Transportation Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo

Hello all,

After doing some research in the complexity of transportation in Japan, I would like to get advices if what I found is the most efficient and cost effective. It seems that my trip doesn’t allow me to get (or use) a pass on multiple cities…

I will be arriving to Osaka (Kansai Airport), staying for a day in Osaka, then a couple of days in Kyoto and finally 4 days in Tokyo where I will take by plane back (Narita).

Here is my plan (we will be 2, if this makes a difference):
Kansai airport to Osaka: Airport Limousine Bus (About 1500 yen, 60 minutes to central Osaka)
Osaka: A few single tickets on the Osaka Loop Line
Osaka to Kyoto: JR Kyoto Line (which require about 25 minutes and cost 540 Yen from more centrally located Osaka Station to Kyoto Station)
Kyoto: Kyoto Sightseeing Card (2,000 Yen for two days)
Kyoto to Tokyo: Nozomi (13,500 Yen, 2h30)
Tokyo: PASMO or Limousine & Metro Pass ?? (as I can not get Suica & N'EX)
Tokyo to Narita: JR Narita Express (as I can not get Suica & N'EX)

Thanks in advance for your lights

The major question is how to travel between Kyoto and Tokyo. For speed and comfort, the shinkansen is recommended. For cost, the overnight bus is recommended.

The specifics for the rest depends on the locations of your hotels.

Kansai Airport access is summarized here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2033.html

Narita Airport access here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2027.html

Travel between Kyoto and Osaka:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html?aFROM=2157_2158

I personally never had a good experience with the Kyoto 2-day sightseeing card because it only covers bus and subway, but I frequently also use the city's other train lines, especially Keifuku, Keihan and JR. Therefore I usually don't use a day pass, but prepaid cards instead. But if you create an itinerary for just bus and subway, then the 2-day pass might be a simple and convenient option.

Prepaid cards in the Osaka/Kyoto region are explained towards the bottom of the following page:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html

Suica or Pasmo is the ticket to use in Tokyo.