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If you’re planning a trip to Japan, and are planning to either stay in both Osaka and Kyoto or, take a day trip between the two, you need to know how to get to Kyoto from Osaka – and we’re going to explain just that – and highlight the best choice for you to take for your budget, or where you want to end up in Kyoto.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Osaka to Kyoto Options – At a Glance
These are the best ways to get to different parts of Kyoto from Osaka or, the best choices for different types of travelers. We’ll explain each of them in more detail in the post that follows.
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 depends on your pass.
The cheapest route: The Hankyu or Keihan Lines
To visit Arashiyama: The Hankyu Line, or, at weekends, the Kyo Train Garaku
To visit Gion/Pontocho: The Hankyu Line, the Kyo Train Garaku, or the Keihan Line.
To get to Kyoto Station: The Shinkansen, JR Tokaido Sanyo Main Line, or Haraku Line
From the Airport: The Haraku Line
From Namba, Shinsekai or Tennoji: The Haraku Line
The Pretty Option: The Kyo Train Garaku or the Hello Kitty Haraku
Don’t Like Planning? Take a tour – we suggest a couple below
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.
Why Picking the Right Route Matters
Kyoto and Osaka are 33 miles (55 kilometers) apart. However, despite their proximity, there are six different routes to get from Osaka to Kyoto by train.
It can take as little as 15 minutes or around an hour to travel from Osaka to Kyoto depending on the train you choose – pick the wrong one and you’ll be wasting valuable time on your trip.
Picking the wrong train can also cost you more – as you can pay as little as 410 yen or as much as 3020 to get between Osaka and Kyoto depending on which train line and route you choose.
The journey can also be free if you have a JR Pass or one of the Kansai Area Passes that include travel between both cities.
The Six Trains Between Osaka and Kyoto
The train is the best choice for most people traveling between Osaka and Kyoto but there are a lot of lines linking the two cities. Here’s how to pick the best one for you.
1. The Shinkansen
Great For: Those with a JR Pass. Getting to the Kyoto Station area.
The Shinkansen bullet trains are the fastest and most convenient way to get around long distances in Japan. This mode of transport can be expensive, but if you’re traveling with a JR Pass the journey is included in your pass for free.
The bullet train runs from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station and the journey only takes 15 minutes. Nozomi trains can depart Shin-Osaka Station as frequently as every 10 minutes (slightly less often for Hikari and Kodoma) and the first train is just after 6 am.
If you don’t have a pass but just want to ride the bullet train 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.
Or use an unreserved seat and you’ll pay just ¥1,450 – with such a short journey time, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you have to stand.
You can just turn up on the day and buy a ticket. Or, if that makes you nervous and you want to firm up your itinerary in advance, you can book your Shinkansen ticket in advance on Klook.
Don’t Waste Money on the Nozomi
Osaka and Kyoto are connected by three different types of Shinkansen – the Nozomi, Kodama, and Hikari.
The JR Pass doesn’t permit travel on Nozomi train services without an additional fee, but it’s not worth paying for on this journey as the main difference between the Nozomi and the other trains is how many stops they make – and there aren’t any between Osaka and Kyoto.
2. Using The Hankyu Line
Great For: Those staying near Osaka Umeda. Those visiting Gion, Pontocho, Nishiki Market, or, Arashiyama. Long Day Trips
If you don’t have a JR Pass, the Hankyu Line is one of your best options. It gets you to the heart of Kyoto.
The train travels from Osaka-Umeda Station to Kyoto-Karawamachi Station, which is located in central Kyoto near Gion, Pontocho, and Nishiki Market. It takes approximately 48 minutes to reach the station. You can also easily change trains to reach 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 a.m. It then runs every 15 minutes until the last train at 11.45 p.m., which makes it perfect for long day trips.
This is the option I chose when I came home from USJ in Osaka to Kyoto on my last trip. It was so convenient to end up right by Pontocho just as the lights were coming on.
My Top Tip
If you do take this route on a Kyoto day trip and leave Osaka early, get off at Katsura and change to the branch that takes you to Arashiyama. This will then let you see the famous bamboo forest before the crowds arrive. Then you can take the local bus, train, or other transport around Kyoto, or, jump back on the Hankyu line to Kyoto Kawaramachi in the center.
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 from Osaka to Kyoto. And, as we said, you can also use the pass to visit Arashiyama where you’ll find the famous bamboo forest, the Sagano Romantic train, and lots more sights.
3. The Kyo Train Garaku
Great for: Weekend travelers, those visiting Gion, Pontocho, and Arashiyama, getting pics for Instagram!
If you want to travel between Osaka and Kyoto at the weekend, you can take a special train on the Hankyu line between Osaka Umeda and Kyoto Karawaramachi. Aside from being one of the easiest ways to get between the two cities, this is also one of the prettiest.
The Kyo Train Garaku is a sightseeing train with six carriages, each with a different theme. Run by the Hankyu train company, it can get you to Kyoto in less than 50 minutes.
It’s themed around Kyoto’s seasons – and it even has a zen garden in some carriages! You can wander around the train before it leaves Osaka. There are no reserved seats, so choose the carriage you think is prettiest.
This train operates on Saturdays and Sundays and leaves Osaka at 9.32, 11.32, 13.32, and 15.32.
Surprisingly, the Kyo Train Garaku costs the same as the regular Hankyu Railway trains. You’ll pay just ¥410 each way.
Check out our Kyo Train Garaku guide to learn more about this train and see more pictures that show how pretty it is. I timed my trip down to USJ in Osaka, especially, so I could get on this in the afternoon.
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.
4. JR Line Tokaido Sanyo Main Line
Also great for JR Pass Holders, and Kansai Area Pass Holders. Those staying near Osaka Station. Getting to the Kyoto Station area.
This train line provides two trains between Osaka Station and Kyoto 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 Osaka Station (not Shin-Osaka, make sure you head to the right one) 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 Osaka at 5.00 am. After that, there are four or five trains every hour until midnight. Trains usually depart every 15 minutes.
If you’re going to Kyoto for a day, you might want to know how best to schedule your time. If you want to deep dive into the city, pick one area like Higashiyama or Arashiyama and explore all that it offers – but if you want to get the three big sights – the bamboo grove, Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera – under your belt, follow our One Day Kyoto plan. It’s a long day, but you’ll see all the main sights in one go.
5. Haruka Line
Great for: Those flying into Osaka and going to Kyoto. Those staying in Namba, Tennoji, and Shinsekai. JR Pass Holders. Getting to Kyoto Station. Hello Kitty fans!
If you’re landing at Osaka’s Kansai Airport and heading straight to Kyoto, the Haruka Line features an express train that runs between Kansai International Airport in Osaka and Kyoto Station.
Also referred to as the Kansai Airport Limited Express, this is the fastest train service connecting the airport with downtown Osaka and Kyoto.
If you are flying into Kansai and staying in Osaka, find our Kansai transport guide here. It explains your best options for getting to your hotel.
This train can also be an easier option for travelers jumping on the train in the city because it also uses Tennoji Station, which can be less intimidating to navigate than Osaka Station. Tennoji is also a short ride from Namba on the Osaka loop line.
A one-way trip from the airport to 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.
If you’re jumping on at Tennoji, the journey takes 44 minutes and costs just ¥2680 with a reserved seat (and a bit less in unreserved)
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 that you might have read about, this is covered, inside and out of 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.
This could be a great alternative for any Hello Kitty fans if you can’t ride the Hello Kitty Shinkansen for time or cost reasons.
6. The Keihan Line
Good For: Those staying in Shinsaibashi. Starting your day in Gion or Pontocho. Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, and the Philosopher’s Path also have easy connections from here.
The Keihan Line is a limited express train that takes passengers from Yodoyabashi Station in Osaka to Sanjo Station in Kyoto. This is one of the best routes you can take if you want to be in the middle of Kyoto’s attractions as soon as you get off the train.
The station is an easy walk to Gion and Pontocho – and it’s also connected to subway lines that will take you toward other big sites like Kiyomizudera, Higashiyama, and the Philosopher’s Path.
The Keihan Line is operated by Keihan Electric Railway. This is a private company so you can’t use your JR Pass. Luckily, tickets from Osaka to Kyoto only cost ¥410 (£2.26).
The entire journey takes 55 minutes and trains depart several times an hour. The first train departs at 5:34 am and the last leaves at 12:03 am.
Save Money with Klook & Japlanease
If you plan on buying tickets or tours from Klook for when you’re in Japan, you could save up to 10 per cent by using the code JAPLANEASEKLOOK at the checkout. Click here to see what’s on offer.
T&Cs apply. Some items, including Tokyo Disney and USJ tickets, are not available for discounts.
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.
Other Options to Get From Osaka to Kyoto
Day Tours From Osaka To Kyoto
If you’d prefer to see Kyoto in a day, you could always head to the city from Osaka on a day tour. A huge range of tours leave Osaka for the most popular tourist attractions in Kyoto.
Most tours leave Osaka between 8:00 am and 9:00 am before heading straight to Kyoto. You’ll then spend most of the day exploring the main sights in and around the city.
Most tours visit popular tourist spots such as Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavillion), and Arashiyama. Some also stop at Nara, which might be good if you really don’t have much time in this area.
Aside from allowing you to explore Kyoto’s main sights, a tour makes everything much easier. You’ll be picked up at your hotel, taken around the city, and dropped back off in the afternoon.
Tours of Kyoto usually cost somewhere between US$38 (£30 or AU$54) and US$65 (£50 or AU$90) per person.
The Best One-Day Tours to Kyoto from Osaka
You’ll find a huge selection of tours on Klook, but the Kyoto Temples and Shrines Day Tour. covers the four biggest sites in one day for a pretty reasonable price.
This visits Fushimi Inari, with its scarlet torii gates, Kiyomizu-dera, and the golden pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, before ending up at Arashiyama, home to the bamboo forest. Check times and prices here.
If you want to visit Nara, the Kyoto and Nara Day Tour takes in Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama. It also stops off at Todai-ji Temple in Nara and gives you a chance to feed the famous nodding deer. Check times and prices here.
Car/Taxi
Traveling by taxi to Kyoto will cost around ¥23,000 (£126). It definitely wouldn’t be our first choice for a day trip but it might be a good option for anyone traveling with smaller children or lots of luggage from one hotel to the next. Personally, I’d strongly suggest using luggage transfer to ship your bags and jumping on the train instead.
If you do want to use this option, though, the journey from Osaka to Kyoto 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 Kyoto from Osaka. If you do have any questions though, please ask them in our Facebook group.
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 travelled to Japan nine times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 50 towns and cities. My last visit was in April 2026, so everything here is pretty up to date.
