The Kintetsu Kyoto Line is a private railway line that runs between Yamato-Saidaiji Station in Nara Prefecture and Kintetsu Kyoto Station. Yamato-Saidaiji Staion is just two stops away from Kintetsu Nara Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line, so travelers can easily use this route to travel between the cities of Nara and Kyoto. Depending on the departure time, travelers may have to change trains at Yamato-Saidaiji, but there are also many through train services that run directly between the Kintetsu Nara and Kyoto stations.
An Express service bound for Kyoto at Kintetsu Nara Station
At Kintetsu Nara Station services bound for Kyoto depart from platforms 3 and 4. The Kintetsu Kyoto Line is a private railway line and so it is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Kintetsu Kyoto Line Stations
There are 28 stations between Kintetsu Nara Station and Kintetsu Kyoto Station. Stations on the Kintetsu Nara Line are as follows:
Kintetsu Nara > Shin-Omiya >Yamato-Saidaiji
Stations on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line are as follows:
Yamato-Saidaiji > Heijo > Takanohara > Yamadagawa > Kizugawadai > Shin-Hosono > Komada > Kintetsu Miyazu > Miyamaki > Kodo > Shin-Tanabe > Tonosho > Terada > Kutsukawa > Okubo > Iseda > Ogura> Mukaijima > Momoyama Goryo-mae > Kintetsu Tambabashi > Fushimi > Takeda > Kamitobaguchi > Jujo > Toji > Kyoto
For more details about the key destinations on this route please see our article on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line at KyotoStation.com.
A Limited Express train bound for Kyoto at Kintetsu Nara Station
Services for Kyoto
Both Express and Limited Express services run from Kintetsu Nara Station to Kintetsu Kyoto Station. Express train services are cheaper at 760 yen and usually take around 45 to 50 minutes. Regular Limited Express trains are faster, taking around 35 minutes, but they cost 1,280 yen in total: a 760 yen basic fare plus a 520 yen limited express charge. Sightseeing Limited Express AONIYOSHI services also run between Kintetsu Nara and Kyoto on selected departures and cost more because they add a special car fare. There are also Express through services from Kintetsu Nara Station that join Kyoto’s Karasuma Subway Line at Takeda Station and continue on to Kokusaikaikan Station at the end of the line.
Alternative Options
If you have a Japan Rail Pass, taking the Miyakoji Rapid service on the JR Nara Line is the best travel option between Nara and Kyoto. However, if you do not have a Japan Rail Pass, you might prefer to take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line from Kintetsu Nara Station. The regular fare on the JR Nara Line is 720 yen for a journey of around 48 minutes, so Kintetsu Express services cost a little more but are more convenient for central Nara, while Kintetsu Limited Express services are faster. Kintetsu Nara Station is also more centrally located in Nara and more convenient for the major sites.
Departure information for Kyoto bound services
Discounts
Although the Kintetsu Kyoto Line is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, Kintetsu Railway offers digital KINTETSU RAIL PASS options for visitors. The 1day and 2day passes cover Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, while the 5day and 5day plus passes cover wider Kintetsu travel to Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Mie, and Nagoya. A separate Limited Express ticket is required if you use a Limited Express service. Check the official Kintetsu Railway website for details.
Useful Links
The official Kintetsu website has an English route/fare search tool, station timetables for Kintetsu Nara Station, a current Kintetsu Nara PDF timetable, a railway network map, and a Limited Express network map with links to station maps.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 16-May-2026.
