There are many ways to get from Osaka Station to Tokyo Station. This article compares the Shinkansen, regular trains, airplanes, and night buses in terms of travel time, fare, and advantages and disadvantages.
Contents
Summary
| Transportation | Fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | 14,000 yen | 2 h 45 min |
| Train | 9,000 yen | 9 h |
| Plane | 29,000 yen | 3 h |
| Highway bus (night bus) | 4,000 yen | 8 h |
Shinkansen
The Shinkansen is the most used transportation method because of its short travel time. If there is no reason to use any other method of travel, the Shinkansen is the best choice.
Good point
- Procedures take less time and are easier to use.
- Shinkansen train from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station departs every 3 minutes.
- Easy access to destinations by transferring to conventional lines.
Train
Traveling from Osaka Station to Tokyo Station by conventional train is cheaper than the Shinkansen because express fares are not charged. It is not recommended unless you have plenty of time to spare.
Good point
- Low-cost transportation to Tokyo.
- You can enjoy your trip while making stops along the way.
Bad point
- Takes a long time
- May experience delays
- Express buses and LCCs are sometimes cheaper
Airplane
There is a way to access Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport from Osaka Station, take a plane, and go to Tokyo Station via Haneda Airport or Narita Airport. There are also direct buses between each airport and each station, making it easy to get around.
Good point
- Using an LCC can be a cheap way to get around.
- You can enjoy shopping at the airport
- If you have good access to the airport, you can travel in a short time.
Bad point
- May be extremely expensive during peak season
- Check-in procedures can be time-consuming.
- If access to the airport is poor, it will take longer.
Highway bus (night bus)
Express buses can take you directly from Osaka Station to Tokyo Station. It is a little more expensive on holidays. There are morning departure/night arrival and late night departure/early morning arrival services, so choose the one that best fits your schedule.
Good point
- Low-cost
- Arrive directly at major spots
Bad point
- Takes a long time
- You can sleep on an overnight bus.
- Seats are small and difficult to change position
(Seats on Japanese buses may be smaller than those in other countries.)
Conclusion
If you can afford it and want to shorten the travel time, the Shinkansen is recommended. On the other hand, if you want to save on travel costs and are physically fit, we recommend taking an overnight bus. You can go directly to Osaka Station and other major spots without the hassle of transfers and waiting time.
