Home
Back

Dear visitor, if you know the answer to this question, please post it. Thank you!

Note that this thread has not been updated in a long time, and its content might not be up-to-date anymore.

Best website to buy Railpass & info? 2018/2/8 02:39
Hi,
I'm reading in the network many things about Japan Railpass, but I'm a little confused.
I have some questions about JR:
1) what's the best website to buy JR?
2) how much time before going to Japan is best to buy?
3) is there refund in the case of trip deletion? I have to regulate to choose the amount to assure with my trip assurance
4) what are the websites to book trains and seats?
5) In the case I have to modify itinerary during the holiday, can I delete the train booking and book another train short time before the departure?
Thanks
by Alex (guest)  

Re: Best website to buy Railpass & info? 2018/2/8 11:54
Serious did you try to search by yourself or just being lazy

https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/jr-pass?currency-code=USD

by justmyday rate this post as useful

Re: Best website to buy Railpass & info? 2018/2/8 13:13
1. Google "buy Japan Rail Pass" and choose between sites. Remember to consider shipping costs - some companies may offer cheaper passes, but charge high shipping costs to compensate.

2. You cannot purchase an exchange voucher more than 3 months ahead.

3. Check with the provider. Usually the answer is no.

4. Only JR East allows website bookings before exchange of the voucher. Google for their website. Other trains will need to be booked once you are in Japan and have exchanged your voucher for the JRP.

5. Yes, you can cancel a reservation at a ticket counter in Japan and make a new one.
by / (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Best website to buy Railpass & info? 2018/2/8 14:22
what's the best website to buy JR?

There is no JR officially-recognized website to sell or buy a Japan Rail Pass.

The issuer of Japan Rail Passes (= the six JR regional companies) requests you to visit a real office and listen to the explanation regarding the eligibility.
http://japanrailpass.net/en/purchase.html

how much time before going to Japan is best to buy?
is there refund in the case of trip deletion?

You can check the related information on the official website.
http://japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html

Once you have started using your Japan Rail Pass, there is no refund,
even if the train service which you use / could have used is delayed / suspended.

Your Exchange Order should be turned in for a Japan Rail Pass within 3 months from the day of purchase.
When you receive your Japan Rail Pass,
you specify the day within 1 month when you start using the pass,
and the pass should be valid from that day.

In the case I have to modify itinerary during the holiday,
can I delete the train booking and book another train short time before the departure?

Regarding your JR train ride with your Japan Rail Pass, basically you can renew your seat reservation before the scheduled departure time.

When you travel with JR regular tickets,
you can once replace your reserved-seat ticket before the scheduled departure time;
to cancel the ticket after the replacement, you should pay a handling fee.

(Even after you missed your train, it is recommendable that you get nullified your seat reservation so that another passenger can reserve the seat.)

what are the websites to book trains and seats?

That depends on JR sections.

JR-East manages its own website
for foreign passengers who hold a credit card of a designated brand
(including passengers who plan to travel with Japan Rail Pass)
to reserve seats of trains for Shinkansen
(other than Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen) sections
and of Limited Express trains for JR-East and JR-Hokkaido major sections.

This JR-East reservation system requires you to pick up your tickets by 21:00 (Japan Standard Time) on the day before your boarding day; so it works mostly for your train rides on Day 2 or later.
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/co...
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/ticket/reservation.html

Regarding other JR sections, there seems to be no JR official reservation website designed for Japan Rail Pass travelers.
by omotenashi rate this post as useful

Re: Best website to buy Railpass & info? 2018/2/14 23:14
https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/ is a good website to get as said people before me. But be aware of some blogs, they try to get money with comissions like here : https://nihonkara.fr/acheter-le-japan-rail-pass/

Have fun in Japan !
by Alex56 rate this post as useful

Re: Best website to buy Railpass & info? 2018/2/15 03:54
You could always check out who is the authorization to sell the Japan Rail Pass Voucher in your country. They might be close to you.
You can book the seats after you come to Japan to exchange the voucher to a pass.
You can get it 3 months before your trip. Usually 1.5 months before is good. You must have the voucher before coming to Japan. Do not forget to bring it with you.

http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ for train schedules

Hope this helps!
by Koohii2wii rate this post as useful

reply to this thread