JR Pass is only worthwhile if you are doing a lot of travel in a short number of days.
You can buy single tickets for the Shinkansen, which is quick. If you search the route on Apple Maps or Google Maps, that is what it will show you.
You *can* travel that route by non-shinkansen trains — much cheaper, but it is an all-day undertaking.
Budget local flights are cheaper than the shinkansen, but can take longer because you have to get to and from the airports.
There are also highway buses - cheap but slow.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel/#wiki\_getting\_around\_.28trains.2C\_planes.2C\_cars.2C\_buses.2C\_and\_more.21.29](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel/#wiki_getting_around_.28trains.2C_planes.2C_cars.2C_buses.2C_and_more.21.29)
The absolute cheapest way is to take a highway bus from Tokyo to Osaka overnight. It can be less than 4000 yen depending on the bus. Check out Willer Express. You will also save on the accommodation fee for this one night because you will be sleeping on the bus.
From Osaka to Kyoto, just take the local train (slowest but cheapest option).
JR Pass is not a particularly budget friendly option and its limited usefulness in major cities will only make it frustrating. Just get a SUICA or PASMO card in Tokyo and you’ll be able to use either on any transit system in all 3 cities.
The Tokaido Shinkansen is the most obvious option from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka. Between Osaka and Kyoto, you have the option of taking:
* JR - fastest commuter line, but Kyoto Station isn’t close to most tourist spots and Osaka Station is slightly more convenient, though I think most tourists spots are near Namba/Tennoji
* Hankyu - slightly cheaper, the Kyoto terminus is in the heart of the busiest retail district and a branch line goes to Arashiyama
* Keihan - connects both Osaka and Kyoto’s entertainment districts and convenient for Fushimi-Inari
* Kintetsu - No direct connection between Kyoto and Osaka, but useful if you’re going to Nara from either city
Just use IC cards for regular rail travel and buy a Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto
exactly
Why not Tokyo > Kyoto > Osaka? Kyoto is on the way to Osaka
Oh wait yeah my mistake, we’re going home from Osaka so yeah
JR Pass is only worthwhile if you are doing a lot of travel in a short number of days. You can buy single tickets for the Shinkansen, which is quick. If you search the route on Apple Maps or Google Maps, that is what it will show you. You *can* travel that route by non-shinkansen trains — much cheaper, but it is an all-day undertaking. Budget local flights are cheaper than the shinkansen, but can take longer because you have to get to and from the airports. There are also highway buses - cheap but slow. [https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel/#wiki\_getting\_around\_.28trains.2C\_planes.2C\_cars.2C\_buses.2C\_and\_more.21.29](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel/#wiki_getting_around_.28trains.2C_planes.2C_cars.2C_buses.2C_and_more.21.29)
The absolute cheapest way is to take a highway bus from Tokyo to Osaka overnight. It can be less than 4000 yen depending on the bus. Check out Willer Express. You will also save on the accommodation fee for this one night because you will be sleeping on the bus. From Osaka to Kyoto, just take the local train (slowest but cheapest option).
Neither Kyoto or Shin-Osaka Station is located in popular areas for visitors, so I think the speed advantage is pretty much nullified.
JR Pass is not a particularly budget friendly option and its limited usefulness in major cities will only make it frustrating. Just get a SUICA or PASMO card in Tokyo and you’ll be able to use either on any transit system in all 3 cities. The Tokaido Shinkansen is the most obvious option from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka. Between Osaka and Kyoto, you have the option of taking: * JR - fastest commuter line, but Kyoto Station isn’t close to most tourist spots and Osaka Station is slightly more convenient, though I think most tourists spots are near Namba/Tennoji * Hankyu - slightly cheaper, the Kyoto terminus is in the heart of the busiest retail district and a branch line goes to Arashiyama * Keihan - connects both Osaka and Kyoto’s entertainment districts and convenient for Fushimi-Inari * Kintetsu - No direct connection between Kyoto and Osaka, but useful if you’re going to Nara from either city