Nara is located in close proximity to cities such as Kyoto and Osaka, and is also very near to Kansai International Airport. In this section, I will provide information on the best, fastest, and most affordable ways to reach Nara from these locations.
Nara is located 35 kilometers south of Kyoto and about 28 kilometers east of Osaka, making it easily accessible from these cities. To fully enjoy Nara, it’s a good idea to stay overnight and explore the area in more depth. Check here for recommended Nara hotels and here for recommended Nara ryokan. Nara is also conveniently located near Kansai International Airport.
Nara is well-connected to nearby cities through a rich network of transportation options including trains, buses, highways, and more. Here, I’ll provide you with information on the quickest and most efficient ways to reach the closest cities to Nara.
The best way to travel from Kyoto to Nara is by train. There are two railway lines connecting the two cities: JR and the Kintetsu line. The Kintetsu line is the fastest and most comfortable way to get there. Make sure to take a direct express train (tokkyu). This is the way I always travel to Nara and I recommend it for travelers without a JR Rail Pass. If you have a JR Rail Pass, you will want to take the JR line. In this case, I recommend the Miyakoji Kaisoku Express on the JR line, as it only takes 45 minutes.
JR Nara Line: ¥690 (€6), 45 minutes by express train (kaisoku), 70 minutes by local train (futsu), departs from JR Kyoto Station in Kyoto and arrives at JR Nara Station in Nara.
Kintetsu Nara Line: Y1110 (€10), 35 minutes by express train (tokkyu), departs from Kintetsu Kyoto Station (on the south side of JR Kyoto Station) and arrives at Kintetsu Nara Station in Nara.
Nara is even closer to Osaka than to Kyoto. As with Kyoto, you can choose between the JR line and the Kintetsu line. Note that the JR line departs from JR Osaka Station, while the Kintetsu line departs from Kintetsu Namba Station (a few stops south of JR Station on the Midosuji subway line).
The Kintetsu line is faster between the two and is the best choice for travelers without a JR Rail Pass. Those traveling with a JR Rail Pass will want to take the JR line, which is also fast and comfortable.
JR Kanjo Yamatoji Lines: Y780 (€7), 50 minutes by Yamatoji Kaisoku (express), departs from JR Osaka Station and arrives at JR Nara Station.
Kintetsu Nara Line: Y540 (€5), 40 minutes, departs from Kintetsu Namba Station in Osaka and arrives at Kintetsu Nara Station in Nara.
If you are planning to spend time in Osaka, take a look at my related page Osaka Travel Tips.
If you are coming from other parts of Japan, such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe, or Hiroshima, the best way to get to Nara is by taking the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto and following the above instructions from Kyoto.
You can easily reach Nara from Kansai International Airport (KIX) by train or limousine bus. The bus is the easiest option if you have (large) luggage, while the train is the best choice for travelers with a JR Rail Pass who want to save money.
Airport Limousine Bus: Y2050 (€18), 90 minutes, departs from the bus stop outside the arrival hall at KIX and stops at JR Nara Station or the stop near Kintetsu Nara Station.
JR Line: Y2180 (€20), approximately 70 minutes (excluding waiting time between trains), take the JR Haruka Airport Express and transfer to a JR Yamatoji Kaisoku (express) at Tennoji Station, then disembark at JR Nara Station.
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