Transportation
Transportation
A: For access from KIX (Kansai International Airport) to Kyoto, see below:
⋅ JR Haruka Airport Express: About 75 minutes
These Kyoto-bound trains run every half hour in the morning and evening, and every hour during daytime hours.
These Kyoto-bound trains run every half hour in the morning and evening, and every hour during daytime hours.
⋅ Airport Limousine Bus: About 120 minutes
Airport limousine buses will drop you off at selected destinations in Kyoto for a fairly low price.
(On your return trip, you can reach Kansai International Airport from Kyoto Station via the Airport Limousine Bus that departs from Kyoto Station's Hachijo Exit.
Airport limousine buses will drop you off at selected destinations in Kyoto for a fairly low price.
(On your return trip, you can reach Kansai International Airport from Kyoto Station via the Airport Limousine Bus that departs from Kyoto Station's Hachijo Exit.
There is also an Airport Limousine Bus departing from Hachijo Exit for convenient access to Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport).)
⋅ Shuttle Taxi Service: About 120 minutes
Reservations are usually required at least two days in advance. For a fixed fee of a few thousand yen, they will drop you off anywhere in Kyoto.
Reservations are usually required at least two days in advance. For a fixed fee of a few thousand yen, they will drop you off anywhere in Kyoto.
*For access information about each service, you can find details at information counters at Kansai International Airport and Tourist Information Centers in Kyoto City.
A: The Shinkansen bullet train (the Nozomi or Hikari) travels directly from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station.
The Nozomi train arrives in Kyoto the fastest (in 2 hours 20 minutes), but the Japan Rail Pass can't be used with the Nozomi. If you'd like to use your Japan Rail Pass, please ride the Hikari (to arrive in 2 hours 40 minutes) or Kodama trains.
Also, if you take the last Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, please expect that there will be fewer bus and train options to get from Kyoto Station to your hotel or other destination. We recommend taking at least an 20:00 Shinkansen from Tokyo.
For the Shinkansen time table, and information about how to buy tickets, including reserved seating, please see the JR Official Website.
The Nozomi train arrives in Kyoto the fastest (in 2 hours 20 minutes), but the Japan Rail Pass can't be used with the Nozomi. If you'd like to use your Japan Rail Pass, please ride the Hikari (to arrive in 2 hours 40 minutes) or Kodama trains.
Also, if you take the last Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, please expect that there will be fewer bus and train options to get from Kyoto Station to your hotel or other destination. We recommend taking at least an 20:00 Shinkansen from Tokyo.
For the Shinkansen time table, and information about how to buy tickets, including reserved seating, please see the JR Official Website.
A: To get to Kyoto from Namba in Osaka, take Osaka Metro’s Midosuji Line to Umeda Station, then walk to JR Osaka Station and take the JR Kyoto Line to Kyoto Station. The trip takes about 50 minutes.
If you are going to the Shijo Kawaramachi area in downtown Kyoto, then it might be more convenient for you to take a Hankyu Railway train and get off at Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station or take a Keihan Railway train and get off at Gion Shijo Station.
There is also a Direct Express Bus (operated by Keihan Bus) with which you can travel directly from Namba (OCAT) to Kyoto Station:Direct Express Bus
If you are going to the Shijo Kawaramachi area in downtown Kyoto, then it might be more convenient for you to take a Hankyu Railway train and get off at Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station or take a Keihan Railway train and get off at Gion Shijo Station.
There is also a Direct Express Bus (operated by Keihan Bus) with which you can travel directly from Namba (OCAT) to Kyoto Station:Direct Express Bus
A: If you take the Miyako Rapid train on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station, you can reach Uji in around 20 minutes.
If you are near Kyoto's downtown area of Shijo Kawaramachi, it is most convenient to take the Keihan Railway. Simply take the Limited Express train from either Keihan-Sanjo or Gion-Shijo Stations, transfer to the Keihan Uji Line at Chushojima Station, and get off the train at the final stop, Uji Station.
If you are near Kyoto's downtown area of Shijo Kawaramachi, it is most convenient to take the Keihan Railway. Simply take the Limited Express train from either Keihan-Sanjo or Gion-Shijo Stations, transfer to the Keihan Uji Line at Chushojima Station, and get off the train at the final stop, Uji Station.
A: You can get to Nara from Kyoto Station in about 45 min via the Miyakoji Rapid train on the JR Line, or in about 45 min via express train on the Kintetsu Line. You may need to transfer depending on when you ride, so please check before you board.
A: See below for some example routes from Kyoto Station to major sightseeing spots in Kyoto.
【Major Tourist Attractions in Kyoto】
⋅ Kiyomizu / Gion Area
⋅ Kinkaku-ji Temple
⋅ Arashiyama
⋅ Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
⋅ Nijo-jo Castle
> See details here: Getting to Major Spots from Kyoto Station
*There are other possible routes to these sightseeing spots, too. Please refer to the following for other possible transportation routes:
A: Yes. We recommend making good use of transportation passes in Kyoto to make it cheaper to visit all of the sights.
For example, if you'd like to make use of all of Kyoto's different types of public transportation, or if you'd like to charge your pass only with the amount of money you'll need for each ride, the Kansai One Pass, which can be used across the Kansai area should be a good choice.
If you're just looking to travel around within Kyoto City, and would like to ride the city's buses and subway for a flat fee, there are also magnetic cards that can be used as one- or two-day passes.
If you're traveling within Kyoto City with a "One Day Bus & Subway Pass (900 yen)," it's extremely convenient to travel to the subway station nearest to your destination, and then take the bus from there to shorten your travel time. A "Two Day Bus & Subway Pass (1700 yen)" is also available.
For example, if you'd like to make use of all of Kyoto's different types of public transportation, or if you'd like to charge your pass only with the amount of money you'll need for each ride, the Kansai One Pass, which can be used across the Kansai area should be a good choice.
If you're just looking to travel around within Kyoto City, and would like to ride the city's buses and subway for a flat fee, there are also magnetic cards that can be used as one- or two-day passes.
If you're traveling within Kyoto City with a "One Day Bus & Subway Pass (900 yen)," it's extremely convenient to travel to the subway station nearest to your destination, and then take the bus from there to shorten your travel time. A "Two Day Bus & Subway Pass (1700 yen)" is also available.
For more information about transportation ticket prices and where to purchase them, please see here: Transportation Tickets & Passes
A: Kansai One Pass (ICOCA card) holders can visit the JR Central Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) in Kyoto Station, or central ticket offices in JR West Japan's ICOCA area for refunds.
*Please be aware that deposit refunds for PiTaPa and some other transportation cards cannot be issued within the Kansai area.
*There are some prerequisites for refunds. Please be sure to on these when you purchase a card at the JR Central Ticket Office.
On Kyoto City Buses and the Kyoto Municipal Subway, however, you can use IC transportation cards that are usable across Japan.
See here for information on different types of IC cards you can use, where to purchase them, and details on which areas in which they can be used: IC Card｜Kyoto City Bus & Subway Information Guide
*Please be aware that deposit refunds for PiTaPa and some other transportation cards cannot be issued within the Kansai area.
*There are some prerequisites for refunds. Please be sure to on these when you purchase a card at the JR Central Ticket Office.
On Kyoto City Buses and the Kyoto Municipal Subway, however, you can use IC transportation cards that are usable across Japan.
See here for information on different types of IC cards you can use, where to purchase them, and details on which areas in which they can be used: IC Card｜Kyoto City Bus & Subway Information Guide
A: There are bus tours departing from Kyoto Station, including those with English guidance via earphones.
To sign up for a bus tour, you can make a reservation on each bus company's respective website or check for open seats on the Kyoto Sightseeing Bus at the “Kyo Navi” Kyoto Tourist Information Center beginning three days before your ride, and up to the day of your ride. You can also purchase tickets at the counter.
To sign up for a bus tour, you can make a reservation on each bus company's respective website or check for open seats on the Kyoto Sightseeing Bus at the “Kyo Navi” Kyoto Tourist Information Center beginning three days before your ride, and up to the day of your ride. You can also purchase tickets at the counter.
[Kyoto's Main Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours]