Kyoto to Kobe by train: time, fare and last train

From Kyoto to Kobe, the JR Special Rapid takes 51 min from Kyoto Station for 1,110 yen, and the Hikari on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen takes 26 min from Kyoto Station for 2,870 yen. JR Central's timetable for Wednesday 14 October 2026 lists 75 trains from Kyoto Station to Shin-Kobe Station, the first at 06:55 and the last at 23:05.

Updated October 3, 2026

26 minfastest train (Hikari 731)

2,870 yenreserved seat, one way

75trains a day (14 October 2026)

No changeRapid trainShinkansen

Ways from Kyoto to Kobe

Times and fares from JR's own search for trains on Wednesday 14 October 2026.

Ways from Kyoto to Kobe: journey time, fares, trains a day, first and last train
Service	Quickest	Reserved seat	Non-reserved	Trains a day	First / last
JR Special RapidKyoto → Sannomiya	51 min	1,110 yen	—	—	05:21 / 23:29
Hikari on the Tokaido and Sanyo ShinkansenKyoto → Shin-Kobe	26 min	2,870 yen	—	75	06:55 / 23:05

How long each way takes

JR Special Rapid51 min

Hikari on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen26 min

JR Special Rapid and local trains

Fastest: 51 min
Fare: 1,110 yen
First train: 05:21
Last train: 23:29

From: Kyoto Station
To: Sannomiya Station
Fastest: 51 min (Special Rapid, 10:00 → 10:51)
Fare: 1,110 yen (basic fare only; no seat ticket needed)
Paid seat: +840 yen for a reserved seat on some trains (Special Rapid)
First train: 05:21 → 06:24 (Rapid 701)
Last train: 23:29 → 00:22 (Special Rapid)
Distance: 73.4 km by JR's fare distance

Hikari on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen

Fastest: 26 min
Reserved seat: 2,870 yen
Trains a day: 75
Last train: 23:05

From: Kyoto Station
To: Shin-Kobe Station
Fastest: 26 min (Hikari 731, 07:20 → 07:46)
Reserved seat: 2,870 yen = basic fare 1,110 yen + limited express charge 1,760 yen
Trains a day: 75 on 14 October 2026: 61 Nozomi and 14 Hikari. JR Central marks 10 of them as trains that run only on some days or change their stops by day.
First train: 06:55 → 07:23 (Nozomi 101)
Last train: 23:05 → 23:32 (Nozomi 95)

Children aged 6 to 11 pay half of the basic fare and of the limited express charge.

Large suitcases on the Shinkansen

On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, the size of your bag decides whether you need a special seat.

Up to 160 cm: Overhead racks, no reservation needed
161 to 250 cm: Reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area when you buy the ticket
Over 250 cm: Cannot be taken on board
No reservation: A 1,000 yen fee if you board with an oversized bag without one

The size is the total of length, width and height.

Kobe to Kyoto

The same trains run the other way.

JR trains: first train: 05:02 → 06:26 (Local train)
JR trains: last train: 23:36 → 00:30 (Special Rapid)
Hikari: first train: 06:10 → 06:37 (Nozomi 66)
Hikari: last train: 22:16 → 22:45 (Nozomi 108)
Hikari: trains a day: 76 on 14 October 2026: 64 Nozomi and 12 Hikari

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take from Kyoto to Kobe?

26 min at the fastest by the Hikari on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen. The train leaving Kyoto Station at 07:20 takes 26 min.

How much is the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Kobe?

2,870 yen for one adult one way, with no seat ticket needed.

What time is the last train from Kyoto to Kobe?

The last train leaves Kyoto Station at 23:05 and reaches Shin-Kobe Station at 23:32 (Nozomi 95). The first leaves at 06:55.

What is the cheapest way from Kyoto to Kobe?

JR Special Rapid at 1,110 yen, taking 51 min at the fastest.

Can I take a large suitcase on the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Kobe?

Yes, up to a total of 250 cm. Bags over 160 cm need a seat with an oversized baggage area, reserved when you buy the ticket; without it there is a 1,000 yen fee.

How far is Kyoto from Kobe?

73.4 km by JR's fare distance between Kyoto Station and Sannomiya Station.