Shinkansen VS highway buses in Japan. [Differences] Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya
Hi
Today, this blog is about highway/night bus and the Shinkansen in Japan.
I live in Tokyo, and I use highway/night buses or the Shinkansen to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya.
- What's the difference?
- [Charge] Shinkansen VS Highway/night bus.
- [The time required] Shinkansen VS Highway/night bus.
- Conclusion
What's the difference?
Highway/night bus is one of the cheapest transportation for long distance in Japan.
The Shinkansen is expensive, but it's very fast, convenient, and comfortable.
[Charge] Shinkansen VS Highway/night bus.
【Tokyo東京↔️Osaka大阪】
Shinkansen (non-reserved seat):13,870 yen
Highway/night bus : around 3000~8000 yen.
【Tokyo東京↔️Kyoto京都】
Shinkansen (non-reserved seat):13,080 yen
Highway/night bus : around 2000~8000 yen.
【Tokyo東京↔️Nagoya名古屋】
Shinkansen (non-reserved seat):10,560 yen
Highway/night bus : around 2000~5000 yen.
In many cases, the fare for night buses are less than half the price for the Shinkansen.
[The time required] Shinkansen VS Highway/night bus.
【Tokyo東京↔️Osaka大阪】
Shinkansen : 2.5~3 hours.
Highway/night bus : 8 ~ 9 hours.
【Tokyo東京↔️Kyoto京都】
Shinkansen : 2 ~3 hours.
Highway/night bus: 7~8 hours
【Tokyo東京 ↔️ Nagoya名古屋】
Shinkansen : 1.5~ 2 hours
Highway/night bus : around 6~ 6.5 hours
If you took the Shinkansen named Kodama(こだま), it will take longer. (4 hours to go Osaka, 2.8 hours to Nagoya.)but the service frequency of Kodama is few.
The Shinkansen rarely delays.
Depending on traffic conditions, highway/night bus may be delayed.
Conclusion
If you can sleep well in the bus, highway/night buses are right choice.
But if you can't sleep well, you'll become tired and it will negatively impact you the next day.
So it's better to use the Shinkansen and sleep well at a hotel if you are going to do something important the next day.
