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The Distance from Nagoya to Kyoto: 85-150 km
So, how far is Nagoya from Kyoto? The straight-line Nagoya to Kyoto distance is only about 85 kilometers, but as you know, trains and cars take a longer route.
A Nagoya to Kyoto Shinkansen ride covers around 136 km in just 35 minutes—talk about a speed demon!
If you opt for the conventional Nagoya to Kyoto JR train, you'll travel about 150 km, and the trip takes around 2 hours.
For those driving, the distance is about 132.5 km, which usually takes around 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Nagoya (City) Map: Tourist, Sightseeing & Metro Map of Nagoya
Tourist Map of Kyoto: Kyoto Tourist Attractions Map
Let's Compare Your Nagoya to Kyoto Transport Options
You've got 5 main ways to get from Nagoya to Kyoto, and picking the right one comes down to your travel style.
If you're all about speed, the Nagoya to Kyoto Shinkansen will get you there in a flash!
But if you're a savvy traveler saving every yen, both the bus and the local Nagoya to Kyoto JR train will get you there for half the price, though they'll take a bit longer.
A guided tour is the ultimate way to just sit back and relax. Contact Asia Odyssey Travel, a local agency settled in Tokyo!
| Transport Options | Price (Approx.) | Travel Time | Frequency | Pros & Cons | Best For | My Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | ¥5,070-5,500 | 0.5-1h | 1-4 per hour | Fastest, direct, but priciest | Time-sensitive travelers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Highway Bus | ¥2,600 | 2.5h | 4-6 per day | Cheap, direct to the city, but takes longer | Budget-conscious travelers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| JR Train | ¥2,500 | 2h | 1-2 per hour | Cheapest, but requires a transfer | Travelers with plenty of time and a tight budget | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Kintetsu | ¥3,800-4,200 | 2-2.5h | 1 per hour | Slower, no luggage space, not a direct route | Tourists who want to visit Nara or Ise along the way | ⭐⭐ |
| Asia Odyssey Travel's Guided Tour | Included in group fare | / | / | All-inclusive service | Families or those who want a stress-free trip | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
1. Nagoya to Kyoto Shinkansen (35min): The Fastest, Direct, but Priciest
If you're a planner who values every minute, the Shinkansen is the best way to go!
The Nagoya to Kyoto Shinkansen gets you to the heart of Kyoto in a flash—just 35 minutes on the fastest Nozomi train!
Prices start around ¥5,070 for an unreserved seat, and trains depart every 15-30 minutes, so you'll never have a long wait.
Here's the Nagoya to Kyoto Shinkansen timetable:
| Shinkansen Lines | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price (Approx.) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nozomi | Nagoya Station | Kyoto Station | 35min | Unreserved: ¥5,070; Reserved: ¥5,500 | 6:00-21:30 (3-4 per hour) |
| Hikari | 40-50min | 6:10-21:00 (1-2 per hour) | |||
| Kodama | 40-50min | 6:10-21:00 (1-2 per hour) |
Tickets: You can buy them easily at Nagoya Station from the JR ticket machines (which have English support) or from a staff member at the "Green Window" counter. You can also book online (the JR Central official site) in advance to reserve your seats.
2. Nagoya to Kyoto Bus (2.5h): A Cheap Ride to the City, but It Takes Longer
Traveling from Nagoya to Kyoto by bus is a budget-friendly option. It's much cheaper than the Shinkansen and takes you directly from one city center to the other.
The daytime highway bus from Nagoya to Kyoto is the most recommended option, departing 4-6 times a day for around ¥2,600 and taking about 2.5 hours.
It offers more frequent departures during the day, so you can enjoy the scenery. The night bus is more expensive and arrives in the middle of the night, which isn't ideal for finding accommodation.
| Highway Bus | Night Bus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Approx.) | ¥2,600 | ¥4,000~6,000 |
| Duration | 2.5h | 2.5-3h |
| Departure Frequency | 4-6 per day (7:00-18:00) | 1-2 per night (22:00-24:00) |
| Arrival Time | Arrives the same day (9:00-20:30) | Arrives early morning (1:30-5:00) |
| Departure Station | Meitetsu Bus Center | JR Nagoya Station Taiko-dori Exit / Meitetsu Bus Center |
| Arrival Station | Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit / Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit | Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit |
| Luggage Limits | 1 large bag + 1 carry-on (≤30kg) | Same as left, but luggage tags required |
Money-saving Tips: Just keep in mind that the highway bus can get stuck in traffic during peak hours!
3. Nagoya to Kyoto JR Train (2h): The Cheapest Way, but You'll Have to Transfer
If you want the absolute cheapest route that's still comfortable, the local Nagoya to Kyoto JR Train is your best friend.
This route takes about 2 hours and requires a transfer at Maibara Station. It's a great choice if you have a lot of time and want to save some money, with a ticket costing just ¥2,500.
Check the timetable for Nagoya to Kyoto train price, duration and frequency:
| JR Lines | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price (Approx.) | Frequency | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JR Tokaido Main Line | Nagoya Station | Kyoto Station | 2h | ¥2,500 (Unreserved) | 1-2 per hour (5:30-20:00) | Maibara Station |
4. Nagoya to Kyoto Kintetsu (2h 10m): A Longer, Slower, and Less Direct Option
The Nagoya to Kyoto Kintetsu line is a good alternative for travelers who want to explore beyond the major cities. It's not the fastest or cheapest option, but it's a choice if you plan on visiting other sights like Ise Jingu or Nara.
How to Get to Nara from Kyoto 2025
The Limited Express will get you there in about 2 hours and 10 minutes for ¥4,200, while the Express train takes a bit longer for a slightly cheaper price of ¥3,800.
| Kintetsu Types | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price (Approx.) | Frequency | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Express | Kintetsu Nagoya Station | Kintetsu Kyoto Station | 2h 10min | ¥4,200 (Unreserved) | 1 per hour (direct) | / |
| Express | 2h 30min | ¥3,800 (Unreserved) | 1 per hour | Yamato-Yagi Station |
5. Travel from Nagoya to Kyoto with Asia Odyssey Travel: All-Inclusive, Worry-Free!
For a completely stress-free experience, a guided tour with Asia Odyssey Travel is the way to go!
We handle all the transportation and logistics, including your ride from Nagoya to Kyoto by Shinkansen. Our tours are perfect for families or travelers who want a seamless, in-depth journey through Japan.
We offer both affordable Japan Group tour and tailor-made Japan Private tour, catering to every traveler. Plus, we include unique DIY experience in your journey, like the Sushi DIY.
Itinerary Highlight: Tokyo → Mt. Fuji → Nagoya → Takayama → Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka.
Let me break down the itinerary for you here:
| Day | Where to Go | What to See & Do | Where to Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo | / | Tokyo |
| 2 | Tokyo | Ueno Park, Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara, and a sushi-making experience at Tsukiji Outer Market | Tokyo |
| 3 | Tokyo - Mt. Fuji - Tokyo | Mount Fuji 5th Station, Lake Kawaguchi, Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, and the Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway or a lake cruise. | Tokyo |
| 4 | Tokyo - Nagoya - Takayama | Travel by Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya, followed by a ride to Takayama | Takayama |
| 5 | Takayama - Shirakawa-go - Kanazawa | Miyagawa Morning Market, Hida Old Town, Takayama Jinya, a 1-hour drive to the Gassho-zukuri village of Shirakawa-go, followed by a 1-hour drive to Kanazawa. | Kanazawa |
| 6 | Kanazawa to Kyoto | Visit Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, and the samurai district before traveling to Kyoto by Shinkansen + JR train. | Kyoto |
| 7 | Kyoto | Discover Kinkaku-ji, Nishiki Market, Gion, Yasaka Shrine, and Kiyomizu-dera. | Kyoto |
| 8 | Kyoto - Nara - Osaka | Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha and Nara Park before traveling to Osaka to explore Shinsaibashi-suji and Dotonbori. | Osaka |
| 9 | Osaka | Osaka Castle Park, the Shinsaibashi-suji shopping street, and Dotonbori. | Osaka |
| 10 | Osaka | / | / |
Nagoya Airport to Kyoto Train: Is It the Best Option?
Getting from Nagoya's Centrair Airport (NGO) to Kyoto can be done a couple of ways, but the most straightforward is the direct highway bus.
The bus takes a direct, 3-hour route from the airport to Kyoto Station, with tickets costing between ¥4,500-¥6,000. It's a great option if you have a lot of luggage.
| Departure | Arrival | Duration | Frequency | Price (Approx.) | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport 1F Bus Stop (Gate 6) | Kyoto Station | 3h | 4-6 per day | ¥4,500-6,000 | Meitetsu Bus, Willer Express |
Alternatively, you can take the Meitetsu μ-SKY Limited Express train from the airport to Nagoya Station and then follow the guide above. This two-step process takes a bit longer but gives you more flexibility.
- Duration: Just 28 minutes
- Price: ¥1,230
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
- Boarding: On the second floor of the airport's transport plaza—just follow the "Meitetsu" signs.
Nagoya to Kyoto JR Pass: How to Choose?
For a simple round trip between Nagoya to Kyoto, a JR Pass is not worth it. The cost of individual tickets is much cheaper than buying an all-encompassing pass.
However, if your journey includes other regions, a regional pass could be a great value.
For example, for a deep dive into the Kansai region, the Kansai Wide Area Pass and Kintetsu Pass are recommended and together cost around ¥12,700 for 5 days.
For the Hokuriku region, the Hokuriku Arch Pass covers both that area and Kyoto for about ¥25,000 over 7 days.
| Itinerary | Recommendation | Total Cost | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya → Kyoto → Kansai Loop | Kansai Wide Area Pass (5-day) + Kintetsu Pass (5-day) | ¥12,700 | Great for a deep dive into the Kansai region |
| Nagoya → Kyoto → Hokuriku region | Hokuriku Arch Pass (7-day) | ¥25,000 | Covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Kyoto |
Travel Smart: If you buy Shinkansen tickets 1-2 months in advance, you might get an early bird discount!
Start Your Nagoya to Kyoto Trip with us, Your Local Pal
Planning a trip can be a lot of work, but it doesn't have to be!
As your local Tokyo-based guides, we (Asia Odyssey Travel) handle all the logistics, from booking your Nagoya to Kyoto Shinkansen tickets to finding the best hotels. Why Choose Us?
◆ Hassle-Free Planning: Everything is included—transportation, hotels, and tickets—so you won't have to worry about booking anything yourself.
◆ In-Depth Experiences: We offer exclusive, unique experiences with knowledgeable local guides.
◆ Flexibility: Our Japan Private Tours give you the freedom to customize your itinerary.
◆ Fun Themed Tours: From Japan family and food tours to Japan cherry blossom and anime tours, we give you a deep and authentic look into Japan!
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