Using suica
Jan 24, 2015, 7:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: united, Hilton, Amtrak
Posts: 1,194
Using suica
I understand that these can be used on jr rail, subways and buses in Tokyo area. I have read that they can be used for other purchases in convenience stores. How have you used suica cards? Did you use only for travel or did you also use in convenience stores?
Jan 24, 2015, 10:35 pm
#3
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
Not all convenience stores, typically mostly the ones in or near a station.
If you have to load the card with cash, which AFAIK is the only way available to short term visitors, I am not sure it is any more convenient than just paying.
SUICA cards can also be used anywhere in Japan that accepts this type of card.
If you have to load the card with cash, which AFAIK is the only way available to short term visitors, I am not sure it is any more convenient than just paying.
SUICA cards can also be used anywhere in Japan that accepts this type of card.
Jan 25, 2015, 7:46 am
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: united, Hilton, Amtrak
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Thank you. This technology is amazing to me. The United States are so far behind the rest of the world. It's a pain to buy a metro card in washington's metro. Credit card readers never work. Chicago its a crap shoot. Since I live in Chicago I can auto reload.
Jan 25, 2015, 8:16 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
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Used mine at the convenience store underneath the Hyatt Regency, and many other places.
In HK, a similar card 'Octopus' can be used for all mass public transportation; at 7-11, Circle K; major drug store chains, fast food restaurant chains, supermarket chains; school cafeteria; parking meters, AND as security pass card for private housing compounds - same card for paying subway fare and getting into your building lobby.
In HK, a similar card 'Octopus' can be used for all mass public transportation; at 7-11, Circle K; major drug store chains, fast food restaurant chains, supermarket chains; school cafeteria; parking meters, AND as security pass card for private housing compounds - same card for paying subway fare and getting into your building lobby.
Jan 25, 2015, 9:51 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2012
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I have the ICOCA IC Card which I bought from Osaka.
All IC cards in Japan have been integrated. Since you have SUICA, you can use it in Osaka as well or other parts of Japan.
For such a big country, it's nice to know that just 1 card (almost) can meet your transportation needs.
All IC cards in Japan have been integrated. Since you have SUICA, you can use it in Osaka as well or other parts of Japan.
For such a big country, it's nice to know that just 1 card (almost) can meet your transportation needs.
Jan 25, 2015, 10:32 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Jan 25, 2015, 11:36 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I had a layover in NRT recently and brought my SUICA card from a previous trip to Japan to see if there was still a balance.
I stayed airside during my layover and could not find any of the vending machines or stores that would accept it. I'll be back in a couple months and leaving the airport again.
On my first trip I used it for train fare as well as buying food and beer on the train. I might have used it in a convenience store.
I stayed airside during my layover and could not find any of the vending machines or stores that would accept it. I'll be back in a couple months and leaving the airport again.
On my first trip I used it for train fare as well as buying food and beer on the train. I might have used it in a convenience store.