From Tokyo
Our Favourite way from Tokyo to Nara
| Tokyo to Nara |
Shinkansen, Train |
From 13,620 yen |
3.5 hours |
1 Transfer |
Our favourite means of transport just so happens to be the quickest AND easiest way to get to Nara from Tokyo! It involves taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Kyoto before switching to the JR Miyakoji Rapid train from Kyoto to Nara. The trip will cost you 13,620 yen, but in return you will be in Nara in 3.5 hours and with only one transfer! This means that you will have more time to spend at Nara! Also, if you intend to return to Tokyo via Kyoto you should check out the special offers for return fares on the Shinkansen!
| Tokyo Station to JR Kyoto Station |
JR Tokaido Shinkansen line Nozomi Train |
From 13,620 yen |
140 mins |
| JR Kyoto Station to JR Nara Station |
JR Miyakoji Rapid Train |
40 mins |
The Quickest Way from Tokyo to Nara
| Tokyo to Nara |
Shinkansen, Train |
From 13,620 yen |
3.5 hours |
1 Transfer |
The quickest way to get to Nara from Tokyo would be to hop onto a Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Kyoto before switching to the JR Miyakoji Rapid train from Kyoto to Nara. The trip will cost you 13,620 yen, but in return you will be in Nara in just over 3 hours, so that you will have more time to spend at your destination!
| Tokyo Station to JR Kyoto Station |
JR Tokaido Shinkansen line Nozomi Train |
From 13,620 yen |
140 mins |
| JR Kyoto Station to JR Nara Station |
JR Miyakoji Rapid Train |
40 mins |
The Cheapest Way from Tokyo to Nara
| Tokyo to Kyoto |
Budget Highway Bus, Train |
From 2,620 yen |
About 9 hours |
1 Transfer |
The cheapest way to get to Nara from Tokyo involves taking a budget overnight bus from Tokyo to Kyoto before hopping onto a local train on the Kintetsu line from Kyoto to Nara. The overnight bus will cost you around 2000 yen from Monday to Thursday when booked in advance, and you can get from Kyoto to Nara for 620 yen if you use the Kintetsu line. The trip can take you upwards of 9 hours, and involves walking from the bus terminal to the nearest Kintetsu line train station, but in return you may be able to keep your transportation costs below the 3000 yen mark! A slightly easier method would be to just take an overnight bus directly from Tokyo to Nara. Tickets can be found for about 5000 yen but you may be able to pay less if booked in advance. Tickets tend to be cheapest between Mondays and Thursdays, with Fridays generally being the most expensive! The trip usually takes between 8 and 9 hours, including several stops on the way at service stations.
| Tokyo to Kyoto |
Budget Highway Bus |
From 2,000 yen |
6 to 8 hours |
| Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station |
Kintetsu Kyoto line |
620 yen |
45 minutes |
The Easiest Way from Tokyo to Nara
| Tokyo to Kyoto |
Shinkansen, Train |
From 13,620 yen |
3.5 hours |
1 Transfer |
The easiest way to get to Nara from Tokyo is also the quickest way! It involves taking the Shinkansen to Kyoto before switching trains and taking the JR Miyakoji Rapid train from Kyoto to Nara, so that there’s only one transfer in your trip. See The Quickest Way from Tokyo to Nara for more details. Alternatively, you can also look into higher-end highway buses. They cost a bit more than the budget overnight buses but offer a lot more in terms of comfort. These buses operate both during the day and overnight, but we’d recommend the overnight trip as the ride can take up to 9 hours. Tickets can be found for around 6000 yen.
| Tokyo Station to JR Kyoto Station |
JR Tokaido Shinkansen line Nozomi Train |
From 13,620 yen |
140 mins |
| JR Kyoto Station to JR Nara Station |
JR Miyakoji Rapid Train |
40 min |
JR Pass & Special Deals from Tokyo to Nara
Japan Rail Pass
If you happen to have a JR Pass then you have several options to get from Tokyo to Nara for no extra fee. This will include getting on the Shinkansen (excluding Nozomi and Mizuho) from Tokyo to Kyoto and then getting on the JR Miyakoji line from Kyoto to Nara. JR Pass holders will need to pay a surcharge to use the Nozomi or Mizuho bullet trains, but no extra fees will be needed for the JR Miyakoji line. Special Package Tour Deals
Also, if you intend on returning to Tokyo from Kyoto you may be interested to know that several companies offer special roundtrip packages that include a hotel room as well as a return Shinkansen ticket for discounted prices!
Puratto Kodama Economy Plan
The "Puratto Kodama Economy Plan” allows you to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto on the Kodama bullet train for only 10,100 yen. The special deal requires you to book at least a day in advance from JR Tokai travel agencies, and there are several restrictions such as no refunds in case of you missing your train, a mandatory cancellation fee for purchased tickets and you have to pass through the JR Tokai Shinkansen boarding gate.
From Osaka
Our Favourite way from Osaka to Nara
| Osaka to Nara |
Train |
800 yen |
50 minutes |
0 Transfers |
If you’re coming from Osaka, the proximity means that the train service is by far the most useful means of transport. Our favourite way to get to Nara from Osaka will be to use the JR Yamatoji Rapid train that connects Osaka station directly to JR Nara station in 50 minutes and for 800 yen! This is also the quickest and most convenient way to reach Nara from Osaka!
| Osaka Station to JR Nara Station |
JR Yamatoji Rapid train |
800 yen |
50 minutes |
The quickest way from Osaka to Nara
| Osaka to Nara |
Train |
800 yen |
50 minutes |
0 Transfer |
We recommend the JR Yamatoji Rapid train from Osaka station to JR Nara station. The trip will take about 50 minutes and will cost you 800 yen. Truth be told, the absolute quickest means of transport will be to drive or take a taxi, with Nara being a 45 minute drive from Osaka. However, we recommend taking the train as it will save you from the hassle of having to hire and park a car and the taxi ride will cost you upwards of 10,000 yen.
| Osaka Station to JR Nara Station |
JR Yamatoji Rapid train |
800 yen |
50 minutes |
The Cheapest Way from Osaka to Nara
| Osaka to Nara |
Train |
670 yen |
1 hour |
1 Transfer |
The cheapest way to get to Nara from Osaka will be to take the JR Osaka loop line to Tsuruhashi, then take the Kintetsu Nara Line to Kintetsu Nara Station. This route will cost you 670 yen, and it will take you a little over an hour.
| Osaka Station to Tsuruhashi Station |
JR Osaka Loop line |
670 yen |
1 hour |
| Tsuruhashi to Kintetsu Nara Station |
Kintetsu Nara line |
The Easiest Way from Osaka to Nara
| Osaka to Nara |
Train |
800 yen |
50 minutes |
0 Transfer |
Our favourite way to get to Nara from Osaka will be to use the JR Yamatoji Rapid train that connects Osaka station directly to JR Nara station in 50 minutes and for 800 yen! This is also the quickest way to reach Nara from Osaka!
| Osaka Station to JR Nara Station |
JR Yamatoji Rapid train |
800 yen |
50 minutes |
JR Pass & Special Deals from Osaka to Nara
Japan Rail Pass
If you have the JR Pass you will be able to take all JR lines, including the Yamatoji Rapid train, for free! Just make sure you don’t accidently take a Kintetsu line and you should be fine!