Turns out I am going to Tokyo for a week in March, and I was planning on going to Kyoto for a few days, but it looks like Tokyo is going to be the main destination as it has plenty to see in the vicinity. As I'm not traversing the entire country now, is it still worth buying the pass? what's inter-tokyo prices like on the trains?
If you're only doing a single trip out/back Tokyo-Kyoto, then it may be cheaper to get individual tickets for that. If you're planning on doing several trips, or even frequently hitting the JR lines in/around Tokyo, it might be better to consider one of the passes. You can get lots of useful info here -> http://www.japanrail.com/JR_discounttickets.html Info on regular fares/timerables can be found here -> http://www.japanrail.com/JR_timetableandfare.html
Single train tickets will probably cost you 150-200 yen each. Sometimes, however, you have to take more than one train line, which can effectively double the price. 150 on the JR, then one more measly stop on the Tokyo Metro (subway), is another 160, making the total 310. It adds up, but I'm not sure if you can get your money's worth in a week.
I say just buy a Teiki in Japan. A Teiki is just a free pass. I buy them monthly for work. Down here though you have to buy them from one station to another but I heared that you can also get them for a whole line. It maybe worth looking in to them. You can buy them at any JR station that has a ticket office (Most stations do). I wouldn't bother with the train pass though. you'll probably never get your money's worth. Yakumo
You're probably right about the passes, unless you do multiple city-city trips - especially, since it looks like you can't use the regional passes (Kyoto & Tokyo are covered by different region passes). If start doing decent mileages, the passes do make sense & save having to mess with multiple tickets. I have to admit, I've travelled pretty heavily on my trips, so the passes definately worked best in that case. Yakumo: Is a Teiki basically a season ticket? What kind of discount over daily tickets does that get you & is it only for the commuter lines?
Cheers fella's, probably won't bother with the expensive JR Pass, will just wing it while I am there and see if it's worth getting a Teiki ticket.
the pass is cheap for turists. also you can use the yamanote line with it! and that is really helpful if you are not used to the city tube. inmy opinion, take it, you won't regret
Teiki is just that -- A *SET* ticket. It is not what you want, in the least. They are for commuters. EDIT: Look into Suica Card or Passmo. They might be better, although the discount (if any) will suck compared to the one you get abroad.
From my home to work cost 1220 yen a day ! So in one month that's about 22 days which is 26'840 yen. A Teiki only cost 18'000 yen plus I can use it on weekends. Ah, that's right or even the Nice Going card if you are under 30 might be worth checking out. Yakumo
I will if I get enough money to eat/drink while I am there! Right, I will just get the JR tourist ticket thing, I will worry about everything else when I am there.
Tach talk to asnozz he goes to japan quiet often. He was giving me advice about it when i was thinking of going over.
Based on the title I thought this was some sort of Larry Hagman RIP thread lol! Have a great trip, sorry for the OT!
YOu don't have he Nice Going Card in Tokyo? Maybe it's only Nishi nihon JR and Kita Kyushu JR only? I used one to go to Osaka once on local trains for next to nothing. It took forever but it was also really cheap. The card is a silver/grey colour with Nice Going in red on it. I'll try and find my old one. Can't use it anymore since I'm over 30 now. Yakumo
Tokyo-Kyoto shinkansen return ticket: 26440 yen 7-day standard class JR Pass: 28300 yen You'll easily spend 1860 yen just pootling around the Yamanote line for a few days. Take a day trip out to somewhere like Nikko from Tokyo or even just Yokohama and you've already saving money. The other benefit of the JR Pass is that it's idiot proof. No need to buy any tickets whilst in Tokyo, just wave it under the nose of the station attendant and he'll wave you through. You won't even need to buy a ticket for the shinkansen as long as you sit in the unreserved carriage (although I recommend you do).
If you buying a ticket for the Shinkansen whilst having a JR Railpass then you're doing something wrong. Normally go to a big station like Shinjuku, Shibuya or Tokyo, find the ticket sales area and show them the pass and ask for a reserve seat, quite simple. If you are going to Kyoto then it might be worth the short trip to Osaka too as that is a good day out or two and you'll get your monies worth if you go to Kyoto and Osaka. The Suica card is good as it saves you having to worry about a ticket, small change and it now works on nearly everything in and around tokyo. You can use it to buy things from machines and all the convience and resturants, cafes and shops in stations, so no worrying about listening to the hurried speech and giving them the largest note you have.
No Kyoto, this is going to be purely in and around Kyoto, although if I do get the card I do then have that option. I would love to go, but my co-holidayee probably wouldn't find it as interesting as me. He's more of the big, bold things to see/do and into the nightlife, so I thought Tokyo would suit him down to the ground. We can still go somewhere quiet near Tokyo if he wants to do something like that, but I figured the more gaijin friendly nightlife would be better.
I concur! Both are very well worth it and you'll easily spend a few thousand Y going there otherwise. If I had to choose I'd go to Nikko, but getting to Yokohama is quicker and easier if I remember right (I went there in 2004)
Yeah, we took a day trip out to Yokohama last weekend. Only 25 mins on the Ltd. Express from Shibuya. Plenty to see and do: Chinatown, Landmark Tower, the harbour with the ferris wheel and mini theme park. Recommended.
