Traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto — 4 fastest & cheapest ways on how to get to Kyoto from Tokyo

Tokyo and Kyoto, as well as Osaka, are always rated as among the top famous tourist destinations when tourists come to Japan. Tokyo is a modern city while Kyoto is a historic city. The distance between these two places is not really short so how can you go from Tokyo to Kyoto? There are many ways and which options depending on whether you are interested in time or money. The best choice is to use a JR Rail Pass, especially if you are traveling in many places including Tokyo and Kyoto. How to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto? Are you finding the cheapest way from Tokyo to Kyoto? Let’s discover 4 fastest and cheapest ways on how to get to Kyoto from Tokyo with Living Nomads below.

Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen (Japanese Bullet Train)

Shinkansen is the most convenient transport on how to get from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Nozomi is the fastest Shinkansen. It costs about ¥ 14110 (~ 128 USD) one-way in the peak season and can get you from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Hikari, which is slightly cheaper at ¥13,800 (~ 125.3 USD) one-way, takes more time at 2 hours and 40 minutes. Kodama is the slowest Shinkansen. It reaches Kyoto in about 3 hours and 50 minutes, and have the same price as Hikari. The price will be reduced down a few hundred yen if you’re traveling off-peak. That’s anytime not falling in spring and summer holidays, Golden Week, and the New Year day.

If you want to keep things super cheap, the Shinkansen isn’t your best choice. However, it’s the smoothest and easiest transport to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, and there are other ways to make your journey by Shinkansen cheaper. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, which allows unlimited travel on Japan Rail (JR) trains within a week (though longer options are also available), the Hikari is included in the pass ticket.

In addition, there is also the Puratto Kodama Economy Plan, which allows you to travel on the Kodama from Tokyo to Kyoto at the price of ¥10,300 – ¥11,800 one-way (~ 94 – 107 USD), depending on each season. This ticket can only be purchased at least a day in advance, and the number of tickets is limited, so call or visit JR Tokai Tours office for booking.

Finally, if you’re not getting the JR Rail Pass, you can still purchase a special discount ticket (for tourists/visitors). If you’re going for a few days, you can save money with a shinkansen + hotel package. Unlike the Puratto ticket, these packages include the fastest bullet trains. Top options include the 4-day train + hotel package at the price of ¥37,700 (~ 342 USD), and the 3-day train + 4-star hotel package at the price of ¥46,700 (~ 424 USD). Moreover, there is also a 1-night hotel + train package to Osaka at the price of ¥33,000 (~ 300 USD) if you’d prefer this package.

Time: 1 hours and 20 minutes – 3 hours and 50 minutes
Pricing: ¥10,300– ¥14,110 ~ 94 USD – 128 USD (one-way)

How to get to Kyoto from Tokyo by Low-cost airlines

Kyoto may not have an airport, but nearby Osaka there is Kansai International Airport as the gateway to the region. You may departure from Narita or Haneda Airport with low – cost airlines such as Peach or Jetstar, and you’ll be in Osaka in just one and a half hours. Prices start around ¥ 4,590 – ¥ 5,190 (~ 42 – 47 USD). The Peach airline has frequent sale-off fares promotions, so be on the lookout. Fares in sale-off promotions can be decreased to ¥ 2,490 one-way (~ 23 USD).

Route	Airline	One – way fare
Tokyo => Kansai	Jetstar Japan	¥4,405 (US$40)
Tokyo => Kansai	Vanilla Air	¥4,652 (US$42)
Tokyo => Kansai	Peach	¥4,722 (US$42)
Tokyo => Kansai	ANA (All Nippon Airways)	¥11,120 (US$99)
Tokyo => Kansai	Japan Airlines	¥11,271 (US$101)
Tokyo => Kansai	STARFLYER	¥14,173 (US$126)

Although fares in the promotions may be cheap, you should consider the cost of getting to Narita, the cheapest of which is ¥ 900 ~ 9 USD (one-way) for a bus that departs from Tokyo Station. You’ll also have to remember that once you arrive at Osaka, you’ll have to board a train or bus to Kyoto. The Haruka Limited Express, which connects Kansai Airport to Kyoto, takes about 75 minutes with the costs of ¥ 3,570 one-way (~ 32 USD) in peak season. For short-term visitors, we recommend that you get a Haruka and ICOCA package, which is a better deal with the cost of ¥ 3,600 one-way (~ 33 USD) and ¥ 5,200 round-trip (~47 USD). You can buy an IC card called ICOCA that has an initial balance of ¥ 1,500 (~ 14 USD). You can use the card for other trains. The time and cost of airport transfers can be added up.

Time: About 4.5 hours (including the time of airport transfers)
Pricing: At least ¥6,700 ~ 61 USD (one-way, including airport fees and transfer costs)

How to travel to Kyoto from Tokyo by Local trains

The Seishun 18 pass is a kind of seasonal ticket consisting of five tickets with the cost of ¥ 11,850 ~ 107 USD (for five consecutive or non-consecutive days of unlimited travel). Anytime during the validity period, solo travelers can use in all five days, or group of travelers can share together. Thus, each day of travel costs just ¥ 2,370 (~ 22 USD). How about the disadvantages? The pass can only be used on local and rapid JR trains, which takes more time to travel!

The routes can be quite complicated, so let’s plan the journey in advances such as Hyperdia (deselect everything except Japan Railways and local trains) and your residual time. Because if you miss one train, it might create a domino effect on your trip to Kyoto. If you have spare time and are keen on saving money, this is the option for you, but it isn’t definitely for those who want a simple and quick trip to Kyoto.

Time: About 9 hours
Pricing: ¥2,370 one-way (~ 22 USD)

How to get from Tokyo to Kyoto by Highway bus

There are many bus companies having the route from Tokyo to Kyoto such as Kosoku Bus, Midnight Express, Tokyu, and Willer. A trip from Tokyo to Kyoto costs about ¥ 4,800 (~ 44 USD) depending on the comfort and each season. It takes about 6 – 9 hours from Tokyo to Kyoto. Buses that depart from Tokyo during the day usually take more time due to traffic, but at night buses can get you to Kyoto Station earlier at 5:15 am.

Time: 6-9 hours
Pricing: At least ¥ 3,000 one – way (~ 27 USD)

The conclusion on how to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto

There’s no dispute that the Shinkansen is still the fastest and smoothest transport to get from Tokyo to Kyoto, and if you’re going to buy the JR Rail Pass, don’t hesitate to take action.

On the other hand, the Seishun 18 ticket is the cheapest option but will waste your time. If you want to get around but not wasting too much time or not paying too much, you’re better to take an overnight bus to Kyoto. Traveling by plane can still be expensive and time – consuming in airport transfers, but if you have a cheap ticket during promotion season, let’s go!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Tokyo you can refer to

• Private Narita International Airport Transfers (NRT) for Tokyo 23 Wards, Hakone, or Karuizawa
• Private Haneda International Airport Transfers (HND) for Tokyo 23 Wards, Hakone, or Karuizawa
• Airport Limousine Bus Transfers from/to Narita and Haneda International Airport (Free Wifi Onboard)
• Tokyo Amazing Sightseeing Bus Day Tour
• Tokyo Highlights Private Day Tour
• Nikko Day Tour from Tokyo
• Mt Fuji & Hakone Day Tour: Lake Ashi & Ropeway Day Trip from Tokyo
• Nikko Cultural Day Tour from Tokyo
• Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, or 72 Hours)
• Tokyo Skyliner and Tokyo Subway Ticket
• Shuttle Bus Transfers (One Way/Round Trip) from Shinjuku/Ikebukuro to Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea
• Sky Hop-on and Hop-off Bus Pass
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan
• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

Are you finding more top things to do in Tokyo: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Tokyo travel blog — The fullest Tokyo city guide for a budget trip for the first time visiting Tokyo, Japan.