By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 27 May 2024 | Updated: 26th January 2026
When visiting Japan, especially as a first-time visitor, Tokyo and Kyoto are often top of people’s lists of places to get to. So how easy is it to get from Tokyo to Kyoto, and what is the best way to get between Tokyo and Kyoto?
Getting Around Japan
One of the best ways to get around Japan is via public transport. Having visited Japan a couple of times, we would always opt for taking the train over driving, especially if you plan on only visiting the typical tourist areas or main cities.
The most popular option for getting around is the Japan Rail Pass, an all-in-one pass which includes most public transport across Japan. With this pass, you simply need to exchange the voucher at a station within Japan for a JR Pass, then keep it with you for your entire trip so you can show it if asked for it. You can book all of your onward trains and seats for your entire trip right away, saving time and hassle!
How to get from Tokyo to Kyoto
There are four main transportation options to get between Tokyo and Kyoto: renting a car, by bus, by local train or by Shinkansen.
Tokyo to Kyoto by Car
It takes roughly 5 – 6 hours without breaks, to drive between Tokyo and Kyoto. Assuming you take the quickest route via the Tomei and Meishin Expressways, you will also have to pay around 10,000 yen one way on top of any fuel costs.
Tokyo to Kyoto by Bus
A one-way trip from Tokyo to Kyoto takes anywhere from 7 hours, with one-way fares from 3,500 yen for a discount bus up to 10,000 yen for a premium bus. You can get a Japan Bus Pass which reduces the costs and reserve a seat online at Japan Bus Online.
Tokyo to Kyoto by Local Train
Going from Tokyo to Kyoto by local train is not for the faint-hearted! It typically takes 9 hours and involves at least 4 train transfers, but it is cheaper than taking the Shinkansen at approximately 8,400 yen.
Tokyo to Kyoto 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 that runs from Tokyo to Kyoto is 12:30 and the last departure is at 21:00 🚄
How long does it take to get from Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen?
It takes on average 2.5 hours to get between Tokyo and Kyoto, but the Kodama trains take around 4 hours.
How much is the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto?
A regular one-way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto costs around 13,300 yen for a non-reserved seat and 14,000 yen for a reserved seat.
What rail passes cover the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto?
The JR Pass is valid on the Hikari and Kodama trains but you will have to pay an extra fee on Nozomi trains. You can also use the Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Rail Pass.
Tokyo to Kyoto by Flight
You can’t fly directly between Tokyo and Kyoto, but you can fly from Tokyo Haneda or Narita to Osaka’s Itami Airport in an hour. From Itami Airport it takes another hour to get to central Kyoto. This costs anywhere between 9,000 to 23,000 yen.
Tokyo to Kyoto Tours
There aren’t many dedicated tours between Tokyo and Kyoto, (and the ones there are are very expensive so we wouldn’t recommend them!. So why not do a dedicated tour in each of the cities instead? These are our favourite tours for each:
Where To Stay In Tokyo & Kyoto
Where to stay in Tokyo
🏨 Budget – Sotetsu Fresa Inn Hamamatsucho-Daimon
🏨 Mid Range – Shiba Park Hotel (we stayed here on our first trip to Japan and loved how close it was to Tokyo Tower)
🏨Luxury – The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
Where to stay in Kyoto
🏨 Budget – Piece Hostel Sanjo
🏨 Mid Range – Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto (we stayed here on both our trips to Japan, with a rooftop bar and two onsens, you can’t get much better)
🏨Luxury – Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
How To Get From Tokyo To Kyoto FAQs
What is the best way to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto?
The best way to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto is via Shinkansen for ease of travel, (no changeovers), and the speed on which you can get there.
Can you do a day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto?
Honestly no. You can, in theory, travel back and forth between Tokyo and Kyoto in a day, but it would be a long day, (2.5 hours each way!), and you wouldn’t get to spend enough time exploring Kyoto. We’ve spent two weeks in Kyoto over two separate trips and still don’t feel like we’ve seen it all!
How long is the regular train from Tokyo to Kyoto?
The regular train between Tokyo and Kyoto takes roughly 9 hours.
How far is it from Tokyo to Kyoto?
Tokyo is located approximately 466 km / 290 miles north east of Kyoto.
Should I buy a JR Pass to get from Tokyo to Kyoto?
We wouldn’t suggest buying a JR Pass just to get from Tokyo to Kyoto, especially with the new price increases that came into effect in 2024. We found it cheaper to travel around Japan purchasing tickets as we went – more detail on that in our getting around Japan post.
Can you see Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto?
If the weather is good with minimal haze, then yes you can in theory see Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto. On our first trip we didn’t see Fuji whilst on the Shinkansen, but we did travel along that route in the evening during the winter so it was already dark! On our second trip we were lucky enough to see Fuji in all his glory for quite some time!
How much is the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto?
A regular one-way ticket on the Shinkansen / bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto costs roughly 13,300 yen for a non-reserved seat and 14,000 yen for a reserved seat.
Is it better to fly or train from Kyoto to Tokyo?
Although flying can be cheaper and quicker if you book far enough in advance, we would still recommend that you take the train between Kyoto and Tokyo purely for the experience of riding the Shinkansen and to see the beautiful Japanese countryside.
Conclusion: How To Get From Tokyo To Kyoto
So there are multiple ways to get from Tokyo to Kyoto, with some options taking up to 9 hours and others a little as 2.5 hours. But with varying prices, and some more of a hassle than others, we think that taking the Shinkansen is by far the best way to get between Tokyo and 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.