Home › Train Tickets › Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen

The Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen is the fastest and easiest way between Japan’s two most-visited cities, a direct, high-speed run down the Tokaido line with a glimpse of Mt Fuji on the way. Reserve from Australia, pay in AUD with no card surprises, and board with a QR code. Here are the current fares, train options and times.

Check live fares & book →

Fastest

2h 15m (Nozomi)

Typical

2h 40m (Hikari)

Transfers

Direct, no transfers

Distance

about 476 km

Daily services

300+ trains a day

JR Pass

Hikari & Kodama covered; Nozomi needs a supplement

Tokyo to Kyoto ticket prices

One-way fares by seat class. Return simply doubles the fare.

Seat class	Price (AUD)	Good to know
Non-reserved, Ordinary Car	from AUD 118.55	Cheapest, sit in any open non-reserved seat
Reserved, Ordinary Car	from AUD 125.05	Guaranteed seat, best in peak season
Reserved, Green Car	from AUD 168.39	Business-class 2 by 2 seating, more room

Fares are indicative “from” prices and vary by date, train and season. The live fare is shown when you search. As a guide, an Ordinary reserved seat is around ¥13,000 to 14,000.

Which train: Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama?

All three run the Tokyo–Kyoto route direct — they differ in how many stations they skip.

Train	Journey time	Stops	Japan Rail Pass
Nozomi	2h 15m	Fewest stops, the fastest service	Supplement required
Hikari	2h 40m	A handful of extra stops	Covered by JR Pass
Kodama	3h 45m	Stops at every station	Covered by JR Pass

Timetable & departures

A sample of daily Tokyo → Kyoto departures.

Depart Tokyo	Arrive Kyoto	Train	Duration
06:00	08:14	Nozomi	2h 14m
07:33	09:48	Nozomi	2h 15m
09:03	11:42	Hikari	2h 39m
12:00	14:15	Nozomi	2h 15m
15:57	19:41	Kodama	3h 44m
18:30	20:45	Nozomi	2h 15m

Indicative departures. Nozomi trains run roughly every 10 minutes from around 06:00 to 21:24. Search for your date to see live times.

Tips for the journey

Depart Tokyo or Shinagawa

All Tokaido Shinkansen call at Tokyo Station and Shinagawa, so pick whichever is closer to your hotel. Trains arrive right inside Kyoto Station.

Sit on the right for Mt Fuji

Heading Tokyo to Kyoto, Mt Fuji appears on the right-hand side about 40 to 45 minutes in. Choose seats D or E for the view on a clear day.

Reserve in peak season

Seats can sell out days ahead during cherry blossom, the autumn leaves and the New Year and Golden Week holidays. Reserve early to travel together.

Luggage

Two bags per person, each up to 30 kg, go on the racks. Oversized bags over 160 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized-baggage space, free if booked in advance.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Tokyo to Kyoto bullet train?

A one-way non-reserved Ordinary ticket starts from about AUD 118. A reserved Ordinary seat is from around AUD 125, and a Green Car seat from about AUD 168. Prices vary by date and season.

How long does the Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen take?

The fastest Nozomi does it in about 2 hours 15 minutes. The Hikari takes roughly 2 hours 40 minutes and the all-stations Kodama about 3 hours 45 minutes.

Is the Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen covered by the Japan Rail Pass?

Yes for the Hikari and Kodama. The faster Nozomi is not included in the standard pass unless you pay a limited-express supplement.

Can I see Mt Fuji from the train?

Yes, on a clear day Mt Fuji is visible on the right-hand side heading from Tokyo to Kyoto, about 40 to 45 minutes in. Window seats D and E have the best view.

Do I need to reserve a seat?

It is not mandatory, you can ride in the non-reserved cars. But a reserved seat is strongly recommended during peak travel periods when trains fill up.

Nozomi or Hikari, which should I take?

Take the Nozomi if speed matters. Choose the Hikari if you are travelling on a Japan Rail Pass, since the Nozomi requires an extra supplement with the pass.

Related routes

Planning more of Japan by rail?

Tokyo → Osaka Kyoto → Osaka Tokyo → Nagoya Tokyo → Hiroshima All train tickets →

Ready to book Tokyo to Kyoto?

Reserve your seat, pay in AUD, and board with a QR code.

Check live fares & book →

Booking is handled by our travel booking partner. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.