Discount Passes
Public transportation companies offer cheaper fares if you purchase multiple trips in advance, typically by purchasing ticket packs or transit cards. Some passes can be used interchangeably between companies. Take advantage of discount fares to find the cheapest routes. For example, it may often be cheaper to buy a day pass for the bus, rather than taking a combination of buses and trains.
Recently, Nimoca has taken over as the go-to card because it works on buses, trains, subways and even at some vending machines! But here are some other ways so save a little bit of cash while traveling:
? One-day passes (ichi nichi free joushaken), afternoon passes (hiru pasu), couple, family and group passes are also available.
? Nimai/Yonmai Kippu ??/????? These are packs of two/four substantially discounted tickets between two points on the limited express/ shinkansen. Endpoints, however, are set.
? JR NICE GOING CARD! This is a great card that pays for itself the first time you buy it. The pass costs 500 yen, but it gets you 40% JR train tickets and 30% off the Shinkansen. Here are the stipulations: Only valid for travel on Fridays, weekends, and National holidays. Only valid for travel within Kyushu and for trips over 100 km. Also for those under the age of 30. If your trip is just under 100 km you might ask about the next station…
? See http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/index.html for a list.
Kaisuken are booklets of tickets valid between two stops.
? 10% to 20% discount: Six tickets for the price of five or Eleven tickets for the price of ten. Generally these expire within one month of purchase, so don’t stock up on them!
? Good on most JR or Nishitetsu trains.
? Teikiken are commuter passes valid between two stops that also allow you to get on and off anywhere in between. They are available for periods of one, three or six months. Most cost-effective for those who take the same route regularly.
? Yoka-net Cards are pre-paid cards (Nishitetsu Line) that give you a about 10% savings. You receive ¥3200 credit if you buy a card for ¥3000 and ¥5500 if you pay ¥5000. Only valid on Nishitetsu trains and the subway. But, this card is being phased out, so they may not be available for much longer.
? In terms of buses, Bus Cards are no longer available (exp. 3/31/10) so you can only use Nimoca cards on buses. If you pay in cash you need to take a ticket when you board.
Useful vocabulary for traveling:
Ticket ?? kippu
Oneway ?? katamichi
Round trip ?? ?fuku
Platform ??? noriba