The best way to get from Kyoto to Tokyo
Kyoto and Tokyo are two major cities in Japan, so it's no surprise that many travelers plan to visit both cities on the same trip. Luckily, Kyoto and Tokyo are very well connected by both land and air and you can travel between these cities in under 2 hours and 30 minutes.
There are many ways to get from Kyoto to Tokyo, from Shinkansen (bullet train), overnight bus, car rental as well as cheap flights. It all depends on your budget and travel style!
1. Kyoto to Tokyo via Shinkansen Train
Shinkansen is the fastest and most convenient way to get from Kyoto to Tokyo. These services are part of the extensive network of Shinkansen trains, renowned for their speed and efficiency in connecting various regions across Japan. You can take the bullet train on the Tokaido Shinkansen line from Kyoto Station straight to Tokyo Station, so no transfer is necessary.
There are three types of train services on the Tokaido Shinkansen line — the Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama trains. Nozomi trains are the fastest train and will take about 2 hours and 10 minutes to get you from Kyoto to Tokyo. Hikari trains are the second-fastest, taking roughly 2 hours and 50 minutes. The slowest train service is the Kodama train, which takes 3 hours and 50 minutes. Do take note of the type of train when booking tickets!
How to Redeem Your Shinkansen Tickets
QR Code Boarding Available for Selected Shinkansen Routes
If you're traveling between Tokyo and Kagoshima-Chuo on the Shinkansen, you can board the train directly via QR code after booking your tickets on Klook! There's no need to redeem a physical ticket at the train station.
QR Code boarding is available for these routes:
- Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo to Shin-Osaka)
- Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Hakata)
- Kyushu Shinkansen (Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo)
Summary: Kyoto to Tokyo via Shinkansen
- Travel time: 2 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours (depending on type of train)
- Depart from: Kyoto Station
- Pros: Fast, frequent, comfortable, and you can enjoy the scenery on the train
Should I buy a Japan Rail Pass to get from Kyoto to Tokyo?
If you’re only planning to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo, comparing the cost of a one-way Shinkansen ticket with the JR Pass is crucial. A one-way ticket from Kyoto to Tokyo costs about USD$160 during peak season.
In contrast, after the price increase on 1 October 2023, the JR Pass may not offer the same value, especially for travelers not covering multiple cities.
To check the prices of a one-way Shinkansen ticket and explore options for advance booking, including round-trip tickets through Klook, head to our website!
Purchasing your Shinkansen tickets on Klook not only offers the convenience of over 40 payment methods (credit card, LINE Pay, Apple Pay, Grab Pay) but also solves the issue of some JR official websites not accepting foreign credit cards.
Moreover, while JR’s official website only lets you book Shinkansen tickets 30 days away, you can book tickets on Klook up to 3 months in advance! This ensures you secure your train tickets during Japan’s peak seasons like the cherry blossom and autumn periods.
2. Kyoto to Tokyo via Night Bus
If you're looking for a cheaper way to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo, consider taking a night bus. However, this takes much longer than a Shinkansen train — so we'd recommend it only if you're not in a rush.
It's really easy to book your bus tickets on Klook! Just choose your departure date, the type of bus (3-seater or 4-seater), and your drop-off point in Tokyo. You can pick from central locations like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Yokohama Station, and even Tokyo Disneyland!
Taking a night bus means you'll also get to save on one night of accommodation in Japan! Buses are equipped with air-conditioning and each seat includes a mini-pillow, waist pillow, and clean blanket.
Summary: Kyoto to Tokyo via Night Bus
- Travel time: ~8 hours, usually overnight
- Depart from: Kyoto Station Hachijo West Gate
- Cost: From ¥8,000 (4-seater bus), From ¥10,000 (3-seater bus)
- Pros: Inexpensive and suitable for travelers on a budget who are not in a hurry
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3. Kyoto to Tokyo via Car
Have a Japanese road trip when you rent a car! Credits to takahiro taguchi on Unsplash
For a more unconventional way to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo, you could rent a car. The main route connects to the Tomei Expressway via the Meishin Expressway, which leads directly to Tokyo.
You'll have to factor in car rental, highway fees, the cost of gas, and parking options to decide whether renting a car to travel to Tokyo is the best mode of travel for you. The total cost does add up, and may not make sense if you're a solo traveler or just traveling in a pair. If you're traveling in a group, driving from Kyoto to Tokyo could be a viable option.
Summary: Kyoto to Tokyo via Car
- Travel time: 5 to 6 hours depending on traffic conditions (approximately 500 kilometers)
- Highway fee: From ¥8,800, depending on the type of car and the specific section of the highway
- Cost of gas: ~¥4,000 to ¥6,000 (depending on the type of car and fuel consumption)
- Pros: There's the option to stop at lesser-known places along the way
4. Kyoto to Tokyo via Plane
Another option is to fly from Osaka Itami Airport or Kansai Airport near Kyoto to Tokyo's Haneda Airport or Narita Airport. Kyoto to Tokyo is a common route, with several flights available daily. There are also several budget airline options, so a flight ticket can start as low as ~¥4,900 for a one-way ticket from Kyoto to Tokyo.
While the flight time is less than 1 hour and 30 minutes and flights can be cheap, especially during promo periods, it's important to factor in the time needed to clear immigration as well as the cost and time of airport transfers (like the JR Narita Express). You'll probably end up reaching your destination in Tokyo faster if you take a Shinkansen!
Summary: Kyoto to Tokyo via Plane
- Travel time: ~1 hour and 15 minutes
- Depart from: Osaka Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport
- Cost: From ~¥4,900 (one-way ticket), depending on the airline and time of purchase
- Pros: If your destination in Tokyo is near an airport, this may be a fast option
Depending on your time, budget and comfort needs, you can choose the mode of transportation that best suits your needs. Shinkansen is the fastest option and easy to book, but if you're on a budget, night buses may be a good choice. Airplanes are ideal for travelers who need to get to or from destinations near the airport quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo?
The fastest and most convenient way of getting from Kyoto to Tokyo is the Shinkansen bullet train.
Can you make a day trip from Kyoto to Tokyo?
Yes! A Shinkansen bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo takes just 2 hours and 15 minutes and trains run as early as 6AM, so a day trip is definitely doable.
However, there are so many things to do in Tokyo (like visit the Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, and Go-karting around Asakusa..) that you'll find it tough squeezing it all into a single day.
How much is the bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo?
A Shinkansen one-way ticket from Kyoto to Tokyo starts from ¥13,320 for a non-reserved seat.
How long is the train ride from Kyoto to Tokyo?
The train duration from Kyoto to Tokyo depends on the type of train service on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. The fastest service is the Nozomi train, which takes between 2 hours to 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Should I buy a Japan Rail Pass to get from Kyoto to Tokyo?
This depends on your Japan itinerary! If you're planning to do a lot of inter-city travel to other cities like Osaka and Hiroshima, buying a JR Pass might be worth it.
However, if you're only planning on traveling from Kyoto to Tokyo and back, then it might be more cost-efficient to buy a single Shinkansen train ticket instead.
How to book Shinkansen train tickets on Klook?
It's easy to book train tickets on Klook! Just select your departure and arrival stations and enter your outbound date to view all the available train timings. Take note of the type of train (Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama) and train journey duration.
After that, pick your train timing and type of seat (unreserved or reserved seat, ordinary car or green car) then enter your booking details. Once you've purchased your ticket, you'll be sent a QR code. When you're at the JR Station in Japan, all you have to do is locate a ticket machine and scan the QR code directly from your Klook app to retrieve your train tickets!
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