Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo to Kyoto

NaN Passengers

Best Options

 
$36
 
 
$130

Other Options

Tokyo to Kyoto Schedule

Tokyo to Kyoto Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 06:00 - 08:15¥ 19,611
Sakura Kotsu SK6 Express 08:40 - 17:15¥ 4,554
Shinkansen JR Central Standard 10:30 - 12:45¥ 14,389
Shinkansen JR Central Standard 12:30 - 14:45¥ 14,389
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 15:30 - 17:45¥ 19,611
Shinkansen JR Central Unreserved seat 16:30 - 18:45¥ 13,720
Shinkansen JR Central Standard 18:30 - 20:45¥ 14,879
Sakura Kotsu SK4 AC Seater 21:40 - 06:25¥ 4,455
Nishi Tokyo Bus XNTK4 AC Seater 22:20 - 05:52¥ 6,479

Transportation from Tokyo to Kyoto

Facts about the transport from Tokyo to Kyoto

Cheapest Transport$36
Fastest Transport2h 15m
Earliest Departure6:00 AM
Latest Departure11:55 PM
Departures per day71
Distance466 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAT Liner, Grace Liner GR2, Haruka Express, Jetstar Japan, Kirakira Bus, Sakura Kanko Bus CJ, Sakura Kotsu, Sakura Kotsu SK4, Sakura Syoei, Shinkansen JR Central, Shinki Bus HT2, Sunshine Express SN6, Syoei, Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3

Tokyo to Kyoto Destination Reviews

TN
The bus didn’t wait
Bus Express, Sakura Kotsu SK4 (株式会社桜交通 SK4), Apr 14, 2024
P
Didnt Work the QR code and we had to buy News. Very disappointed.
Train #NOZOMI 21 Standard, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Apr 13, 2024
SS
Easy purchas
Train #NOZOMI 41 Standard, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Apr 1, 2024
CV
Trying to find the correct part of the station and use my tickets was very stressful
Train #NOZOMI 11 Unreserved seat, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Sep 11, 2023
RT
I purchased my tickets the night before we needed Shinkansen tickets, so it was a bit last minute. When I bought my tickets it was charging me in Euros so I started to feel unsure, however I proceeded with the purchase. I received an email for my receipt but I did not get a confirmation email right away. I waited until the next day, which was our day of departure at 1425 hours. At 1030 hours I still had not received an email so my panic wostened. I started emailing 12Go inquiring about confirmation email. At 1125 hours I finally received my confirmation email so I was at ease finally. When we got to Shinkansen gates to board Shinkansen using the QR code provided, they would not work. Panic came back. I was afraid it was not real or 12Go was a scam. They let us board and we sat in our reserved seats which had to be legitimate because the conductors never questioned us sitting in the reserved seats. My panic was not completely settled as I wasn’t sure if they were going to charge me or what upon arrival. Again panic set in again. Once we arrived in Kyoto Japan Shinkansen train station we tried to exit with the QR codes and again they did not work. Panic came back. Because of the language barrier I wasn’t sure what to do, but the station attendant helped us, he was able to scan our QR codes on his system and we were out of the Shinkansen station and felt at ease again as we arrived in Kyoto Japan. It all worked out at the end, but as a foreigner traveling where you can’t speak their language it was nerve racking to feel something wasn’t right. In the future, I’ll just pay at the train station directly even if it means it is much more expensive.
Train #NOZOMI 41 Green Car, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Jul 29, 2023
NY
The bullet train ride was good. The main issue was transferring from Tokyo station to the Shinkansen. It was very complex and took a very long time. We needed to ask around a lot too. It would be great if the tickets came with some kind of map/guide to help travellers
Train #NOZOMI 49 Standard, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Jul 15, 2023
LG
The no reserve seats were so crowded and uncomfortable.. there was way too many many waggons with available seats. It was difficult as uncomfortable to find a seat and smelly
Train #NOZOMI 45 Unreserved seat, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Mar 15, 2023
CW
Smooth quick and quiet while I got to see a side of Japan other tourists probably miss out on.
Train #NOZOMI 1 Unreserved seat, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Feb 14, 2023
TT
I wanted to change my ticket to an earlier time but couldn’t figure out how to do so on your website
Train #NOZOMI 433 Standard, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Aug 12, 2022
AG
We are easy exchanged the pass at the Narita Airport, and traveled through Japan without any problem.
railpass Ordinary Car, Japan Railpass, Feb 1, 2021
4.5
88 customer reviews
5
71%
4
19%
3
6%
2
3%
1
1%

How to get from Tokyo to Kyoto

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

  • Flight
  • Bus
  • Train

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 129.61. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 35.44.

How far is Tokyo from Kyoto?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Tokyo to Kyoto. Your trip will be a total of 290 miles (466 km). The flying distance is 282 miles (453 km).

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

The travel time from Tokyo to Kyoto can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 3 to 8 hours.

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

The cost of the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3 (東京富士交通株式会社): travelling by bus expect to pay as low as USD 35.44 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 129.61.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 35.44 to USD 74.45;
  • flight+Train price: USD 61.54. From Tokyo to Kyoto starting from 12:30 Narita Airport until 12:30 Narita Airport
  • Train tickets - USD 90.67 to USD 129.61;

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

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

  • Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 57 trains per day.
  • Buses start plying the route from 21:45 - you can also take a bus as late as 23:55. There are 14 available bus trips every day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Tokyo to Kyoto 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.

Trains

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 Tokyo to Kyoto

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Tokyo to Kyoto? 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:

  • 86% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 14% decided to go for a bus.