What subway card to use in Osaka?
What subway card to use in Osaka? Smart cards like Icoca, Suica and Pasmo are generally valid across Japan, so don't worry about which one you buy. You can use Icoca/Pasmo/Suica for all trains, subways and buses in Osaka. You can also use Icoca/Pasmo/Suica at many shops, especially convenience stores.
How to buy Suica card in Osaka?
You cannot buy Suica outside of the greater Tokyo area. in Osaka, you have to buy ICOCA. When you leave the Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto) return your ICOCA and buy Suica when you get to Tokyo.
Do I need both a Suica and JR Pass?
No visitor to Tokyo should be without a Suica card and no visitor to Japan should be without a JR Pass. The Suica card is convenient for intercity trains and buses while the JR Pass saves you time and money when traveling through the country.
Is it worth buying a Suica card?
The stations are usually crowded and once you've found the right ticket machine (and there are many) and waited in line to buy the fare ticket you need you'll have probably missed your train. The Suica card is by far the easiest way to use public transportation.
Can I use JR Pass in Tokyo and Osaka?
With your Japan Rail Pass The Hikari and Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen lines are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, and they can take you from Tokyo to Osaka in about 3 to 4 hours. In Tokyo, you can catch the Shinkansen either at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, and then arrive to Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka.
Is Osaka ICOCA or Suica?
The Osaka version is called Icoca and it works across Japan. Suica and Pasmo cards also work in Osaka.
Can 2 people share a Suica card?
Each person needs one. Pasmo/Suica is read when touching the IC card reader upon entering and exiting a gate, and the correct fare is deducted from the card. The same card cannot be read entering twice at the same station. Thank you for the quick response.
What is the Osaka version of Suica?
You cannot buy Suica outside of the greater Tokyo area. in Osaka, you have to buy ICOCA.
Can I use Suica for JR Line Osaka?
Just touch your Suica to the ticket gate and the fare is automatically deducted from your Suica. The Suica can be used not only for JR East trains, but subways and buses as well. See the Suica Map for transportation systems you can use with the Suica.
Do I need JR Pass in Osaka?
Other than the Osaka Loop Line, or going to the airport, there is not that much use for any kind of JR pass in Osaka city. The main JR stations that a visitor might use in Osaka city are at USJ, Osaka station (to Kyoto/Kobe/Himeji/KIX), Tennoji (to KIX), and Shin-Osaka (for Shinkansen trains).
Is Osaka Metro covered by JR?
The JR Pass does not allow you to ride on subways or trams within cities. However, most big cities have a few JR lines that you can use to go around, like the Osaka Loop or Kanjo line and the Tokyo Yamanote line, for example.
Can we use Suica in Kyoto and Osaka?
Pasmo/Suica will not work in Kyoto. IC cards are pretty much interchangeable nationwide these days (with some rare exceptions). JR West's ICOCA is the only IC card a short-term visitor can purchase in Kyoto/Osaka region.
Which is better Suica or JR Pass?
The JR pass is only worth it if you travel through different cities, if you are just travelling to Tokyo to Kyoto for example, I would just pay on the Suica. You can do the online calculator or just use google to calculate which trip is easier - paying individually on Suica or getting a JR Pass.
Should I buy JR Pass before going to Japan?
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.
Is it cheaper to buy JR Pass in Japan or online?
For a limited time only, you can buy a Japan Rail Pass from certain train stations and airports in Japan. Travelers should be aware it is more expensive to buy a JR Pass in Japan than to purchase the pass online.