Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo
Kyoto
Jul 25, 2027
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Tokyo to Kyoto Destination Reviews

CV
Carolina V
Asked to change the pick up point because my flight was delayed with I believe 10 hours of notice, the 12Go support said no. That bus was the only possible way to get to Kyoto at the time (11 pm). With jet lag and extremely tired, in a new city, at night, with time pressure, I went (run) either way to the second pick up point. The bus company was extremely nice and said no problem, come on in. I got on the bus because I believed the 12Go support team didn’t even try and had no clue whether it was possible or not. By not trusting them I made it to Kyoto, which would make me give 0 instead of 1 but can’t do it. And I had extra expenses because of course I paid stuff for the plan B, in case I was too late even for the second pick up. Hope to get a refund because right now I’m very unhappy with the service
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Premium, Graceliner, Mar 9, 2026
AG
Ashok G
Affordable to everyone..
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Standard Plus, AT Liner, Dec 12, 2025
SD
Seyla D
comfy. not expensive. had enough stops to go out and move a little or going on toilet, staff very friendly love them
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Express, Sakura Kanko Bus CJ (さくら観光バス株式会社), Oct 23, 2025
HK
Hope K
Really comfortable seats and easy journey. Plenty of room for luggage even thought we booked an unreserved seat. A little bit expensive but worth the experience
Tokyo to Kyoto, Train #NOZOMI25 Unreserved seat, Tokaido Shinkansen, Sep 26, 2025
LO
Lars O
Really fast and clean
Tokyo to Kyoto, Train #HIKARI513 Standard, Tokaido Shinkansen, Aug 9, 2025
MV
Michael V
Good and trustfull
Tokyo to Kyoto, Train #NOZOMI 29 Green Car, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Aug 3, 2025
AC
Adil C
Except finding boarding station , that was great
Tokyo to Kyoto, Train #NOZOMI 33 Unreserved seat, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Aug 2, 2025
PM
Peter M
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
Vineet B
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
Kirsten L
No English no
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Standard Plus, Tourist Bus, May 6, 2025
4.6
246 customer reviews
5
71%
4
19%
3
6%
2
4%
1
0%

Tokyo to Kyoto Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
06:00
08:08
$101.81
Train
Tokaido Shinkansen
Standard
06:18
08:31
$91.15
  5.0
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
06:42
08:51
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
07:00
09:12
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
07:18
09:29
$101.81
Train
Tokaido Shinkansen
Standard
07:39
09:51
$88.61
  5.0
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
07:57
11:34
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
08:18
10:29
$101.81
Train
Tokaido Shinkansen
Standard
08:39
10:51
$88.61
  5.0
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
08:57
12:34
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
09:18
11:29
$101.81
Train
Tokaido Shinkansen
Standard
09:39
11:51
$91.15
  5.0
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
09:57
13:34
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
10:18
12:29
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
10:39
12:51
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
10:57
14:34
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
11:18
13:29
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
11:39
13:51
$101.81
Train
Shinkansen
Unreserved seat
11:57
15:34
$101.81
Train
Tokaido Shinkansen
Standard
12:18
14:29
$91.15
  5.0

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.

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 USD 125.59. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 42.11.

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 9 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 Tourist Bus: travelling by bus expect to pay as low as USD 42.11 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 125.59.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 42.11 to USD 87.36;
  • flight+Train price: USD 66.29 - USD 97.65. From Tokyo to Kyoto starting from 07:00 Narita Airport until 11:40 Narita Airport
  • Train tickets - USD 89.38 to USD 125.59;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 1,727.78 to USD 1,841.94.

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 521 trains per day.
  • Buses start plying the route from 21:15 - you can also take a bus as late as 23:55. There are 27 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 USD 1,727.78.

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:

  • 59% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 40% decided to go for a bus.
  • 1% Other

Transportation from Tokyo to Kyoto

Facts about the transport from Tokyo to Kyoto

Cheapest Transport$43
Fastest Transport2h 7m
Earliest Departure6:00 AM
Latest Departure11:55 PM
Departures per day545
Distance466 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAogaki Bus MA3, Daytrip private transfer with English speaking driver, Haruka Express, Heisei Community Bus HC, Heisei Enterprise HE0, Jetstar Japan, Kamobus KMW, Kintetsu Bus ZKN12, Sakura Kanko Bus CJ, Sakura Kotsu, Sakura Syoei, Sakura Syoei, Shinki Bus LM, Sunshine Express SN6, Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3, Tourist Bus, Tourist Bus, Tourist Bus Kitagunma