Kyoto to Tokyo

Kyoto to Tokyo

Kyoto
Tokyo
Fri, Oct 17
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Kyoto to Tokyo Destination Reviews

MG
Temperature below freezing. Asked the driver twice to put it down. I got a cold from it.
Kyoto to Tokyo, Bus Standard Plus, Tourist Bus, Oct 13, 2025
GG
Booking a train ticket in Europe in 2000 was much easier than in Japan in 2025. I had to read 4 pages of instructions and still couldn’t book a ticket. This is disappointing.
Kyoto to Tokyo, Train #NOZOMI314 Unreserved seat, Tokaido Shinkansen, Oct 10, 2025
EW
We almost missed the bus because they replaced the green Kintetsu bus with a red and white one and we were never told about this. I specifically chose this bus because it had a bathroom and the replacement bus didn't. Seats were very uncomfortable and the bus made so many stops. No pillows or blankets provided and the seats barely reclined. We did get to our destination an hour earlier than expected which was a bonus because I couldn't wait to leave the bus and nap elsewhere.
Kyoto to Tokyo, Bus Intercity, Kintetsu Bus ZKN2, Sep 23, 2025
VR
Comfy and fast means of getting around Japan.
Kyoto to Tokyo, Train #NOZOMI234 Green Car, Tokaido Shinkansen, Sep 15, 2025
IM
Easy to book, good information and pragmatic.
Kyoto to Tokyo, Train #NOZOMI14 Standard, Tokaido Shinkansen, Jul 28, 2025
BO
The buses and staff are very friendly, but the travel rules need to be posted on the seats and inside the bus. For example, on a six-hour journey, the passenger behind me knocked on my seat and asked me to close the curtains. Instead, a warning could be written saying, "Do not open the curtains." Many passengers kept making noises. For example, I couldn't sleep because of a passenger who was constantly sniffling. Warnings should be issued for this. Thank you.
Kyoto to Tokyo, Bus Liner Standard, Sakura Syoei (株式会社桜交通、昌栄バス), Jul 14, 2025
DR
Very simple and easy to use - would definitely recommend and use again.
Kyoto to Tokyo, Train #NOZOMI 16 Standard, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Jul 2, 2025
GD
An accident
Kyoto to Tokyo, Bus Standard Plus, ATLINER Syoei Kotsu Co (株式会社ATLINER、株式会社昌栄交通), Jul 1, 2025
QT
On time, fastest bus available, just the seats are bit narrow. But it was nonetheless pleasant and good, even had a curtain between a two-seater (if you wanted to draw it). Would do it again!
Kyoto to Tokyo, Bus Express, Sunshine Express SN6, Jun 12, 2025
VM
I wasn’t expecting a 5 star hotel experience, The trip was smooth, everyone slept on silence. The most respectful country in the world I couldn’t expect any better
Kyoto to Tokyo, Bus Standard Plus, ATLINER Syoei Kotsu Co (株式会社ATLINER、株式会社昌栄交通), May 3, 2025
4.5
159 customer reviews
5
64%
4
22%
3
9%
2
4%
1
1%

Kyoto to Tokyo Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
06:14
08:23
$105.81
Train
Tokaido Shinkansen
Standard
06:35
08:48
$94.73
  4.2
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
06:54
09:06
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
07:12
09:24
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
07:30
09:45
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
07:48
10:03
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
08:06
10:21
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
08:24
10:36
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
08:45
10:57
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
09:01
11:15
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
09:21
11:33
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
09:39
11:54
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
10:01
12:15
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
10:21
12:33
$112.73
Train
Tokaido Shinkansen
Standard
10:39
12:54
$94.73
  4.2
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
11:01
13:15
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
11:21
13:33
$112.73
Train
Tokaido Shinkansen
Standard
11:39
13:54
$94.73
  4.2
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
12:01
14:15
$112.73
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
12:21
14:33
$112.73

Transportation from Kyoto to Tokyo

Facts about the transport from Kyoto to Tokyo

Cheapest Transport$48
Fastest Transport2h 7m
Earliest Departure6:14 AM
Latest Departure11:55 PM
Departures per day567
Distance461 kilometers
Transport CompaniesDaytrip private transfer with English speaking driver, Haruka Express, Jetstar Japan, Kirakira Bus, Kirakira Bus SK6, Sakura Kanko Bus CJ, Sakura Kotsu, Sakura Kotsu SK4, Sakura Syoei, Shinki Bus LM, Sunshine Express SN6, Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3, Tourist Bus, Tourist Bus, Tourist Bus Kitagunma

How to get from Kyoto to Tokyo

When you want to get from Kyoto to Tokyo, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

  • Flight
  • Bus
  • Train
  • Taxi

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Train. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Bus ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A Train ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 132.11. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 47.93.

How far is Kyoto from Tokyo?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Kyoto to Tokyo. Your trip will be a total of 287 miles (461 km). The flying distance is 281 miles (451 km).

How long does it take to get from Kyoto to Tokyo?

The travel time from Kyoto to Tokyo can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 3 to 9 hours.

How much does it cost to get from Kyoto to Tokyo?

The cost of the trip from Kyoto to Tokyo varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Kirakira Bus SK6: travelling by bus expect to pay as low as USD 47.93 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a Train - a one-way Train ticket can cost as much as USD 132.11.

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Kyoto to Tokyo:

  • Bus tickets - USD 47.93 to USD 100.07;
  • Train tickets - USD 93.08 to USD 132.11;
  • flight+Train price: USD 99.51. From Kyoto to Tokyo starting from 08:17 Kyoto until 08:17 Kyoto

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 2,034.23 to USD 2,165.65.

How many trips per day are there between Kyoto and Tokyo?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

  • Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 549 trains per day.
  • Buses start plying the route from 22:40 - you can also take a bus as late as 23:55. There are 18 available bus trips every day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Kyoto to Tokyo is cheaper than flying. Quite often, a long-distance bus is the cheapest transportation option. Buses normally make bathroom and/or lunch stops along the way.

Things to remember before opting for a bus ride:

  • If possible, make sure to choose higher-class buses for a more comfortable travel experience. Such buses often have an air conditioning system, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, etc.
  • As with plane tickets, buses are better booked in advance so that you can secure a good seat.
  • While booking a bus, keep in mind that delays are possible. Yet it still pays to get to the bus station at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Taxi

Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Kyoto to Tokyo. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.

Depending on the route, it might cost as much as USD 2,034.23.

Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.

Shinkansen Bullet Trains from Kyoto to Tokyo

While conventional trains typically operate at speeds of 80-130 km/h (50-80 mph), Shinkansen trains can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph). This significant increase in speed allows the Shinkansen to drastically reduce travel time between Kyoto and Tokyo, making it the fastest form of ground transportation available for this route.

Japan Rail Passes from Kyoto to Tokyo

For travelers planning multiple trips, a JR Pass from Kyoto to Tokyo can be a cost-effective solution.
JR Rail Passes provide:

  • Access to multiple Shinkansen lines, including those serving the Kyoto to Tokyo route
  • Use of local JR trains for side trips and exploration
  • Flexibility to modify travel plans without additional ticket purchases
  • Potential cost savings compared to buying individual tickets

These passes often provide significant savings compared to individual ticket fares and offer flexibility in travel planning. When comparing prices and considering your itinerary needs for journeys between Kyoto and Tokyo, the JR Rail Pass option is worth evaluating. It can be particularly beneficial for those planning to explore multiple destinations or make return trips within the validity period of the pass.
Things to remember while choosing a train ticket:
Consider everything carefully while choosing the class of your train travel. In most cases, the second class is comfortable enough – it features 2 or 4 berths in each compartment and is often air-conditioned.
If you’re in for a premium experience, consider getting a first class ticket. The price of first class tickets may include Wifi, and a choice of snacks and drinks..

The most popular transport from Kyoto to Tokyo

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Kyoto to Tokyo? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

  • 83% decided to go for a bus.
  • 17% users enjoyed a train ride.