Tokyo to Osaka: 5 Ways to Make Your Journey on Every Travel Budget

Planning a trip from Tokyo to Osaka opens the door to Japan's amazing cultural scene, and you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy it all. We've put this guide together to help you navigate these fantastic cities without burning a hole in your pocket.

Here, you'll discover ways to make your Tokyo-Osaka journey more budget-friendly. Learn more about money-saving travel hacks, find the most wallet-friendly transport options, and learn clever tricks for affordable stays and activities.

We've also put together a breakdown of everything you need to know in the table below. Take a screenshot and save it in your gallery for quick reference.

Attention, passengers! All aboard the famous Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train.

There are three types of bullet trains that travel on the Tokaido Shinkansen line: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. Each has its own pros and cons so consider them carefully when selecting a bullet train.

If you need to get to Osaka in a jiffy, Nozomi trains are the ones to beat for those who need the quickest one-way trip between the two cities. With this, you'll speed through Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, and then lastly, Kyoto, before getting off at the Shin Osaka station.

For ¥13,870 per head, effortlessly zoom your way to Osaka by getting your Nozomi bullet train tickets on Klook. Not only are you paying for convenience, but the cool experience too!

But if you aren't in a hurry, we highly recommend breaking up your journey from Tokyo to Shin Osaka station to drop by Kyoto. It's the heart of rich Japanese culture since you can find many historical structures like the Fushimi Inari Shrine. This tourist spot is where you see the iconic red Torii-style gates that flood your Instagram feed!

So instead of travelling straight from Tokyo to Osaka, purchase one bullet train ticket that departs from Tokyo station to Kyoto (¥13,320) and another from Kyoto to Shin Osaka station (¥1,450). To redeem your Shinkansen tickets, scan your QR code at the JR train station ticket machine and enjoy the train ride.

For only ¥4,235 per day, this is the cheapest option for those who don't want to splurge on bullet train tickets. Onboard Tokyo station using your Japan Rail pass (JR pass) to get from one city to the next. With this pass, you score unlimited JR-operated train rides (valid on local, express rapid, Hikari and Kodama bullet trains) for up to 21 days! When you know you'll be commuting around by local trains a lot, getting a JR pass is the key to travelling within Japan without having to fuss over availing multiple Japanese train tickets. Not that you need any more convincing, but read this to see the breakdown of how value-for-money it is!

And if you thought that it couldn't get any better, another perk for all JR pass holders is that you're entitled to book reserved seats completely free. Just present your pass to any JR ticket office! While we're on the topic of train commutes, check out these eight scenic train rides. Admire Japan's dynamic landscapes from volcanic mountain ranges, autumnal crimson red trees, flowing rivers and more as you look out the window.

But if you prefer a 7-day slow travel, get a Hokuriku Arch pass for ¥24,500. Because sometimes, the journey is just as lovely as the destination! Unlike the Japan-wide JR pass, this regional pass offers unlimited travel within specified areas only. This is a great opportunity to take the route less travelled and explore spots like the calming Kenrokuen Garden or Dinosaur Museum. These destinations aren't as popular among international tourists, but they're definitely worth the trip. So sit back and relax as your train ride doubles as a sightseeing tour of Japan!

Let's take the high road! Starting from ¥6,500, this affordable mode of transportation is a one-way trip in spacious and clean highway buses. If you want to get to Tokyo from Osaka, select from various departure points in Namba, Umeda, and nearby places around Kansai airport. Then, get dropped off the next day at Tokyo, Shinjuku, Yokohama, Saitama Shintoshin train station, or even Tokyo Disneyland! The choice is totally yours...cough Disneyland cough. Oh, and did we mention this is an overnight one-way trip? Basically, you're just a sleep away from Osaka to Tokyo. The travel time via a night bus is around eight hours, enough to catch some much-needed Z's while in transit.

Comfort won't be an issue, especially if you book the 3-seat row option. Plus, these night buses have ample storage space for your larger bags. Wake up in a completely different city when you book either a four or 3-seat row package, complete with pillows and a blanket onboard. Click on the package link and take a look at the interiors of this night bus from Osaka to Tokyo. It can't get any more roomy than that! Before you know it, you'll doze off into a deep, restful sleep.

Travel hack alert! Did you know that you can also book flights through Klook? We'll also show you how many tickets are left before they run out! We're your all-in-one handy dandy travel buddy.

Generally speaking, even if the travel time from Narita or Haneda Airport to Kansai International Airport is around an hour and 30 minutes, be prepared to allot a minimum of three hours. In the end, the Tokyo to Osaka bullet train is still the quickest option. This is because when taking flights, you need to consider the time allowance for checking in your baggage, going through security lines, boarding time, and departure routines once you get to Kansai Airport.

The upside of flying from city to city is that you're already familiar with the ins and outs of how to book a flight and travel from a plane, so not a lot of research is needed! Cost-wise, a one-way ticket from Tokyo to Osaka with a budget airline like Jetstar costs approximately a minimum of ¥9,397. Find the most affordable flight when you book tickets ahead on our site! Keep in mind that prices may differ depending on your target travel dates and times, all the more when booking flights for peak season. From there, it's easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy to get airport transfers (like car rentals) to your accommodation. This also leads us to the next option below!

Fast & Furious fans, we know what you're thinking! Name a more satisfying moment than singing along to Tokyo Drift by the Teriyaki Boyz while cruising through the city, especially during cherry blossom season. If you have more time to spare, the estimated one-way travel time from Tokyo to Osaka or Osaka to Tokyo is five to six hours. Now you can live out your dream of being the movie's main character when you rent a car through Klook! Just make sure to follow all rules and etiquette when driving, of course. This is no biggie if you're used to driving cars with the steering wheel on the right-hand side.

You might be thinking, "How do I return the car?" and "Is the car insured?" There there, don't worry! For optimal convenience, you have the freedom to customise everything. We mean it! From choosing the dates and times to how many seats and the type of car you want to drive, our car rental packages were made with your convenience in mind! You also call the shots if you prefer an airport or train station car pick-up and drop-off. And yup, all our cars are insured! The only things you'll need to gather before you hit the road are the following requirements:

Before you finalise your trip to Tokyo and Osaka, keep in mind the seasonal price fluctuations. The summer break season is among the busiest times for Osaka and falls from late July to the end of August. Take advantage of the off-peak season for lower prices on transportation when you book train tickets or flights ahead!

There are so many factors to consider when deciding on how to get from one place to another, like price, comfortability, convenience and a lot more! Time is gold, so what are you waiting for? Go get that vacation out from the group chat and turn it into reality!