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If you’re looking for the best way to get to Kyoto you’ve come to the right place. We’ve looked into all the different transport options to provide you with quality travel information so that you can spend more time planning your stay in Kyoto rather than how to get to Kyoto. We’ve singled out the quickest way, the easiest way, the cheapest way and our favourite way to get to Kyoto, as well as listing up all the special offers that are available including the use of a JR Pass.
From Tokyo
Our Favourite way from Tokyo to Kyoto
| Tokyo to Kyoto |
Shinkansen |
From 13,080 yen |
140 minutes |
0 Transfer |
Our favourite way to get to Kyoto from Tokyo happens to be the easiest and quickest option available and involves taking the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. The two cities are directly connected by the bullet train, with the Nozomi bullet trains taking around 140 minutes to complete the run while the Hikari trains take 2 hours and 40 minutes and the Kodama trains just under 4 hours. Regular ticket pricing starts from 13,080 yen for non-reserved seats, but you can get special Kodama train tickets for as little as 10,100 yen. For more information on this special offer check out our JR Pass & Special Deals section.
| Tokyo Station to JR Kyoto Station |
Shinkansen |
From 13,080 yen |
140 minutes |
The Quickest Way from Tokyo to Kyoto
| Tokyo to Kyoto |
Shinkansen |
From 13,080 yen |
140 minutes |
0 Transfer |
The quickest way to get to Kyoto from Tokyo will be by taking the Nozomi bullet train on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. The Nozomi train will take around 2 hours and 20 minutes for a direct ride from Tokyo to Kyoto and fares start at 13,080 yen for non-reserved seating and 13,910 yen for reserved seating.
| Tokyo Station to JR Kyoto Station |
Shinkansen |
From 13,080 yen |
140 minutes |
The Cheapest Way from Tokyo to Kyoto
| Tokyo to Kyoto |
Budget Highway Bus |
From 2,000 yen |
6 to 8 hours |
0 Transfer |
The cheapest way to get to Nara from Tokyo will be to take a budget overnight bus. When booked in advance fares for the overnight bus are around the 2000 yen mark. Tickets tend to be cheapest between Monday and Thursday, with Fridays being the most expensive closely followed by Saturdays and Sundays. The trip can take between 6 and 8 hours, and the budget overnight bus isn’t the most comfortable way to travel, but in exchange you get to wake up in Kyoto without breaking your bank!
| Tokyo to Kyoto |
Budget Highway Bus |
From 2,000 yen |
0 Transfer |
The Easiest Way from Tokyo to Kyoto
| Tokyo to Kyoto |
Shinkansen |
From 13,080 yen |
140 minutes |
0 Transfer |
The easiest way to get to Kyoto from Tokyo is to use the Tokaido Shinkansen line. With no transfer or stopover, this is the easiest way to get from Tokyo station to Kyoto. The Nozomi bullet trains taking around 140 minutes to complete the run while the Hikari trains take 2 hours and 40 minutes and the Kodama trains just under 4 hours. Regular ticket pricing starts from 13,080 yen for non-reserved seats, but you can get special Kodama train tickets for as little as 10,100 yen. For more information on this special offer check out our JR Pass & Special Deals section.
| Tokyo Station to JR Kyoto Station |
Shinkansen |
From 13,080 yen |
140 minutes |
JR Pass & Special Deals from Tokyo to Kyoto
Japan Rail Pass
If you happen to have a JR Pass then you can take the Hikari or Kodama bullet train from Tokyo station to Kyoto for no extra fee. JR Pass holders will need to pay a surcharge to use the Nozomi or Mizuho bullet trains.
Special Package Tour Deals
If you intend on returning to Tokyo from Kyoto you may be interested to know that several companies offer special round trip packages that include a hotel room as well as a return Shinkansen ticket for discounted prices! Puratto Kodama Economy Plan
The “Puratto Kodama Economy Plan” allows you to travel between Tokyo station and Kyoto on the Kodama bullet train for only 10,100 yen. The special deal requires you to book at least a day in advance from JR Tokai travel agencies, and there are several restrictions such as no refunds in case of you missing your train, a mandatory cancellation fee for purchased tickets and you have to pass through the JR Tokai Shinkansen boarding gate.
From Osaka
Our Favourite way from Osaka to Kyoto
There are many different railways running between Osaka and Kyoto, so it’s important to decide which railway line to take depending on where you’d like to arrive in Kyoto. The Hankyu line will take you to Shijo Kawaramachi in central Kyoto, the Keihan line is ideal if you plan to explore the Higashiyama ward, and if you want to go sightseeing in the southern parts of Kyoto then the JR line is your best bet. The cheapest way to get to Kyoto from Osaka will be either to take the Hankyu line from Umeda station to Kawaramachi station (400 yen, 43 min) or to take the Keihan line from Yodoyabashi station to Sanjo station (410 yen, 51 min). If you have a JR Pass then taking one of the JR lines will be the cheapest.
Hankyu line
| Umeda Station to Kawaramachi Station |
Hankyu line Train |
400 yen |
43 minutes |
0 Transfer |
Keihan line
| Yodoyabashi Station to Sanjo Station |
Keihan line Train |
410 yen |
51 minutes |
0 Transfer |
JR Kyoto line Special Rapid Service
| JR Osaka Station to JR Kyoto Station |
JR Kyoto line Special Rapid Service |
560 yen |
29 minutes |
0 Transfer |
Nozomi Shinkansen
| Shin-Osaka Staion to JR Kyoto Station |
JR Tokaido Shinkansen lin Nozomi train |
1,420 yen |
14 minutes |
0 transfer |
JR Pass & Special Deals from Osaka to Kyoto
Japan Rail Pass
JR Pass holders can take the JR Kyoto line for free. There are many different railways running between Osaka and Kyoto but your pass will only work on the JR lines.
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