🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Tokyo → Kyoto
Tokyo to Kyoto
🚄 Shinkansen🌙 Overnight bus
From Tokyo to Kyoto, the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi is the fastest at about 2 hr 15 min with no transfers. With the Japan Rail Pass, the Hikari is convenient as it can be ridden at no extra charge. To keep costs down, a JR night bus also saves on accommodation.
Compare
Compare your options
Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi
- Travel time
- Approx. 2 hr 15 min
- Fare
- smartEX ordinary car reserved seat ¥13,970 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari
- Travel time
- Approx. 2 hr 40 min
- Fare
- smartEX ordinary car reserved seat ¥13,650 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
JR Night Bus (Gran Dream / Seishun Eco Dream)
- Travel time
- Approx. 8 hr (example: dep. Tokyo Station 21:50 → arr. Kyoto Station 5:37)
- Fare
- Gran Dream (3-across seats) ¥5,000–¥14,500, Seishun Eco Dream (4-across seats) ¥3,300–¥12,500 (as of October 2026, varies by travel date)
- Transfers
- None
| Compare your options | Travel time | Fare | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi | Approx. 2 hr 15 min | smartEX ordinary car reserved seat ¥13,970 (as of October 2026, regular season) | Not covered by the JR Pass alone. Pass holders can ride by buying a Nozomi/Mizuho special ticket (Tokyo/Shinagawa–Kyoto ¥4,960 for adults) |
| Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari | Approx. 2 hr 40 min | smartEX ordinary car reserved seat ¥13,650 (as of October 2026, regular season) | Covered by the JR Pass (ordinary car reserved seats at no extra charge) |
| JR Night Bus (Gran Dream / Seishun Eco Dream) | Approx. 8 hr (example: dep. Tokyo Station 21:50 → arr. Kyoto Station 5:37) | Gran Dream (3-across seats) ¥5,000–¥14,500, Seishun Eco Dream (4-across seats) ¥3,300–¥12,500 (as of October 2026, varies by travel date) | — |
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 the JR Pass
→ Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari
Save on accommodation with an overnight trip
→ JR Night Bus (Gran Dream / Seishun Eco Dream)
How to Ride
How to ride each option
Shinkansen
Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi
- Depart from
- Tokyo Station (also board at Shinagawa)
- Arrive at
- Kyoto Station
- Travel time
- Approx. 2 hr 15 min
- Fare
- smartEX ordinary car reserved seat ¥13,970 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Frequency
- Up to 12 trains per hour from Tokyo
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- Station ticket machines or ticket offices, or smartEX (online)
- Large luggage
- Luggage with total dimensions over 160 cm and up to 250 cm requires a reservation for a seat with an 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 (Tokyo/Shinagawa–Kyoto ¥4,960 for adults)
- Note
- All seats are reserved during peak periods such as New Year, Golden Week and Obon
Shinkansen
Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari
- Depart from
- Tokyo Station (also board at Shinagawa)
- Arrive at
- Kyoto Station
- Travel time
- Approx. 2 hr 40 min
- Fare
- smartEX ordinary car reserved seat ¥13,650 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- Station ticket machines or ticket offices, or smartEX (online)
- Large luggage
- Luggage with total dimensions over 160 cm and up to 250 cm requires a reservation for a seat with an 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 at no extra charge)
- Note
- The Kodama takes approx. 3 hr 40 min
Overnight bus
JR Night Bus (Gran Dream / Seishun Eco Dream)
- Depart from
- Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit / Busta Shinjuku
- Arrive at
- Kyoto Station Central Exit
- Travel time
- Approx. 8 hr (example: dep. Tokyo Station 21:50 → arr. Kyoto Station 5:37)
- Fare
- Gran Dream (3-across seats) ¥5,000–¥14,500, Seishun Eco Dream (4-across seats) ¥3,300–¥12,500 (as of October 2026, varies by travel date)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- Kousoku Bus Net (JR Bus booking site) or JR Bus ticket counters
- Note
- Only some services stop in Kyoto; extra and specific-date services run on Fridays, weekends, holidays and busy days
Tips
Good to know
- ✓For suitcases with total dimensions over 160 cm, reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area before boarding
- ✓To ride the Nozomi with the JR Pass, buy a Nozomi/Mizuho special ticket at a station reserved-seat ticket machine or ticket office after arriving in Japan
- ✓The Nozomi has no non-reserved seats during peak periods, so reserve a seat early
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use on this route
🚄 JRTickets you can book in advancePR
PRKlookTokaido Shinkansen Tokyo–Kyoto TicketBook ordinary car non-reserved or reserved seats, or Green Car seats, on the Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama onlineView on Klook- PRKlookJapan Rail Pass (nationwide)Unlimited rides on JR lines nationwide. Hikari and Kodama can be used at no extra chargeView on Klook
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
Tokyo → Sendai
Fastest: Approx. 1 hr 30 min (example timetable: Hayabusa 5)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus🌙 Overnight bus
Tokyo → Nagano
Fastest: Approx. 1 hr 20 min (example timetable: Kagayaki 501)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway 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