Flight to Kyoto, or with Train/bus to this city
Kyoto does not have its own airport. The nearest international gateway is Kansai International Airport south of Osaka. JR West's Haruka limited express train runs to Kyoto twice per hour.
Most visitors arrive at JR Kyoto station by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo. Nozomi trains make the trip in approximately 2 1/4 hours. Hikari trains, which run less frequently and make a few more stops, cover the trip in around 2 3/4 hours, but only the Hikari and the Kodama trains can be used by Japan Rail Pass holders at no charge. The modernist central station, designed by architect Hiroshi Hara in 1997, could easily pass as a sight in it's own right, take the escalators up to the 'skywalk' for views across the steel and glass of the terminal.
As Kyoto is a major city, there are many daytime and overnight buses which run between Kyoto and other locations throughout Japan, which can result in significant savings when compared to shinkansen fares.
The JR Bus Group (Japanese Website) is a major operator of the routes from the Tokyo area to Kansai. Buses operate via the Tomei Expressway (to/from Tokyo Station) or the Chuo Expressway (to/from Shinjuku Station). You can receive a discount of between 10 and 35 percent off the cost of the ticket if reservations are made at least 21 days in advance on most routes.
Kyoto does not have its own airport. The nearest international gateway is Kansai International Airport south of Osaka. JR West's Haruka limited express train runs to Kyoto twice per hour.Most visitors arrive at JR Kyoto station by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo. Nozomi trains make the trip in approximately 2 1/4 hours. Hikari trains, which run less frequently and make a few more stops, cover the trip in around 2 3/4 hours, but only the Hikari and the Kodama trains can be used by Japan Rail Pass holders at no charge. The modernist central station, designed by architect Hiroshi Hara in 1997, could easily pass as a sight in it's own right, take the escalators up to the 'skywalk' for views across the steel and glass of the terminal.
As Kyoto is a major city, there are many daytime and overnight buses which run between Kyoto and other locations throughout Japan, which can result in significant savings when compared to shinkansen fares.
The JR Bus Group (Japanese Website) is a major operator of the routes from the Tokyo area to Kansai. Buses operate via the Tomei Expressway (to/from Tokyo Station) or the Chuo Expressway (to/from Shinjuku Station). You can receive a discount of between 10 and 35 percent off the cost of the ticket if reservations are made at least 21 days in advance on most routes.