By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 27th May 2024 | Updated: 1st November 2024
Osaka is a great place to visit from Kyoto as a day trip, or as your next overnight destination. From the ancient capital of Japan with its vast amount of heritage to the bright lights and city streets of Osaka, both these places are worth a visit. So how do you get from Kyoto to Osaka, and what is the best mode of transport?
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com
Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com
Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide & Viator
Currency Conversion: We recommend Wise
Travel Insurance: World Nomads
Kyoto to Osaka by Car
It takes approximately 1 hour to get from Kyoto to Osaka via car, but with the speed of the trains / Shinkansen, we wouldn’t suggest driving between the two unless you have hired a car for your entire Japan trip.
Kyoto to Osaka by Bus
A one-way trip from Kyoto to Osaka takes roughly 2 hours, which costs between 1,700 and 2,100 yen depending on the bus type – either discount bus or a premium bus. You can also get a Japan Bus Pass which reduces the costs further and reserve a seat online at Japan Bus Online.
Kyoto to Osaka by Local Train
There are numerous local train options for getting between Kyoto and Osaka due to how close they are to one another. The quickest and cheapest is the JR Special Rapid Train which takes 30 minutes direct and costs 580 yen. You can also take the JR Limited Express Train, which takes 30 minutes and costs between 1,350 and 2,300 yen, or Hankyu or Keihan railway Limited Express Trains, which take around 40 / 50 minutes and cost roughly 430 yen.
Kyoto to Osaka by Shinkansen
Taking the Shinkansen is one of the easiest ways to get from Tokyo to Kyoto, with multiple trains every hour that run along the JR Tokaido Shinkansen, including the Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. The first Shinkansen departure from Kyoto to Osaka is at 06:55 and last departure is at 22:00.
🚅 How long does it take to get from Kyoto to Osaka by Shinkansen? 🚅
It takes just 15 minutes to travel from Kyoto to Osaka via the Tokaido Shinkansen, which is ideal for day trips!
🚅 How much is the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Osaka? 🚅
For a non-reserved seat on the Shinkansen between Kyoto and Osaka, it costs roughly 1,450 yen. We wouldn’t suggest paying any more for a reserved seat, purely as the travel time is so short.
🚅 What rail passes cover the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Osaka? 🚅
The JR Pass covers the Hikari and Kodama Shinkansens between Kyoto and Osaka, but it doesn’t cover the Nozomi Shinkansen.
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Kyoto to Osaka by Flight
There are no direct flights between Kyoto and Osaka.
How To Get From Kyoto To Osaka FAQs
Is it easy to visit Osaka from Kyoto?
Yes, Osaka is very easy to visit from Kyoto, and is a great idea for a day trip.
What is the best way to get from Kyoto to Osaka?
The best way to get between Kyoto and Osaka is via train, either the local rapid train or the Shinkansen, which takes as little as 15 minutes!
Can you do a day trip from Kyoto to Osaka?
Yes, you can easily take a day trip from Kyoto to Osaka as there are multiple trains running between the two cities throughout the day for as little as 500 yen and 30 minutes of travel.
How far is it from Kyoto to Osaka?
Kyoto is located approximately 48 km / 30 miles north east of Osaka.
Conclusion: How To Get From Kyoto To Osaka
Taking the JR Special Rapid Train is by far the best way to get from Kyoto to Osaka. There are numerous other ways to get between the two cities, but in terms of cost and time then taking the Special Rapid Train is the best option.
All Our Japan Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 How To Get From Kyoto To Nara
📍 How To Get From Tokyo To Kyoto
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.