How to travel from Kyoto to Niigata, Japan

The distance between Kyoto and Niigata is around 524km (326 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 35m.

7 routes found

We've found 7 different ways to get from Kyoto to Niigata by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

🚀 Fastest
1
train
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plane
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train
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Train and Plane

Take the train to Nagoya then fly from Nagoya Airfield (NKM) to Niigata (KIJ) then take the train to Aoyama(Niigata).

  • Duration2h 35m
  • Flight time55min
  • Typical cost
    ¥24,640($180)
Operated by

Multiple operators

3 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Tokyo and then to Niigata.

  • Duration4h 35m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    ¥23,000($170)
💰 Cheapest
3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Nagano Station and then to Toppara.

  • Duration10h 35m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥11,090($81)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Niigata.

  • Duration5h 50m
  • Distance526km (327 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Kyoto and Niigata

There are several options for getting from Kyoto to Niigata by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ¥11,090 ($81) and will take around 10h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 2h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥24,640 ($180).

The distance between Kyoto and Niigata is around 524km (326 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 435km (271 miles)

It takes around 4h 35m to get from Kyoto and Niigata by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5h 50m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Kyoto to Niigata is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 35m and will set you back approx ¥24,640 ($180).

The cheapest way to travel between Kyoto and Niigata, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ¥11,090 ($81) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Kyoto and Niigata. It typically takes around 4h 35m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Kyoto to Niigata. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Kyoto, Tokyo and Niigata. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 4h 35m.

Japan Railways Shinkansen run train services between Kyoto and Niigata. Trains depart hourly and will take around 4h 35m, 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 Kyoto and Niigata. It typically takes around 10h 35m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Kyoto to Niigata. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Nagano Station. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 10h 35m.

Alpico Group and Nagaden Bus run regular bus services between Kyoto and Niigata. Buses run once daily and take around 10h 35m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Kyoto to Niigata. We recommend that you fly from Osaka Itami (ITM) to Niigata (KIJ) then take the train to Aoyama(Niigata). instead which will take 2h 35m.

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 Kyoto and Niigata. The distance is around 526km (327 miles) by road and it will take around 5h 50m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kyoto to Niigata is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 35m and will usually cost around ¥23,000 ($170).

How do I get from Kyoto to Niigata

Compare travel optionsbetween Kyoto and Niigata

Transport options from Kyoto to Niigata
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane + 3 similar
2h 35m
¥24,640($180)
hourly524km (326 miles)
Plane and Train2h 35m
¥21,080($155)
hourly540km (335 miles)
Train to Shin-Kobe, plane2h 50m
¥29,705($215)
hourly604km (375 miles)
Train to Nagoya, plane2h 50m
¥32,995($240)
hourly593km (369 miles)
Train
4h 35m
¥23,000($170)
hourly784km (487 miles)
Bus
10h 35m
¥11,090($81)
once daily590km (367 miles)
Drive
5h 50m
¥7,665($56)
on demand526km (327 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Kyoto and Niigata

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

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