You have to make the most of your time in Japan by visiting all, or the majority of, of the top sights in the nation. Day trips from one city to another are a more cost-effective way to see Japan, even though you can only visit the nation once!
One of the most well-liked day trips in Japan is traveling from Kyoto to Osaka and the other way around since the two cities are well connected and have a ton of sights to see.
Having said that, there are numerous ways to get from Kyoto to Osaka, including scenic car rides and high-speed train travel.
Why Taking the Bullet Train from Kyoto to Osaka Is Not a Good Idea.
The Shinkansen is probably the worst route to take when traveling from Osaka to Kyoto. This is the reason why:
- You arrive at Shin-Osaka Station, which is located far to the north of Osaka’s downtown. To go anywhere important, you’ll have to transfer to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, negating any apparent time savings.
- It departs from Kyoto Station, which is not the same area as Higashiyama and Arashiyama, where most tourists stay in Kyoto.
- Although the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass and other regional rail passes do not cover it, the Japan Rail Pass does.
- If you pay in full, it’s pricey: ¥2,870 (just to Shin-Osaka; there’s an extra fare for the Midosuji Line) compared to ¥580 for regular JR Lines.
There are plenty of other ways to travel this distance, unless you’re taking the bullet train because it’s your only chance to ride one during your trip—which is unlikely.
The Best Ways to Go Between Osaka and Kyoto
Keihan Line
If you’re in Kyoto, I think this is the most underappreciated—and possibly the best—way to see Osaka. The Keihan Line departs from stations in Higashiyama—Sanjo, Gion-Shijo, and Kiyomizu-Gojo, from north to south; it runs to Osaka’s Yodoyabashi Station, which is halfway between Umeda and Namba. You can also get off at Kyobashi, which is close to Osaka Castle and only requires a short stroll. The only downside? JR Passes are not accepted, but PASMO, Suica, ICOCA, and other IC (stored value) cards are.
JR Special Rapid Service
If you must travel from Kyoto to Osaka with a JR Pass, take the regular JR tracks rather than the Shinkansen. You are looking for a Special Rapid Service that is either headed for Osaka, Sannomiya, or Himeji; you will get off in Osaka regardless of the final destination. The platform varies. In just a few minutes longer than it would take to get to Shin-Osaka on a Shinkansen, this gets you straight to Osaka Station.
Hankyu Line
If you’re not tied to your JR Pass, the Hankyu Line is an additional choice. Although this train can logically leave from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station near Nishiki Market and travel directly there, I find that it is most helpful when traveling from Arashiyama. This requires a change—you’ll ride the Hankyu Arashiyama Line to Katsura, then transfer to the Hankyu Main Line and ride it to Hankyu Osaka-Umeda—but is effectively a straight shot from Arashiyama to Osaka.
Shinkansen + Midosuji Line Kyoto to Osaka
I will no longer attempt to persuade you to take the Shinkansen if that is your sole decision. However, you once again have to keep in mind that this won’t take you to Osaka’s city center (or from, if you’re traveling from Osaka to Kyoto). Instead, you will have to take the Midosuji Line of the Osaka Metro. The good news is that you can get to the majority of popular Osaka locations with this, such as Tennoji, Namba, and Umeda. To get to Osaka Castle, get off at Umeda and transfer to the Osaka Loop Line.
“Back ways” to Osaka
Did you know that, even for a day trip, it’s not always the best idea to travel straight from Kyoto to Osaka? For instance, you could visit Himeji Castle and Kobe first, and then take a JR Special Rapid Service (again, this is preferable to the Shinkansen) to Osaka from there. Similar to this, you could spend a day feeding deer in Nara and then spend the evening in Osaka dining on street food; in this scenario, you would take the JR Yamatoji Line from Nara to Tennoji or Osaka.
By bus Kyoto to Osaka
Although there are no direct bus rides from Kyoto to Osaka—there aren’t any direct rides from Osaka to Kyoto either—you can still take at least two bus rides to reach Osaka.
Certain services enable you to board the bus at Kyoto Station Hachijou Gate and get off at Osaka Itami Airport (a 55-minute ride), from where you can catch another bus to your lodging.
For 7.47 AUD (700 YEN) per hour, you can also take the Keihan Bus, which leaves from several stations throughout Kyoto and drops you off at either Hotel Keihan or Universal Studios Japan.
By car
Renting a car could be the best option for you if you have time to explore and want to make a trip out of the trip. Take control of your journey by driving yourself from Kyoto to Osaka.
The distance between the two cities is 53 kilometers by road, so depending on traffic and the number of stops you make along the way, the trip should take 40 to 50 minutes.
We advise making the most of your journey by visiting as many of the fascinating sites in Japan as possible, like Ikuta Shrine in Kobe and Nara Park in Nara. The type of car you rent will determine the cost as well as the current gas price.
How to Travel from Kyoto to Osaka’s Airports.
Were you aware that flights to Kyoto are not available? An airport is not located in Kyoto. You must use one of Osaka’s two airports if you intend to travel by air to or from Kyoto: Itami, which is closer to the city and serves only domestic flights, or Kansai International, which is farther away and serves some domestic flights as well. The best way to get to KIX is by train. The Japan Rail Pass covers the Haruka Limited Express, which leaves from Kyoto Station.
For traveling between Kyoto and Osaka-Itami, meanwhile, the most efficient way is a Limousine Bus. This departs from the Hachijo-guchi Bus Stop, which is directly in front of the Nakau restaurant, and is located just south of Kyoto Station. Reservations are not required, but if you plan to use an IC card such as PASMO, Suica, or ICOCA, you should purchase a ticket in advance from the machine on the corner (¥1,340).
FAQ About Travel from Kyoto to Osaka
What is the cost of the Kyoto to Osaka bullet train ticket?
If you don’t have a JR Pass, the cost of taking the bullet train from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka—the only Shinkansen station that serves Osaka—is ¥2,870. Should you possess a pass, this trip is taken care of. However, bear in mind that getting from Shin-Osaka to the city center will require you to take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, which will cost extra.
How can I travel to Osaka from Kyoto Station?
To travel from Kyoto Station to Osaka, I think the most convenient way is to take a JR Line Special Rapid Service. For only ¥580, you can take an ordinary train that takes less than 30 minutes to reach Osaka Station, which is the city center. This is by far the greatest route from Kyoto Station to the heart of Osaka, even though it isn’t as comfortable (there are no assigned seats) or as futuristic as the Shinkansen.
Can one visit Osaka in a day from Kyoto?
Kyoto to Osaka can easily be completed in a single day, though if you have the opportunity, I strongly suggest spending the night in Osaka. Logistically, I suggest taking a JR train from Kyoto to Osaka Station and then going to Osaka Castle and Shi-tennoji Temple via the Osaka Loop Line. After enjoying some street cuisine beside the Dotonbori Canal, head back to the eastern Kyoto stations of Kiyomizu-Gojo, Gion-Shijo, or Sanjo by taking the Keihan Main Line from Yodoyabashi Station.
