Buses from Tokyo to Kyoto

Buses from Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo
Kyoto
Sun, Sep 13
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2 Travelers
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Tokyo to Kyoto Destination Reviews

CJ
Chunyuan J
some people took off their shoes, and it smells
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Intercity, Kintetsu Bus ZKN2, Jul 17, 2026
IB
Ivy B
Easy to find the bus,very convenient but the sit smells sweat in my experience.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Standard, Chibamirai Kanko Bus KB4, Jun 29, 2026
F
Fatih
Not bad, the seat space is not good for me..
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Liner Standard, Sakura Syoei (昌栄バス), Jun 5, 2026
AS
Alberto S
Everything was fine, apart from the comfort of the vehicle. The seats are really small, which turns a six-hour journey into a nightmare.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Standard Plus, Tourist Bus, May 26, 2026
A
Ahmed
I am tall and have long legs (1.92 m). There was very little legroom, and my knee hurt throughout the flight and even afterwards, mainly because of the metal cup holder attached to the back of the seat in front of me. I felt uncomfortable with the person sitting next to me. I was unable to change seats despite explaining the situation directly to the staff and despite the fact that there were still seats available.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Standard Plus, Tourist Bus, May 5, 2026
M
Mairead
The location of the bus stop provided by 12Go was not clear and the coordinate location was incorrect. Please specify the bus stop number and directions to reach it more explicitly when the ticket is booked. Better signage in the station and a notice at the above ground bus station (as well as clarifying the bus stops at the below ground bus station) would be helpful.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Standard Plus, Tourist Bus, Mar 16, 2026
AG
Ashok G
Affordable to everyone..
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Standard Plus, AT Liner, Dec 12, 2025
SD
Seyla D
comfy. not expensive. had enough stops to go out and move a little or going on toilet, staff very friendly love them
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Express, Sakura Kanko Bus CJ (さくら観光バス株式会社), Oct 23, 2025
PM
Peter M
Just average not flexible with free seats
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Express, Yutaka YT (株式会社ユタカコーポレーション), Jun 19, 2025
VB
Vineet B
Booked 4 seats, and of those 3 were together and one seperate. How was it decided.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Bus Liner WC, AT Liner, May 18, 2025
4.4
163 customer reviews
5
61%
4
23%
3
10%
2
6%
1
0%

Tokyo to Kyoto Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Kirakira Bus
Express
08:40
17:15
$32.18
Sakura Kotsu SK4
Express
20:50
05:00
$30.77
Kintetsu Bus ZKN2
Intercity
21:10
05:00
$30.15
ATLINER Syoei Kotsu Co
Standard Plus
21:30
05:30
$31.47
  4.7
Sakura Kotsu
Liner Standard
21:50
05:00
$23.24
  5.0
Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3
Express
22:10
05:40
$49.66
  5.0
Heisei Enterprise HE0
AC Seater
22:30
06:30
$36.92
Kirakira Bus
Express
22:50
06:45
$48.69
  3.0
Sakura Syoei
Liner Standard
23:10
07:05
$48.69
  4.8
Sunshine Express SN6
Express
23:30
06:40
$36.92
Sunshine Express SN6
AC Seater
23:50
06:40
$49.23

How to get from Tokyo to Kyoto by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Tokyo to Kyoto by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Tokyo to Kyoto a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How far is Tokyo from Kyoto?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 466 km between Tokyo and Kyoto.

How long does it take to get from Tokyo to Kyoto by bus?

Buses normally need between 6h 20m and 9h 30m hours to get to Kyoto from Tokyo. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, Sunshine Express SN6 offers the fastest service. Karuizawa Bus KZ buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Tokyo to Kyoto by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Tokyo and Kyoto remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Heisei Enterprise HE0 (株式会社平成エンタープライズ) and costs USD 22.02. A Sakura Kotsu (株式会社桜交通)'s ticket will set you back USD 22.02 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

  • If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
  • VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
  • Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
  • If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
  • Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
  • To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
  • As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
  • Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
  • If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.

Transportation from Tokyo to Kyoto

Facts about the bus from Tokyo to Kyoto

Cheapest Bus$23
Fastest Bus6h 20m
Earliest Bus9:30 PM
Latest Bus11:59 PM
Daily Bus Routes0
Distance466 kilometers
Bus CompaniesAT Liner, Atliner Bus, ATLINER Co, ATLINER Shoei Transportation, ATLINER Syoei Kotsu Co, Atliner Tourist Bus, Daishinto Bus, Grace Tourism, Graceliner, Heisei Community Bus HC, Heisei Enterprise HE0, Karuizawa Bus KZ, Kintetsu Bus ZKN12, Osaka Bus ZOS4, Sakura Kanko Bus CJ, Sakura Kotsu, Sakura Syoei, Sakura Syoei, Sakura Syoei, Sakura Syoei, Shinki Bus LM, Sunshine Express SN6, Tokyo Fuji Kotsu NT3, Tourist Bus, Tourist Bus, Tourist Bus, Tourist Bus Kitagunma