FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - 7-8 days in Japan - Kyoto+Tokyo - Rough Itinerary
Old Jan 1, 2010 | 11:06 pm
  #12  
abmj-jr
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Originally Posted by etcknight
... abmj-jr – is there any benefit for the prepaid passes vs. the unlimited bus travel pass? I think the unlimited bus travel pass probably sounds like a good idea. Also, is the bus system sufficient, or should I consider Surutto Kansai card? ...
I am not sure what you mean by "unlimited bus travel pass." I think which pass you get depends on where you will be traveling and for how long. Most of the options are for set time periods - one or two days, etc. I usually get the Traffica card as it is good for as long as the prepaid amount lasts. I brought one home a few years ago that still had over a thousand yen left on it and was able to use it on my next trip a year later. Since I tend to visit for more than 2 days, I just keep using the card for as long as the money on it lasts. If you will only be in Kyoto for one or two days, you might be better off with one of the time-limited but unlimited rides cards. I would only go for the Surutto card if I knew I would be going some place on the Keihan or Hankyu lines that is not on the subway or city bus lines. YMMV.

Also, keep in mind that for a few specific destinations, two in a cab might not be all that more expensive that using one of the passes and will save a lot of time. You might want to consider it if the buses are crowded or not convenient.

I can't help with your ryokan questions. I don't do floor sleeping.
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