Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo
Kyoto
Sun, Jun 22
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Tokyo to Kyoto Destination Reviews

PM
Just average not flexible with free seats
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Express, Yutaka YT (株式会社ユタカコーポレーション), Jun 19, 2025
VB
Booked 4 seats, and of those 3 were together and one seperate. How was it decided.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Liner WC, AT Liner, May 18, 2025
KL
No English no
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Standard Plus, Tourist Bus, May 6, 2025
KF
everything went well and neatly, but you really need to reserve space for your suitcase if you have a larger suitcase than hand luggage. for the return journey I bought that ticket at the ticket sales at the station.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Train #NOZOMI 263 Standard, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Apr 15, 2025
IB
fast and comfortable!
Tokyo to Kyoto, Train #NOZOMI 61 Green Car, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Apr 10, 2025
MN
bus is good, clean and fast, but sometimes reclining seat depend on the passenger attitude, our front passenger look like doesn't care with us behind them, so a bit discomfort for us for traveling long way
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Express, Chibamirai Kanko Bus KB4, Jan 27, 2025
TN
The bus didn’t wait
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Express, Sakura Kotsu SK4 (株式会社桜交通 SK4), Apr 14, 2024
SS
Easy purchas
Tokyo to Kyoto, 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
Tokyo to Kyoto, 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.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Train #NOZOMI 41 Green Car, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Jul 29, 2023
4.6
152 customer reviews
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73%
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Tokyo to Kyoto Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Train
Shinkansen JR Central
Standard
06:00
08:15
€83.68
  4.8
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
06:18
08:31
€103.62
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
06:42
08:51
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen JR Central
Standard
07:00
09:15
€83.68
  4.8
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
07:18
09:29
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
07:39
09:51
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
07:57
11:34
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
08:18
10:29
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
08:39
10:51
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
08:57
12:34
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
09:18
11:29
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
09:39
11:51
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
09:57
13:34
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
10:18
12:29
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
10:39
12:51
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
10:57
14:34
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
11:18
13:29
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
11:39
13:51
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
11:57
15:34
€96.14
Train
Shinkansen
Reserved
12:18
14:29
€103.62

How much is an average meal in Kyoto?

An average meal in Kyoto typically costs around 1,000 to 3,000 JPY ($7 to $21). This range covers a variety of dining options, from simple noodle dishes at local eateries to more elaborate meals at mid-range restaurants. For a traditional Kaiseki meal, expect to pay significantly more, usually starting at 10,000 JPY ($70) and up. Street food and quick bites, like takoyaki or yakitori, can be found for as little as 500 JPY ($3.50). Dining options vary widely, so exploring different types of restaurants can fit various budgets.

Is it OK to travel to Kyoto alone?

Traveling to Kyoto alone is perfectly manageable and offers a rewarding experience. The city is safe and well-organized, making it easy to navigate. Public transportation, including buses and trains, is efficient, with signs in English. A prepaid IC card, like Suica or ICOCA, simplifies travel on public transport.

For dining, many restaurants offer counter seating, catering to solo diners. Expect to pay around 1,000-2,000 JPY ($7-$14) for a typical meal. Popular sites like Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari-taisha, and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove are accessible by public transport.

While tap water is safe to drink, bottled water is widely available if preferred. English is not widely spoken, so downloading a translation app can be helpful. Keep cash on hand, as some smaller establishments may not accept credit cards.

How can I spend a day in Kyoto?

Start your day at Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of red torii gates. Arrive early to avoid crowds. Next, visit Kiyomizu-dera, a historic temple with panoramic city views. Walk down the picturesque Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets nearby for traditional shops and tea houses.

For lunch, try a kaiseki meal, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, at a local restaurant. Prices range from ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 ($20-$35).

In the afternoon, explore the Arashiyama district, famous for its bamboo grove and the Iwatayama Monkey Park. Rent a bike for about ¥1,000 ($7) for a leisurely ride.

End your day in Gion, the historic geisha district. Stroll along Hanamikoji Street and consider a traditional tea ceremony experience, costing around ¥2,500 ($17).

Tap water in Kyoto is safe to drink, but bottled water is widely available if preferred.

Transportation from Tokyo to Kyoto

Facts about the transport from Tokyo to Kyoto

Cheapest Transport€38
Fastest Transport2h 7m
Earliest Departure6:00 AM
Latest Departure11:55 PM
Departures per day484
Distance466 kilometers
Transport CompaniesATLINER Syoei Kotsu Co, Daytrip private transfer with English speaking driver, Haruka Express, Jetstar Japan, Osaka Bus ZOS4, Owl Bus, Sakura Kanko Bus CJ, Sakura Kotsu, Sakura Kotsu SK4, Shinki Bus LM, Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3, Tourist Bus, Tourist Bus Kitagunma

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
  • 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 EUR 118.84. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as EUR 37.14.

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 Sakura Kanko Bus CJ (さくら観光バス株式会社): travelling by bus expect to pay as low as EUR 37.14 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 EUR 118.84.

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

  • Bus tickets - EUR 37.14 to EUR 80.74;
  • Train tickets - EUR 84.58 to EUR 118.84;
  • flight+Train price: EUR 129.81. From Tokyo to Kyoto starting from 07:25 Narita Airport until 07:25 Narita Airport

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from EUR 1,764.20 to EUR 1,878.17.

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 468 trains per day.
  • Buses start plying the route from 21:50 - you can also take a bus as late as 23:55. There are 16 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.

Taxi

Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. 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 EUR 1,764.20.

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

Shinkansen Bullet Trains from Tokyo to Kyoto

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 Tokyo and Kyoto, making it the fastest form of ground transportation available for this route.

Japan Rail Passes from Tokyo to Kyoto

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

  • Access to multiple Shinkansen lines, including those serving the Tokyo to Kyoto 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 Tokyo and Kyoto, 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 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:

  • 92% decided to go for a bus.
  • 8% users enjoyed a train ride.