Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo to Kyoto

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Tokyo to Kyoto Schedule

Tokyo to Kyoto Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 06:00 - 08:15¥ 19,611
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 08:30 - 10:45¥ 19,611
Shinkansen JR Central Unreserved seat 11:30 - 13:45¥ 13,720
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 13:30 - 15:45¥ 19,611
Shinkansen JR Central Standard 15:30 - 17:45¥ 14,879
Shinkansen JR Central Standard 16:30 - 18:45¥ 14,879
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 18:00 - 20:15¥ 19,611
Nishi Tokyo Bus XNTK6 Intercity 21:10 - 05:00¥ 6,171
Sakura Kanko Bus CJ AC Seater 22:35 - 05:40¥ 7,392

Transportation from Tokyo to Kyoto

Facts about the transport from Tokyo to Kyoto

Cheapest Transport$63
Fastest Transport2h 15m
Earliest Departure6:00 AM
Latest Departure11:40 PM
Departures per day64
Distance466 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAT Liner, Haruka Express, Jetstar Japan, Kirakira Bus, Sakura Syoei, Shinkansen JR Central, Sunshine Express SN6, Syoei, Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3

Tokyo to Kyoto Destination Reviews

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
VN
Кресла комфортные, получилось вытянутся и выспаться. Отличная альтернатива дневным поездам
Bus Standard Plus, Sakura Kotsu Bus, Feb 1, 2021
AM
Excellent!!!
railpass Ordinary Car, Japan Railpass, Feb 1, 2021
AM
The most convenient way to travel in Japan
railpass Ordinary Car, Japan Railpass, Feb 1, 2021
4.6
84 customer reviews
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71%
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19%
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6%
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4%
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How to get from Tokyo to Kyoto

Travelling between Tokyo and Kyoto is possible by Flight, bus and train. Train guarantees the fastest travel on this route. Bus is the slowest option.

The most expensive ticket will cost you USD 132.18 if you go by Train; to keep it budget-friendly, opt for a bus which will set you back mere USD 80.29.

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

It can take you anywhere between 3 and 8 hours to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto depending on the means of transport you choose.

Train is the fastest way to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto. Train will bring you to your destination in 2h 15m. Bus does a much slower job and take about 7h 55m to reach Kyoto.

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

Travelling between Tokyo and Kyoto can be as cheap as USD 80.29 if you opt for a Sunshine Express SN6 bus and as expensive as USD 132.18 if you buy a Shinkansen JR Central Train ticket.

Here is the list of how much you can expect to pay travelling by each means of transport available for this route.

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

  • 57 from Tokyo to Kyoto starting from 06:00 Tokyo until 21:03 Tokyo
  • 7 from Tokyo to Kyoto starting from 21:50 Tokyo until 23:40 Tokyo

Check above for a bus, train, flight and ferry timetable from Tokyo to Kyoto.

What mode of transportation is the best one for my route?

Bus

Travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto overland will inevitably take longer but in many cases it is the cheapest option if you opt for a bus.

Things to remember: For a more comfortable ride opt for a higher-class bus wherever possible. These buses usually have soft reclining seats and are equipped with air-conditioning and on-board toilets.

They often include water, snacks or a light lunch into your ticket price and make bathroom stops en-route.

Companies operating bus routes between Tokyo and Kyoto

AT Liner, Kirakira Bus, Sakura Syoei (株式会社桜交通、昌栄バス), Sunshine Express SN6, Syoei, Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3 (東京富士交通株式会社)

Train

Train is a often a great choice for long-haul travel especially if you opt for a night sleeper train with berths which will allow you to sleep all your journey through. To make the most of your train journey, choose the class of your ticket wisely.

Note that there are air-conditioned and fan-only carriages; private compartments for 2 or 4; hard and soft seats.
Though the upper class you get the smoother is your journey, often second class air-conditioned or fan-only sleepers are a good money saving alternative.

What is the most popular transport to get from Tokyo to Kyoto?

There is a choice of transportation means any time of the day with Train remaining the most popular option due to their reasonable pricing and comfort.

Out of 1000 travellers who bought tickets for this route

  • 94% took a train
  • 6% opted for a bus