All routes · Japan Transportation
How to get from Kyoto to Kanazawa
Every practical way to travel from Kyoto to Kanazawa, compared on time, cost and changes.
Kyoto Station → Kanazawa Station
Your options
Train (Limited Express / Local)
Fastest- Journey time
- 2h 15m
- Typical fare
- ¥7,760
- Changes
- 1
Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga, then Limited Express Thunderbird
Book tickets on KlookJR Hokuriku Arch Pass (7-day)
Highway Bus
Cheapest- Journey time
- 4h
- Typical fare
- ¥4,200
- Changes
- Direct
Journey times and fares are typical one-way figures for a standard seat, not live quotes. Peak-season, reserved-seat and green-car prices run higher — always confirm at the time of booking.
Some links are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What to know
Since the 2024 Hokuriku Shinkansen extension this is no longer a single through train — you change at Tsuruga. It still runs under two and a half hours, and the highway bus is roughly half the price if you're not in a hurry.
Is a rail pass worth it?
This journey alone comes to about ¥15,520 return, so a nationwide pass will not pay for itself on this trip. A regional pass is the better question — check the one below against your full itinerary.
Frequently asked
- What is the fastest way to get from Kyoto to Kanazawa?
- Train (Limited Express / Local) — about 2h 15m for a typical fare of ¥7,760.
- What is the cheapest way to get from Kyoto to Kanazawa?
- Highway Bus — about 4h for a typical fare of ¥4,200.
- How long does it take to get from Kyoto to Kanazawa?
- Train (Limited Express / Local) — about 2h 15m for a typical fare of ¥7,760.