🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Nagoya → Kyoto
Nagoya to Kyoto
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus
From Nagoya to Kyoto, the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi gets you there quickly in about 33 min with no transfer. With a JR Pass, you can ride the Hikari and Kodama at no extra charge. For a lower fare, the Meishin Highway Bus runs directly to Kyoto Station in around 2.5 hr.
Compare
Compare your options
Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi
- Travel time
- About 33 min
- Fare
- smartEX ordinary-car reserved seat ¥5,710 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari / Kodama
- Travel time
- Hikari about 45–50 min / Kodama about 1 hr
- Fare
- smartEX ordinary-car reserved seat ¥5,500 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
Meishin Highway Bus (Kyoto Line)
- Travel time
- About 2 hr 15 min – 2 hr 40 min
- Fare
- ¥2,800 for adults (as of October 2026, regular fare). Hayauri 1 advance fare ¥1,600
- Transfers
- None
| Compare your options | Travel time | Fare | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi | About 33 min | smartEX ordinary-car reserved seat ¥5,710 (as of October 2026, regular season) | Not covered by the JR Pass alone. Pass holders can ride by buying a Nozomi/Mizuho special ticket (Nagoya–Kyoto ¥2,530 for adults) |
| Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari / Kodama | Hikari about 45–50 min / Kodama about 1 hr | smartEX ordinary-car reserved seat ¥5,500 (as of October 2026, regular season) | Covered by the JR Pass (ordinary-car reserved seats also at no extra charge) |
| Meishin Highway Bus (Kyoto Line) | About 2 hr 15 min – 2 hr 40 min | ¥2,800 for adults (as of October 2026, regular fare). Hayauri 1 advance fare ¥1,600 | — |
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
→ Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi
Using a JR Pass
→ Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari / Kodama
Cheapest option
→ Meishin Highway Bus (Kyoto Line)
How to Ride
How to ride each option
Shinkansen
Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi
- Depart from
- Nagoya Station
- Arrive at
- Kyoto Station
- Travel time
- About 33 min
- Fare
- smartEX ordinary-car reserved seat ¥5,710 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- Station ticket machines or ticket office, or smartEX (online)
- Large luggage
- Luggage with total dimensions (length + width + height) over 160 cm and up to 250 cm requires a reservation for a Seat with Oversized Baggage Area (¥1,000 fee without a reservation). Not allowed in non-reserved cars
- JR Pass
- Not covered by the JR Pass alone. Pass holders can ride by buying a Nozomi/Mizuho special ticket (Nagoya–Kyoto ¥2,530 for adults)
- Note
- All cars are reserved-seat only during peak periods such as New Year, Golden Week and Obon
Shinkansen
Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari / Kodama
- Depart from
- Nagoya Station
- Arrive at
- Kyoto Station
- Travel time
- Hikari about 45–50 min / Kodama about 1 hr
- Fare
- smartEX ordinary-car reserved seat ¥5,500 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- Station ticket machines or ticket office, or smartEX (online)
- Large luggage
- Luggage with total dimensions (length + width + height) over 160 cm and up to 250 cm requires a reservation for a Seat with Oversized Baggage Area (¥1,000 fee without a reservation). Not allowed in non-reserved cars
- JR Pass
- Covered by the JR Pass (ordinary-car reserved seats also at no extra charge)
Highway bus
Meishin Highway Bus (Kyoto Line)
- Depart from
- Nagoya Station
- Arrive at
- Kyoto Station (Central Exit, Karasuma side)
- Travel time
- About 2 hr 15 min – 2 hr 40 min
- Fare
- ¥2,800 for adults (as of October 2026, regular fare). Hayauri 1 advance fare ¥1,600
- Frequency
- 11 services a day
- Transfers
- None
- First / last
- First 7:00 / last 19:15 (from Nagoya Station, example as of October 2026)
- Tickets
- Kousoku Bus Net (JR Bus reservation site) or bus ticket counters
- Note
- Operated by JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus and others
Tips
Good to know
- ✓For suitcases with total dimensions over 160 cm, reserve a Seat with Oversized Baggage Area
- ✓To ride the Nozomi with a JR Pass, you need a Nagoya–Kyoto special ticket (¥2,530 for adults)
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use on this route
🚄 JRTickets you can book in advancePR
Map
Map
Airport Access
Getting to Kyoto City from the airport
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near KyotoPR
PR9.4リッチモンドホテルプレミア 京都駅前
★★★★Check rates on Agoda12,427 reviews0.4 km from center
PR9.1サクラテラス ザ・ギャラリー【大人専用】
★★★★Check rates on Agoda16,720 reviews0.3 km from center
PR9.2リッチモンドホテルプレミア 京都四条
★★★★Check rates on Agoda15,007 reviews2.1 km from center
PR9.2Hotel The M's Kyoto
★★★Check rates on Agoda12,823 reviews0.5 km from center
PR9.4クロスホテル京都 (ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS)
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,416 reviews2.7 km from center
PR9.2京王プレリアホテル 京都烏丸五条
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,583 reviews1.4 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Other Routes
Other routes
Kyoto → Kanazawa
Fastest: Thunderbird Kyoto–Tsuruga about 55 min + Hokuriku Shinkansen Tsurugi Tsuruga–Kanazawa about 57 min (timetable example) + transfer
🚆 Limited express🚌 Highway bus🌙 Overnight bus
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