Osaka to Kyoto by train
- japansophy
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
You're a Shinkansen pro and have navigated your way down from Tokyo to Kansai without breaking even a slight sweat. But working out the easiest, cheapest route from Osaka to Kyoto or (Kyoto to Osaka transit for that matter) is causing headaches? No wonder, because you're spoiled for choice when travelling between these two cities. Read on to find out what your options are, how to buy tickets and why you shouldn't take the Shinkansen!
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Don't take the Shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto
Unless you already have a Japan Rail Pass, you're wasting your yen taking the Shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto or the other way around, and inconveniencing yourself into the bargain. The Osaka to Kyoto Shinkansen will shave only something like 10 minutes off the same journey by the regular limited express trains and you'll have to go through Shin-Osaka station, which is a good distance outside downtown Osaka and requires an extra journey, more or less cancelling out those saved minutes. Instead, take one of the regular trains below and save up to 2500 yen!
JR Kyoto Line from Osaka to Kyoto
There's a train every couple of minutes on the JR Kyoto line between Osaka and Kyoto. The local train stops at every station, the rapid stops at some stations and the fastest, the Special Rapid, will get you from city to city in just 28 minutes, stopping at only Kyoto station, Takatsuki, Shin-Osaka and Osaka station. If you're travelling from Kyoto to Osaka and your destination is the north of the city (Umeda), get out at Osaka Station. If you are heading for the Namba/Dotonbori area, get out at Shin-Osaka and change to the Midosuji subway line. You can also change to the Midosuji line at Osaka station, but the station is much bigger and you'll have to walk further.
Tickets between Osaka and Kyoto on the JR line cost around 580 yen (all ticket prices below as at January 2026 and subject to change). You can use an IC (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) to board or buy a ticket at the station. No reservations required.
Hankyu Kyoto Line from Osaka to Kyoto
Like the JR line, there's a Hankyu train between Osaka and Kyoto every few minutes. The Hankyu line is a little slower, though, taking around 45 mins (Rapid Limited Express) from Umeda station in Osaka to Kyoto-Kawaramachi, but many find it more convenient to arrive at the more central Kawaramachi than Kyoto station. The Hankyu Kyoto line is also a good bet if you are travelling from Osaka straight to Arashiyama: change in Katsura to the Arashiyama line.
Coming from Kyoto, you can change to the Midosuji line for Namba/Dotonburi in Umeda.
Tickets on the Hankyu between Umeda and Kyoto-Kawaramachi cost around 410 yen. Buy at the station or swipe your Suica/Pasmo card at the ticket gate. Reservations aren't necessary for the normal cars but are possible for the relatively new PRiVACE premium car (useful if you want a guaranteed seat or have luggage with you and need a bit more space). PRiVACE reservations cost an extra 500 yen on top of the regular ticket price.
Keihan Kyoto Line from Osaka to Kyoto
The Keihan is another super-convenient way of travelling between Osaka and Kyoto but is sometimes overlooked by tourists. The end stations are Demachiyanagi in the north of Kyoto city centre and Yodoyabashi in Osaka, which is on the Midosuji subway line. But other stops in Osaka (Kitahama, Temmabashi) and Kyoto (Shichijo near Kyoto Station and Sanjo in the Gion district) are also served by the express trains and mean you can get on and off right in the heart of the city.
The limited express between Osaka and Kyoto takes around 50 minutes and costs around 490 yen. Suica and other IC cards are accepted and reservations are not necessary.
Haruka
The Haruka is a special JR airport service connecting Kansai International Airport in Osaka with Osaka city centre and Kyoto. It takes around 30 minutes from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka or Osaka stations and also stops in Tennoji in southern Osaka (40 mins from Kyoto), which is convenient if you're based there. The advantage of this service is that, as an airport service, there is plenty of luggage space. But the Haruka costs around 1700 and is slower than the normal JR Special Rapid train, so you're paying for a seat reservation and comfort.
Reservations are essential: you can use your Suica card to cover the base fare but not the limited express surcharge. Buy your ticket from any JR ticket office up to 2 weeks in advance.
Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is a JR express service between Osaka and the city of Tsuruga in Fukui. It stops in Kyoto, so it is possible to take the Thunderbird between Kyoto and Osaka. But, like the Haruka, you can expect to pay around 1700 yen for your ticket, since this is an upgraded, Shinkansen-like service.
Special Osaka to Kyoto train: Hankyu Kyo-train GARAKU
Hankyu's special Kyoto-themed Kyo-Train GARAKU runs four times a day on weekends and public holidays between Osaka and Kyoto. The beautiful interior is different in each carriage and the amazing thing is that is costs the same as the regular Hankyu ticket. As you can imagine, it is very popular and no reservations are possible. Just swipe your Suica or buy a regular Hankyu ticket at the station.
Osaka to Kyoto: FAQ
How do I get from Osaka to Kyoto by train?
You have a lot of options (see above) and can decide depending one where you want to get on in Osaka and out in Kyoto. Don't take the Shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto unless you already have the Japan Rail Pass, because it's 4-5 times more expensive than the normal express trains and won't save you much time.
How much is the bullet train from Osaka to Kyoto?
Ticket prices start at around 1500 yen for non-reserved seats to 3200 yen for reserved seats. Tickets for normal express trains between Osaka and Kyoto are around 500 yen and the bullet train isn't much faster.
What's the best and cheapest way to get from Osaka to Kyoto?
There's not much of a price difference between the JR Kyoto line, the Hankyu Kyoto line and the Keihan Kyoto line. All cost around 500 yen. The fastest is the JR Special Rapid, but the Hankyu is the cheapest and possibly the best way to reach Arashiyama from Osaka. The Keihan is a good way to reach the Gion district directly.
Is it worth taking the Shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto?
Since the Shinkansen is a LOT more expensive than the normal trains and only 10 minutes faster between Osaka and Kyoto, it's not worth taking the Shinkansen unless you already have the Japan Rail Pass (and the ticket is included). The only other reason to take the Shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto or the other way around is if you have a lot of luggage to transport or if you really want to try out the bullet train and don't have another opportunity.
How long is the bullet train from Osaka to Kyoto?
The bullet train between Kyoto and Osaka takes around 15 minutes - only about 10 minutes less than the regular trains. You also have to take into consideration that the bullet train doesn't stop in Osaka city centre but rather in Shin-Osaka which is a few minutes north of Umeda. You will need to change to the Midosuji line to travel into downtown Osaka.
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