How to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, Japan

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.

9 routes found

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 KyotoTokyo if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
+

Train

Take the train to Kyoto.

  • Duration2h 10m
  • Departsevery 15 mins
  • Typical cost
    ¥13,690($100)
2
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Osaka Itami (ITM).

  • Duration2h 25m
  • Flight time1hr
  • Typical cost
    ¥17,110($125)
Operated byJapan Airlines+ 1 others

4 similiar routes

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

3
bus
+

Bus to Kyōto

Take the bus to Kyōto.

  • Duration7h 30m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥9,855($72)
Operated by

Kintetsu Bus

1 similiar route

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

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Kyoto.

  • Duration4h 60m
  • Distance458km (284 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Tokyo and Kyoto

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.

Train travel

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.

Bus travel

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.

Flights and Airlines

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.

Drive yourself

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).

How do I get from Tokyo to Kyoto

Compare travel optionsbetween Tokyo and Kyoto

Transport options from Tokyo to Kyoto
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
2h 10m
¥13,690($100)
every 15 mins476km (296 miles)
Fly + 4 similar
2h 25m
¥17,110($125)
every 30 mins465km (289 miles)
Fly to Chūbu Centrair (NGO), Train2h 45m
¥20,810($150)
every 30 mins477km (297 miles)
Plane and Train2h 60m
¥15,060($110)
every 20 mins532km (330 miles)
Train and Plane3h 40m
¥30,390($220)
hourly684km (425 miles)
Plane, Bus and Train3h 55m
¥42,575($310)
hourly741km (461 miles)
Bus to Kyōto + 1 similar
7h 30m
¥9,855($72)
twice daily477km (296 miles)
Bus7h 40m
¥8,215($60)
once daily462km (287 miles)
Drive
4h 60m
¥6,710($49)
on demand458km (284 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Tokyo and Kyoto

Bus companies

Train operators

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