Trains from Tokyo to Kyoto

Trains from Tokyo to Kyoto

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Tokyo to Kyoto Train Schedule

Tokyo to Kyoto Train Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 06:00 - 08:15¥ 19,611
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 08:30 - 10:45¥ 19,611
Shinkansen JR Central Unreserved seat 11:30 - 13:45¥ 13,720
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 13:30 - 15:45¥ 19,611
Shinkansen JR Central Standard 15:30 - 17:45¥ 14,879
Shinkansen JR Central Standard 16:30 - 18:45¥ 14,879
Shinkansen JR Central Green Car 18:00 - 20:15¥ 19,611
Nishi Tokyo Bus XNTK6 Intercity 21:10 - 05:00¥ 6,171
Sakura Kanko Bus CJ AC Seater 22:35 - 05:40¥ 7,392

Transportation from Tokyo to Kyoto

Facts about the train from Tokyo to Kyoto

Cheapest Train$63
Fastest Train2h 15m
Earliest Train6:00 AM
Latest Train9:03 PM
Daily Train Routes57
Distance466 kilometers
TrainHaruka Express, Jetstar Japan, Shinkansen JR Central

Tokyo to Kyoto Destination Reviews

CV
Trying to find the correct part of the station and use my tickets was very stressful
Train #NOZOMI 11 Unreserved seat, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Sep 11, 2023
RT
I purchased my tickets the night before we needed Shinkansen tickets, so it was a bit last minute. When I bought my tickets it was charging me in Euros so I started to feel unsure, however I proceeded with the purchase. I received an email for my receipt but I did not get a confirmation email right away. I waited until the next day, which was our day of departure at 1425 hours. At 1030 hours I still had not received an email so my panic wostened. I started emailing 12Go inquiring about confirmation email. At 1125 hours I finally received my confirmation email so I was at ease finally. When we got to Shinkansen gates to board Shinkansen using the QR code provided, they would not work. Panic came back. I was afraid it was not real or 12Go was a scam. They let us board and we sat in our reserved seats which had to be legitimate because the conductors never questioned us sitting in the reserved seats. My panic was not completely settled as I wasn’t sure if they were going to charge me or what upon arrival. Again panic set in again. Once we arrived in Kyoto Japan Shinkansen train station we tried to exit with the QR codes and again they did not work. Panic came back. Because of the language barrier I wasn’t sure what to do, but the station attendant helped us, he was able to scan our QR codes on his system and we were out of the Shinkansen station and felt at ease again as we arrived in Kyoto Japan. It all worked out at the end, but as a foreigner traveling where you can’t speak their language it was nerve racking to feel something wasn’t right. In the future, I’ll just pay at the train station directly even if it means it is much more expensive.
Train #NOZOMI 41 Green Car, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Jul 29, 2023
NY
The bullet train ride was good. The main issue was transferring from Tokyo station to the Shinkansen. It was very complex and took a very long time. We needed to ask around a lot too. It would be great if the tickets came with some kind of map/guide to help travellers
Train #NOZOMI 49 Standard, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Jul 15, 2023
LG
The no reserve seats were so crowded and uncomfortable.. there was way too many many waggons with available seats. It was difficult as uncomfortable to find a seat and smelly
Train #NOZOMI 45 Unreserved seat, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Mar 15, 2023
CW
Smooth quick and quiet while I got to see a side of Japan other tourists probably miss out on.
Train #NOZOMI 1 Unreserved seat, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Feb 14, 2023
TT
I wanted to change my ticket to an earlier time but couldn’t figure out how to do so on your website
Train #NOZOMI 433 Standard, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Aug 12, 2022
VN
Traveled from Tokyo to Kyoto. The train arrived on time, very fast and convenient service.
Train #NOZOMI 17 Standard, Shinkansen JR Central (Shinkansen JR Central), Jan 20, 2021
4.5
45 customer reviews
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How to get from Tokyo to Kyoto by train

Train from Tokyo to Kyoto is a decent alternative to bus or air travel. Travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto by train is easy, safe, and convenient. There is a direct railway link between the two destinations, which makes your trip smooth and hassle-free. Tickets are available for online booking and it is a good idea to buy them in advance to secure your seat. To get the most out of your train journey, check the schedule and choose the most convenient departure. As a rule, trains and ticket classes are available for every taste and budget.

How far is Tokyo from Kyoto?

The distance from Tokyo to Kyoto is 466 km. Railways link the two destinations so that you can travel direct without connections. If there are connections, they will be indicated in your ticket.

How long does it take to get from Tokyo to Kyoto by train?

Depending on the type of train, the length of your railway journey from Tokyo to Kyoto may vary. The slowest train needs about 2h 15m to get to Kyoto, and the fastest one brings you there in about 2h 15m. We recommend opting for the fastest service to save you time, especially if you travel by day. With overnight service, the difference of a couple of hours seems not so crucial and may prove even convenient.

Note that trains normally depart on time from their station of origin but sometimes come later than scheduled to their terminus. It is better not to plan short connections if you are going to continue your journey immediately after arrival to Kyoto.

In many destinations, train stations are located very centrally and have good transport connections with the rest of the city, bus stations, and airports. It mostly concerns the older and well-established railway stations. The newer and bigger ones tend to appear in the outskirts of towns and cities, first of all, due to the reason of limited space in the central locations. Getting to and from there may be challenging even by taxi, as restrictions may apply on taxi operators allowed to serve the passengers. Hence, we highly recommend double-checking the location of the station you will depart from and arrive at as some destinations have several train stations.

How much does it cost to get from Tokyo to Kyoto by train?

There may be carriages of a different class on one and the same train on one and the same route. The price of your ticket will vary accordingly – from a dirt-cheap tag for hard seats to high numbers for super comfy overnight sleeper berths on luxury trains. For the Tokyo – Kyoto route, the cheapest ticket costs while if you want to travel with more comfort, expect to pay for the most expensive option.

Travelling by train essentials

  • Train tickets often sell out well before the date of departure. Book them in advance even if your travel does not fall onto high-season dates. Travelling during peak periods which also include public and national holidays, and long or bank weekends, advanced booking is a must if you do not want to remake your travel plans on the spot. It is unnecessary to go to the train station to book – buy your ticket online in a few clicks.
  • Advanced booking ensures you get the seats and berths you want. For example, the lower berths are always the first to sell out, while upper berths may be available even on the departure date. Similarly, for longer distances, it is the night trips that enjoy the highest demand, while you may be able to grab a ticket for the same route an hour before departure if it is an inconvenient day ride that eats a huge part of your time.
  • There may be different carriages within one and the same train: fan-only and air-conditioned; hard seats and soft seats; second class berths and private compartments. Before buying your ticket, make sure you understand what type of seat you are paying for. Prices may differ greatly, but sometimes it is a good idea to pay more not to spend 20 hours on a hard seat in a fan-only carriage. In general, second-class berths are a good choice for longer overnight trips, while for shorter 4-6-hour day journeys, a soft seat is a great option.
  • Air-conditioning on trains can be excessive – as well as heating during the cold season. Make sure to pack layers not to get cold or hot during your trip. In hot countries, fan-only carriages are a cheaper and acceptable alternative to air-conditioned carriages.
  • There are toilets on board a train. Depending on the type of train, some carriages can be equipped with simple squat-type toilets or normal Western toilets. Regardless of your ticket's price, the train toilets' cleanness is not often up to the standard, alas. It especially concerns cheaper classes, though even in first-class carriages, complaints are not unheard of.
  • There is normally a dining carriage on long-distance trains, but on some routes, dining carriages have become extinct due to covid-19 restrictions. Check in advance if food is available on board or simply pack some snacks to be on the safe side. On many trains, you will also see hawkers patrolling the aisles during the journey and selling soft beverages and snacks. Alcohol drinks are prohibited on trains.
  • Smoking is prohibited, too, if, of course, you are not travelling by a common class somewhere in China or Indonesia!
  • Arrive at the train station at least half an hour before departure to allow enough time to find your platform and go through check-in formalities. A passport or other ID which you use for buying your train ticket is almost always needed, so keep it at hand to produce when asked at check-in or boarding.
  • Trains may arrive at their destination later than scheduled. These delays are not uncommon, especially for long-haul routes. Be ready and plan accordingly. Yet compared to buses, trains are less weather and traffic dependent hence more reliable schedule-wise.