Your Transport Guide: Osaka to Shirahama – via Train, Highway Bus
Many people would visit Shirahama for its natural landscape or beaches when they are having holidays in Kansai.
If you are going to Shirahama from Osaka, you can choose to take the train or highway bus.
We are going to introduce both ways of travelling.
1. JR Limited Express
The fastest way to get to Shirahama from Osaka is by JR Limited Express, Kuroshio.
This train travels between Osaka city and Wakayama.
It takes around 2 hours and 10 minutes for the journey.
You can board the train at Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station, or Tennoji Station.
Please note that all the seats in Kuroshio are reserved seats, you have to reserve your seat at the JR counter.
Moreover, if you are boarding the train at Osaka Station, only trains bound for “Shirahama/Shingu” will reach Shirahama.
If you board a train bound for “Wakayama,” you will need to transfer to a train bound for “Shirahama/Shingu.”
Additionally, JR Shirahama Station is not located at the town centre.
You will need to transfer for other transports to get to the town centre.
If you opt for a city bus, generally it would take around 10 to 15 minutes.
Estimated Travelling Time: around 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes
Fee (Single Trip): 5,810 yen
Schedule: around every 1 hour
Must-have Ticket for Your Trip to Kansai!
If you are planning to visit many cities in the Kansai area, you may consider getting a JR PASS.
With a JR PASS, you can enjoy unlimited JR train rides within the designated area on consecutive days.
Most importantly, it is a money-saver that helps you to manage your travelling budget.
The JR 5-Day Kansai Wide Area Pass (12,000 yen) allows travel to places such as Osaka, Kyoto, Okayama, Takamatsu, and Nara.
On the other hand, the JR 5-Day Ise, Kumano, and Wakayama Area Pass (16,500 yen) covers a wider area, allowing travel to places such as Nagoya, Ise, and Kumano.
2. Highway Bus
Compared with JR trains, highway buses allow you to reach tourist attractions and major hot-spring hotels directly.
There is no need to change for other transports, which is more convenient for travellers with heavy luggages.
You can hop on the highway bus at Osaka Station or Namba Station.
However, a highway bus would have a longer journey with at least 3 hours.
Estimated Travelling Time: around 3 hours to 3 hours 40 minutes
Fee (Single Trip): 3,300 yen
Schedule: around every 1.5 hours
JR Limited Express VS Highway Bus
| JR Limited Express | Highway Bus | |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Travelling Time | around 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes | around 3 hours to 3 hours 40 minutes |
| Fee (Single Trip) | 5,810 yen | 3,300 yen |
| Schedule | around every 1 hour | around every 1.5 hours |
