How Long Does It Take To Travel From Tokyo To Kyoto?

Though most tourists simply head to Tokyo for their taste of Japan, a trip to the ancient capital city of Kyoto should also be on the itinerary. Thankfully, it is quite straightforward to go from Tokyo to Kyoto and there are several options for the trip.

Some may prefer the train while others prefer the highway bus or a flight, but different options take different journey times. It is worth noting that Japan has an excellent transportation system so whichever option you choose should be comfortable.

Those options include the JR Tōkaidō Shinkansen, a regular train, a flight, or taking the highway bus. In this guide, we will look at each option to work out how long it will take to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Via The JR Tōkaidō Shinkansen

If you are going from Tokyo to Kyoto, you might as well do it in style. Taking the Shinkansen is almost guaranteed to be the quickest and most convenient method of travel in Japan.

On the bullet train, the journey should take between two hours and fifteen minutes up to around three hours and forty minutes.

There is a trick to getting good value for the trip – buy a Japan Rail Pass. This is a seven-day pass that can cover the round trip so you only need one more excursion to save money.

The Tōkaidō Shinkansen has three services on the line with travel time varying between each service.

For instance, Nozomi is the fastest way to get to Kyoto as it should only take two hours and fifteen minutes during peak season, though it is not included on the Japan Rail Pass.

The second-fastest service is Hikari which takes two hours and forty minutes with only a slightly cheaper ticket. Then there is the Kodama service which takes the longest at three hours and forty minutes, largely because of all the stops it has to take.

You can catch the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station as well as Shinagawa or Shin-Yokohama Station. The Nozomi train will make one more stop in Nagoya before powering onto Kyoto.

However, the Hikari and Kodama services will be slower and have to make more stops. Thankfully, Kyoto Station is centrally located in the city so it should be easy to find your hotel.

Via A Regular Train

This option is for those who truly love train travel as the entire journey can take around nine hours. Taking a regular train is not that much cheaper than taking the Shinkansen either unless you use the Seishun 18 Pass.

This is a seasonal rail package that includes five tickets for five days of travel (either consecutive or non-consecutive). You could use one travel day and simply get to Kyoto using the rapid JR trains or some local ones.

Via A Flight

Japan does have several low-cost airlines and you can use one to fly between the two cities. Even with air travel, it is quicker to take the train once you consider airport transfers.

Plus, the lack of an airport for Kyoto means a short train ride from Osaka to get to your final destination. The total journey time should be around four and a half hours, including getting the bus or train to Narita Airport.

Via A Highway Bus

Despite the public’s preference for public transport, mainly with the train, you can still use the highways to get from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Taking a bus may take the longest time (between six and nine hours) yet the cheapest ticket should cost around half the price of a flight and a third of the cost of a high-speed train.

The price can go up depending on the season and how comfortable you want to travel. Those buses that depart from Tokyo during the day typically take longer due to negotiating the city’s traffic.

As you are traveling through the night, you would forgo paying for a hotel.

The night bus departs between 9pm and midnight to arrive at Kyoto Station in the early morning. To save up on some time, you could get the bus to Osaka and then take a 30-minute train ride into Kyoto.

Final Thoughts

When you do visit Japan, you should definitely take the opportunity for a trip on the Shinkansen and place it firmly at the top of your to-do list. The bullet train is worth adding to the itinerary simply due to how fast and convenient it is.

However, if you prefer slow trains to take in the country at a more pedestrian pace, then try the regional rail pass known as the Hokuriku Arch Pass.

Traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto on the highway night bus could save you money by not having to pay for a hotel but it will take longer, so will a flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Time Of The Year To Book A Trip From Tokyo To Kyoto?

As always with most travel in Japan, peak season is likely to be busy and more expensive. Those peak season periods are typically around the end of the year, cherry blossom season from late March to early April and in summer.

Traveling at another time of the year is likely to be less chaotic and perhaps a little bit cheaper, certainly for the Shinkansen. For flights and highway buses, you can expect to see a real difference in price between peak and off-peak tickets.

How Many Days Should Be Spent Exploring Kyoto?

As Japan’s ancient capital city, Kyoto is well worth a visit. You should put aside two full days to take in the city as it is so abundant in culture and history.

However, there are so many top-class attractions to see that you could easily take a week there. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis that is Tokyo then Kyoto is a welcome destination.