How to travel from Kanazawa to Niigata, Japan

The distance between Kanazawa and Niigata is around 295km (183 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 3h 10m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Kanazawa to Niigata by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out NiigataKanazawa if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Joetsumyoko and then to Niigata.

  • Duration3h 10m
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    ¥12,595($90)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Toppara.

  • Duration4h 30m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥6,160($45)
Operated by

Hokutetsu Transportation

3
car
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Drive

Drive to Niigata.

  • Duration3h 15m
  • Distance302km (188 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Kanazawa and Niigata

There are several options for getting from Kanazawa to Niigata by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ¥6,160 ($45) and will take around 4h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 3h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥12,595 ($90).

The distance between Kanazawa and Niigata is around 295km (183 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 259km (161 miles)

It takes around 3h 10m to get from Kanazawa and Niigata by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 15m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Kanazawa to Niigata is to take the train which takes around 3h 10m and will set you back approx ¥12,595 ($90).

The cheapest way to travel between Kanazawa and Niigata, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ¥6,160 ($45) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Kanazawa and Niigata. It typically takes around 3h 10m and departs 5 times a day.

There are no direct train services that runs from Kanazawa to Niigata. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Joetsumyoko and Niigata. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 3h 10m.

Japan Railways Shinkansen and Japan Railways Limited Express run train services between Kanazawa and Niigata. Trains depart 5 times a day and will take around 3h 10m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Kanazawa and Niigata. It typically takes around 4h 30m and departs twice daily.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Kanazawa and Niigata with no changeovers required. The bus runs twice daily and takes 4h 30m.

Hokutetsu Transportation run regular bus services between Kanazawa and Niigata. Buses run twice daily and take around 4h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Kanazawa to Niigata. We recommend that you take the train to Joetsumyoko and then to Niigata. instead which will take 3h 10m.

The closest major airport to Niigata is Niigata Airport (KIJ) (KIJ) which is approximately 8km (5 miles) from Niigata. Narita International Airport (NRT) (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) (HND) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Kanazawa and Niigata. The distance is around 302km (188 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 15m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kanazawa to Niigata is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 10m and will usually cost around ¥12,595 ($90).

How do I get from Kanazawa to Niigata

Compare travel optionsbetween Kanazawa and Niigata

Transport options from Kanazawa to Niigata
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
3h 10m
¥12,595($90)
5 times a day322km (200 miles)
Bus
4h 30m
¥6,160($45)
twice daily295km (183 miles)
Drive
3h 15m
¥4,380($32)
on demand302km (188 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Kanazawa and Niigata

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Niigata

The following major airports near Niigata offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Japan and internationally.

KIJ
Niigata Airport (KIJ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
8km (5 miles) from Niigata
NRT
Narita International Airport (NRT)
International Airport
Distance
267km (166 miles) from Niigata
HND
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
International Airport
Distance
272km (169 miles) from Niigata