The distance between Tokyo and Kyoto is around 458km (284 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 2h 10m.
We've found 9 different ways to get from Tokyo 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 Kyoto → Tokyo if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Kyoto.
Fly from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Osaka Itami (ITM).
4 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Kyōto.
Kintetsu Bus
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
There are several options for getting from Tokyo to Kyoto by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ¥8,215 ($60) and will take around 7h 40m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 2h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥13,690 ($100).
The distance between Tokyo and Kyoto is around 458km (284 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 370km (230 miles)
It takes around 2h 10m to get from Tokyo and Kyoto by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 60m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto is to take the train which takes around 2h 10m and will set you back approx ¥13,690 ($100).
The cheapest way to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ¥8,215 ($60) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Tokyo and Kyoto. It typically takes around 2h 10m and departs every 15 mins.
Yes there is a direct train service that runs between Tokyo and Kyoto with no changeovers required. The train runs every 15 mins and takes 2h 10m.
Japan Railways Shinkansen run train services between Tokyo and Kyoto. Trains depart every 15 mins and will take around 2h 10m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Tokyo and Kyoto. It typically takes around 7h 40m and departs once daily.
Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Tokyo and Kyoto with no changeovers required. The bus runs once daily and takes 7h 40m.
JR Bus Kanto and Kintetsu Bus run regular bus services between Tokyo and Kyoto. Buses run once daily and take around 7h 40m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Yes you can fly from Tokyo and Kyoto. Flights depart from Tokyo Haneda (HND) and arrive at Osaka Itami (ITM). The flight takes around 1hr.
Yes there is a direct flight between Tokyo and Kyoto with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 1hr.
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways fly between Tokyo and Kyoto. Flights depart from Tokyo Haneda (HND) and and arrive into Osaka Itami (ITM). These flights usually take around 1hr.
The flight from Tokyo to Kyoto typically takes around 1hr. Flights depart from Tokyo Haneda (HND) and and arrive into Osaka Itami (ITM).
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.
Yes it is possible to drive from Tokyo and Kyoto. The distance is around 458km (284 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 60m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 10m and will usually cost around ¥13,690 ($100).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train | 2h 10m | ¥13,690($100) | every 15 mins | 476km (296 miles) |
Fly + 4 similar | 2h 25m | ¥17,110($125) | every 30 mins | 465km (289 miles) |
Fly to Chūbu Centrair (NGO), Train | 2h 45m | ¥20,810($150) | every 30 mins | 477km (297 miles) |
Plane and Train | 2h 60m | ¥15,060($110) | every 20 mins | 532km (330 miles) |
Train and Plane | 3h 40m | ¥30,390($220) | hourly | 684km (425 miles) |
Plane, Bus and Train | 3h 55m | ¥42,575($310) | hourly | 741km (461 miles) |
Bus to Kyōto + 1 similar | 7h 30m | ¥9,855($72) | twice daily | 477km (296 miles) |
Bus | 7h 40m | ¥8,215($60) | once daily | 462km (287 miles) |
Drive | 4h 60m | ¥6,710($49) | on demand | 458km (284 miles) |
Skymark Airlines
JR Bus Kanto
Kintetsu Bus
Honshi Bus
Narita Express (N'EX)
The following major airports near Kyoto offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Japan and internationally.