Icoca or Suica Card?

[Yongie]

Hi Guys,

Can i know if Icoca card or Suica Card can be used on all the Mrts & Buses in Japan (Tokyo, Aomori, Kyoto & Tokyo)?

Understand that i can only get my deposit & refund back on certain places, example Icoca at Kyoto/ Osaka, Suica at (Tokyo). <- Please correct me if i were wrong.

If that so, any idea if where will i be able to buy Icoca card in Tokyo?? Cause my trip start from Tokyo & end at Osaka so i think too just get Icoca cards from the beginning?? Or i will have to buy Suica Card for Tokyo, do a refund before i depart to Kyoto and then proceed to buy Icoca card when i reach Kyoto?

Look forward for your advise

Thanks in advance!

 

[Integra.TypeR]

Will the cost be higher if you purchase a JRP and a Tokyo Metro pass?

Because in Kyoto, you still can opt for JR line which JRP covers it. Problem is with buses..

And you need JRP to cover Tokyo>Kyoto>Osaka? You might want to tell the guys how many days you planning.

From my previous trip, i touched down at NRT and head straight to osaka. So between osaka and kyoto, most of my rides are covered by JRP but not buses in kyoto. And my tokyo transport were covered by Tokyo metro pass 3 days...

 

[Gixxerfied]

I use suica in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto last November..

I never refund, good for like 10 years? Kept it for my next trip later this year..

 

[Gixxerfied]

Will the cost be higher if you purchase a JRP and a Tokyo Metro pass?

Because in Kyoto, you still can opt for JR line which JRP covers it. Problem is with buses..

And you need JRP to cover Tokyo>Kyoto>Osaka? You might want to tell the guys how many days you planning.

From my previous trip, i touched down at NRT and head straight to osaka. So between osaka and kyoto, most of my rides are covered by JRP but not buses in kyoto. And my tokyo transport were covered by Tokyo metro pass 3 days...

One thing I guess jrp is out for him becos he's going to land Tokyo and depart from Osaka..so without the classic round trip, cost of JRP is hard to recover..

 

[Integra.TypeR]

One thing I guess jrp is out for him becos he's going to land Tokyo and depart from Osaka..so without the classic round trip, cost of JRP is hard to recover..

Was thinking since Tokyo Metro Pass covers his transport in Tokyo and JRP can be flexi upon activation and still feasible for his transportation in Osaka.

And TS did mentioned about Aomori.. it seems like his route is Tokyo>Aomori>Kyoto>Osaka which is landed, go up, go back down all the way.

Is the Icoca or Suica price (excluding ad-hoc rides in city) similar to JRP and Tokyo Metro pass in overall?

Sorry, i just curious..

 

[Gixxerfied]

Was thinking since Tokyo Metro Pass covers his transport in Tokyo and JRP can be flexi upon activation and still feasible for his transportation in Osaka.

And TS did mentioned about Aomori.. it seems like his route is Tokyo>Aomori>Kyoto>Osaka which is landed, go up, go back down all the way.

Is the Icoca or Suica price (excluding ad-hoc rides in city) similar to JRP and Tokyo Metro pass in overall?

Sorry, i just curious..

Paiseh..Miss the Aomori..but if he's going up then down and if jrp covers that then he should get jrp..

Edit: JRP apparently can be use on Hayabusa Shinkansen to Aomori so ya, TS would be better off with a 7D JRP to travelling between Tokyo>Aomori and then Hayabusa from Aomori to Tokyo before switching to Hikari for Osaka/Kyoto

 

[3hubb3r]

ICOCA and Suica can be used in all common railway and bus networks in Japan. ICOCA is issued by JR West and Suica is by JR East. In fact all IC cards are compatible with each other.

 

[Yongie]

Heloo guys, thanks for the replies... sry for the late response as i was away for dinner apt just now.

Yeap, as mentioned by most of you guys, i do have the JR pass with me. I just wondering if it would be lots easier to use this either Suica or Icoca card on those non JR metro as well as for the buses. I will be traveling using JR pass to cover Tokyo, Aomori , Kyoto & Osaka (9days in total). Plan to activate the JR pass on the 1st day of arrival. Foresee will need to travel using non JR rail on 2nd day onward (at Aomori to Hirosaki)~

Paiseh..Miss the Aomori..but if he's going up then down and if jrp covers that then he should get jrp..

Edit: JRP apparently can be use on Hayabusa Shinkansen to Aomori so ya, TS would be better off with a 7D JRP to travelling between Tokyo>Aomori and then Hayabusa from Aomori to Tokyo before switching to Hikari for Osaka/Kyoto

Will the cost be higher if you purchase a JRP and a Tokyo Metro pass?

Because in Kyoto, you still can opt for JR line which JRP covers it. Problem is with buses..

And you need JRP to cover Tokyo>Kyoto>Osaka? You might want to tell the guys how many days you planning.

From my previous trip, i touched down at NRT and head straight to osaka. So between osaka and kyoto, most of my rides are covered by JRP but not buses in kyoto. And my tokyo transport were covered by Tokyo metro pass 3 days...

Haha maybe i should follow your footsteps~

I use suica in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto last November..

I never refund, good for like 10 years? Kept it for my next trip later this year..

Thanks! at least now i know worst come to worst i will just get the Suica & use it all the way to Osaka and safe keep it for future usage. Unless it is more feasible to just buy single ticket for each of the places i gg to visit.

ICOCA and Suica can be used in all common railway and bus networks in Japan. ICOCA is issued by JR West and Suica is by JR East. In fact all IC cards are compatible with each other.

 

[Gixxerfied]

Heloo guys, thanks for the replies... sry for the late response as i was away for dinner apt just now.

Yeap, as mentioned by most of you guys, i do have the JR pass with me. I just wondering if it would be lots easier to use this either Suica or Icoca card on those non JR metro as well as for the buses. I will be traveling using JR pass to cover Tokyo, Aomori , Kyoto & Osaka (9days in total). Plan to activate the JR pass on the 1st day of arrival. Foresee will need to travel using non JR rail on 2nd day onward (at Aomori to Hirosaki)~





Haha maybe i should follow your footsteps~



Thanks! at least now i know worst come to worst i will just get the Suica & use it all the way to Osaka and safe keep it for future usage. Unless it is more feasible to just buy single ticket for each of the places i gg to visit.

Actually why not activate JRP on the 2nd day when u are going to Aomori??

My last Nov trip was..1st night in Tokyo, next day go Osaka(Day trip Nara) then go Kyoto and go Kawaguchiko..

I'm nt that sure but i nv use my JRP in Tokyo much other than for 1/2 the trip to Takaosan..

No, you might actually save abit using IC Card instead of buying single trip..I think someone mention single trip is round up cost while using IC Card, they deduct exact amt..And of cos the convenience..

9D trip?? How many days are u going to spend at Aomori? My previous trip was 10Days(2N Osaka, 2N Kyoto, 1N Kawaguchiko), i realise i nv explore Tokyo itself much..So this coming trip in Oct, wife and me decide to take things slow and spend 10 full days in Tokyo..Might day trip to Fuji 5 Lakes..

 

[lcpteck]

There's technically no difference between the SUICA and ICOCA IC Cards (I use ICOCA cause Osaka was the first city I visited in Japan). I've kept my card and used it in Kansai region and Tokyo.

The card is valid forever unless no activity for 10 years. I visit Japan around once a year so will always use it. Think of it like your EZ-Link card.

 

[Yongie]

Cause 1st day upon reaching Tokyo, i will need to collect the reserved ticket to Aomori next day (Golden Week for Jpn + Golden Week for Aomori so have to do reservation earlier), plus m gg to travel to my hostel using Narita express.. hence the planning. We are gg to do a day trip there at Aomori, just to cover Hirosaki Castle. It will be quite rush for us too since we only have 9 days to cover 3-4 places. In fact, we will be gg Nara for a half day tour just to visit Nara Park. Nt planning to shop a lot for this round ~ more like sight seeing & window shopping.

Actually why not activate JRP on the 2nd day when u are going to Aomori??

My last Nov trip was..1st night in Tokyo, next day go Osaka(Day trip Nara) then go Kyoto and go Kawaguchiko..

I'm nt that sure but i nv use my JRP in Tokyo much other than for 1/2 the trip to Takaosan..

No, you might actually save abit using IC Card instead of buying single trip..I think someone mention single trip is round up cost while using IC Card, they deduct exact amt..And of cos the convenience..

9D trip?? How many days are u going to spend at Aomori? My previous trip was 10Days(2N Osaka, 2N Kyoto, 1N Kawaguchiko), i realise i nv explore Tokyo itself much..So this coming trip in Oct, wife and me decide to take things slow and spend 10 full days in Tokyo..Might day trip to Fuji 5 Lakes..

Hmm, okok thx for the info.. guess i will just grab the Suica Card upon arrival n keep it for future usage too~

There's technically no difference between the SUICA and ICOCA IC Cards (I use ICOCA cause Osaka was the first city I visited in Japan). I've kept my card and used it in Kansai region and Tokyo.

The card is valid forever unless no activity for 10 years. I visit Japan around once a year so will always use it. Think of it like your EZ-Link card.

 

[Integra.TypeR]

TBH, nara park is a waste of time..

 

[Gixxerfied]

Cause 1st day upon reaching Tokyo, i will need to collect the reserved ticket to Aomori next day (Golden Week for Jpn + Golden Week for Aomori so have to do reservation earlier), plus m gg to travel to my hostel using Narita express.. hence the planning. We are gg to do a day trip there at Aomori, just to cover Hirosaki Castle. It will be quite rush for us too since we only have 9 days to cover 3-4 places. In fact, we will be gg Nara for a half day tour just to visit Nara Park. Nt planning to shop a lot for this round ~ more like sight seeing & window shopping.



Hmm, okok thx for the info.. guess i will just grab the Suica Card upon arrival n keep it for future usage too~

You mean u activate on 1st day, collect reserve tickets for next day travel right??

The other time i reach and did the voucher exchange, set the activation date to the next day and also reserve my tickets to go Kyoto at the same time.

 

[Yongie]

Huh?! Really a... i tot wanna go see, deer~ lololol

TBH, nara park is a waste of time..

Yeap, reserved ticket must be collected a day before travel ma. You mean i can collect without activating the JR pass? Will they charge me for the reservation fees then?

You mean u activate on 1st day, collect reserve tickets for next day travel right??

The other time i reach and did the voucher exchange, set the activation date to the next day and also reserve my tickets to go Kyoto at the same time.

 

[Gixxerfied]

Huh?! Really a... i tot wanna go see, deer~ lololol



Yeap, reserved ticket must be collected a day before travel ma. You mean i can collect without activating the JR pass? Will they charge me for the reservation fees then?

As far as i understand, you can reserve and collect tickets as long as the intended date of travel is within the JRP activation period..

Like i mention, first day i reach Tokyo on 11th Nov, i change my voucher at the service center at HND, date of activation i put on 12th Nov..Wasnt able to reserve tickets at their site so i head over to JR East Service Center at Shinjuku to reserve & collect my tickets for Tokyo - Kyoto(Travelling on 12th Nov) that evening..

And also reserve my seats for Kyoto to Mishima(For 16th Nov) as well..

Of cos if you wana activate for 1st day, cant stop u also..