Day Trips from KyotoKyoto to Nara by Train: JR vs Kintetsu, Fares, Times and Tickets
The Kyoto to Nara train is one of the easiest day trip runs in Japan, and this page walks it step by step. Two companies do the journey from Kyoto Station, JR and Kintetsu, and the choice changes your fare, your arrival station and whether your rail pass works. The fastest option takes 35 minutes and the cheapest regular fare is 720 yen one way. Below you get the exact trains, the platforms, the tickets, the buses at the Nara end and the return, so you can do the day on your own. If you would rather hand the whole day to someone else, the comparison of day trips from Kyoto has tours that cover the same ground.
An orange and white Kintetsu limited express train on the tracks. Photo: m-louis .®, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quick answer Fastest Kyoto to Nara train
The fastest way from Kyoto to Nara is the Kintetsu limited express from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station, which takes 35 minutes and costs 1,280 yen with the reserved seat. The JR Miyakoji rapid on the JR Nara Line takes 45 minutes for 720 yen one way. Both leave from Kyoto Station. Kintetsu Nara Station sits right by the main sights while JR Nara Station is a 15-20 minute walk from them.
Key takeaways
- Fastest: the Kintetsu limited express, 35 minutes for 1,280 yen, reserved seats only. Details in the JR or Kintetsu comparison.
- Cheapest named fare: the JR Miyakoji rapid at 720 yen one way, and the Japan Rail Pass covers it.
- Prefer zero planning? The early morning Nara walking tour by train costs $68.02 and includes the one-way train fare from Kyoto.
- For the full day on the ground once you arrive, the matching day trip from Kyoto to Nara guide covers the sights in order.
Which Way to Nara Suits You
If You are on a budget and want the lowest regular fare
Take the JR Miyakoji rapid, 45 minutes for 720 yen one way, and read the step by step plan.
If You hold a Japan Rail Pass
Use the JR Nara Line, which the pass covers. Kintetsu does not accept it, as the JR or Kintetsu table shows.
If You want to save legs and arrive closest to the deer and the temples
Take Kintetsu to Kintetsu Nara Station, which is close to the main sights, 5 minutes from Kofuku-ji.
If You are short on time and want the day arranged for you
Book the Nara afternoon tour from Kyoto at $100.40, which includes admission fees and transportation.
If You travel with a family and want temple tickets handled
The Nara and Uji matcha day tour at $126.24 includes Todaiji and Byodoin admission, and lunch is an option you select.
All the Ways from Kyoto to Nara
Three regular trains and a handful of tours cover this corridor. The table puts every option side by side, with fares and journey times drawn from the JR and Kintetsu figures on this page and the tour prices as listed on their cards.
Side by Side
The two Kintetsu services and the JR rapid all start at Kyoto Station, so the choice is mostly about fare, seat comfort and which Nara station you want. Tours bundle a guide and often tickets into one price. Every figure below comes from the same sources as the rest of this page.
The pick for most first timers without a rail pass is the Kintetsu express at 760 yen, because it lands you 5 minutes from Kofuku-ji, at 760 yen against 720 yen on JR. If you hold a Japan Rail Pass, JR wins outright.
| Way | From | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kintetsu limited express | Kyoto Station, platforms 1 and 2 | 35 minutes | 1,280 yen | Speed and a reserved seat |
| Kintetsu express | Kyoto Station | 45 minutes | 760 yen | Lowest fare to the station nearest the sights |
| JR Miyakoji rapid | Kyoto Station, JR Nara Line | 45 minutes | 720 yen one way | Japan Rail Pass holders and Fushimi Inari or Uji stopovers |
| Early morning walking tour by train | Kyoto Station Central Ticket Gate | 4.5 hours tour | $68.02 | Small groups before the crowds |
| Nara afternoon coach tour | Kyoto Avanti B1F | 5-7 hours | $100.40 | Admissions and transport in one price |
| Nara and Uji matcha tour | Kyoto Avanti, in front of Tully's Coffee | 8.5 hours | $126.24 | Todaiji, Byodoin and a matcha class in one day |
| Private Kyoto and Nara day by car | Hotel pickup in Kyoto | 10 hours | $510 for up to 6 | Families and custom routes |
What the Cheapest DIY Day Actually Costs
The JR line costs 720 yen each way, and Japan Rail Pass holders pay nothing extra. Add 800 yen for the Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall and about 200 yen for a packet of deer crackers, plus food. Compare that against the tours above, where a guide and admissions explain the difference.
If you want to see how Nara sits next to the other free and cheap exits from the city, the hub list of free day trips from Kyoto is the place to start.
Nara on Your Own, Step by Step
Everything you need to board, ride, pay and arrive, in order. Each step uses only the figures given in this guide.
At Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station has a north Central Exit near Kyoto Tower and a south Hachijo Exit. The Shinkansen gates sit at the Hachijo side, and the Kintetsu boarding area is just outside the Shinkansen Central Gate. Kintetsu limited express trains leave Kintetsu Kyoto Station from platforms 1 and 2.
JR trains leave from the JR gates, so know which company you are riding before you walk in.
- Decide JR or Kintetsu first, because the gates and ticket machines are separate.
- For Kintetsu, head to the area in front of the Shinkansen Central Gate and use platforms 1 or 2 for the limited express.
Buying the Ticket
For JR, the Miyakoji rapid costs 720 yen one way, so a machine ticket or an IC card covers it. ICOCA is sold at Kyoto Station with a 500 yen refundable deposit and a typical 1,500 yen initial charge, and it stays valid for 10 years. For Kintetsu, the express is 760 yen with no surcharge, while the limited express needs a reserved seat and a separate 520 yen express charge on top of the 760 yen base fare, making 1,280 yen.
Buy the limited express ticket at a Kintetsu machine or counter before boarding.
- JR Miyakoji rapid: 720 yen.
- Kintetsu express: 760 yen, no surcharge.
- Kintetsu limited express: 1,280 yen total, reserved seats only.
The Ride and the Stopover Options
The JR Miyakoji rapid runs every 30 minutes and takes 45 minutes to JR Nara Station. The Kintetsu limited express takes 35 minutes and the Kintetsu express 45 minutes, both to Kintetsu Nara Station. The JR line doubles as a sightseeing corridor.
JR Inari Station is about 5 minutes and 150 yen from Kyoto Station for the free, always open Fushimi Inari Taisha. Continuing to Uji takes about 20 minutes by rapid for 240 yen one way, and the same fare applies on the local, which takes 30 minutes.
The Last Mile in Nara
Kintetsu Nara Station is close to the main sights. Kofuku-ji is a 5 minute walk from it and Todai-ji about 30 minutes on foot, with the Nara National Museum 15 minutes away. JR Nara Station is a 15-20 minute walk from the main sights, and Todai-ji is about 45 minutes on foot from it.
Nara Kotsu buses connect both stations with all the main sights, and the Nara Bus Pass starts at 600 yen for one day in the central area. A bus to the Kasuga Taisha Honden stop costs 250 yen from the Kintetsu side, against a 30 minute walk.
- From Kintetsu Nara: Kofuku-ji 5 minutes, Nara National Museum 15 minutes, Todai-ji 30 minutes on foot.
- From JR Nara: the sights are 15-20 minutes away by foot, or take a Nara Kotsu bus.
- Nara Bus Pass from 600 yen covers one day in the central area.
Before You Leave and the Way Back
Check three things at Kyoto Station: which company you are riding, whether your pass covers it, and your return window. The same trains run in both directions, so the return is the mirror of the outbound. Lockers at Kyoto Station cost about 400, 500 and 700 yen for small, medium and large if you want to travel light, with the largest locker area at the Hachijo exit.
For the day on the ground, the planning a day trip from Kyoto guide covers passes and timing in general.
The Kintetsu Limited Express to Nara
The Kintetsu limited express from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara, filmed end to end. Third-party video by Shiba-Shiba しばしば / Trains in Japan. This site did not shoot it and has no relationship with the creator.
JR or Kintetsu to Nara
The two companies are not interchangeable. The table below lines up the trains on fare, time, arrival station and pass coverage.
The Head to Head
The Japan Rail Pass covers the JR Nara Line and the Kintetsu Rail Pass covers Kintetsu. The Kintetsu 1-day pass costs 1,900 yen and the 2-day pass 3,700 yen, and both cover Osaka, Nara and Kyoto, though Kintetsu Rail Pass holders pay limited express supplements separately. A plain Japan Rail Pass is not accepted on Kintetsu trains at all.
That single rule decides the question for most pass holders.
| Train | Time | Fare | Arrives at | Rail pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JR Miyakoji rapid, every 30 minutes | 45 minutes | 720 yen one way | JR Nara Station, 15-20 minute walk to the sights | Japan Rail Pass covers it |
| Kintetsu express | 45 minutes | 760 yen, no surcharge | Kintetsu Nara Station, close to the sights | Kintetsu Rail Pass covers it, Japan Rail Pass does not |
| Kintetsu limited express | 35 minutes | 1,280 yen total, 760 yen base plus 520 yen express charge | Kintetsu Nara Station | Kintetsu pass holders pay the supplement separately, reserved seats only |
How to Choose in One Line
If a Japan Rail Pass is in your pocket, ride JR and accept the longer walk or a 600 yen day bus pass. If speed matters most, pay the 1,280 yen for the 35 minute Kintetsu limited express with its guaranteed seat. If neither applies, the 760 yen Kintetsu express is the quiet winner, arriving nearest the deer park for 760 yen against 720 yen on JR.
The colourful canopy of the JR Nara Station building. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tickets and Hours at the Other End
Entry prices and opening hours decide how much day you have left after the ride. The figures below come from the official Nara sources for each site.
Todai-ji and the Deer
The Great Buddha Hall costs 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children aged 6 to 12, and a joint ticket with the Todai-ji Museum costs 1,200 yen for adults and 600 yen for ages 6 to 12. The hall opens 7:30-17:30 from April to October and 8:00-17:00 from November to March. Hokke-do and Senju-do open 8:30-16:00 all year.
Crackers for the deer in Nara Park sell for around 200 yen.
| Site | Entry | Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall | 800 yen adult, 400 yen child 6-12 | 7:30-17:30 April to October, 8:00-17:00 November to March | Not stated |
| Todai-ji Hall plus museum joint ticket | 1,200 yen adult, 600 yen ages 6-12 | Museum 9:30-17:30 April to October, 9:30-17:00 November to March | Not stated |
| Kofuku-ji National Treasure Hall | 900 yen, halls 500 yen each, all three 1,600 yen | 9:00-17:00, last entry 16:45 | No closing days |
| Kasuga Taisha inner area | 700 yen, outer area free | Worship 6:30-17:30 March to October, 7:00-17:00 November to February | 8-13 March and 20 December to 7 January |
| Nara National Museum | 700 yen for both wings | 9:30-17:00, last entry 16:30 | Mondays and 28 December to 1 January |
| Isuien Garden | 1,200 yen including the Neiraku Museum | 9:30-16:30, until 17:00 in April and May | Tuesdays |
| Nara Park deer crackers | Around 200 yen | Not stated | Not stated |
Two Things Worth Knowing Before You Queue
The Kofuku-ji five-storied pagoda is covered for extensive renovation until March 2034, but the temple grounds stay open and free around the clock, so the pagoda will be scaffolded. Kasuga Taisha is closed for several stretches each year, including 8-13 March and 20 December to 7 January, with partial closures on specific dates each month, so check before you build the day around it. Kofuku-ji itself is a 5 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and a 20 minute walk from JR Nara Station.
The Zero-Hassle Option: A Tour from Kyoto
The train is easy, but a tour removes the ticket machines, the platform hunting and the route planning. These are the catalog tours that reach Nara, priced as listed on their cards.
Tours That Include Nara
The closest thing to doing the train trip with help is the early morning Nara walking tour from Kyoto Station by train at $68.02. It runs 4.5 hours in a group of up to 12, and the one-way train fare from Kyoto Station to Nara is included. The return fare, Todai-ji entry and food are not included, so read the card before booking.
At the other end of the scale, the private Kyoto and Nara day tour with hotel pickup costs $510 for up to 6 people and replaces both trains with a private car.
- Nara, Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama bus day tour: $79, 9-10 hours, no lunch, Tenryuji entry is an optional extra.
- Nara and Uji matcha day tour: $126.24, 8.5 hours, Todaiji and Byodoin admission plus a matcha session included, lunch only with the lunch option.
- Nara afternoon tour: $100.40, 5-7 hours, admission fees and transportation including the Kasuga Taisha inner area included, no lunch, no hotel pickup.
- Nara Park, Osaka and Kobe full-day tour: $129, 10.5 hours, monument entrance fees not included.
- Private Nara day trip with licensed guide: $187.85, 8 hours on foot, transport and most entry fees not included.
The Honest Trade
The trains cost 720 yen each way at the JR fare, so the tours cost more per person, and the difference buys a guide, fixed timing and, on some tours, temple admissions. No tour on this list includes hotel pickup except the private car day, and lunch is not included on any of the Nara tours above unless you buy the lunch option on the matcha tour. For a deeper look at what a guided day actually covers hour by hour, the day trip from Kyoto to Nara page has the itinerary.
Kyoto to Nara Train Questions
How do I get from Kyoto to Nara by train?
Take the JR Miyakoji rapid from Kyoto Station, which runs every 30 minutes and takes 45 minutes for 720 yen one way, or take Kintetsu from the boarding area in front of the Shinkansen Central Gate, where the limited express does it in 35 minutes for 1,280 yen. The full boarding steps are in the step by step section.
How long is the train journey from Kyoto to Nara?
Between 35 and 45 minutes depending on the train. The Kintetsu limited express takes 35 minutes, while the Kintetsu express and the JR Miyakoji rapid both take 45 minutes. See the side by side table.
Can I use my Suica card from Kyoto to Nara?
ICOCA is sold at Kyoto Station with a 500 yen refundable deposit. Acceptance of other IC cards such as Suica on this route is not confirmed here, so check at the gate or buy an ICOCA.
Can Nara be a day trip from Kyoto?
Yes, easily. The ride is 35 to 45 minutes each way, the sights sit within a 5 to 30 minute walk of Kintetsu Nara Station, and Todai-ji's Great Buddha Hall stays open until 17:30 from April to October. The day trip from Kyoto to Nara guide lays out the day.
Does the Japan Rail Pass cover the Kyoto to Nara train?
It covers the JR Nara Line, so the 45 minute, 720 yen Miyakoji rapid is free for pass holders. It is not accepted on Kintetsu trains, so the 35 minute limited express needs its own ticket. The JR or Kintetsu table has the full pass picture.
Which Nara station should I arrive at?
Kintetsu Nara Station, if you have the choice. It sits close to the main sights with Kofuku-ji 5 minutes away, while JR Nara Station is a 15-20 minute walk from them, and Nara Kotsu buses plus a Nara Bus Pass from 600 yen bridge the gap from either station. The last mile details name the walk times.