How do I get from Tokyo to Kyoto?

The shinkansen (bullet train) is the best way to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto. It takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs Y13,080 between Tokyo and Kyoto(non-reserved seat). You don't need to reserve seats on the shinkansen if you travel outside of peak travel hours and outside of peak travel seasons.



People Also Ask

The shinkansen (bullet train) is the best way to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto. It takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs Y13,080 between Tokyo and Kyoto(non-reserved seat). You don't need to reserve seats on the shinkansen if you travel outside of peak travel hours and outside of peak travel seasons.

MORE DETAILS

A standard fee for a one-way Tokyo to Kyoto ticket is around 160 USD during peak seasons and 100-120 USD off peak, although the price heavily depends on such factor as what travel class you prefer or do you purchase a ticket with reserved or unreserved seats.

MORE DETAILS

Kyoto to Tokyo travel FAQs Taking the Shinkansen is your best bet. You'll want to leave as soon as the trains start running, though, to give yourself a full day in Tokyo. You could also bookend your day with overnight highway buses to really maximize your time, but you'll be exhausted the next day.

MORE DETAILS

By spending 4-5 days in Kyoto, you can uncover the city's hidden treasures and fully immerse yourself in its vibrant culture.

MORE DETAILS

With your Japan Rail Pass The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are linked to each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. A one-way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on a Hikari or Kodama train costs 13,080 yen (unreserved seat) or 13,800 yen (reserved seat), but is completely free with a JR Pass.

MORE DETAILS

Tokyo is about 30% more expensive than Kyoto for travelers. If you prefer big cities, modern technology, nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, Tokyo is for you. If you're after temples, shrines, garden, geisha and hiking, Kyoto is for you. If you've got 4 or more days in Japan, you should see both.

MORE DETAILS

You don't need to reserve seats on the shinkansen if you travel outside of peak travel hours and outside of peak travel seasons. You can purchase Tokyo to Kyoto shinkansen tickets online and have them delivered to your Tokyo hotel.

MORE DETAILS

You must order at least 3 days in advance before the day of travel. I would advise you to book your shinkansen tickets as far in advance as you can, during peak season like Christmas and New Year, cherry blossom season (April) and fall foliage season (November). It gets extremely busy and trains are often fully booked.

MORE DETAILS

If you calculate that your travel costs will be lower if you buy individual tickets for each journey, then it's not worth buying a JR Pass. However, if you take into account journeys on Shinkansen high-speed trains or other means of transport, the savings you make become substantial.

MORE DETAILS

For a limited time only, you can buy a Japan Rail Pass from certain train stations and airports in Japan. Travelers should be aware it is more expensive to buy a JR Pass in Japan than to purchase the pass online.

MORE DETAILS

The ideal duration to explore Tokyo is at least 5 days to discover the main areas of the city and the outskirts of the prefecture. To explore Japan's best, spend at least 2 weeks here. Even then, you will realize that there are so many things to discover in Japan.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, especially for weekend travel and during peak seasons, Shinkansen services can be fully booked. In this case, it may be possible to ride with a non-reserved seat ticket, if you are willing to stand for the entire journey! We don't sell these, so please purchase at the station if you don't want a reserved seat.

MORE DETAILS

Some trains might have a stop as brief as 1 minute, while others might stop 5 to 10 minutes due to waiting for other Shinkansen to pass. Regardless, arriving at the platform about 15 minutes before the departure time provides ample mental and physical preparation.

MORE DETAILS

I'm using JR pass and reserved seats, what if I were to miss the train, can I change to the next train on the spot? Hi there, If you miss a train you have a reserved seat for, then you are allowed to board the next train and take a non-reserved seat.

MORE DETAILS