Last Updated: April 22, 2022
Kyoto to Osaka: Train, Bus & Car/Taxi
Wondering how you can travel from Kyoto to Osaka? Then you’re certainly in the right place because we’ve got all the info you need on the different ways to travel between the two Japanese cities!
As you might already know, train travel is by far the best and most common way of getting around Japan. We’ve got all the information on the different rail lines, ticket prices, and train frequency, but we also have some information for all of you who are curious about traveling by bus or car. Read on to see all the possible ways of traveling between Kyoto and Osaka, and see which is the best option for you!
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Kyoto to Osaka: By Train
The fastest and most convenient way of traveling between Kyoto and Osaka is by high-speed bullet train. The Japan Station Network has four railway lines that connect Kyoto and Osaka, and a number of different stations in each city where you can catch a train to the other town.
This is great because it means that no matter where exactly you are in Kyoto, a train station that will take you to Osaka is going to be nearby. However, central Kyoto does have the most connections to Osaka, so keep that in mind. Also, there are loads of train stations in Osaka that you can easily travel to different parts of the city, which is super convenient.
The JR Kyoto Line operates between Kyoto Station and JR Osaka station, similarly to the JR Shinkansen line that operates between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka station.
Hankyu Railway transports passengers between Arashiyama and Karasuma stations in Kyoto to Umeda/Osaka station. Keihan Railways has even more options for passengers – in Kyoto, it stops at Demachiyanagi Station, Sanjo Station, Kawaramachi Station, and Tokofuji Station, transporting passengers by bullet trains to Kyobashi Station, Yodoyabashi Station, and Nakanoshima Station in Osaka.
However, it is worth noting that Hankyu Railways and Keihan Railways are private rail lines, so they won’t be free with the JR Pass because it doesn’t cover private rail lines.
The journey can be as short as 12 minutes, but it’s worth noting that this depends on which stations you’re boarding and the exact kind of train that you’re traveling with. Nozomi trains are incredibly fast and they’re capable of transporting passengers in just 12 minutes, but they also have the most expensive tickets and travel only between Kyoto Station and Shin-Osaka Station.
Kodama trains also operate on this route but they’re a bit slower – by only two minutes! In any case, you can travel between the two cities in less than 15 minutes, and there are trains every few minutes throughout the day. There are no trains between midnight and 5 AM, so it’s best to travel during the day.
It’s also worth noting that Shin-Osaka station is in the northern area of the city, which isn’t where most tourists want to be. The good news is that the station is serviced by the Midosuji Subway line, which can take you to downtown Osaka to visit famous landmarks like the Osaka Castle, the Osaka Science Museum, and many others.
The subway services most of the key stations in the city, including the Osaka Namba Station, Umeda Station, Tennōji Station, and dozens of others.
Train tickers cost around 3000 Yen, which is some $25. It’s worth noting that there are also slower trains with much cheaper tickets that take between 30 and 45 minutes to travel from Kyoto to Osaka. Tickets for these limited express trains are around 500 Yen, which is just some $5. The journey does take 2-3 times more, but being on a train 20 minutes longer is that big a sacrifice to save $20.
If this isn’t the only train you plan on traveling by in Japan, you should definitely look into buying the Japan Rail Pass. It offers unlimited train travel for a certain period of time, and it can help you save a lot of money if you’re going to travel through the country and explore Japan.
The Japan Rail Pass is pricey, but it’s definitely worth it if you plan on riding trains often. And if you’re going to be traveling to multiple cities in the country, it’s certainly much cheaper since it covers public transport inside and between cities.
Another thing to note is that you can choose between a regular Japan Rail Pass and a Green Pass. Green Japan Rail Pass holders have access to many more conveniences such as onboard service, seat reservation, and larger seats, but they do need to pay a premium for the ticket.
One thing worth noting is that Japan Rail Pass holders cannot ride the Nozomi trains for free. Instead, they can ride the Hikari trains, which are equally fast for this specific journey.
Kyoto to Osaka: By Bus
It is possible to travel from Kyoto to Osaka by bus, but it’s not very popular or convenient. Buses operate from the far north of the Kyoto Prefecture, and they transport passengers all the way to Shin Osaka station.
There are multiple bus lines that run between the two Japanese cities, and you can see all the different stops they service on the Japan Bus Online website. It has a detailed timetable, bookable days, and ticket prices.
It’s worth noting that bus tickets are not much cheaper than train tickets. The average cost of a bus ticket is some 2000 Yen ($17.5) but there are also cheaper and more expensive options. Also, highway buses are generally much slower than the trains – whereas a Nozomi bullet train can take you into Osaka in just some 12 minutes, a bus needs at least an hour, depending on where exactly you board it.
The journey can easily take more than 2 or even 3 hours, depending on which bus you’re taking and how often it stops to pick up other passengers.
Another thing worth noting here is that there is a highway night bus that transports passengers between Kyoto and Osaka when there are no trains between the two cities. Boarding is at the Kyoto Station (Shinkansen Hachijo-Gate) and it takes a little more than an hour to reach the Osaka Station (Subway Higashi-Umeda Station.).
One thing I have to point out is that information available online about the bus transport between the two cities is extremely limited. That’s how unpopular the buses are, and most people wouldn’t use them to travel between the cities, but instead to reach a place near the highway that you can’t really reach by train.
In any case, if you are relying on public transport in Japan, bus travel is definitely not recommended. Trains are faster, cheaper, more frequent, and a lot more convenient, plus they’re definitely the preferred method of travel for both tourists and locals in Japan.
Kyoto to Osaka: By Car/Taxi
It is possible to drive or take a taxi from Kyoto to Osaka, but it’s much slower than traveling by bullet train. The two cities are approximately 55-60 kilometers away, and it takes about an hour to cover that distance in a car.
A taxi from Kyoto to Osaka will cost you some $200, which really isn’t worth the money. Not only is it some 10 times more expensive than the fastest train, but it also takes 3-4 times longer.
Driving on your own could be cheaper, but it’s still not going to be as fast as the train. Traveling by car in Japan is generally not the most convenient way of exploring the country, but it can be cheaper than train tickets and even the rail pass, so it makes sense that a lot of people choose to rent a car for their travels in Japan.
The key thing to know is that you can’t just show up in Japan and rent a car. You need an IDP (International Driving Permit) that’s based on the 1949 Geneva Convention. Not all countries issue this IDP – Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Monaco, France, and Taiwan for starters don’t, and if you have a permit from any one of these countries, you just need to get it translated into Japanese.
It’s worth noting that it doesn’t make a lot of sense to rent a car just for this one journey. It’s much more expensive than just traveling by train, not to mention the hassle and costs associated with getting an IDP in the first place.
On the other hand, if you’re going to be staying in Japan for a while and you want the freedom that comes with traveling on your own and not relying on train schedules, car rental is certainly a valid option. Bullet trains reach speeds of more than 300km/h, and cars can never match that, so keep that in mind if you’re still trying to figure out if it’s worth it to rent a car in Japan.
Additionally, it’s important to compare the costs. Car rental starts at some $50 per day for smaller vehicles, and that comes out to somewhere around $300-350 for a week. A one-week Japan Rail Pass is around $250, so it’s significantly cheaper than the car.
Also, even if you are traveling with someone, the price of car rental doesn’t account for gas and parking costs. With that in mind, car rental turns out to cost just as much as two train tickets, so it’s only going to make sense if you’re traveling in a group of at least three people.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
