🐝Multiple routes, which one to pick?
How to Use / Multiple routes, which one to pick?
Search for a destination and you’ll get several routes. One takes 17 minutes for ¥340, another 25 minutes for ¥180. Different times, different fares — which do you take?
Japan’s fare system works differently from what you may be used to, and the gap can be significant. Here’s why.
01 Three reasons fares differ
Worth knowing before you choose
Switching companies means paying a base fare again. Japan has multiple railway operators and each charges separately. Stay on one company’s lines and it might be ¥180; cross two and it becomes ¥340 — even if the distance is shorter.
IC cards and paper tickets cost different amounts. IC fares are calculated to the yen and usually come out slightly cheaper. If you use a Suica or PASMO, set it under Route > Fare type. Child fares are set there too.
Registered passes and commuter passes get deducted. Without registering, you’ll see the full fare and it’ll look more expensive than it is. If you’ve bought a pass and the numbers seem high, check whether it’s registered.
If the fare shown doesn’t match what you actually paid, the fare type setting usually doesn’t match how you travel.
More on choosing passes in 🎫 Which pass is worth it for your trip, and commuter passes in 🚇 If you ride the same route every day.
02 Five ways to sort results
Pick what fits the day
Change the sort at the top of the results screen. The same trip can produce a completely different top result.
| Sort | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Recommended | No particular constraints. Balanced on time, transfers and fare |
| Fastest | You’re running late and don’t mind paying more |
| Fewest transfers | You’re hauling a suitcase, or travelling with kids or elderly family |
| Least walking | It’s raining, or you’ve been on your feet all day |
| Cheapest | You have time to spare. Over several days it adds up |
The top recommended route isn’t always the fastest — it’s a balance of time, transfers and fare. Check Cheapest now and then: because of the multi-operator fare issue, a slightly longer route can be considerably cheaper.
03 Reading and saving results
Everything you need on one card
Each card shows duration, arrival time, number of transfers, walking time and fare. The segment bar visualises how much of the trip is riding versus walking.
You may see a route marked no transfers with 15+ minutes of walking. That’s not a bug — it rides straight to a different station near your destination and walks the rest. No company switch means a cheaper fare, and without luggage it can even be faster.
Tap the star to save a route to favourites. Search from the Route tab, use the arrow button to swap origin and destination, and set a departure time when you need to make a reservation or catch the last train.