If you’re staying in Kyoto, it’s very easy to take a trip to the nearby city of Osaka to eat some great food, see the famous lights or the castle, or visit Universal Studios Japan, but, to make the most of your time, you need to know the best way to get between Kyoto and Osaka
Contrary to what many people think, the bullet train is not your only option to go between these cities – and it’s definitely not the best one for a couple of reasons. In fact, six train lines run between Kyoto and Osaka – and picking the right one can save you valuable sightseeing time – or valuable cash.
So, we’re going to highlight the best choice for you to take depending on factors like the type of train pass you might have, where you’re staying in Kyoto, or want to end up in Osaka, or, your budget.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
How to Get from Kyoto to Osaka – At a Glance
We’ll explain each of these in more detail in the post that follows but here’s the quick answer to the best way to get between Kyoto and Osaka for different types of travelers.
If you’re staying near near Sanjo or Kiyomizo Gojo Stations: Keihan Line
If you’re staying near Kyoto Station: JR Tokaido Sanyo Line
If you’re staying near Kyoto Kawaramachi: Hankyu Line
If you have a JR Pass: The Shinkansen or the JR Line Tokaido Sanyo Main Line
If you have a Kansai Pass: The Shinkansen, the JR Line Tokaido Sanyo Main Line, or the Haraku line – exactly which you can use depends on your pass.
The cheapest route: The Hankyu or Keihan Lines
To visit Osaka Castle: Keihan Line
To visit Dotonbori and the Namba Area: Keihan Line
To go to Universal Studios: Hankyu or JR Tokaido Sanyo Lines
If you’re going to Osaka for the Night: The Hankyu, Keihan, or JR Tokaido Sanyo Lines run late. All the trains stop at midnight though so proper partiers should book an overnight stay in Osaka.
To Kansai International Airport: The Haraku Line or Limousine Bus
To Itami Domestic Airport: Take the Limousine Bus
The Pretty Options: The Kyo Train Garaku or the Hello Kitty Haraku
That might be enough for you to plan your journey, but if you need more advice, then, keep reading. You can also use the Table of Contents below to jump to the method that sounds best if you’re short on time.
Jump Straight to Your Best Route
1. The Shinkansen
Great For: Speed. Those with a JR Pass. Going to Shin-Osaka to catch the bullet train elsewhere. The Fun of it!
The Shinkansen bullet trains are the most famous trains in Japan so when most people think of traveling between Kyoto and Osaka they assume this is how you do it – but it’s only the best choice if you have one of the JR Passes where the journey is included in your pass for free – or you’re going to Shin-Osaka to change to a bullet train for somewhere like Okayama or Hiroshima. Otherwise, the cost outweighs most other benefits.
It takes just 15 minutes to get from Kyoto Station to Shin Osaka by bullet train and the trains are very frequent. They start around 6 am.
Note: If you are using the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass to travel to Hiroshima, you can’t get the bullet train direct from Kyoto to Hiroshima as part of this, you have to take the JR Tokaido Sanyo line to Shin Osaka and then change to the bullet train.
If you don’t have a pass that includes the bullet train but just want to ride it because, erm, it’s fun, the Shinkansen fare between Osaka and Kyoto is ¥3070 (US$21.75, £16.93, AU$32.71) if you want to use a reserved seat.
It’s better to travel in an unreserved seat This will cost just ¥1,450 and with such a short journey time, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you have to stand. However, as a lot of people get off in Kyoto, you’ll probably get lucky.
Should You Pay Extra for the Nozomi
It’s not worth it on this trip. Three types of Shinkansen trains run between Kyoto and Osaka – the Nozomi, Kodama, and Hikari. The main difference between these is how many stops they make – and there aren’t any stops between Kyoto and Osaka.
2. Using The Hankyu Line
Great For: Those staying near Kyoto Kawaramachi or Karasuma Stations in Central Kyoto, or coming from Arashiyama. Visiting the Umeda Sky Building and other sights around Umeda. Getting to Universal Studios Japan from the middle of Kyoto. Evening trips to Osaka.
If you don’t have a JR Pass, the Hankyu Line is one of your best options. It runs from Kyoto-Karawamachi Station located right in central Kyoto by Gion, Pontocho, and Nishiki Market to Osaka Umeda Station in approximately 48 minutes. You can also make an easy change to this part of the line if you get on at Arashiyama.
And it only costs ¥410 (US$2.90, £2.26, AU$4.37).
The first Hankyu Railway train to Kyoto departs Osaka around 5 am. They then run every 15 minutes until the last train at 11.45 pm which makes it perfect for evening visits or long day trips.
Getting to USJ on the Hankyu Line
If you’re going to Universal Studios Japan, this is the easiest way from the middle of Kyoto. Once you arrive cross from Osaka Umeda Station to Osaka Station (it’s just a few minutes walk). Catch the Osaka Loop Line and swap at Nishikujo to the Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station which is an easy change. The whole trip takes just over an hour.
3. The Kyo Train Garaku
Great for: Weekend travelers, those staying in Gion, Pontocho, or other areas around Kyoto Kawaramachi or Karasuma stations. Going to Osaka Umeda Station. Getting pics for Instagram!
If you want to travel between Kyoto and Osaka at the weekend there’s a special train on the Hankyu line that you can take.
It’s called the Kyo Train Garaku but you might also see it called the Zen Garden train as two of the six carriages have pretty gravel gardens in them. And the other four have other seasonal themes like cherry blossoms or maple leaves. Run by the Hankyu train company, it takes the same route as the above services and can get you to Osaka in less than 50 minutes.
This train operates on Saturdays and Sundays and leaves Kyoto at 10.41, 12.41, 14.41, 16.41.
Surprisingly, the Kyo Train Garaku costs the same as the normal Hankyu Railway trains. You’ll pay just ¥410 each way.
To learn more about this train, including my top tip if you’re getting on at Kyoto Kawaramachi, check out our Kyo Train Garaku guide.
Note: While this runs the same route as the normal Hankyu train it isn’t a good choice for getting to Universal Studios as it starts too late in the morning – it only works if you have the 1.5-day USJ ticket in which case the 12.41 gets you in perfectly for the 3pm entry on your first day.
Save Some Extra Money
If you are doing a day trip on the Hankyu Line, check out the Hankyu Access Pass. This allows you to use the line all day for a set price. The one-day pass costs ¥700 (US$4.95, AU$7.85, £3.89).
This pass will save you money even if you’re just taking the return journey between Kyoto and Osaka.
4. JR Line Tokaido Sanyo Main Line
Also great for JR Pass Holders, and Kansai Area Pass Holders. Those staying near Kyoto Station. Getting to the Osaka Station area. Visiting USJ from Kyoto Station.
This Tokaido Sanyo Main Line provides two trains between Kyoto Station and Osaka Station – the Main Line Local which takes 48 minutes, and the New Rapid which takes just 30. It offers the best of both worlds as it’s both fast and affordable.
Whichever service you choose, the entire journey from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station (note this is not the same as Shin-Osaka where you catch the bullet train) only costs ¥580 (US$4.11, £3.00, $AU6.18) each way.
This route is included in the JR Pass, and all of the Kansai Area Passes (including the cheapest one, the Kansai Area Pass).
The first train departs Kyoto at 5.00 am. After that, there are four or five trains every hour until midnight. Trains usually depart every 15 minutes.
Getting to USJ from Kyoto Station
This is super easy. Just get off at Osaka Station and transfer to the Osaka Loop Line. At Nishikujo swap to the Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station, which is an easy change. The whole trip takes just under an hour.
Don’t Carry Your Bags
Many of the local trains between Kyoto and Osaka only have overhead racks to place luggage which is tricky with big cases. You can however ship luggage between hotels.
Yamato, the normal service, says that transfers take 24-48 hours, but is likely to be faster as the two cities are so close together. However, if you want a guaranteed same-day service, this company offer a same-day luggage shipping service between Kyoto and Osaka hotels.
5. Haruka Line
Great for: Those flying out of Osaka’s Kansai Airport. Getting to Namba, Tennoji, and Shinsekai. Those staying near Kyoto Station. Those with rail passes like the Kansai Passes, JR Pass, or Sanyo San’in Pass. Hello Kitty fans!
If you’re flying out of Osaka’s Kansai Airport, the Haruka Line features an express train that runs between Kyoto Station and Kansai International Airport. You’ll also see it called the Kansai Airport Limited Express.
A one-way trip to the airport from Kyoto takes approximately 1hr 20 minutes and costs ¥3640 with a reserved seat. If you have a JR Pass, and some other regional passes, though this train is included.
But it’s not just an option for those going to the airport. It also stops at Tennoji Station, which can be easier to navigate than Osaka Station. Tennoji is also a short ride from Namba on the Midsouji Line. That line will also take you to Dobutsuen-Mae, one of the nearest stations to Shinsekai.
If you’re getting off at Tennoji, the journey takes 44 minutes and costs ¥2480 with a reserved seat (and a bit less in unreserved).
This is more expensive than the other routes though so it’s best used by those who have one of the JR Passes that cover it like the Kansai Wide Pass or the Kansai Area Pass.
Trains depart every 30 minutes, with departures beginning at 6:30 am and continuing until 10:16 pm.
What Was That About Hello Kitty?
The Haruku line trains between Osaka and Kyoto are Hello Kitty-themed.
Like the Hello Kitty Shinkansen you might have read about, this is covered, inside and out, with pictures of your favorite cartoon cat-human.
There are four different designs for the trains on the line, so, you could even end up riding two different ones during a return trip.
If you can’t ride the Hello Kitty Shinkansen for time or cost reasons, this could be a great alternative for any Hello Kitty fans.
6. The Keihan Line
Good For: Those staying near Kiyomizu-Gojo or Sanjo Stations. Getting to Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Namba, or Shinsaibashi.
The Keihan Line is a limited express train that takes passengers from Sanjo Station in Kyoto to Yodoyabashi Station in Osaka. From here you can get on the Midosuji Line which takes you to stations near the big tourist areas of Dotonbori, Namba, and Shinsekai, and connections to Osaka Castle.
This route is great for starting at most of Osaka’s must-see tourist spots.
Sanjo Station is an easy walk from Gion and Pontocho. Or take Kiyomizu-Gojo if you’re staying near Kiyomizu-dera or Higashiyama.
The Keihan Line is operated by Keihan Electric Railway. This is a private company so JR-issued passes won’t work on it, but it only costs ¥430 one way anyway.
The entire journey takes about an hour – it varies slightly by time of day as to how many stops it makes and trains depart several times an hour. The first train departs at 5:04 am and the last leaves at 11.33 pm.
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our First-Timers Japan Planner, which will help you plan your trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka step-by-step, including tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing and dining. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
Other Options to Get From Kyoto to Osaka
So that’s the six different trains between Osaka and Kyoto, but, if you don’t want to catch the train there are two more options to consider.
Limousine Bus
This is an easy option with luggage from Kansai Airport to Kyoto. It costs 2600 yen and departs from Kyoto Station. It starts at 4.30 in the morning which also makes it good for early flights. The last bus leaves for the airport at 9.10pm. You can find the timetable here
While the Limousine Bus is one of two options to Kansai Airport, it’s the best choice from Itami Airport to Kyoto which, otherwise, requires a few changes of transport. It takes just under an hour to reach the airport from Kyoto and buses run from before 6am until just before 7pm. The fare is 1340 yen. Find the timetable here.
Car/Taxi
The cost of this means that getting a taxi to Osaka wouldn’t be our first choice, but if you’re swapping hotel and have luggage or small children, and want to consider it, expect to pay around ¥23,000 (£126). A cheaper idea would be using luggage transfer to ship your bags and using the train to take the humans to Osaka.
If you do want to drive between the cities though, the journey from Kyoto to Osaka by car usually takes 40 to 50 minutes. Ask your hotel if they can organize a transfer for you.
So there you have it our guide to the best options for getting to Osaka from Kyoto. If you do have any questions though, please ask them in our Facebook group.
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Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.
