How to Get to Kyoto from Osaka, Tokyo, & Abroad
Planning a trip to Japan and wondering how to get to Kyoto from Osaka, Tokyo, Nara, or even from abroad? Luckily, Kyoto is incredibly well connected, making it easy to reach from all of these destinations whether you’re traveling by train, flying into Japan, or combining Kyoto with other cities during your trip.
We’ve found that getting around Japan is surprisingly easy thanks to its extensive and efficient transportation network. Kyoto is especially convenient to add to an itinerary, whether you’re staying in nearby Osaka, coming from Nara for a day or two, traveling down from Tokyo, or arriving in Japan for the first time.
In this guide, we’ll cover every single option for how to get to Kyoto from Osaka, Nara, Tokyo, and abroad, as well as some of the basic things you’ll want to know before planning your trip, including which airport to fly into and whether it’s better to stay in Kyoto or Osaka.
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Basic Information About Getting to Kyoto
Before figuring out the best way to get to Kyoto, there are a couple of things you’ll want to consider when planning your trip.
✈️ What Airport Do You Fly Into for Kyoto?
Kyoto doesn’t have its own major airport, but luckily, it’s easy to reach from a couple of nearby airports. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the main airport we’d recommend for international travelers heading to Kyoto, while Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) is another convenient option, particularly for domestic flights.
🛬 How to Kyoto from Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Kansai International Airport is located about 100 kilometers from Kyoto, but don’t let that distance scare you. The airport has a direct train connection to Kyoto, making the journey surprisingly easy.
The JR Haruka Limited Express runs directly from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station and takes around 80 minutes, meaning you don’t have to travel into Osaka or make any complicated transfers. There is also an airport limousine bus that takes around 100 minutes and can be a convenient option if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage.
For most international visitors, KIX is the airport we’d choose when flying into Kyoto. The direct connection makes it much easier than you might expect to get from the airport straight into the city.
🛬 How to Get to Kyoto from Osaka Itami Airport (ITM)
Osaka Itami Airport is actually closer to Kyoto than Kansai International Airport, making it another good option if you’re flying domestically within Japan.
From Itami, the easiest option is generally the airport limousine bus, which takes around 50–55 minutes to reach Kyoto Station and some Kyoto hotels. You can also take the Osaka Monorail and connect to the Hankyu Railway if you’d rather travel by train.
If you’re flying internationally into Japan, however, KIX will generally be the more relevant airport to look for, as Itami primarily handles domestic flights.
❣️ Is It Better to Stay in Osaka or Kyoto?
This really depends on what kind of trip you’re planning, and how much time you have.
Kyoto is one of the most photogenic destinations in Japan, and if you’re looking to experience some of the top spots in the city without crwods, then staying in Kyoto will definitely be in your best interest.
On the other hand, Osaka can be a great base if you’re combining several destinations. It’s an amazing city for food and nightlife, and it’s incredibly well connected to Kyoto, Nara, and other parts of the Kansai region.
So if you’re debating between the two, don’t feel like you’re making a huge mistake by choosing Osaka. Getting from Osaka to Kyoto is easy, and you can easily visit Kyoto as a day trip. If you have several days to dedicate specifically to Kyoto, however, we’d personally rather stay in Kyoto and enjoy more time there.
Oska (left) and Kyoto (right) have completely different vibes.
How to Get to Kyoto from Osaka, Nara, and Tokyo
Now let’s get into the actual transportation. The best way to get to Kyoto will depend on where you’re starting from, and thankfully, most of these journeys are very straightforward.
🏙️ How to Get to Kyoto from Osaka
If you’re wondering how to get to Kyoto from Osaka, this is probably the easiest journey on the list.
Osaka and Kyoto are close enough that you have several train options, and you don’t necessarily need to take the Shinkansen. In fact, depending on where you’re staying in Osaka and where you’re going in Kyoto, another train can be more convenient.
🚄 How to Get to Kyoto from Osaka by Shinkansen
The Shinkansen is the fast train in Japan, and is great for those wanting to cover long distances without losing time. The Shinkansen runs between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto, making it the fastest train option.
The catch is that you have to get yourself to Shin-Osaka first, which isn’t necessarily convenient if you’re staying around central Osaka. For such a short journey, we don’t think the Shinkansen is usually necessary unless you’re already at Shin-Osaka or specifically want to experience the bullet train.
🚆 How to Get to Kyoto from Osaka with JR Special Rapid
For most people staying around Osaka Station or Umeda, this is the option we’d look at first.
The JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid Service connects Osaka Station with Kyoto Station in around 30 minutes. It’s fast, direct, and you don’t have to deal with a complicated transfer.
This is a great choice if you’re heading to Kyoto Station and want the simplest possible journey.
🚇 How to Get to Kyoto from Osaka with the Hankyu Railway
If you’re staying around Osaka-Umeda and want to get closer to central Kyoto rather than Kyoto Station, the Hankyu Railway can make more sense.
The Hankyu line runs from Osaka-Umeda toward Kyoto-Kawaramachi, with the journey taking around 45 minutes. It’s particularly convenient if you’re planning to explore areas around central Kyoto or continue toward Arashiyama.
🚆 How to Get from Kyoto to Osaka with the Keihan Railway
The Keihan Main Line is another great option for getting to Kyoto from Osaka, particularly if you’re heading toward Gion, Gion-Shijo, or Sanjo.
It runs from areas including Yodoyabashi and Kyobashi in Osaka directly toward central Kyoto, meaning you don’t necessarily have to go all the way to Kyoto Station first. The Limited Express from Yodoyabashi takes around 48 minutes.
🤔 Which Train Should You Take From Osaka to Kyoto?
Honestly, look at where you’re staying in Osaka and where you’re going in Kyoto first. This is the best way to decide how to get to Kyoto from Osaka.
💡 You don’t need to automatically choose the fastest train. The most convenient train is often the one that gets you closest to where you’re actually going.
🚐 How to Get to Kyoto from Osaka on a Day Trip
If you’re looking to enjoy the best of Kyoto on a day trip, you don’t necessarily need to do it all on your own.
Sometimes going on a tour from Osaka to Kyoto is actually more affordable, and it’s an easy option for experiencing more in a shorter amount of time.
Day trips to Kyoto from Osaka typically cover the top highlights of Kyoto, include food, and have a local expert to provide important context to all of the things you’re seeing. It’s also fun to be with a group, and is a great opportunity to make other friends – especially if you’re a solo traveler!
🦌 How to Get to Kyoto from Nara
Nara is another incredibly easy place to connect with Kyoto, which is one reason we think it’s such a great addition to a Kansai itinerary.
🚆 JR From Nara to Kyoto
The JR Miyakoji Rapid is one of the easiest options if you’re already near JR Nara Station. It takes roughly 45 minutes to reach Kyoto Station.
This can be particularly convenient if you’re using JR for other parts of your Japan itinerary and want to keep your transportation simple.
🚆 How to Get to Osaka from Nara with Kintetsu
The Kintetsu Railway is another option, particularly if you’re near Kintetsu-Nara Station.
Kintetsu trains can take you directly toward Kyoto, and the route can be especially convenient depending on where you’re staying and what you’re planning to do once you arrive.
For a trip that includes Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, we wouldn’t overthink this. All three cities are close enough that you can easily combine them into the same itinerary.
🗼 How to Get to Kyoto from Tokyo
If you’re traveling from Tokyo, this is where the Shinkansen absolutely makes sense.
The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Kyoto directly, with the Nozomi taking around 130 minutes. The Hikari takes longer, at around 170 minutes.
This is one of those journeys where we wouldn’t recommend flying. By the time you account for getting to the airport, checking in, going through security, flying, and getting from the airport to Kyoto, the Shinkansen is much more straightforward.
Plus, it’s incredibly comfortable and gives you the opportunity to experience one of Japan’s most iconic forms of transportation.
🚄 Nozomi vs. Hikari
The main difference you’ll notice is the travel time and number of stops.
Nozomi is the fastest option, while Hikari makes more stops and therefore takes longer. If you’re paying for the journey yourself and simply want to get to Kyoto as quickly as possible, Nozomi is generally the most convenient choice.
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🌎 How to Get to Kyoto from Abroad
If you’re traveling to Japan from abroad, there are a few different ways you can work Kyoto into your itinerary. The best option will depend on whether Kyoto is your first stop in Japan or you’re planning to visit other cities before making your way there.
🇯🇵 Kyoto as Your First Stop
If Kyoto is the first destination on your Japan itinerary, flying into the Osaka area is going to be the easiest option. Once you land, you can make your way directly to Kyoto rather than spending time in Osaka first.
This can be especially convenient if you’re planning to spend several days in Kyoto before continuing on to Osaka or another destination.
🗼 Starting in Tokyo
If you’re flying into Tokyo, there’s no need to take another flight just to reach Kyoto. You can spend a few days exploring Tokyo and then make your way to Kyoto by Shinkansen.
We actually think this is a great way to structure a Japan itinerary if you’re planning to visit both cities, since Tokyo and Kyoto offer such completely different experiences.
We started our trip in Tokyo, and then went to Nara by overnight bus. From Nara we went to Kyoto, and then finished in Osaka before flying from Osaka to Jeju, South Korea.
🗺️ Visiting Osaka First
Another popular option is to fly into Japan, spend some time in Osaka, and then continue on to Kyoto. Since the two cities are so close together, you can easily make Kyoto your next stop without needing to arrange another flight or complicated transportation.
This is also where staying in Osaka versus Kyoto becomes a personal preference. If you’re already staying in Osaka, Kyoto can easily be visited as a day trip, but if you want more time to explore Kyoto without rushing, we prefer staying overnight in the city.
How to Travel to Osaka by Land, Air, & Sea (Even Overnight Ferries!)
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to get to Osaka no matter where you’re coming from, along with visa details and other helpful info.
✈️ How to Get to Kyoto if You’re Flying Into Another Japanese City
You don’t necessarily have to enter Japan through Osaka or Tokyo either. If your flight itinerary brings you into another Japanese city, you can connect to Kyoto by domestic flight to Osaka, or train depending on where you’re arriving.
That said, for travelers specifically planning a Kyoto trip, Osaka and Tokyo are generally the easiest cities to build into your itinerary thanks to their transportation connections.
How to Get to Kyoto: Final Tips & What’s Next
Getting to Kyoto is much easier than it might initially look, especially once you understand that the best train isn’t necessarily the fastest one.
Here are a few things we’d keep in mind when planning your journey:
🚆 Don’t automatically take the Shinkansen. For short trips like Osaka to Kyoto, a regular express train can be just as convenient.
📍 Look at your accommodation before choosing your train. Kyoto Station isn’t always the closest or most convenient station for your hotel.
🧳 Think about your luggage. A route with one simple train can sometimes be much easier than saving a few minutes with multiple transfers.
🚉 Pay attention to the station. Osaka has several major stations and multiple railway companies, so make sure you’re going to the right one.
💳 Use an IC card. Having a rechargeable transportation card makes getting around Japan much easier.
🗺️ Check your route before leaving. Especially in Osaka, where different railway companies operate from different stations.
✈️ If you’re flying internationally, KIX is usually the easiest airport for Kyoto. You can take the Haruka directly to Kyoto without first traveling into Osaka.
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👀 What’s Next?
Now you know how to get to Kyoto – but don’t go yet! Here are some other articles you can enjoy.
Our other Japan travel guides:
🎋 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
⭐️ Is Osaka worth visiting?
🗼 30 things to do in Osaka, Japan
✈️ How to get to Osaka, Japan
🚗 How to get around Osaka, Japan
📖 Ultimate Osaka travel guide
🍴 Osaka food guide
🚌 How to get to Nara, Japan
🏮 Nara Lantern Festival
🦌 What to do in Nara in one day
📖 Nara travel guide
📆 The best time to visit Japan
🇯🇵 The ultimate guide to planning a trip to Japan
Now you know how to get to Kyoto from Osaka, Nara, Tokyo, and beyond! If you have any other questions about getting there, feel free to drop your questions in the comments below!
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