Faster Than a Speeding Bullet: Shinkansen vs Airplane vs Bus

There are three primary options to consider for intercity travel within Japan: the Shinkansen (bullet train), airplanes, and intercity buses. The Shinkansen is a marvel of technological achievement that cuts through the Japanese landscape with astonishing speed.  It provides travelers not only with efficiency but also a uniquely Japanese experience that stands in stark contrast to the familiar bustle of airport terminals or the slow pace of buses. For newcomers to Japan, it might be most prudent to opt for the bullet train, which balances the speed one would associate with air travel, with the convenience and novelty that only the Shinkansen can offer.

What is the cheapest mode of travel in Japan?

In order to compare travel costs between Tokyo and some of the most popular tourist destinations, I did an analysis using Google Flights and Hyperdia. I determined fares based on the based on the cheapest nonstop flights from either Narita or Haneda airports, with the return date being at least 2 days in the future but no more than 5 days later. For the Shinkansen, I used in the fastest trip on the corresponding days, while bus fares were calculated using the most affordable economy rates, using the closest available dates when exact dates were unavailable.

The outcomes were a little surprising. The Shinkansen emerged as the priciest option, with costs sometimes being double that of airfares. Shinkansen prices also showed less fluctuation based on travel distances and dates, which is very different from the more variable airplane ticket costs. For shorter distances, buses took the crown for affordability, but the costs crept upwards for longer trips, rivaling or even exceeding some airfares.

When traveling round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto on a random day, for example, taking the bus only cost about $100 round trip, flying cost about $150, and riding the Shinkansen comes in at almost $200.  For a longer trip between Tokyo and Fukuoka, flying was the cheapest option at $140, taking the bus cost $240, and riding the Shinkansen was still the most expensive option at $325.

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?

Buying a rail pass will change the results as well.  With the current 7 day rail pass price of around $200, it would make traveling to multiple cities much cheaper on the bullet train than any other option.  Unfortunately prices are going up in October to around $350 for the same pass, which includes an additional surcharge for most of the cities in my example.  This will make the rail pass a less convenient option in the future.  Whether or not it is a good value will depend on which, and how many cities you are planning to visit.

Is traveling by plane, Shinkansen, or bus faster?

Looking at my data comparing planes, trains, and buses gives us some interesting insights. Although flying is obviously very fast, I added an additional 90 minutes to handle the usual things like check-in, security checks, and collecting baggage. I did not, however, add any transit time to or from the airport.

Shinkansen travel times were surprisingly close to the adjusted flight times in most cases. Traveling to Sapporo, however, was much faster by plane. The Shinkansen ends at Hakodate in southern Hokkaido and you must take normal trains the rest of the way to Sapporo. Buses, unsurprisingly, were consistently the most time-consuming option.

Wrapping Up

The Shinkansen, with its blend of speed and cultural experience, is still my favorite and is still my recommendation. While the bullet train's allure is undeniable (at least to me), I can't dismiss the potential value of taking to the skies or roads when circumstances call for it.  Taking the bus can be considerably cheaper on short routes, and flying is surprisingly affordable and much faster on longer routes.