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Kyoto → Kanazawa

Kyoto to Kanazawa

🚆 Limited express🚌 Highway bus🌙 Overnight bus
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The standard way from Kyoto to Kanazawa is to take the Limited Express Thunderbird to Tsuruga and change to the Hokuriku Shinkansen. You can ride both with a JR Pass or Hokuriku Arch Pass. For a lower fare, highway buses and overnight buses from Kyoto Station are also available.

Compare

Compare your options

Limited Express Thunderbird + Hokuriku Shinkansen (change at Tsuruga)
Travel time
Thunderbird Kyoto–Tsuruga about 55 min + Hokuriku Shinkansen Tsurugi Tsuruga–Kanazawa about 57 min (timetable example) + transfer
Fare
HOKURIKU One-way Ticket for international visitors ¥6,500 for adults (as of October 2026, purchased in advance outside Japan)
Transfers
Change at Tsuruga to the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tsurugi, Kagayaki, etc.; standard connection time 8 min)
Highway bus (Hokurikudo Seishun Hiru Tokkyu Osaka)
Travel time
About 4 hr 50 min (departs Kyoto Station 11:40 → arrives Kanazawa Station 16:28)
Fare
¥200 less than the fare from Osaka (¥2,500–6,800 for adults) (as of October 2026, varies by travel date)
Transfers
None
Overnight bus (Hyakumangoku Dream Osaka and others)
Travel time
About 6 hr (e.g. departs Kyoto Station 23:40 → arrives Kanazawa Station 5:46)
Fare
¥200 less than the fare from Osaka (3-across seating ¥3,700–9,800, 4-across seating ¥3,100–7,800) (as of October 2026, varies by travel date)
Transfers
None

Fares and times are as of the date shown. Airfares vary by season and booking date. Check the operator’s official website before you travel.

Recommended

Best option for…

Fastest option / Using a JR Pass
→ Limited Express Thunderbird + Hokuriku Shinkansen (change at Tsuruga)
Budget option
→ Highway bus (Hokurikudo Seishun Hiru Tokkyu Osaka)
Overnight to save on accommodation
→ Overnight bus (Hyakumangoku Dream Osaka and others)
How to Ride

How to ride each option

Limited express

Limited Express Thunderbird + Hokuriku Shinkansen (change at Tsuruga)

Depart from
Kyoto Station
Arrive at
Kanazawa Station
Travel time
Thunderbird Kyoto–Tsuruga about 55 min + Hokuriku Shinkansen Tsurugi Tsuruga–Kanazawa about 57 min (timetable example) + transfer
Fare
HOKURIKU One-way Ticket for international visitors ¥6,500 for adults (as of October 2026, purchased in advance outside Japan)
Frequency
Thunderbird: 25 round trips a day
Transfers
Change at Tsuruga to the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tsurugi, Kagayaki, etc.; standard connection time 8 min)
Tickets
Station ticket machines or ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi), or JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION
JR Pass
Covered by the JR Pass (no extra charge for either the Thunderbird or the Hokuriku Shinkansen)
Note
Transfer through the transfer gates on the 2nd floor of Tsuruga Station. Limited express platforms are on the 1st floor and Shinkansen platforms on the 3rd floor
Highway bus

Highway bus (Hokurikudo Seishun Hiru Tokkyu Osaka)

Depart from
Kyoto Station Central Exit (Karasuma side)
Arrive at
Kanazawa Station (Kanazawa Port Exit)
Travel time
About 4 hr 50 min (departs Kyoto Station 11:40 → arrives Kanazawa Station 16:28)
Fare
¥200 less than the fare from Osaka (¥2,500–6,800 for adults) (as of October 2026, varies by travel date)
Frequency
1 service a day
Transfers
None
Tickets
Kousoku Bus Net (JR Bus reservation site) and others. All seats reserved
Note
4-across seating. Also stops at Fukui Station
Overnight bus

Overnight bus (Hyakumangoku Dream Osaka and others)

Depart from
Kyoto Station Central Exit (Karasuma side)
Arrive at
Kanazawa Station (Kanazawa Port Exit)
Travel time
About 6 hr (e.g. departs Kyoto Station 23:40 → arrives Kanazawa Station 5:46)
Fare
¥200 less than the fare from Osaka (3-across seating ¥3,700–9,800, 4-across seating ¥3,100–7,800) (as of October 2026, varies by travel date)
Frequency
2 services a day
Transfers
None
Tickets
Kousoku Bus Net (JR Bus reservation site) and others. All seats reserved
Note
Departures from Kyoto at 23:40 (3-across seating) and 23:59 (4-across seating)
Tips

Good to know

  • ✓Since March 2024 there has been no direct limited express between Kyoto and Kanazawa, so you always change at Tsuruga
  • ✓Highway buses depart from Kyoto Station Central Exit (Karasuma side) and arrive at the Kanazawa Port Exit of Kanazawa Station
  • ✓The Hokuriku Arch Pass gives unlimited rides in ordinary-car reserved seats on the Thunderbird between Kyoto and Tsuruga and on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
Travel Passes

Travel passes you can use on this route

🚄 JR

Japan Rail Pass

Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed

From ¥50,000

🚄 JR

Hokuriku Arch Pass

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ 7 consecutive days from the first day of use

From ¥35,000

Tickets you can book in advancePR
Map

Map

Open route in Google Maps ↗
☁ Weather and what to wear in Kyoto →☁ Weather and what to wear in Kanazawa →
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near KanazawaPR

PRSee more places to stay near Kanazawa on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Other Routes

Other routes

Tokyo → Kyoto

Fastest: Approx. 2 hr 15 min

🚄 Shinkansen🌙 Overnight bus

Tokyo → Kanazawa

Fastest: Approx. 2 hr 27 min (example timetable: Kagayaki 501)

🚄 Shinkansen✈ Flight

Osaka → Kyoto

Fastest: About 28 min (timetable example)

🚆 Limited express🚄 Shinkansen

Osaka → Kanazawa

Fastest: Fastest 2 hr 9 min (change at Tsuruga)

🚆 Limited express🚌 Highway bus🌙 Overnight bus

Kyoto → Nara

Fastest: About 35 min (fastest 33 min)

🚆 Limited express

Travel times, fares and boarding points are based on official information from rail, airline, bus and ferry operators. Fares and timetables can change, so check the official websites before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-08

PRKlookKyoto–Kanazawa Thunderbird + Hokuriku Shinkansen ticketChoose your train combination with a change at Tsuruga and your seats, and book onlineView