% and has made getting value for money from the pass harder. More on that later in this guide.

The JR Pass does not cover trains that are not operated by Japan Railways, such as the Odakyu Line, Tokyo Subway, and Keio Line. Some services under the JR pass require additional base, express charges, or surcharges, which will be collected on the respective trains.

The Japan Rail Pass (or JR Pass, for short) can be a good way to get around Japan, but many travelers don't realize that it's not always your best option for exploring the country. Depending on the specifics of your itinerary, the Japan Rail Pass could save you some money.