The ultimate comparison: What is the cheapest way to travel Tokyo – Kyoto?

photo by Moyan BrennPhotoAtelier

The annual number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has been steadily increasing since Japanese government announced the goal of drawing 20 million inbound tourists annually by 2020. While many local cities are attracting more tourists in recent years, the capital Tokyo and Kyoto, the ancient capital with over 1000years history, still remains the two most popular tourists destinations of Japan. Accordingly, there are various transportations are available between these two cities to meet the high demand. But of course, most people wish to spend as small amount of money as possible on transportation. So, let’s find out which option offers the lowest price to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto.

※All the prices mentioned in this column is as at 1 July 2016.

Highway Bus

Tokyo – Kyoto
Single fare: JPY1,700 – JPY16,000
Travel time: Approx. 6hrs 30min – 9hrs

Highway bus is the cheapest way to travel except for holiday seasons such as summer holidays and Golden Week. Many bus companies operate their own routes starting from major suburbs of Tokyo including Shinjuku, Ikebukuro or Tokyo station to Kyoto city. For example, one of the bus companies offers singe fare of JPY1,700 for a night bus if you travel during the week in off season. However, bus fares vary widely depending on seasons and single fares start from JPY5,800 during peak seasons. In addition, day time buses tend to be more expensive and running less numbers than night time buses. Don’t forget research which bus company best suit you as bus fares vary depending on grade of seats or facilities of the vehicle.

Rakuten Travel (Japanese)

Airplane

Haneda – Itami (approx.65min): Single fare from JPY7,690
Haneda – Kansai International (approx. 80min): Single fare from JPY9,590
Total travel time from Tokyo to Kyoto city: 3-4hrs

To travel from central Tokyo to Kyoto city by airplane, you will fly out from Haneda airport and land either of Itami or Kansai International airport. Air fare widely vary depending on seasons, time of booking or flight schedule. The cheapest air fare available to book as at July 2016 is JPY7,690 by using early booking discounts. However, this is just for the flight and there will be other fees to travel from a destination airport to Kyoto city. For example, an airport limousine costs JPY1,310 and local train charges about JPY1,000 from Itami airport to Kyoto station. Also, it costs JPY2,850 (JPY3,370 if reserved seat) by JR from Kansai International airport to Kyoto station. Even though flight time is just for an hour, total travel time from Tokyo to Kyoto would be 3-4 hours including time for checking in and baggage claim at the airport and travel time form a destination airport to Kyoto city.

ANA
JAL
STARFLYER

JR local trains

Tokyo station – Kyoto station
Single fare: JPY8,210
Travel time: form 8hrs 30min

There is 513.6km of distance between Tokyo and Kyoto. But actually, you can travel this far within a day without using express trains or bullet trains. Single fare of JPY8,210 might seem rather expensive, but one upside is the fare doesn’t change by seasons. In addition, you can travel from central Tokyo straight to Kyoto station, the hub of transportations in Kyoto city. On the other hand, a downside is too many train connections. Even with the best connections from Tokyo station, you need to change trains at Atami, Okitsu, Hamamatsu, Toyohashi, Ogaki, Maibara before you get to Kyoto. Also, the schedule is quite tight as you have less than 10munnites at each station, so be really quick when you grab a packed lunch from Kiosk.

Little trick: Use Seishun 18

Fares: JPY11,850 for set of 5 one day tickets

Seishun 18 is very useful discounted ticket available from each JR companies, offering unlimited rides on local and rapid JR trains for JPY2,370 per day for a limited time only. sold in a set of 5 tickets, you can use one ticket each for 5 days by yourself, or it can be shared between 5 people for the same day. If you share it among a few people, the fare to Kyoto will be a lot cheaper than usual. the greatest thing about this ticket is, it is valid during the year end and new year as well as the summer holiday season. This would be the best option if you can spare plenty of time to travel.

In 2016, Seishun 18 will be sold:
1 July 2016 – 31 August 2016
1 December 2016 – 31 December 2016

In 2016, Seishun 18 will be valid for:
20 July 2016 – 10 September 2016
10 December 2016 – 10 January 2017

Shinkansen (Bullet train)

JR Tokyo station – JR Kyoto station
Single basic fare: JPY8,210
Single express fare for Nozomi: JPY5,700 for reserved/JPY4,870 for non-reserved
Single express fare for Hikari: JPY5,390 for reserved/JPY4,870 for non-reserved
Travel time: from 2hrs 15min

Since the launch of the Tokaido Shinkansen in 1964, Shinkansen lines have been the most used transportation in Japan. The fare from Tokyo station to Kyoto station costs rather expensive JPY13,080. But same as local JR lines’ fares, fares of Shinkansen don’t change by season. Most of all, you can travel between Tokyo and Kyoto only for 2hours 15munites at earliest. Shinkansen offers the best cost performance during peak season as you can even make a day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto. Taking account of opportunity costs, Shinakansen might be the best transport among other things.

Little trick: Use Japan Rail Pass

If you have purchased Japan Rail Pass in your country, a trip between Tokyo and Kyoto by Shinkansen breaks even on your payment. What’s more, Japan Rails Pass can be valid for 7, 14 or 21days long and used on all JR local trains and buses. That is, the more you use the pass, the less each transportation costs.

Have a nice trip!

Well, after examining a few transport options from Tokyo to Kyoto, highway buses are the best option if it is all about the fare. Overall, it can be concluded that the shorter traveling time is, the more expensive the fare is. But if you fully utilize discounted tickets for tourists, JR trains or air plane can be a better deal. So, just give it a think whether you wish to quickly hop around major spots or take plenty of time to travel around Japan, then find the best transportation for your travel.