Tokyo to Kyoto Bullet Train: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

 

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The Shinkansen (bullet train) is the most convenient mode of transportation between Tokyo and Kyoto.

If you’re wondering how long the bullet trains take from Tokyo to Kyoto? Here you go!

The fastest Shinkansen – the Nozomi, takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes and is priced at Y13,080 for a one-way ticket in an unreserved seat.

The Japan Rail Pass cannot be used with the Nozomi Shinkansen, although it can be used for the Hikari, the second fastest kind of Shinkansen.

The Hikari, which travels between Tokyo and Kyoto takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Considered the slowest Shinkansen – the Kodama makes stops often and is significantly slower.

The Shinkansen may be boarded at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station in Tokyo.

All Shinkansen services terminate at both stations. It is advisable to board at Tokyo Station since it is the first station and you have a better chance of finding a seat.

However, if you are travelling from Kyoto and want to change to the Narita Express, you can transfer to Shinagawa.

It’s a short walk from the Shinkansen stations to the Narita Express platforms at Shinagawa and a long climb from the Shinkansen platforms to the Narita Express platforms at Tokyo Station.

This is also true in the opposite way (for example, if you wish to switch between the Narita Express and the Shinkansen and proceed directly to Kyoto. It is quicker to do so at Shinagawa, because of its layout.)

It is faster than doing it at Tokyo Station. Narita Express trains arrive at Shinagawa Station on Track 15, which is normally utilized by the Yokosuka Line.

Track 15 has the advantage of being on the eastern end of the station and being the closest platform to the Shinkansen tracks.

The Shinkansen depart and arrive in Kyoto from the Shinkansen platforms on the south side of Kyoto Station (which are identifiable from everywhere).

Tickets for the Tokyo-Kyoto Shinkansen may be purchased online and sent to your Tokyo hotel.

If you are a visitor in Japan, you may save on cash and commute comfortably by Shinkansen.

We’re talking about the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), a must-have for any visitor to Japan who wishes to visit more than one city.

This permits unrestricted travel on any JR transportation, including bullet trains, for 7, 14, or 21 days.

You may catch the Shinkansen from either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station.

To Kyoto Station, there are three major Shinkansen lines: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. Nozomi has a reserved seat cost of 13,910 JPY and a non-reserved seat fare of 13,080 JPY.

There is a vending machine and a ticket booth (named “Midori-no-madoguchi“) for the tickets.

Some vending machines feature menus in English.

They are installed near the admission gates. If you have a JR Pass, you may proceed to the station and board any of the trains in the non-reserved cars (typically 1-4).

But if you’d rather book a seat in advance, you may do so at the same locations where they’re sold (vending machine or ticket office).

Addresses:

Tokyo Station- 1 Chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan (map)

Shinagawa Station- 3 Chome-26-27 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan (map)

A reserved ticket is not usually required to board the Shinkansen. Simply purchase an unreserved pass and turn up to board the next Shinkansen heading in your direction.

If you are travelling during rush hour (between 7 am and 9 am; 4 pm and 7 pm) or during busy travel seasons (31 December- 3 January; the first week of May and mid-August), consider purchasing reserved tickets in advance.

With a Japan Rail Pass, you may make reservations up to one month in advance at any JR ticket office. You cannot make a reservation from another country.

Listed below are the Tokyo to Kyoto bullet train timings and prices:

Tokyo to Kyoto Bullet Train Time and the price is almost the same from the Shinagawa Station.

Tokyo Station- JR lines, including the Yamanote Line, Chuo Line, Sobu Line, and Keihin-Tohoku Line, may take you to Tokyo Station. The Marunouchi Line is useful for individuals who use the Tokyo Metro lines.

Shinagawa Station- The best way to go to Shinagawa Station. Shinagawa Station, in contrast to many big stations, only has two entrances and exits.

The Takanawa Exit is on the west side, while the Konan Exit is on the east side. A lengthy hallway within the station connects these exits, splitting the station in half.

Without a car, the best way to go from Tokyo (Station) to Shinagawa (Station) is by train, which takes 8 minutes and costs ¥120 – ¥3700.

The simplest and most practical method to get across the Land of the Rising Sun is by train, thanks to Japan’s extensive rail network.

You may travel affordably for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days with this JR Pass while you experience Japan’s cities and countryside.

The pass includes most JR lines and local buses, providing a convenient way to view the sites.

You can choose between the Ordinary pass and the Green Class pass. The Green Class ticket provides first-class comfort with reclining chairs, a footrest, legroom, and a travel magazine to keep you engaged while travelling.

This Japan Rail Pass covers all kinds of transportation, including Shinkansen, Limited Express, and local trains, as well as the Monorail, JR buses, and the Miyajima Ferry.

International travellers visiting Japan are the only ones eligible for the JR Kansai Area Pass, which entitles you to unlimited travel on local JR trains and buses in certain Kansai regions, including Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama, and Otsu, as well as on the Kansai Airport Express Haruka. The package also includes unrestricted usage of the Haruka limited express train between Kansai International Airport and Kyoto.

 

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Travel time via highway bus: 7 to 8 hours

Prices start at 3,200 yen.

Daytime and night-time bus services between Tokyo and Kyoto are provided by several bus companies.

A one-way takes up to nine hours and is priced at no less than 3,200 yen, based on seat category, season, and other considerations. On the Willer Express and Japan Bus Online websites, you may search for bus departure and arrival locations, schedules, ticket pricing, and book seat reservations.

Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes by flight

Cost: Usually between 10,000 and 23,000 yen.

If you are travelling from Narita or Haneda airports in Tokyo, you can get to Kyoto by flying into Itami and Kansai airports in Osaka, and then having a 1 to 1.5-hour train/bus journey to central Kyoto.

Several airlines, including Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Vanilla Air, Peach, and Starflyer, offer several flights between the two cities every day.

A one-way flight takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes, and tickets may be purchased for as little as 4,000 yen during promotions and specials.