How to get from Kyoto to Nara
Two railways link the cities: the Kintetsu Kyoto Line to Kintetsu-Nara (about 35–45 min, about ¥760, more on limited expresses) and the JR Nara Line to JR Nara (about 45 min by Miyakoji Rapid, about ¥720). Kintetsu-Nara station is closer to Nara Park.
Best option: Train. Both lines leave from Kyoto Station, run often and are cheap; Kintetsu drops you a short walk from Nara Park.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Kintetsu Kyoto Line express or limited express from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu-Nara | about 35 min (limited express) to 45 min (express) | several trains an hour | about ¥760, plus a limited-express surcharge of roughly ¥500–700 | Not covered by the Japan Rail Pass; IC cards such as ICOCA work. |
| train JR Nara Line Miyakoji Rapid from Kyoto Station to JR Nara | about 45 min | around 2–4 trains an hour | about ¥720 | Covered by the Japan Rail Pass; JR Nara is about 10 minutes further on foot from the park than Kintetsu-Nara. |
| car Keinawa Expressway or national roads south from Kyoto | about 1 h | fuel plus expressway tolls | Parking near Nara Park fills up at weekends; the train is easier. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Start early: Nara Park and Todai-ji are busiest from late morning.
- Use an IC card (ICOCA, Suica) to tap in on both lines.
- With a JR Pass, take the JR line and stop at Inari on the way for Fushimi Inari.
- Buy deer crackers only from official vendors and keep food out of sight.
Common questions
Which is better, Kintetsu or JR to Nara?
Kintetsu is slightly faster and arrives at Kintetsu-Nara, a few minutes' walk from Nara Park and Todai-ji. The JR Nara Line is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and stops near Fushimi Inari. Without a JR Pass most visitors take Kintetsu; with one, the JR line costs nothing extra.
Can I do a day trip from Kyoto to Nara?
Yes, it is one of the most popular day trips in Japan. Trains take 35 to 45 minutes, and Nara Park, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha and Naramachi are all walkable. Leave in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds and you can be back in Kyoto for dinner.
Do I need to book the train?
No. Kintetsu express trains and JR trains are unreserved; just tap an IC card or buy a ticket at the machine. Only the Kintetsu limited express has reserved seats with a surcharge, and these can be bought at the station shortly before departure, though they can sell out at peak weekends.
Is the Kyoto to Nara train covered by the JR Pass?
The JR Nara Line from Kyoto to JR Nara is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The Kintetsu line is a private railway and is not. If you have a JR Pass, the JR Miyakoji Rapid gets you there in about 45 minutes at no extra cost.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.