Useful Railways for Travelers in Kansai Region.
There are multiple railway lines to travel between three major tourist cities, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. Take the right train considering where to depart and arrive, time distance, and the fare.
- Kyoto – Osaka (JR): 28min, 540yen
- Kyoto – Shin-Osaka (JR Shinkansen): 14min, 1380yen
- Kawaramachi – Umeda (same to Osaka) (Hankyu): 44min, 390yen
- Gion Shijo (near Kawaramachi) – Yodoyabashi (near Osaka) (Keihan): 50min, 400yen
- Kyoto – Nara (JR): 43min, 690yen
- Kyoto – Kintetsu Nara (Kintetsu): 48min, 610yen
- Osaka – Nara (JR): 47min, 780yen
- Nanba – Kintetsu Nara (Kintetsu): 40min, 540yen
Map
On the map, the yellow circles show the station which are located at the heart of the cities or busiest place in the city. In other words, JR’s Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, and Nara stations are not at city’s very center. So buses are the major transportation in Kyoto. But in Nara, most tourist sites are located within walking distance both from JR Nara and Kintetsu Nara station.
Kansai Thru Pass
Apart from the JR Pass, you may benefit from the Kansai Thru Pass to travel within Kansai area using non-JR trains. It’s the all day pass for almost all trains and subways except for the JR line. Those who travel to Hieizan mountain, Koyasan mountain, Himeji castle, or fly from Kansai Airport, are particularly recommended to buy the Thru Pass because one ride from the city center to those locations will be enough for the value. A day trip between Kyoto, Osaka and Nara is also good use of the Pass. The Pass valid for two days, consecutive or separate, is 3800 yen and for three days is 5000 yen. Visit http://www.surutto.com/conts/ticket/3dayeng/index.html for more information.