How to travel from Matsue to Kyoto, Japan

The distance between Matsue and Kyoto is around 307km (191 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2hrs.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Matsue to Kyoto 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 KyotoMatsue if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
+
plane
+

Train and Plane

Take the train to Shinji then fly from Izumo (IZO) to Osaka Itami (ITM).

  • Duration2hrs
  • Flight time50min
  • Typical cost
    ¥20,945($155)
Operated by

Multiple operators

1 similiar route

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

2
train
+
train
+

Train

Take the train to Okayama and then to Kyoto.

  • Duration3h 45m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥12,595($90)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Kyōto.

  • Duration5h 30m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥6,710($49)
Operated by

Chugoku JR Bus Company

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Kyoto.

  • Duration3h 40m
  • Distance316km (196 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Matsue and Kyoto

There are several options for getting from Matsue to Kyoto by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ¥6,710 ($49) and will take around 5h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 2hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥20,945 ($155).

The distance between Matsue and Kyoto is around 307km (191 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 251km (156 miles)

It takes around 3h 45m to get from Matsue and Kyoto by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Matsue to Kyoto is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2hrs and will set you back approx ¥20,945 ($155).

The cheapest way to travel between Matsue and Kyoto, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ¥6,710 ($49) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Matsue and Kyoto. It typically takes around 3h 45m and departs twice daily.

There are no direct train services that runs from Matsue to Kyoto. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Okayama and Kyoto. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 3h 45m.

Japan Railways Limited Express and Japan Railways Shinkansen run train services between Matsue and Kyoto. Trains depart twice daily and will take around 3h 45m, 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 Matsue and Kyoto. It typically takes around 5h 30m and departs twice daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Matsue to Kyoto. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Kyōto. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 5h 30m.

Chugoku JR Bus Company run regular bus services between Matsue and Kyoto. Buses run twice daily and take around 5h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Matsue to Kyoto. We recommend that you take the train to Shinji then fly from Izumo (IZO) to Osaka Itami (ITM). instead which will take 2hrs.

The closest major airport to Kyoto is Itami Airport (ITM) (ITM) which is approximately 38km (24 miles) from Kyoto. Kansai International Airport (KIX) (KIX) and Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) (NGO) 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 Matsue and Kyoto. The distance is around 316km (196 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Matsue to Kyoto is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 45m and will usually cost around ¥12,595 ($90).

How do I get from Matsue to Kyoto

Compare travel optionsbetween Matsue and Kyoto

Transport options from Matsue to Kyoto
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane + 1 similar
2hrs
¥20,945($155)
hourly307km (191 miles)
Train to Shinji, plane2h 40m
¥27,515($200)
hourly543km (337 miles)
Train
3h 45m
¥12,595($90)
twice daily386km (240 miles)
Bus
5h 30m
¥6,710($49)
twice daily313km (195 miles)
Drive
3h 40m
¥4,655($34)
on demand316km (196 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Matsue and Kyoto

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Kyoto

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

ITM
Itami Airport (ITM)
Domestic Airport
Distance
38km (24 miles) from Kyoto
KIX
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
International Airport
Distance
80km (50 miles) from Kyoto
NGO
Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)
International Airport
Distance
97km (61 miles) from Kyoto