If you wish to travel to Nara from Tokyo, there are three main routes to go by: by train via Kyoto, by air via Osaka, and directly by highway bus.
A shinkansen bullet train at Kyoto Station
Table of Contents
Traveling by Train
Traveling by train is probably the easiest, and most comfortable way to get to Nara and if you have a Japan Rail Pass it can be economical too. To take the rail route, first take a shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, and then transfer to a local line for Nara.
Taking the Shinkansen to Kyoto
The regular non-reserved fare for the shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto is 13,320 yen. Travel time varies though, according to the service you take. There are three types of train on the Tokaido Shinkansen line: the Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. The Nozomi is the most frequent and the fastest train as it travels between Kyoto and Tokyo in about 2 hours and 15-20 minutes. The Nozomi is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass as a standard ride, but pass holders can use this service by buying a separate Nozomi/Mizuho supplement ticket; the Tokyo-Kyoto supplement is 4,960 yen.
If you wish to use the Japan Rail Pass without paying this supplement, your best choice is the Hikari which takes just 2 hours and 40 minutes to cover the distance. The Kodama stops at every station on the way and so takes about 4 hours.
Local Lines from Kyoto to Nara
From Kyoto you have a choice between two local rail lines: the JR Nara Line or the private Kintetsu Kyoto Line. If you have a Japan Rail Pass you should take the JR Nara Line. Be sure to take the Miyakoji Rapid service on this line which takes about 45-47 minutes to reach Nara, and not a local train which stops at every station and takes longer. The regular fare for the JR Nara Line between Kyoto and Nara is 720 yen.
A Miyakoji Rapid train in JR Nara Station
If you do not have a Japan Rail Pass, you may decide to take the private Kintetsu Kyoto Line. This line has the fastest trains into central Nara, and Kintetsu Nara Station is more centrally located in Nara than JR Nara Station.
You can take an Express train on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line for 760 yen and be in central Nara in about 45-50 minutes. If you are in a hurry, you can pay 1,280 yen in total for a Limited Express service and be in Nara in just 35 minutes. This total is made up of the 760 yen basic fare and a 520 yen limited express charge.
A Kintetsu train bound for Nara at Kyoto Station
Traveling by Plane & Airport Limousine Bus
It is possible to fly from either of Tokyo’s two primary airports at Haneda and Narita into Osaka and then take a limousine bus service to Nara. Osaka has two airports that you can fly into: Kansai International Airport and Osaka Itami Airport. Osaka Itami Airport is slightly closer to Nara and flight times into Osaka Itami are also shorter, but you are more likely to get a low cost flight between Narita Airport and Kansai International Airport.
Flights
Low cost airlines like Peach and Jetstar operate services between Narita Airport in Tokyo and Osaka’s Kansai Airport, and flight time is usually around 1 hour and 30-45 minutes. JAL and ANA also operate Tokyo-Osaka domestic services, especially between Haneda Airport and Osaka Itami Airport, with flight times of around 1 hour and 10-20 minutes depending on the route.
Fares vary widely by airline, date, baggage allowance, and booking conditions, so compare live fares before choosing this route.
Airport Limousine Bus Services
Nara Kotsu Bus runs regular limousine bus services to Nara directly from both Kansai International Airport and Osaka Itami Airport. Travel time is dependent on traffic conditions but the bus between Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 and JR Nara Station usually takes about 1 hour and 40-45 minutes and from Osaka Itami Airport to JR Nara Station it usually takes about 75-90 minutes. The fare from Kansai Airport is 2,400 yen for adults and 1,200 yen for children. The fare from Osaka Itami Airport to the JR Nara/Kintetsu Nara area is 1,750 yen for adults and 880 yen for children. There are multiple departures daily, but not a simple all-day hourly pattern, so check the Nara Kotsu timetable before traveling. For more details please visit the Nara Kotsu website.
An airport limousine bus at JR Nara Station
Traveling by Highway Bus
If you are not a light sleeper, then taking an overnight highway bus can be a good way to save money on both transport costs and hotel accommodation. There are overnight highway bus options between Tokyo and the Nara area, but services, operating days, and fares vary by date.
Nara Kotsu and Kanto Bus operate the Yamato overnight bus between Shinjuku and the Gojo/Tenri area. Passengers traveling from JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara can use a reserved connecting bus to Tenri when traveling toward Tokyo. Adult fares for the Yamato service vary by boarding date from 7,000 yen to 12,000 yen. For more details please visit the Nara Kotsu Yamato page or the Kanto Bus website.
Nara Kotsu and Kanto Bus also operate the Dream Sleeper between JR Nara Station and Shinjuku on selected operating days, with private-room seats and adult fares from 18,000 yen to 22,000 yen. Always check the operating calendar and fare calendar before planning around an overnight bus. For more details please visit the Nara Kotsu Dream Sleeper page.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 17-May-2026.
