Flights
Flying is
the fastest and often the most expensive way to travel from Tokyo to Osaka, but with a bit of luck you can score very good deals for as little as
USD 41.22.
Things to remember: Note that some of the airlines may have restrictions on checked luggage weight or require paying extra for check-in, choosing seats or transportation of oversized luggage.
If opting for a flight, calculate the time you will spend getting to and from the airports as well as the waiting time before your flight, getting through immigration in case of an international flight and recovering your checked luggage.
In certain cases all these procedures can add no less than 5 hours to your total travel time.
Airlines flying between Tokyo and Osaka
All Nippon Airways, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Lufthansa, Peach Airlines, Star Flyer, Thai Airways
Bus
Travelling from Tokyo to Osaka overland will inevitably take longer but in many cases it is
the cheapest option if you opt for a bus.
Things to remember: For a more comfortable ride opt for a higher-class bus wherever possible. These buses usually have soft reclining seats and are equipped with air-conditioning and on-board toilets.
They often include water, snacks or a light lunch into your ticket price and make bathroom stops en-route.
Companies operating bus routes between Tokyo and Osaka
Heisei Community Bus HC, Heisei Enterprise HE0 (株式会社平成エンタープライズ), Kintetsu Bus ZKN12, Kintetsu Bus ZKN2, Nishi Tokyo Bus XNTK4, Osaka Bus ZOS4 (大阪バス ZOS4), Sakura Kanko Bus CJ (さくら観光バス株式会社), Sakura Kotsu (株式会社桜交通), Sakura Kotsu SK4 (株式会社桜交通 SK4), Sakura Kotsu SK6, Sakura Syoei (株式会社桜交通、昌栄バス), Shinki Bus HT2 (神姫観光バス HT2), Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3 (東京富士交通株式会社), Tourist Bus TRB, Yutaka YT (株式会社ユタカコーポレーション)
Train
Train is a often a great choice for long-haul travel especially if you opt for a night sleeper train with berths which will allow you to
sleep all your journey through. To make the most of your train journey, choose the class of your ticket wisely.
Note that there are air-conditioned and fan-only carriages; private compartments for 2 or 4; hard and soft seats.
Though the upper class you get the smoother is your journey, often second class air-conditioned or fan-only sleepers are a good money saving alternative.
