Best Way from Tokyo to Kyoto?
Jul 4th, 2007, 11:05 PM
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Best Way from Tokyo to Kyoto?
Hello All!
I'm arriving via international flight to Tokyo and heading directly to Kyoto. Do you suggest making the trip by train or plane? There are two considerations here: price and convenience. After a long tiring flight, I don't want to make a lot of transfers (airport to airport, airport to train station, etc.) I don't care if one way takes a few extra hours as long as I don't have to make too many transfers. It will be my first time in Japan.
Thank you for your suggestions,
Eve
I'm arriving via international flight to Tokyo and heading directly to Kyoto. Do you suggest making the trip by train or plane? There are two considerations here: price and convenience. After a long tiring flight, I don't want to make a lot of transfers (airport to airport, airport to train station, etc.) I don't care if one way takes a few extra hours as long as I don't have to make too many transfers. It will be my first time in Japan.
Thank you for your suggestions,
Eve
Jul 4th, 2007, 11:21 PM
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I'm assuming there is a good reason, like no flights, that you are not flying into Kansai (KIX) airport rather than Narita. KIX serves Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto very well.
Price is basically the same for plane or train. Either way, you need to make at least two transfers.
Train would require a change in Shinagawa or in Tokyo and take under 4 hours total and cost about ¥16,000 yen for the one way trip. Once arriving at Kyoto station, you still need to get to your hotel. Train travel is best done with minimal baggage, as stations can be crowded with long walks between tracks/gates. Escalators usually go up, but not down, with the exception of airport line stations and some, but not all, shinkansen stations. Baggage storage on airport trains is OK, but on other trains it can be difficult, especially if your bags are large and/or the train is crowded.
Check trains at www.hyperdia.com
You can fly ANA one way from Narita to Osaka Itami at 4:55 and 5:55 pm, price for one-way is ¥20,000. If you buy round trip it's cheaper, so if you have to go back to Narita buy both ways and save about ¥5000 each way. From Itami airport, take a limo bus to your hotel. http://www.okkbus.co.jp/eng/
http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/index.html
If you are planning on doing more travel than just Narita to Kyoto, you might consider a JR Pass. http://www.japanrailpass.net/
Price is basically the same for plane or train. Either way, you need to make at least two transfers.
Train would require a change in Shinagawa or in Tokyo and take under 4 hours total and cost about ¥16,000 yen for the one way trip. Once arriving at Kyoto station, you still need to get to your hotel. Train travel is best done with minimal baggage, as stations can be crowded with long walks between tracks/gates. Escalators usually go up, but not down, with the exception of airport line stations and some, but not all, shinkansen stations. Baggage storage on airport trains is OK, but on other trains it can be difficult, especially if your bags are large and/or the train is crowded.
Check trains at www.hyperdia.com
You can fly ANA one way from Narita to Osaka Itami at 4:55 and 5:55 pm, price for one-way is ¥20,000. If you buy round trip it's cheaper, so if you have to go back to Narita buy both ways and save about ¥5000 each way. From Itami airport, take a limo bus to your hotel. http://www.okkbus.co.jp/eng/
http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/index.html
If you are planning on doing more travel than just Narita to Kyoto, you might consider a JR Pass. http://www.japanrailpass.net/
Jul 4th, 2007, 11:31 PM
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The easiest way would be to fly into KIX Kansai International Airport. If you haven't already bought the ticket to Tokyo, or if the change fee isn't more than the train/plane price from Narita - Kyoto, I would change the ticket to go right to KIX, then take a limo bus to your hotel from there. You'll save heaps of time that way, in addition to it being much easier.
Jul 5th, 2007, 12:15 AM
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Dear KimJapan,
Thanks for your super fast reply. I would prefer Kansai but am using my husband's Lufthansa frequent flier miles and was unable to get a flight close to the day I need. Since it will be a free ticket, I will put up with the hassles involved. However after reading your mail, I'll keep looking for a flight into Kansai and pay the changeover fee required if I find one. I shall travel light and send my extras with my husband, who was able to get a flight into Kansai. (sigh)
Thank you,
Eve
Thanks for your super fast reply. I would prefer Kansai but am using my husband's Lufthansa frequent flier miles and was unable to get a flight close to the day I need. Since it will be a free ticket, I will put up with the hassles involved. However after reading your mail, I'll keep looking for a flight into Kansai and pay the changeover fee required if I find one. I shall travel light and send my extras with my husband, who was able to get a flight into Kansai. (sigh)
Thank you,
Eve
Jul 5th, 2007, 08:55 AM
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Can you get a flight to Nagoya? Lufthansa flies to Nagoya too. Nagoya is not as close to Kyoto as KIX, but still much closer than Narita.
My guess is that the crowd on trains should be smaller in Nagoya than in Tokyo.
My guess is that the crowd on trains should be smaller in Nagoya than in Tokyo.
