🚆 Train Guide

How to Get from Kyoto to Nara by Train: 4 Easy Options on the Kintetsu Line

📅 April 27, 2026 ✍️ Masaru ⏱ 5-min read

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Have you ever found yourself confused at Yamato-Saidaiji Station (大和西大寺), unsure whether to get off the train — or stay on? You're not alone. I often see tourists having trouble with the train transfer on the way from Kyoto to Nara. That's exactly why I've put together this complete guide — so you can travel with confidence and enjoy every moment of your time in Nara.

So, please utilize this guide and enjoy your trip to Nara!

Step 1 — From Kyoto Station (Shinkansen) to Kintetsu Kyoto Station

If you've just arrived at Kyoto Station by Shinkansen (bullet train), follow these steps to reach Kintetsu Kyoto Station:

JR Kyoto Station — starting point before heading to the Kintetsu Line — 📍 You've arrived at JR Kyoto Station by Shinkansen. Now, let's head to Kintetsu!

1 Look for the instruction board pointing toward the Kintetsu Line (近鉄線).

Sign pointing toward the Kintetsu Line at Kyoto Station — 📍 Look for this sign — it points toward the Kintetsu Line.

Escalator down to the concourse level at Kyoto Station — 📍 Take the escalator down to the concourse level.

2 Follow the signs toward the Kintetsu Line (近鉄線) and keep walking straight.

Kintetsu Line signs in the Kyoto Station concourse — 📍 Follow the 近鉄線 (Kintetsu Line) signs in the concourse.

Approaching Kintetsu Kyoto Station from inside Kyoto Station — 📍 Keep going — Kintetsu Kyoto Station is just ahead!

3 After exiting the Shinkansen ticket gate, you've arrived at Kintetsu Kyoto Station!

Kintetsu Kyoto Station entrance — 📍 Welcome to Kintetsu Kyoto Station (近鉄京都駅)!

Step 2 — Buying Your Ticket at Kintetsu Kyoto Station

Before passing through the ticket gate, purchase your ticket at the Automatic Ticket Vending Machine.

Regular fare (Kintetsu Kyoto → Kintetsu Nara): ¥760

Once through the ticket gate, check the Departure Guide on the information board to find your train.

📍 Check the Departure Guide board inside Kintetsu Kyoto Station.

Your 4 Train Options from Kyoto to Nara

※ Fares and travel times are as of April 2026 and subject to change. Please check the latest information before your trip.

Depending on the time of day and your schedule, you have four options. See the comparison table below for a quick overview.

Comparison table of 4 Kintetsu train options from Kyoto to Nara — 📊 Kintetsu Kyoto → Nara: Travel Options Comparison Table

Platform departure board at Kintetsu Kyoto Station showing train destinations — 📍 Example platform board at Kintetsu Kyoto — check the Destination column!

1st Choice (Recommended) — Limited Express (Tokkyu / 特急): Direct & Fastest

The easiest, quickest, and most comfortable option is the Limited Express (Tokkyu / 特急) train, which runs directly to Kintetsu Nara Station with no transfer needed.

1 Limited Express — Direct to Kintetsu Nara Recommended

DestinationKintetsu Nara Station (direct — no transfer!)
Extra Ticket RequiredLimited Express ticket — ¥520
Total Cost¥760 + ¥520 = ¥1,280
Travel TimeApprox. 35 minutes

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Purchase the Limited Express surcharge ticket (¥520) at the Automatic Ticket Vending Machine on the platform — not at the main ticket gate.

2nd Choice — Express (Kyuko / 急行): Direct & Budget-Friendly

If the Limited Express is not available at your departure time, the Express (Kyuko / 急行) train to Kintetsu Nara Station is your next best choice. It also runs directly to Nara with no transfer needed and no extra charge.

2 Express — Direct to Kintetsu Nara

DestinationKintetsu Nara Station (direct — no transfer!)
Extra Ticket RequiredNone
Total Cost¥760 (regular fare only — no surcharge)
Travel TimeApprox. 50 minutes

3rd Choice — Express (Kyuko / 急行) toward Kashiharajingu-mae: Transfer Required

If neither of the above trains is available, you can take the Express (Kyuko) train bound for Kashiharajingu-mae. This option requires a little attention — you will need to transfer at Yamato-Saidaiji Station.

3 Express toward Kashiharajingu-mae — Transfer at Yamato-Saidaiji

Destination of Train You BoardKashiharajingu-mae
Transfer AtYamato-Saidaiji Station (大和西大寺)
Total Cost¥760 (regular fare only — no surcharge)
Travel TimeApprox. 52 minutes in total (Kyoto → Yamato-Saidaiji: approx. 40 min. / Transfer: 5–7 min. / Yamato-Saidaiji → Nara: approx. 5 min.)

4th Choice — Limited Express (Tokkyu / 特急) toward Kashiharajingu-mae: Transfer Required

Depending on the timetable, you may also find a Limited Express (Tokkyu) train bound for Kashiharajingu-mae. Like the 3rd Choice, this also requires a transfer at Yamato-Saidaiji Station.

4 Limited Express toward Kashiharajingu-mae — Transfer at Yamato-Saidaiji

Destination of Train You BoardKashiharajingu-mae
Transfer AtYamato-Saidaiji Station (大和西大寺)
Extra Ticket RequiredLimited Express ticket — ¥520 (for the Kyoto → Yamato-Saidaiji leg only)
Total Cost¥1,280
Travel TimeApprox. 42 minutes in total (Kyoto → Yamato-Saidaiji: approx. 30 min. / Transfer: 5–7 min. / Yamato-Saidaiji → Nara: approx. 5 min.)

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Note for subway users: If you are coming by subway from Kyoto, you can transfer to the Kintetsu Line at Takeda Station. Please refer to the four options above for which train to take from there.

Takeda Station — transfer point for subway users coming from Kyoto — 📍 Takeda Station — transfer point for subway users.

How to Transfer at Yamato-Saidaiji Station (For 3rd & 4th Choice Riders)

If you chose the 3rd or 4th option, here is how to transfer smoothly at Yamato-Saidaiji Station:

Yamato-Saidaiji Station — the transfer point for trains to Kintetsu Nara — 📍 Yamato-Saidaiji Station (大和西大寺) — your transfer point.

1 Get off the train (Limited Express or Express toward Kashiharajingu-mae) at Yamato-Saidaiji Station. Don't miss it!

2 Look at the information board on the platform for the next train to Kintetsu Nara.

Large departure board at Yamato-Saidaiji Station showing trains to Nara — 📍 The large departure board at Yamato-Saidaiji Station — find the train bound for Nara.

3 In most cases, your next train to Nara departs from the same platform right in front of you — either Platform No. 1 or No. 2. No need to go upstairs!

Platform 2 at Yamato-Saidaiji Station — Express train to Kintetsu Nara — 📍 Platform 2 — Express to Nara. This is the one to take!

Platform 1 at Yamato-Saidaiji Station — also serves trains to Kintetsu Nara — 📍 Platform 1 is right next to it. Check the destination board and look for "Nara".

4 If you're unsure, go up to the concourse to check the information board. But in almost all cases, you'll find the right train right on the same platform.

Yamato-Saidaiji Station concourse — platforms are just down the stairs — 📍 Yamato-Saidaiji Station concourse. The platforms are just down the stairs.

5 Board the train to Kintetsu Nara and enjoy the short 5-minute ride!

Important! Kintetsu Nara vs. JR Nara — Don't Mix Them Up!

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Please be careful: Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station are two completely different stations, located about 20–30 minutes apart on foot. If you take the Kintetsu Line as described in this guide, you will arrive at Kintetsu Nara Station — and that's actually the better starting point for sightseeing!

Famous Sights Near Kintetsu Nara Station

Kintetsu Nara Station puts you within easy walking distance of Nara's most iconic spots:

🦌 Nara Park

Home to hundreds of freely roaming wild deer — one of Japan's most unique natural experiences.

🏯 Kofukuji Temple

Famous for its stunning Asura statue, one of the most celebrated Buddhist sculptures in Japan.

⛩ Todaiji Temple

Housing the awe-inspiring Great Buddha of Nara — the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world.

🏮 Kasuga Grand Shrine

Known for its beautiful moss-covered stone lanterns and serene forest atmosphere.

Enjoy Your Trip to Nara! 🌸

We hope this guide helps you travel from Kyoto to Nara with ease and total peace of mind. No more confusion at Yamato-Saidaiji Station! Have a wonderful time exploring the ancient and beautiful city of Nara.