How to Travel to Osaka from Tokyo in 2024: Price Comparison

From Tokyo to Osaka

Tokyo and Osaka―each with their own international airport―are large cities that serve as a base for sightseeing in Japan. There are also many visitors who like to include both cities in their sightseeing itinerary.

Tokyo and Osaka are about 500 kilometers apart from each other. There are many ways to travel from one city to the other including shinkansen, airplane, highway bus, and car.

Getting straight to the point, we recommend the shinkansen for travelers who prioritize speed and comfort, and the highway bus for those who want to travel economically. However, there are other modes of transportation, each with their own unique and attractive characteristics.

Table of Contents

1. Tokyo to Osaka: Modes of Transportation, Travel Times, and Fares
2. Shinkansen: Fast and Convenient!
3. Airplane: Inexpensive Fares Are Also Possible!
4. Highway Bus: Ideal for Economical Travel!
5. Local Train: Get on and off Whenever You Want To!
6. Car: Get Around Easily After Arriving In Osaka!
7. Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo to Osaka: Modes of Transportation, Travel Times, and Fares

The chart below compares modes of transportation based on travel time and fares when traveling between Osaka and Tokyo. Please find the transportation method that best suits your own travel purposes after learning about their advantages and disadvantages!

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Bullet Train (Shinkansen): Fast and Convenient!

Please also see: Shinkansen: How to Buy Bullet Train Tickets Photo by Pixta

The most convenient way to go from Tokyo to Osaka is by bullet train, or shinkansen. It offers a smooth and comfortable ride and is characterized by its short travel time compared to other kinds of transportation. Plus you also get stunning views of Mt. Fuji!

When going to Osaka by bullet train, first you'll get on at Tokyo Station and then disembark at Shin Osaka Station. It's just one station from Shin Osaka Station to Osaka Station. Also, with a 15-minute subway ride, you can get to Namba Station and also Shinsaibashi Station which is near the sightseeing spot of Dotonbori.

Fares According to Type of Shinkansen

The Tokyo-Osaka route is connected by the Tokaido Shinkansen which offers three types of bullet trains: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. Their respective station stops and travel times differ.

Nozomi is the fastest of the three and arrives at Shin Osaka Station in just two hours and 30 minutes. Hikari takes about three hours, and Kodama takes about four hours.

However, one-way fare from Tokyo to Osaka is the same for all three train types. For example, one-way reserved seating is 14,920 yen, unreserved seating is 13,870 yen, and Green Car seating is 19,590 yen (fares increase during peak season).

How to Travel Inexpensively on the Shinkansen

Please also see: Japan Rail Pass Guide - How And Where To Buy, Merits, And Tips

With Puratto Kodama (Japanese), a service offered by JR Tokai Tours, you can buy a reserved seat on a Kodama regular car for a reasonable 10,900 yen (fare increases during peak season).

But please note that the deadline for purchasing this ticket is 22:00 the day before you board the train. Also, it comes with various restrictions: changes to the ticket's day of use, the car and section, and the seat position, are not allowed.

On the other hand, for international visitors planning a trip to the city that doesn't include the Tokyo-Osaka route, we recommend the convenient and flexible Japan Rail Pass. If you plan to visit several cities and regions in Japan, the JR Pass can be very convenient.

For details on the Japan Rail Pass coverage and fares please refer to Klook or the related article down below.

Airplane: Inexpensive Fares Are Occasionally Available!

Travelers can also go from Tokyo to Osaka by airplane. In Tokyo there's Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, and in Osaka visitors can use either Kansai International Airport or Itami Airport. The travel time is about 90 minutes.

Main Service Routes and Airfare

The chart below lists the airline companies and their respective airfares as shown on the site Skyticket. As you can see, taking a low-cost carrier (LCC) such as Peach and Jetstar departing from Narita Airport and landing at Kansai International Airport, can be cheaper than taking the shinkansen.

Travel Times to Central Osaka from Kansai Airport and Itami Airport

From either Kansai International Airport or Itami Airport, it takes about one hour to the heart of Osaka by train. With Tokyo as well, it takes roughly one hour by train from Narita Airport to central Tokyo.

Additionally, time is also required for boarding procedures, luggage check-in, and luggage retrieval at the destination point. If you only consider the airplane's travel time, then it's faster than the shinkansen. But unfortunately, this can't be said when you also include the time spent at the airport.

When considering the advantages of air travel, however, one can say that taking a low-cost carrier from Narita Airport to Kansai International Airport would be cheaper than the shinkansen.

Highway Bus: Ideal for Economical Travel!

Photo by Pixta

We recommend the highway bus for people who'd like to travel economically regardless of the time required. In general, the price ranges from about 6,000 to 10,000 yen, but there are instances where it only costs 2,000 to 4,000 yen depending on time of the year and the bus company.

Travel time is 8 to 10 hours, but if you take the overnight bus you can sleep on the way to your destination. This is a great way to maximize your available sightseeing time.

The Tokyo-Osaka highway bus has several departure and arrival points. In Tokyo's case many buses depart from Tokyo Station's Yaesu exit and the Kajibashi Parking Lot.

With Osaka there are many different arrival points. In addition to Osaka Station's JR Highway Bus Terminal, buses also arrive at Umeda Station, Namba Station and other destination points.

All these points are within the heart of Osaka, but if you'd like to arrive at your desired destination even faster, then we recommend researching to find out which arrival point is best for you.

Local Train: Get on and off Whenever You Want To!

People who want to take their time and enjoy their travels also have the option of taking a local train. A Tokyo-Osaka local train costs 8,910 yen and takes 9 hours to arrive.

Those who don't want to go to Osaka directly but would rather stop along the way and explore regional cities, buying a Seishun 18 Kippu Ticket is a good idea. This handy ticket costs 12,050 yen (adults and children pay the same fare).

With non-reserved seating in ordinary cars of JR local and rapid trains throughout Japan, passengers are allowed to embark and disembark the train freely. When riding limited express trains an extra charge applies.

However, you need to keep in mind that the ticket sales period and period of use are restricted to just three times a year: spring, summer, and winter.

On the way between Tokyo and Osaka you can stop in and visit sightseeing destinations such as Hakone and Nagoya. We recommend this for those who want to relax and enjoy the scenery from the train and those who'd like to travel freely with no set itinerary.

Rental Car: Get Around Easily After Arriving in Osaka!

Photo by Pixta

Going from Tokyo to Osaka by car via expressway takes six to seven hours. The one-way highway toll is about 8,000 to 14,000 yen. You will also need to add in gasoline charges.

Considering the cost and time and also the fatigue factor, it's difficult to say that traveling by car is a good option. But actually it does offer a convenient point. When you arrive in Osaka it'll be easy to get around.

Rentin a Car Is Convenient for Touring the Kansai Area

The Kansai Region, which includes Osaka, has many attractive sightseeing areas including Kyoto and Nara as well as Hyogo Prefecture's Arima Hot Springs.

While it is possible to access these places using public transport, a car is more convenient for people who'd like to travel efficiently and also stop into a shop or cafe along the way.

In Osaka there are many car rental agencies. Coming directly to Osaka from Tokyo by car is one option, but we also recommend renting a car when you arrive in Osaka.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are there times when shinkansen, airplane, and highway bus tickets are cheaper? Likewise, when do price increases occur?

A. Low-Cost Carriers (LCC) such as Jetstar and Peach occasionally offer sales. For details please refer to their respective homepages.

However, during peak periods, ticket prices for the shinkansen, airplane, and highway bus all increase, and there are also instances when tickets get completely sold out. This includes Golden Week (about April 27-May 6), Obon (about August 10-19), and from about December 28-January 6 at the end of the year and into the new year.

Also, when traveling by car during these times of the year the expressways can become congested.

So when traveling during these periods it's a good idea to make your reservations early and check traffic conditions ahead of time.

Q2. Are there any differences between going from Osaka to Tokyo and going from Tokyo to Osaka?

A. No, they are fundamentally the same.

Q3. When touring the Osaka area are there any bargain passes?

A. The experience reservation site Klook sells the Osaka Amazing Pass. This pass is for international visitors and is a set that combines unlimited rides on the subway with admission tickets for major sightseeing spots.

Q4. Can One buy tickets for Osaka sightseeing spots ahead of time?

A. On the experience reservation site Klook you can buy tickets ahead of time for popular sightseeing spots such as Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and Tsutenkaku .

If you decide to buy a same-day ticket at one of Osaka's popular sightseeing spots you might be greeted by a long lineup. So it's better to pick up tickets before going to your destination.

Find the Mode of Transportation That Suits You Best!

So please find the method of transportation that best suits your itinerary, budget, and travel style, then fully enjoy your Tokyo and Osaka adventure!

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Buy a bargain ticket on the highway bus-overnight bus!

*This article is a revised edition of an article that was originally published on December 3, 2015.