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Hi, can you overlap a JR West pass and a JR East pass to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo? One pass would end on the departure date as another pass begins.

Eric, You can overlap a JR West Pass with a JR East Pass as both JR West and JR East are sepearte companies, however if you just travelling between Kyoto and Tokyo it does not make sense unless you are planning to explore the Hokuriku area on the way (as that is the only way that you can directly pass from JR West Kansai region in to JR East territory, and anyway to do that there is the jointly issued pass the Hokuriku Arch Pass which allows travel between Kansai and Tokyo area via Hokuriku, but is basically designed for those who want to explore Hokuriku.

If you just want to travel between Kyoto and Tokyo, this is what it looks like: Quickest way: Tokaido Shinkansen (operator JR Tokai) Nozomi service 2 hrs 12mins cost Y14,170 (Hikari service takes about 2hrs 40mins cost Y13,850) Via Hokuriku: Travelling via Limited Express Thunderbird and Limited Express Thunderbird: (Hokuriku shinkansen Kagayaki service 4 1/2 hrs cost Y18,970 Hakutaka service 5 1/4 hrs same cost: Hokuriku Arch Pass Y30,000 (note: Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki services mostly run early to mid morning and mid to late afternoon)

So travelling from Kyoto to Tokyo buying a Hokuriku Arch Pass does really make sense, unless you are doing multiple stop offs. The pass is designed for people travelling from Tokyo or Kansai who want to explore Hokuriku (lots of places to visit)over the 7 day validity of the ticket and return or go on to either Tokyo or Kansai, or for those who want to do return travel between Tokyo and Kyoto with stops in the Hokuriku region in each direction.

JR West (and JR Tokai) do other passes to travel to the Hokuriku area, but apart from the JR Tokai Alpine-Tateyama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass, none of the other passes connect to JR East territory, and the JR Tokai pass mentioned does not make sense for you as it does not go into Kansai and you need at least a day to travel that route (and it is seasonal)- but is a great pass if you want to do the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Pass.

My suggestion if you want to visit Kanazawa, is to buy ordinary tickets. With a stop over at Kanazawa will cost you Y20,000 (if you a through basic fare ticket). If you just want to travel between Kyoto and Tokyo, use the Tokaido Shinkansen (you do not see much from the Hokuriku Shinkansen as it much of the way it is in tunnels)

Note: I have based all the above on post March 15th. fares and schedules when the Hokuriku shinkansen extension opens. Also, and importantly, whether any pass is worthwhile, really depends on your travel plans, so as you can see I have made a big assumption which may or may not be true in your case (I would be happy if I am wrong and you do intend exploring the Hokuriku region – there is lots to see!)

Stephen, thanks for sharing your expertise on this with Eric and in such a comprehensive reply.

Hi Rob, we bought the 7 day pass and planning to activate it as we land in Japan. It says that N’EX train is included in the JR pass roundtrip? But if we are flying out on the 8th day, is it still covered even though we have only the 7 day pass? Please advise. Thanks

Hi Sherry, your return trip won’t be included as it will fall outside the 7 consecutive days of your pass I’m afraid. Note: the JR Pass is counted in days, not hours. The time you activate the pass does not matter. For example, starting the Pass on a Monday will mean that the last day of travel is the following Sunday, and the pass will then expire at midnight Sunday.

Hi, I and my husband want to travel to Japan in May 2024 with 2 kids one of 10 and other 15.

We wish to cover Disney, Fuji, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara deer park and anything more that you can suggest will be good for kids.

Someone suggested me to stay at Roppongi as that’s the centre?? We need a budget trip and thinking of buying a JR Pass. Will it be worth it??

Hi Ritu, thanks for your questions.

This post on the JNTO website should give you some more ideas to travelling with children in Japan: https://www.japan.travel/en/au/story/10-family-friendly-places-you-wont-want-to-miss-in-japan/

For Tokyo you’re fine to stay anywhere reasonably central. The transportation system is so good, you’re rarely at a disadvantage if you’re in the centre of the city. Roppongi is in Minato Ward – which is very central, but is also one of Tokyo’s more expensive areas, so if you’re on a budget then you might want to consider somewhere cheaper. Roppongi is also geared towards the nightlife scene, so not ideal for young children.

It is hard to advise you without knowing more detail, but if your itinerary is built around the main cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, the JR Pass may not be a good choice for you. All passes run for consecutive days, which is better suited to visiting many locations back to back. You might still benefit though from a Regional Rail Pass. There’s more on those in this blog post: https://www.therealjapan.com/regional-japan-rail-pass-5-best-passes/ .

Take a look at my Travel Planning Calls if you’d like me to go into more detail for you: https://www.therealjapan.com/travel-planning-call/

Have a great trip!

Hi Rob, Thanks for all the hard work on the site, I’m sure lots of people are getting lots of useful information for their Japan trips. I’m trying to figure out how to pre-purchase a single ticket each for my wife and I to travel from Kyoto to Hiroshima on the Shinkansen. After we’ve been in Hiroshima for a couple of days we will use a Kansai-Hiroshima Area 5-day pass to head back to Osaka where we fly out of. The West Japan Rail Company website has single use Shinkansen tickets for sale, but only between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima, nothing between Kyoto and Hiroshima, and yet any online searches reveal plenty of services from Kyoto to Hiroshima, either changing in Osaka or Shin-Kobe on the Hikari line. So I guess my question is, how do I go about pre-purchasing a Shinkansen trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima?. I notice that JR Rail have another ticket called ThunderBird that does cover the Kyoto-Osaka leg but not Kyoto-Hiroshima. At this stage I’m thinking it all seems a bit too confusing and we’ll probably pre-book the Osaka-Hiroshima Shinkansen leg and just make our way from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka on a local train and then change trains there. Any tips much appreciated.

Hello Ross, thanks for the kind words. If you’re taking a shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima the route will take you through Shin-Osaka anyhow.

It is possible to pre-purchase shinkansen tickets from one of the online platforms such as Klook ( https://www.therealjapan.com/klookshinkansenkyototohiroshima ) or 12GoAsia ( https://www.therealjapan.com/12goshinkansenkyototohiroshima ). Of course, you will pay a small service fee on top of the ticket price, but it may be the easiest way to pre-book.

Or, as you suggest, you can pre-book the Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima leg and just catch a train from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka by purchasing a ticket once you’re inside Japan.

Hi! I asked directly even JR but they cannot answer me. I have a permanent residence, but I live in UK and I can show my residence there. An I eligible to use the railway pass? Some say yes, some not. I m going to Japan fur tourism and I don’t live there.

Hi Sara, I can’t really answer your question without more detail. What passport do you hold for example? If it’s a Japanese passport then you won’t be eligible for the pass. Also, since you have permanent residency, what visa do you always get when entering the country? If it isn’t a tourist visa then again I can’t see you being eligible. (Not legal advice, just my take on what little you’ve shared.)

Hi Rob. We are traveling to Japan on a temporary visitor visa and are allowed to stay for 30 days. The eligibility criteria states: “Persons permitted entry for sightseeing purposes for 15 or 90 days under Temporary Visitor status”. Are we eligible to purchase a JR pass? We plan to purchase a 21 day pass.

Hi Jetz-Marion – thanks for your question. Yes, that is awkward wording (it’s how it is written in Japanese immigration laws) but the key thing is that you are entering on a temporary tourist visa. So your 30 days and wish to purchase a 21 Day pass IS covered.

Just some extra advice about using automatic passports gates on entry to Japan – avoid them – you must have a stamp in your passport, and the only way to get that is to see a human at the counter and get them to manually give you the necessary temporary entry visa.

If you’re one for seeing the detail, here’s the full official guidance on that point:

・JAPAN RAIL PASS can be exchanged and used only by persons who have a stamp or sticker stating “Temporary Visitor” in their passport. ・When you use an automated gate at the airport, no stamp/sticker will be stamped or put on your passport. Therefore, you need to either use a manned automated gate or ask a clerk to apply a stamp/sticker in your passport. However, a customer who has a “registered user card” under the Trusted Traveler Program will be required to show the card to confirm the “Temporary Visitor” status. ・If you purchased a JAPAN RAIL PASS online or have an Exchange Order, you cannot pick up or exchange the JAPAN RAIL PASS unless you have a “Temporary Visitor” visa; if you enter Japan under any other official status, such as “Trainee”, “Entertainer”, or “Reentry Permit”, you cannot pick up or exchange the JAPAN RAIL PASS. According to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, “Temporary Visitor” status differs from “short term stay”.

Happy travels!

I am traveling to Japan in mid-January and we are looking to purchase the Kansai-Hiroshima Area JR Pass, but I am uncertain of my eligibility. I only have a Japanese passport + permanent residency card (lived abroad on a visa for 20+ years, a permanent resident for 4 years). I plan to obtain the Certificate of Overseas Residency from the Embassy to prove 10 years of living abroad. Will I have success in exchanging the order for the pass? Thank you.

Hello Kori – thanks for your question. As far as I can see you would not be eligible unfortunately. The JR West website lists the eligibility criteria and among the rules (including “A rail pass user must be holding a passport issued by a foreign government”) it says: ※外国での永住権を持っているお客様を含め、日本国籍のお客様は使用できません。(*Cannot be used by Japanese nationals, including those with permanent residence in foreign countries.) You can read the full eligibility conditions on their website here: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_hiroshima/

Help! Planning a trip to Japan April 2024. Need advice about JR Pass and/or Local Tokyo Passes. Will travel with Japanese friends in Kanazawa region, but on our own for week in Tokyo staying in Kita-ku. 4/12 – Haneda to Kita-ku Tokyo: Monorail to Hamamatsucho and change to JR Keihintohoku Line to Higashijujo 4/14 Higashijujo to Kodairi-shi Tokyo Seibu Shinjuku line to Hanakoganei Station (Round Trip) 4/15 Higashijujo to Tokyo – SkyTree and Asakusa (Round Trip) 4/16 Higashijujo to Tokyo – Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza, Minato-ku Tokyo (Round Trip) 4/18 Higashijujo to Koganei Park , Tokyo Higashikurume – Seibu Ikebukuro Line Higashikurume (Round Trip) 4/20 Higashijujo to Kanazawa via Shinkansen (round trip return 4/27) 4/27 Kanazawa to Higashijujo via Shinkansen 4/28 Higashijujo to Haneda for departure to U.S. Should we purchase a JR Pass for 21 days? 14days?

Hello Wanda – thanks for your question.

If you’re only do long-distance travel by JR operated trains twice (round trip between Tokyo and Kanazawa), the cost would be JPY 28,000.

Travelling within central Tokyo: it won’t cost as much and also it is only partially covered by the JR Pass (metro in Tokyo is not operated by JR). Since the cheapest JR Pass costs JPY 50,000 for 7 days, unless you plan to travel somewhere like Kyoto or Hiroshima by Shinkansen as well as Kanazawa, it won’t be worth purchasing the JR Pass.

It would probably better to use SUICA or PASMO IC travelcards when travelling inside Tokyo. There are 24, 48 and 72 travel cards available but they are only for Tokyo metro system and Japan Railway operated lines are not covered (Higashi-Jujyo station is operated by Japan Railway). Whereas both SUICA and PASMO can be used for metro and JR.

Hope that helps!

I want to beat the price increase, but will not start travel till March 11, 2024. I’ve read that the pass must be activated within 90 days. Is there any other option for me and my wife… total of two people???

Thanks for the question Tony. Unfortunately, that’s a hard deadline and the 90 day limit will expire before you travel. However, all may not be lost. The Regional Japan Rail Passes did not increase anywhere near as much as the national rail pass so, depending on your itinerary, you might find that using a handful of regional rail passes might actually suit your needs and work out cheaper than the new national rail pass pricing. I have a useful introduction to the Regional Rail Passes with some recommendations here: https://www.therealjapan.com/regional-japan-rail-pass-5-best-passes/

Does the JR pass have a limited time to exchange? I’m traveling to japan late march 2024, and I’d obviously like to buy it before october (because of the price increase), but for some reason when I bought a pass in 2019, I had trouble exchanging it because they said it had ‘expired’ even though I’d set the correct dates. Is this still applicable? Can I buy it right now even if I’m going until late march/april?

Hello Carmen, thanks for your questions.

* The pass can be activated 3 months after issue date. * At activation time in Japan, a starting date up to 30 days in the future can be selected. * Keep your exchange date + 3 month activation window in mind when placing the order. * After the updated price goes live, it will no longer be possible to order vouchers at the old rates.

I bought a JR Whole Japan Pass 14days, may I know where I can find the timetables of all trains in difference regions? Any all-in-one app to access the timetables?

Hello Mac the two sites (both have app versions) I recommend for timetables are Jorudan’s Japan Transit Planner: https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/ and Navitime’s Japan Route Finder: https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/

We purchased the JR East Tohoku 5 day pass online from the JR East English website. It was JPY 20,000 for each adult and JPY 10,000 for our under-12 child. The JR East website says that you can only pick this pass up within the Tohoku area. We plan to board from Karuizawa, which is in the Tohoku pass region, but not a pickup location…We are coming from Kyoto originally (via car). JR insists that we can only pick up passes within the Tohoku region (and/or Tokyo). Is there really no way to pick up our pass at Kyoto station? The JR East site says something about the Hokuriku Arch Passes being able to be picked up at JR West machines with passport readers, but doesn’t seem to say the same about the Tohoku pass? Thanks for reading.

Hello Chris – as far as I am aware that information is correct. The list of places you can collect the pass is on the JR East website (but I expect you have already seen this): https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/ticketwindow/?selectPass=eastT beyond that list I’m not aware of any other options. (Even when you purchase the pass through a platform like Klook they point out the limited pick up locations – even linking to the same JR East page.)

The only reason that you can pick up the Hokuriku Arch Pass at a JR West machine is that pass is a joint pass of JR West and JR East. You may have to purchase an inexpensive train ticket to the closest city that can issue your type of JR Pass. I also found evidence that Nagano and Matsumoto have pick-up points: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/downloads/pdf/passport_operation_e.pdf . Those are closer to Karuizawa.

Thanks for sharing the extra info John.

We’ll be in Tokyo from 4 Dec this year. I intend to buy a JR Pass in September and use the 90 day exchange period to take advantage of the current price (I think that will work?). Question: do you know if the Pass we pick up in December will have the new benefits (despite being the old price)? I recall someone saying that ALL new Passes, regardless of where you purchased them, will be eligible for online seat reservation…

Hello John – these are very good questions! As far as I know, you’ll be able to purchase in advance at current pricing for use in December if you get your purchase date right.

It’s highly unlikely the new benefits will be included in passes issued *before* the changeover to the new system. The main point of the increases is that the new passes will include additional benefits, some of which go beyond just train travel (details still TBC at this time of writing this), so there’s no logic to include those in passes issued prior to the changeover.

The official JR press release in April did state the price increase was partly due to: “…improved our services by introducing ticket sales, reserved seat reservations…” – via a new dedicated website – so that might be possible from that wording.

Hi, we are going to Kanazawa mainly to ride the Bride curtain train. However it doesn’t run often and we need to book if for a certain date. (I tried to book it separately, but although there are dozens and dozens of websites, not one tells you how to book it, other than ‘with your JR pass’). What I’d like to know is there any way you can reserve seats with an exchange order? I believe you can only do that if you buy the online pass. The description is really confusing for the online pass. It seems that if we plan to start travelling by train on 27th July, the earliest we can buy our passes is 27th June. I’ve talked to 2 ‘JR pass sellers, neither of whom can give me a straight answer. I’d really appreciate your help.

Marina, I think you are referring to the “Hanayomenoren” tourist train (花嫁のれん) that runs from Kanazawa〜Wakuraonsen (literal translations do not always work, which is why the JR Pass resellers might not have recognized the train you were talking about).

This train runs most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; and although it is classified as a tourist sightseeing train (Kanko Ressha観光列車) it can be booked the same as any other train (up to 1 month prior to the date of travel). Seats are limited so it is best to book early.

If you buy your JR Rail Pass through a reseller then you will not be able to make any seat reservations until you receive your JR Rail Pass in Japan, but you should then be able to make the reservation when you collect your rail pass.

If you buy it directly from the JR JR Rail Pass site then you can book online (again only I month prior to travel) before you receive your rail pass using the booking number you will get with your purchase confirmation. (this is the JR direct sales website: https://japanrailpass.net/en ; and then once you have purchased your rail pass and have the booking number you can make the seat reservation)

One other point about this train (which also applies to some other tourist trains). You can buy exclusive (high quality) lunch boxes featuring local cuisine, which will be delivered to you on the train. To take advantage of this you need to reserve and pay for the lunch boxes in advance. Details of the meals are on train’s web site page (unfortunately in Japanese only) https://www.jr-odekake.net/railroad/kankoutrain/area_hokuriku/hanayomenoren/ (about halfway down the page) You have to book the meal through the JR West Wester web site / app – which again is only in Japanese (is on the page). Which meals are available depends on the train and can be booked upto 4 days prior to the date of travel. The meals can only be booked after you have booked a seat, or you can use this app to book seat and meal if you are not using a JR Rail Pass (I know it sounds complicated, but these lunch boxes are very exclusive, prepared by famous restaurants and only enough for passengers who have ordered them are made).

You can however buy drinks and snacks without pre order on the train itself.

Thanks for your question Marina. I asked Japan rail expert Stephen Turner to reply.

Hi. Thanks for all this helpful information. I’m interested in traveling by train from Tokyo to Hiroshima. From what I’ve found, the only trains available for that trip are Nozomi bullet trains which do not accept the JR Rail Pass. Is there a way to use the Rail Pass to get from Tokyo to Hiroshima? (BTW, I’ll be a first time visitor and don’t speak Japanese so it may be too complicated to navigate!)

Hi Scott, it is easy to take shinkansen services from Tokyo to Hiroshima that are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The problem is that most of the popular websites that show services include Nozomi service by default and it isn’t easy to exclude them from your searches.

The best way to search for shinkansen services that exclude those *not* covered by the JR Pass is to use the route planner on the Navitime website: https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/ – when entering your journey details click on the “Tourist Pass” option dropdown box and select “Japan Rail Pass” and all services shown in the results will be covered by the JR Pass.

If you’re concerned about don’t speaking Japanese you might like to check out my eBook and Audiobook called “How To Travel In Japan Without Speaking Japanese” – it has a section dedicated to using public transport. Details in my Store: https://www.therealjapan.com/store/

Is there any technical support for ordering JR pass on line? JR East site kept telling me the information I enter is incorrect and takes no where to continue it does not indicate which information I entered is incorrect??

Hi Tomiko, not sure what’s not working on the JR East site there. So frustrating! If you use my recommended ticket agent they definitely do have customer support should you run into any problems (or have any questions before you buy) if you want to give them a try instead, here’s my affiliate link to them: https://click.jrpass.com/SH4r

Thank you for a very useful guide. There is one question question that I can’t seem to find the answer anywhere. There are some trains that allow use of the JR pass but have a surcharge. How does one purchase a seat reservation on those lines? I would like to make the reservation in advance. Is this possible?

Alex, You are correct that for some Regional Passes they do not include or only include a limited number of seat reservations on Limited Express & Shinkansen trains, but do allow you to pay the Limited Express / shinkansen supplement. You basically have to pay the normal seat reservation fee on those journeys (the JR Rail Pass is still good as it covers the basic fare).

How you can do that in advance really depends on the ticket and where you are travelling. In most cases you can go onto the relevant railway company website and make the reservation there, being careful to only pay for the Limited Express / Shinkansen supplement; or you can do it at any JR ticket office. For the All Japan passes, they are not valid on the faster Nozomi and Mizuho services (on the Tokaido~Sanyo / Sanyo~Kyushu shinkansen lines respectively) BUT the rule is that you are not allowed on those services at all (even paying the supplement for those trains) with a JR Rail Pass.

This is a very general answer and I emphasize it really depends on the actual ticket you are purchasing and the rules for that ticket. You can find more information on The Real Japan blog on Regional Rail Passes: https://www.therealjapan.com/regional-japan-rail-pass-5-best-passes/ which has a downloadable guide with all the restriction information.

Thanks for sharing your expertise on this Stephen. Your knowledge of travelling by train in Japan is far greater than mine – so I’m grateful to you for sharing it here.

Hi! I’m curious about the size of the seats and leg room between the regular tickets and the green tickets. We’re on the larger side and my husband is 6’4”, will he be OK to fit in the regular Shinkansen seats? We’re travelling with our 6 year old so in theory we’ll have enough space in a row of 3 to go between Tokyo -Osaka – Kyoto – Tokyo? Thanks for the advice

Hi Nic. In short, on the shinkansen trains, I think you’ll be fine on the leg room. The actual measurements do vary a little depending on the model train you are travelling on. But, here’s what you can expect:

Green Class: Leg space – 1,100 to 1,200 mm, Width – 460 to 490 mm, Seat layout – 2+2 or 2+1 Ordinary Class: Leg space – 910 to 1,200 mm, Width – 440 to 480 mm, Seat layout – 2+3

And none of your journeys is overly long either. I think you’ll be OK in either class, but Green will give you additional amenities and benefits.

Hope this helps! Feel free to subscribe to my free Japan Travel Bulletin: https://www.therealjapan.com/subscribe/

Is it possible to buy the Hokkaido rail pass In Japan? I land on January 13th, at Haneda airport. Will travel to Hokkaido in the 20th of the month. Thank you in advance, Anjali

Hi Anjali – yes, you can purchase the rail pass directly at a few designated counters by cash (Japanese yen only) or credit card. The counters include one at Haneda Airport Terminal 3. But hours vary by counter so if you are considering this option I recommend checking the full access and service details on the JR Hokkaido website here: https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ticket/railpass/index.html

Your website came up with a 25% discount for rail pass purchases, expiring 31st December. I am trying to buy them but there is no facility to use the code you mention for the discount.

Hi Heather, I don’t know where you saw that but I’m afraid that is incorrect. I do have a sale offering 25% off MY products and services, all of which are included in my Store here: https://www.therealjapan.com/store/ .

I have never felt confident in purchasing the Japan Rail Pass until your Ultimate Guide post. Thank you Rob!

That’s great to hear Ron! So pleased to hear it has helped you.

I use the pass every time I go to Japan. I have found there is a difference in price from different approved vendors when buying in the US. I assume it is because they use different exchange rates. Some add for shipping and others it is included. myjrpass.com is the cheapest I have found.It is around $15 cheaper for a 1 week regular and almost $50 less for a Green Car 3 week pass than most other sites. They do charge for shipping, but it is still cheaper and a lot cheaper if buying multiple passes.

Thanks for sharing your experiences of using the Pass Brek.

Yeah there’s always a slight price difference. I think a lot of it is simply about differentiating the service (such as free or express delivery worldwide) and the extras that some agents include.

The core price of the pass is the same the world over, so the buyer can simply choose where based on which service best meets their needs (and the reputation of the seller).

I’ve used it once, but it’s just not worth it for me. Plus it’s way more convenient to tap on/off easily with a Suika or other card, rather than waiting ages in the gaijin line for the rail official to sight your pass.

For sure, it’s not always the perfect solution Liliana, but for unlimited long distance travel by shinkansen it beats the Suica card hands down.

Anyone interested to know more about the Suica card can read about it here: https://www.therealjapan.com/how-to-travel-in-japan-without-speaking-japanese/#tab-con-9

We have used the Japan rail pass 3 times on our visits to this wonderful country . It is so convenient, so easy to use and fantastic value for money. You can travel the length and breadth of the country , using Shinkansen and JR locals for those harder to reach places. The package that comes with your tickets is invaluable, with so much great information , ideas for travel and sights to see on your way. Very easy to use at Rail stations and also it’s easy to book ahead for your onward journeys with your pass whilst in Japan, We travelled Kyushu , Shikoku, Tokyo etc . We travelled around 23 prefectures in all using the pass. I would really recommend the JR Pass, it’s such great value when wanting to see more of Japan. It enables you to get out of the cities and discover so much more of this amazing country .

23 prefectures! You clearly love travelling by train in Japan as much as I do!

Thanks for sharing your expriences of usng the Japan Rail Pass Jill. I couldn’t have put it better myself!

Travel pass can be good value but you need to make sure you’re taking advantage of it. I found myself trying to use it too much when in cities to my own detriment as the other networks were more convenient. A mixture of highway bus, ferry and train can be a fun and more economical way. If your plan is to take the shinkansen to go all over the place them it’s hard to beat.

Good points Darryl. It certainly isn’t always the best option.

It very much depends on HOW you intend to travel using the train. Regional rail passes are often a better solution if you’re not travelling long distances.

We used this in 2017 and it helped us a lot!! I would say in the 17 days we spent there, we traveled around Chiba prefecture, over to see Kyoto and back, and up in Gunma. I think we only needed to pay for like, 2 small train tickets somewhere, but this got us on all kinds of trains and buses.

Thanks for sharing your experience of using the Pass Ashlee. As you say, if you plan its use well you can get fantastic value out of it and rarely have to buy extra tickets.

Good and concise article Rob! Cannot emphaise the value for money these passes are; to the extent that us residents in Japan are envious….

For those who want to travel around by train or are rail fans wanting to see Japan’s trains (or have clients who are) TS Japan Rail can help you with ideas and itinerary planning including working with Real Japan so you can get the most out of your ticket and trip to Japan!

Thanks for the praise Stephen – it means a lot coming from a Japan train expert such as you.

And delighted to work with TS Japan Rail to help folks get the most out of their rail travel throughout Japan.

I love all of the links to resources. I’ve downloaded the country-wide map, and will use Klook for my voucher. I look forward to your updates on the Regional Passes — I’ve used the Tohoku 5-day non-consecutive pass and saved a lot of money over the full JR pass. Planning which days to activate the pass to get the most out of it takes some advice and forethought.

Good to hear you found the guide helpful Eric. I know you’re a subscriber so you’ll be the first to hear when the regional passes guide is published. And you’re right to point out that if well-planned they can be a better solution than the Rail Pass itself.

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Purchasing tickets

To use the train, first purchase a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window. Pass your ticket through the automated ticket gate or show your ticket to the inspector. Please keep the ticket as you will need it once you arrive at your destination. Most, if not all trains stop operating late at night or around midnight.

Booking long-distance trains

To book tickets for long-distance trains, follow either one of two different procedures:

If you do not have a JAPAN RAIL PASS, please visit the JR Travel Service Center to purchase the necessary ticket.

Train Service Updates & Status

Check with each JR group for up-to-the-minute information about current operation status, service disruptions including cancellations and delays on Japan Railways Group.

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JAPAN RAIL PASS

Let’s travel around Japan by train!

JAPAN RAIL PASS is a ticket offered jointly by the six JR Group companies, and it is convenient and reasonably priced for traveling throughout Japan by train.

You can ride JR trains all over Japan as many times as you want! With a JAPAN RAIL PASS, enjoy your own railroad trip!

Reserved seats can be booked in advance only when purchased on the official website.

＼Purchase a ticket online now／

※Go to JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation

The length of JR train lines in Japan amount to a total of over 19,000 km! You can travel to beautiful tourist sites all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Trains in Japan are safe and punctual, making it easy to maintain your original travel plans.

With JAPAN RAIL PASS, you can ride Shinkansen bullet trains and limited express trains! You can also book reserved seats on your own, so there is no need to stand in line at a crowded ticket office. This makes it easy to create a travel plan.

Purchasers of a JAPAN RAIL PASS can also purchase a special ticket to use the fastest "NOZOMI" and "MIZUHO" trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen Lines! A maximum of 12 NOZOMI trains run between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka per hour, making your travel even more flexible!

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Japan Rail Pass maps

The best and most complete transportation maps to help plan your trip to Japan. Download handy, easy-to-use JR and metro maps.

Japan Railways maps

Interactive and PDF downloadable maps to help you plan your trip to Japan. Find easy-to-read travel resources about the train and metro systems of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto as well as details about the lines you can take with your Japan Rail Pass.

Plan your holiday around Japan with our useful national railway maps. They include route maps of all the Shinkansen lines (the fastest and most convenient way of making long-distance journeys in Japan) and maps of all the local train lines, and bus and ferry routes.

JR network nationwide map

Shinkansen lines map.

Download our Tokyo Area PDF maps, which include a Tokyo Metro Map and a Tokyo Metropolitan Map, and navigate around the Japanese capital like a local. Tokyo subway has 13 metro lines (Tokyo Metro 9 and Toei 4) as well as numerous overground options.

Tokyo area map (JR lines)

Tokyo city map (railway & subway), kansai maps: kyoto and osaka.

Use our easy-to-use maps of the Kansai area including a map of the entire region as well as metro maps for Kyoto and Osaka. Though the big cities in the area have metro lines, getting around Kansai by train with your JR Pass is generally the preferred method.

Kansai area map

Osaka map (railway & subway).

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宿泊 必ずお読みください

列車 (往復)

乗車日時と帰りの乗車駅を変更する

※帰りの降車駅は行きの乗車駅と同一となり、変更できません。

※お申込み可能時間は4:00〜23:40までとなります。23:40までにお申込み操作を完了してください。

日帰りプラン 必ずお読みください

帰りの乗車駅を変更する

・お支払いはクレジットカード決済のみとなります。 ・ダイナミックレールパックのご旅行代金は、随時変動いたします。同一内容でもタイミングにより旅行代金が異なる場合があります。 ・ご旅行代金は、価格変動型旅行商品のため予定金額となります。 ご予約の際に表示されている旅行代金は、予約時の標準的な割引率に基づいた価格のため旅行代金が安くまたは高くなることがあり、列車については乗車距離に応じて変動幅が変わります。そのため、乗車距離が長いほど予約確定操作時に大幅に料金が上がる場合がございます。 ご予約の際は、予約が確定する段階での実際の旅行代金をご確認のうえお申込みいただきますようお願いいたします。 ※ご予約確定後は一切の変更（減員含む）はできません。 ・宿泊のみのご利用はできません。1泊以上の宿泊予約が必要です。

・同行者全員が同一行程でのご予約となります。 ・転泊（初日と2日目以降の宿泊箇所が異なる等）をご希望のお客さまは、予約操作画面中の「選択内容確認」画面において「行程詳細」欄から宿泊先の変更（削除・追加）が可能です。再度、泊数、宿泊先を設定し直して予約を進めてください。 ・途中下車は、乗車票に途中下車駅が指定されている場合のみ、その駅に限り可能となります。

予約（申込）完了後の変更について

・変更は承ることができません。取消の上、新規予約が必要となります。(取消日により取消料が発生します。)

・座席選択は乗車日が1ヶ月以内の場合にのみ選択が可能です。「選択内容確認」画面にてシートマップ（座席表）から選択いただけます。※一部座席除く 乗車日が1ヶ月より先の事前予約受付の場合は座席の条件の指定のみとなります。 ・宿泊券は発行されません。最終行程表（※取引条件説明書とは異なります。）をチェックイン時にご提示ください。 ・幼児代金は大人の代金に加算されて表示されます。 ・（契）乗車票は、原則、普通乗車券・特急券等との併用はできません。 ・観光先での入場券等は発行されません。 ・スマートフォン、PCの使用推奨環境は びゅうトラベルサイト をご覧ください。

・お支払いはクレジットカード決済のみとなります。 ・ダイナミックレールパックのご旅行代金は、随時変動いたします。同一内容でもタイミングにより旅行代金が異なる場合があります。 ・ご旅行代金は、価格変動型旅行商品のため予定金額となります。 ご予約の際に表示されている旅行代金は、予約時の標準的な割引率に基づいた価格のため旅行代金が安くまたは高くなることがあり、列車については乗車距離に応じて変動幅が変わります。そのため、乗車距離が長いほど予約確定操作時に大幅に料金が上がる場合がございます。 ご予約の際は、予約が確定する段階での実際の旅行代金をご確認のうえお申込みいただきますようお願いいたします。 ※ご予約確定後は一切の変更（減員含む）はできません。 ・観光プランのみのご利用はできません。

・同行者全員が同一行程でのご予約となります。 ・途中下車は、乗車票に途中下車駅が指定されている場合のみ、その駅に限り可能となります。

・座席選択は乗車日が1ヶ月以内の場合にのみ選択が可能です。「選択内容確認」画面にてシートマップ（座席表）から選択いただけます。※一部座席除く 乗車日が1ヶ月より先の事前予約受付の場合は座席の条件の指定のみとなります。 ・（契）乗車票は、原則、普通乗車券・特急券等との併用はできません。 ・観光先での入場券等は発行されません。 ・スマートフォン、PCの使用推奨環境は びゅうトラベルサイト をご覧ください。

旅行参加人数を選択してください。 ※おとな、こども（小学生）合わせて、最大8名まで同時にお申し込みいただけます。 ※おとな1名につき幼児（未就学児）は1名まで同伴できます。 こどもと幼児について

部屋数を選択してください

1 部屋目の利用人数を入力してください

幼児をお連れのお客様は、おとな1名につき幼児（未就学児）は1名まで選択できます。なお２部屋目以降、幼児の人数がおとなの人数を超えることがないようご注意ください。

行きの列車を検索する 帰りの列車を検索する 出発日を選択

行きの列車を検索する 帰りの列車を検索する

列車の検索時刻を選択してください

※新幹線・特急列車等乗車時刻 例：横浜→東京→(新幹線)→仙台の場合、東京駅の新幹線乗車時刻となります。

宿泊開始日と宿泊数を選択

乗車 降車 駅の選択は、表示のある駅のみとなります。

旅行参加人数を選択してください。 ※おとな、こども（小学生）合わせて、最大8名まで同時にお申し込みいただけます。 ※おとな1名につき幼児（未就学児）は1名まで同伴できます。

• 夏の旅行は6/30までの予約がおトク！最大20,000円OFFの夏旅クーポン配布中（5/13更新）
• 家族で楽しむさくらんぼ狩り。初夏の家族旅行におすすめしたい観光スポットをご紹介！（5/10更新）
• 待望の人気ホテルも割引クーポンの対象に！最大8,000円OFF「ダイナミック！セール」は6/30まで（5/8更新）
• 夏旅へ出かけよう！涼しい避暑地や家族旅行、海・プールを楽しめるおすすめの宿を厳選しました（5/7更新）
• ツガルカイセン2024！津軽海峡を舞台に青森VS北海道の海を挟んだ海鮮対決！青森限定プランと北海道限定プランはこちら（4/25更新）

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大阪・京都・兵庫 滋賀・奈良・和歌山

26,200円 ✽

東京駅⇔新潟駅 6/15出発

✽ 表示価格：2024年5月23日時点でのJR+宿泊 (2名1室利用時) のおとな1名の代金です。

30,000円 ✽

東京駅⇔仙台駅 6/15出発

31,600円 ✽

東京駅⇔新青森駅 6/15出発

32,100円 ✽

仙台駅⇔東京駅 6/15出発

✽ 表示価格：2024年5月23日時点でのJR+宿泊 (1名1室利用時) のおとな1名の代金です。

20,100円 ✽

仙台駅⇔東京駅 6/16出発

ホテルグリーンパシフィック

17,200円 ✽

東京駅⇔仙台駅 6/16出発

21,800円 ✽

仙台駅⇔上野駅 6/16出発

ホテルメトロポリタン秋田

30,900円 ✽

東京駅⇔秋田駅 6/15出発

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ゆったりのんびり温泉旅行

福井県敦賀の観光地を巡る！1泊2日のモデルコースを紹介

自然や歴史を体験できる見どころが豊富な福井県敦賀。街の魅力を最大限に楽しむための「1泊2日のモデルコース」を紹介します。

金沢を効率よく巡る1泊2日の観光モデルコースと周辺のホテル5選を紹介

有名な茶屋街である「ひがし茶屋街」「にし茶屋街」から、「金沢21世紀美術館」や「長町武家屋敷跡」など、見どころ満載のコースをご紹介します。

梅雨シーズンの旅行先を厳選して紹介！6月・7月の雨の日も楽しもう！

梅雨ならではの楽しみ方を知ってこの時期だけの旅行を満喫しましょう。梅雨シーズンの旅行を楽しむ方法や、6～7月に行きたいおすすめのスポットをご紹介。

【2024年】夏の旅行は涼しい避暑地へ！国内の涼しいスポット12選

夏のレジャーを快適に過ごすなら、涼しく穏やかな気候の「避暑地」がおすすめ。避暑地旅行の楽しみ方や、東日本エリアでおすすめの避暑地をご紹介します。

宿泊日と泊数、人数を選択してください

※宿泊日と乗車日を同日で検索します。 乗車区間、乗車日を変更される場合は、結果画面にて変更してください。 ※最大8名まで。おとな1名につき幼児（未就学児）は1名まで同伴できます。

出発日と人数を選択してください

※乗車区間を変更される場合は、結果画面にて変更してください。 ※最大8名まで。おとな1名につき幼児（未就学児）は1名まで同伴できます。

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Safety First

Not all charter bus companies are alike; J&R Tours has been a family run business for over 30 years and has earned countless awards from the travel and tours industry with our impeccable reputation for quality vehicles and our top-rated “safety first” philosophy. In Southern Westchester County, J&R Tours is recognized for handling the highest volume of bookings and tour requests for the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut areas while supporting all travel tours nationwide. Safety recognition: We invite you to visit the USDOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website to review the J&R Tours safety history and compare it to the competition.

Testimonials

“I just wanted to take a moment to sing some praises here. I’ve been using bus systems as a teacher and a coach for 25 years; J and R has been, in my opinion, the best of the bunch. I’ve never had any issue with any driver at all, and we’ve taken trips throughout the […]

- Tim Campbell

54 Passenger

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23 Passenger

New york city charter bus rentals from j&r tours.

We know getting a group around can be difficult. Book with confidence with J&R Tours. We specialize in handling the logistics for you, so you can focus on other things. Easy, safe and efficient charter bus rental for New York City and surrounding states.

Common Charter Bus Rentals

A full-sized charter bus and the minibus are the two most common types of motorcoach rentals. A minibus is best for groups of 35 or fewer passengers, and charter buses are best for groups of 36 or more passengers. Because of its size, the standard charter bus frequently includes additional amenities such as a restroom and additional luggage space.

We have a large selection of minibusses and motorcoaches to ensure every event is a perfect experience. J&R Tours has earned an impeccable reputation and drive home the philosophy of “Safety First.”

Start the booking process today so J&R can start to focus on your event.

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Customer service is very important to us. We want to ensure you have the best travel experience possible each and every time.

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JRickers Travel Concepts, LLC d.b.a JR Travel concepts is a full service destination management company for the US, with headquarters in Miami.

We strive to deliver a distinctive and authentic experience, tailored to the individual needs of each focus group. Raising the bar with a set of time-tested values: Quality, Reliability and Integrity.

Providing premium destination knowledge, high skills in communication and creativity, paired with consistent care to details in logistics and hospitality.

Achieving our goal to understand and fulfill each challenge with precise realization, aiming to inspire moments of optimism and motivation.

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Traveloka Team

23 May 2024 - 7 min read

Complete Japan Shinkansen Guide - All Things You Need To Know

Most of you may wonder, what is Shinkansen? Japanese Shinkansen, often referred to as the bullet train, is an iconic symbol of the country's technological prowess, efficiency, and dedication to excellence. Since its inception in the 1960s, the Shinkansen has revolutionized travel in Japan, offering unparalleled speed, comfort, and reliability.

Traveloka will take you on a Shinkansen journey to the history, network, seating options, luggage regulations, and booking procedure, providing you with all the information you need to navigate this remarkable transportation system.

Why You Should Take Shinkansen

EL BANCO04 / Shutterstock.com

The Shinkansen's first debut was in October 1964, just in time for the Tokyo Olympics. The inaugural line, known as the Tokaido Shinkansen, connected Tokyo and Osaka, slashing travel time between the two cities from over six hours to just four. This groundbreaking achievement marked the beginning of a new era in Japanese transportation.

Over the years, the Shinkansen network has expanded significantly, encompassing multiple lines and connecting major cities across the country. Today, the Shinkansen is synonymous with speed, safety, and punctuality, serving as the backbone of Japan's rail infrastructure.

There are several compelling reasons to choose the Japan Shinkansen for your travel needs:

Speed & Reliability. With speeds averaging around 240-320 kilometers per hour (150-200 miles per hour), the Shinkansen drastically reduces travel time between major cities, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers. The Shinkansen has a stellar reputation for punctuality and reliability, with an impressive on-time performance record exceeding 99%.

Convenience & Views. The extensive Shinkansen network covers major cities and regions throughout Japan, providing convenient access to a wide range of destinations. Traveling by Shinkansen allows passengers to enjoy breathtaking views of Japan's diverse landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to lush countryside and coastal vistas. With large windows offering panoramic views, the journey itself becomes an unforgettable experience.

Environmental benefits? Yes! The Shinkansen is an eco-friendly mode of transportation, producing significantly lower carbon emissions compared to other forms of travel such as air or road transport. By choosing the Shinkansen, passengers can reduce their environmental impact while enjoying a comfortable and convenient travel experience.

Japanese Shinkansen Map: Network and Lines

The Japanese Shinkansen network consists of multiple lines that crisscross the country, connecting major cities and regions with high-speed rail service. Here are some of the primary Shinkansen lines in Japan.

Image source: Google - Japan Guide

These are just a few examples of the Shinkansen lines in Japan, each offering efficient and comfortable travel across the country. Whether you're exploring the bustling metropolises of Tokyo and Osaka or venturing into the tranquil countryside, the Shinkansen provides a convenient and scenic way to experience all that Japan has to offer.

Japan Shinkansen Seats and Classes

The Japan Shinkansen offers various seating options and classes to accommodate the diverse preferences and needs of travelers. Here are the primary classes available on most Shinkansen trains:

Ordinary Class (Standard Class):

Green Class (First Class):

Gran Class (Premium Class):

Please note that the actual ticket prices may vary depending on factors such as the distance of the journey, the specific route, and the time of booking. Additionally, prices are subject to change based on promotions, discounts, and seasonal variations.

Each class offers a different level of comfort and service, allowing passengers to choose the option that best suits their preferences and budget. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option or a luxurious travel experience, the Shinkansen has you covered with its range of seating classes.

Shinkansen Luggage Size Limit

The Japan Shinkansen imposes specific luggage size limits per class to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers. Here are the general guidelines for luggage size limits:

The luggage limit on Japan Shinkansen trains typically adheres to the standard guidelines for carry-on baggage. Passengers are generally allowed to bring luggage that fits within the dimensions of approximately 250 centimeters (9.8 inches) in height, 350 centimeters (13.8 inches) in width, and 600 centimeters (23.6 inches) in length.

Additionally, passengers are usually permitted to bring one small personal item, such as a backpack or handbag, onboard the Shinkansen. It's important to note that the exact luggage limit may vary depending on the specific train operator, service type, and individual Shinkansen train. Additionally, oversized or excessively heavy luggage may need to be checked or stored in designated areas onboard the train.

Passengers are advised to pack efficiently and within the specified size limits to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free journey on Japan's high-speed rail network.

How to Book Shinkansen Ticket

YingHui Liu / Shutterstock.com

Purchasing Japan Shinkansen tickets is a relatively straightforward process, and there are several methods available to travelers:

Online Booking

One of the most convenient ways to buy Shinkansen tickets is through online booking platforms. The best way is from Traveloka, which offer online ticketing services. Check out our online Shinkansen ticket for a secured reservation!

Simply visit the official website or a trusted booking platform like us , enter your travel details (departure station, destination, date, and time), select your preferred Shinkansen service, and choose your seating class. Complete the payment process using a credit or debit card, and you'll receive a confirmation email with your e-ticket or reservation details.

Ticket Counters at Stations

Travelers can purchase Shinkansen tickets directly from ticket counters at major train stations across Japan. Look for ticket offices labeled 緑 の 窓口 "Midori no Madoguchi" or "Ticket Office" within the station.

Queue up at the ticket counter and inform the staff of your desired destination, departure time, and seating preference. The staff will assist you in selecting the appropriate ticket and completing the purchase. Payment can be made in cash or by credit/debit card, depending on the ticket counter's payment options.

✅ Useful Tips: If you don’t speak Japanese, it is strongly advised to write all the passenger data on a piece of paper and then give it to the salesperson to make the purchasing process smoother.

Ticket Vending Machines

Many train stations, especially major ones, are equipped with automated ticket vending machines that allow travelers to purchase Shinkansen tickets.

Select your preferred language, follow the on-screen instructions to input your travel details, choose your desired ticket type and class, and complete the transaction by inserting cash or using a credit/debit card. Once the transaction is complete, the vending machine will issue your tickets, along with a receipt if requested.

Does JR Pass cover Shinkansen? Yes! If you have a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), you can use it to board most Shinkansen trains without purchasing individual tickets. However, seat reservations are recommended, especially during peak travel periods. To make seat reservations with a JR Pass, visit a ticket counter at a JR station, present your pass, and request seat reservations for your desired Shinkansen routes and dates.

Regardless of the method you choose, it's advisable to book your Shinkansen tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons or for popular routes, to secure your preferred seats and departure times. With these options available, purchasing Shinkansen tickets is convenient and hassle-free, allowing you to enjoy seamless travel across Japan's high-speed rail network.

Passengers should also be mindful of the limited space available in overhead storage compartments and luggage racks onboard the Shinkansen, especially during peak travel periods. Packing efficiently and within the specified size limits will help ensure a comfortable and hassle-free journey on Japan's high-speed rail network.

Flight to Japan

Jetstar Japan

Start from US$ 30.75

Osaka (KIX) to Tokyo (NRT)

Wed, 29 May 2024

Peach Airline

Start from US$ 35.56

Oita (OIT) to Tokyo (NRT)

Spring Airlines Japan

Start from US$ 38.10

Hiroshima (HIJ) to Tokyo (NRT)

Thu, 30 May 2024

The Japan Shinkansen offers a combination of speed, reliability, comfort, and convenience that makes it an attractive choice for travelers looking to explore Japan's diverse attractions and regions. Book your Singapore to Tokyo flight with Traveloka and don’t miss out on the experience of Shinkansen for your business trip, sightseeing adventure, or leisurely getaway across the Land of the Rising Sun! Explore Traveloka for great deals on activities, flight , and hotel . Visit Traveloka for more information!

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Welcome  JR TRAVELERS

Our trips are arranged for adults with seniors in mind. We are an active group and welcome those with scooters ( if you have a traveling companion), walkers and canes. We provide bus trips for travelers who would like to see more of our great lands or just want to travel with friends!  You should join us- we have loads of fun!

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Who are JR Travelers?

Our bus trips are arranged for active adults with seniors in mind. We are a division of Total Access Travel and offer fully escorted trips for active seniors – but anyone over the age of 21 can join us!  Some scenic sites are inaccessible to large coaches therefore some walking may be necessary to visit some sites; comfortable walking shoes are essential on all of our trips whether they are day trips or overnight multiple-day adventures.  Think about joining us on an adventure soon!

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2024 Trips and Dates

Niagara Falls & Toronto | August 18-24, 2024 | SOLD OUT

Niagara Falls & Toronto | September 8-14, 2024 | SOLD OUT

Christmas on the Danube | November 30- December 10, 2024 | WAITLIST AVAILABLE View Trip Details  – and sign up here 

DINNER THEATER DATES

Transportation from Trenton, IL  and Scott Troy Road Parking Area- to Dinner at Helen Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub- meal choices are Steak, Chicken Provel and Salmon- main entree’ is served with potato, vegetable and soft drink, coffee, tea or water.

June 11 – Steel Magnolias with Dinner and transportation – Cost is $155 per person

August 6 – Newsies with Dinner and transportation – Cost $155 per person

October 1 – Ragtime with Dinner and Transportation – Cost $155 per person

Purchase all three shows for $425 per person

Pacific Northwest and California  April 27-May 4, 2025 8 days, 11 meals

Highlights : From the wilds of Mount St. Helens to the shadow of giants in the Redwoods, fall under the spell of the Pacific Northwest and California. Travel along Oregon’s beautiful coast, making stops at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Yaquina Lighthouse, Newport and Coos Bay. Explore Oregon’s wilderness on a Rogue River cruise. Visit Redwood National Park’s Avenue of the Giants. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and discover the “City by the Bay,” San Francisco. Explore the natural beauty from Seattle to San Francisco.

https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1212391 ( this is the link to sign up and pay deposit with your credit card)

Photos   click here

The Holy Year  September 3-11, 2025 – 9 days 11 meals

Highlights :  The centuries-old jubilar tradition continues with you making a pilgrimage to Rome during the Holy Year 2025. Discover why Italy is a bastion of Catholicism as you visit Rome’s Seven Pilgrim Churches and the Catacombs. Attend the weekly Papal audience and receive the blessing given by the Pope. Spend time at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, the beloved saint’s hometown. Discover Michelangelo’s  Last Judgment  mural and explore St. Peter’s Basilica. See the world’s most inspirational sites and relics in Rome and Assisi amid the Roman Catholic Church’s Year of Jubilee.

https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1212394  ( this is the link for people to sign up and pay deposit

Romantic Rhine River Cruise  September 10- 20 – 10 days, 23 meals

Highlights : Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands – 2 nights Lucerne, Switzerland, 7 Night Cruise, Staff Gratuities, Port Charges – Air Fare and Transfers not included

The trips below are in the works for 2025 – we need you to let us know if you are interested.

Lancaster, PA

Savannah, GA/ Charleston, NC

Branson, MO – Christmas Spectacular

River Cruise – Paris and Normandy

River Cruise – Portugal

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• Tears of Joy? How Emotional Experiences Became Travel’s Hottest Must-Have

Turtle Island Fiji's Richard Evanson Jr. and top travel experts want you to pass the pool and shun the spa. Why not try a good cry instead?

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For the uninitiated, it’s all very sincere. When the tears begin to flow, as they inevitably do, it’s bewildering. Then, four nights later, when it’s time to recount their own experience something strange happens; the ducts of hardened cynics loose. 

“One of our measures of success is the ‘tear factor,’” says Richard Evanson Jr., the owner and managing director of the private island . “How many people are crying when they say goodbye to the team on their departure? It’s actually quite a large percentage.”

“I grew up here as my father was building and creating this island, and something we used to talk about is how much we would prefer to be a seven-star emotional experience rather than a seven-star brick-and-mortar resort,” said Evanson, whose father, the late Richard Evanson Senior, sold his cable TV business to pursue a happier life on the island in 1972. “We made a conscious decision to focus on the emotional, intangible aspects of the experience, rather than the physical.”

That may sound very kumbaya, but don’t expect to find crystal waving woo-woo wackos here. Instead over dinner, doctors compare their collections of Ferraris. Aspen real estate tycoons order Napa cabs. Forty-year-old tech retirees come for the snorkeling. Some of Sen. John McCain’s ashes are sprinkled here, and former Australian PM Scott Morrison likes to drop by to play ukulele with the staff. Turtle Island’s reputation as a premier honeymoon destination, attracted Brittney Spears and K-Fed following their 2004 nuptials; as well as Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, and Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson. 

An impressive 55 percent of these guests return to the island at some point, and many, like the McCain family, have come again and again—presumably in pursuit of a healthy blubber. 

“You may think that it’s unusual, but one of my philosophies in creating travel programs is: If you can make them laugh or cry during the experience you’ve done your job,” says John Sutherland, a lifestyle consultant and private concierge specializing in luxury travel. “You’ve got to remember that a lot of these people live in the city and lead very stressful lives. They go to places like this to absolutely let themselves go.”

Sutherland says emotional experiences are what his clientele crave, so he’s based his business on experiences that make bosoms swell. “A client from Malaysia came to me and said, ‘Now that I’ve made a lot of money, I’ve asked my father if there was anything that he’s dreamed about all his life but never done. He said that he’s always envisioned himself flying into the creator of a volcano. He wants to fly into an inactive volcano and just walk around,’” Sutherland says. “So he got two helicopters and took the family into a crater in Indonesia. I said, ‘What did your father say?’ And I got the classic line: ‘He couldn’t say anything. He couldn’t speak.’ There is nothing that stirs emotions more than fulfilling a childhood dream.”

“I cried when I left Fiji,” says Jaclyn Sienna India, founder and CEO of Sienna Charles. “I think it’s just a country wide thing. But places like Fiji and Bora Bora are for my L.A.-based clients only, and it’s a home run trip for them because it’s just a quick overnight and then they’re in another world. If you say ‘Fiji’ to a New York client, they think you are an absolute idiot.”

The stiff upper lip and pathological fear of sincerity stereotypical of the British is similarly at odds with the maternal-embrace of places like Turtle Island; even Evanson admits that “Americans get the most out” of his resort.

However, India adds that due to a lack of well-managed private islands , places like Turtle are ideal as buyouts for families or corporate retreats no matter where you’re from. (It’s $36,600 per night to buy out Turtle Island.) 

“It’s a place to bring grandma or celebrate mom’s 60th birthday,” she says. “You are creating that immersive experience while still having that safety net of being at a really well-run hotel.”

Nevertheless, Evanson says that when it comes to crafting tailored, emotional experiences for his guests (be they British or American), he wins over more than he loses. He says the key is successfully managing guest expectations, encouraging staff to create relationships with guests, and enhancing conversations. One example, he says, is that the island’s bure mamas keep pictures of their families with them, so that if a guest shares a story about their family back home, the mama can in turn share their own family with the guest.

“You know, I’ve asked a lot of people, ‘Hey, is there anything you would recommend or suggest?’” says Evanson. “What usually happens is at the beginning of their stay, they say, ‘Yeah, you know, you need a sauna. You need a gym. You need to have a pool.’ But by the end of their stay, the majority of them will come up to me and say, ‘By the way, scratch all that. Don’t change a thing.’”

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Delta, Southwest get top marks for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power airline survey

Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines received top marks in J.D. Power’s North American airlines customer satisfaction survey for 2024.

The firm’s results, announced Wednesday, noted that airlines investing in their staff are seeing more satisfied customers despite higher airfares compared to a year ago.

“There are many aspects to the overall air travel experience that airlines cannot control, but one area in which they can profoundly influence is the positive effect that airline staff has on passengers,” Michael Taylor, J.D. Power’s senior managing director of travel, hospitality, retail and customer service, said in a statement. “The big takeaway from this year’s study is the power of people to positively influence the overall flight experience. Airlines that are investing in staff training and recruitment are finding ways to overcome the negative effects of crowded gates and planes simply by being nice to their customers.”

According to the survey, passengers’ main priorities are getting to their destinations easily and safely. That outweighs even ticket price in determining a traveler’s satisfaction with their chosen carrier. 

J.D. Power conducted its survey between March 2023 and March 2024, polling 9,582 passengers who traveled on a major North American airline during that period. Here’s how the carriers broke down.

Delta Air Lines gets top marks in premium cabins

• Delta Air Lines scored highest in both the first/business class and premium economy segments in J.D. Power’s survey, earning 743 points in the former and 716 points in the latter out of a possible 1,000. Delta’s strategy has emphasized premium service in recent years, and that position seems to be paying off.
• JetBlue came in second in the first/business class category with 736 points, and the segment average was 701. Air Canada scored lowest for its most premium cabins, earning 629 points.
• In premium economy, Alaska Airlines took the second spot with 687 points, beating the segment average of 675. 
• Air Canada again scored lowest in the premium economy sector, with 628 points.

Southwest Airlines is a flyer favorite for economy

• Southwest Airlines kept its position as the preferred economy carrier for the third year in a row, earning 685 points. The airline recently announced it is considering changes to its cabin layout and boarding process, which could upend one of the key differentiators between it and other airlines.
• Delta Air Lines was second-favorite among economy travelers with 651 points, beating the segment average of 613.
• Frontier Airlines scored the lowest in customer satisfaction, earning 472 points for its economy offering.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

These Are Going to Be the Most Popular Travel Destinations in 2024

A lready thinking about where you want to travel in 2024 ? If you’re hoping to hit the hottest travel destinations of the year, Expedia Group is here to help. The one-stop travel site—alongside Hotels.com and VRBO—just released Unpack '24 , a travel trends analysis for the coming year. In addition to detailing the projected top 10 most popular international destinations of 2024, the site also revealed 10 “dupes” for travelers looking to perhaps spend a bit less, as well as those hoping to be surrounded by fewer fellow tourists. Additionally, they revealed 10 affordable cities where the world’s biggest musical acts are set to perform, as well as where to travel if you live a sober lifestyle.

“At Expedia Group, we have extensive first-party travel data that we use to enhance and curate experiences for our travelers across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo,” Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, says in the report. “These insights shape our travel forecasts, revealed in Unpack '24, enabling our travelers to be the first to discover and book the most desired trips before they become well-beaten paths.”

Ready to ignite your travel bug? Ahead, discover the most popular travel destinations of 2024.

The Top 10 Travel Destinations of 2024

Expedia Group predicts that travelers are most likely to jet set to destinations popularized in fan-favorite TV shows and movies. According to the report, “More than half of travelers say they’ve researched or booked a trip to a destination after seeing it on a TV show or in a movie. In fact, travelers say TV shows influence their travel decisions more than Instagram, TikTok, and podcasts.” With that in mind, they reveal that the top 10 travel destinations of 2024 are as follows:

• Thailand - Featured in White Lotus , Season 3—which has sadly been pushed to premiere in 2025
• Romania - Featured in Wednesday , Season 2—which has not yet set a release date
• Malta - As seen in Gladiator 2 , which is set to premiere on November 22, 2024
• Paris - As seen in Emily in Paris
• Scottish Highlands - Featured in Outlander
• London, Bath, and Windsor, U.K. - As seen in Bridgerton and The Crown
• South Korea - Featured in Squid Game —the Season 2 release date has yet to be announced
• Florida Keys - As seen in the series Bad Monkey
• Australia - Featured in Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs series, as well as the film Furiosa , which is set to premiere on May 24, 2024
• Greece - as seen in the films Argylle (set to release in 2024) and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

The Top 10 Travel Destination Dupes

Dupes have long been lauded in the beauty and fashion categories, and now the concept is making its way to travel. “1 in 3 of those polled say they’ve booked a dupe,” the report reveals. “But what do these less obvious alternatives offer besides potential savings? They’re often less crowded, tend to be a little unexpected, and can be every bit as delightful as the tried-and-true destinations.”

Intrigued by the idea of booking a stellar vacation for a fraction of the price? Check out Expedia Group’s Top 10 Travel Destination Dupes, below, which are listed as the original destination of inspiration and the dupe that mirrors it.

• Seoul —> Taipei
• Bangkok —> Pattaya
• Santorini —> Paros
• Saint Martin —> Curaçao
• Sydney —> Perth
• London —> Liverpool
• Lisbon —> Palermo
• Geneva —> Québec City
• Zermatt —> Sapporo
• Nashville —> Memphis

The Top 10 Tour-Inspired Travel Destinations

Music lovers, this one’s for you! As you well know, traveling to see your favorite artists live is expensive, to say the least. With this in mind, Expedia set out to find the most affordable destinations where the world’s most famous pop and rock stars are set to take the stage in 2024.

Through their research, in which they analyzed the average daily rates of tour locations, they found the top 10 most affordable cities (less than $150/night on average) where travelers can witness the likes of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Coldplay, Metallica, Madonna, and more. They are as follows:

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - $91
• Edmonton, Canada - $108
• Mexico City, Mexico - $119
• Warsaw, Poland - $119
• Birmingham, U.K. - $127
• Houston, Texas - $130
• Antwerp, Belgium - $140
• Tokyo, Japan - $147
• Perth, Australia - $148
• Detroit, Michigan - $149

For more research-backed travel trends, be sure to check out Expedia’s full Unpack ‘24 Trend Report .