---
title: Kyoto to Hakuba
date: 2017-10-27T15:15:00+09:00
author: The Hakuba Collection
canonical_url: "https://thehakubacollection.com/hakuba/access/kyoto-to-hakuba"
section: Hakuba
---
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- Kyoto to Hakuba
 
# Kyoto to Hakuba

Compare the best ways to travel from Kyoto to Hakuba by Shinkansen, bus or car. See journey times, fares and the easiest route with luggage.

    ![Kyoto To Hakuba](https://hakubacollection.imgix.net/hakuba/kyoto-to-hakuba.jpg?auto=compress&crop=focalpoint&domain=hakubacollection.imgix.net&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=270&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=480) ## Kyoto to Hakuba Bullet Train + Express Train + Bus

 

Bullet train from Kyoto Station to Nagoya Station, transfer to the Shinano limited express to Nagano Station, then transfer to the bus from Nagano to Hakuba. This is the easiest way to reach Hakuba from Kyoto. You can reserve the Shinkansen and Shinano tickets using [smartEX](https://smart-ex.jp/en/). **Estimated time and cost: approximately 5 hours, ¥14,000 per adult and ¥7,000 per child.**

A scenic alternative runs via the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Take the Thunderbird limited express from Kyoto to Tsuruga, where it now terminates, and change there to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which runs through Kanazawa to Nagano. From Nagano, take the bus or a chartered taxi to Hakuba. From Nagano, take the bus or a chartered taxi to Hakuba. (Note: since March 2024 the Thunderbird terminates at Tsuruga, so the transfer is now at Tsuruga — not Kanazawa.) You can reserve using the JR West online reservation system. **Estimated time and cost: approximately 4.5 hours, ¥15,890 per adult and ¥8,000 per child.**

 

## Chartered Taxi from Kyoto to Hakuba

 

[Sakura Transfer](https://www.sakuratransfer.com/) operates door-to-door charters from Kyoto to Hakuba. Their published rates are around ¥189,000 for a nine-seat minibus with room for roughly fourteen medium cases, and ¥378,000 for a eighteen-seater including tolls.

This is a third-party operator — book with them directly and confirm current pricing, which moves with the season.

 

 [ Reserve Sakura Transfer  ](https://www.sakuratransfer.com/ "Reserve Sakura Transfer") 

 

## Kyoto to Hakuba Bus

 

There are overnight buses from Kyoto Station to the Hakuba area, operated by Alpico and JamJam. Departures run roughly 22:15–23:55 with early-morning arrivals around 6:20–6:55. **Estimated journey: 7–8 hours. See fares by operator below.**

 

    Company Journey from Departure Arrival Stop Adult Child     Jam Jam Kyoto 22:15 6:20 Happo Lawson Store ¥6,500 ~ ¥6,500 ~   Alpico Kyoto 23:55 6:55 Happo Bus Terminal ¥10,000 ¥5,000    

 

 [ Reserve Alpico Bus  ](https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/inbound/inbPlanList?lineId=246&offStationCd=277 "Reserve Alpico Bus") 

 

 [ Reserve JamJam Bus  ](https://jamjamliner.jp/kansai_ski/SL00433_75.html "Reserve JamJam Bus") 

 

## Car Rental from Kyoto to Hakuba

 

Estimated driving time: approximately 5.5 hours (about 370 km). A Toyota Noah runs around ¥20,900 per day from Toyota Rent a Car. Expressway tolls are approximately ¥9,000–10,000 one-way.

Please remember that if you are coming to Hakuba in the wintertime, you will need to reserve a 4WD with winter tires as a special option with availability, depending on the pick-up location.

 

******We strive to maintain accurate information, but please notify us of any errors or omissions. Thank you.******