How To Travel From Osaka To Nagoya

How To Travel From Osaka To Nagoya: Fastest & Cheapest

by | posted in: Chubu Japan, Kansai Japan | 0

Last updated on November 18th, 2024

If you want to get from Osaka to Nagoya, or from Nagoya to Osaka, this transport guide will help you make an informed decision listing the different options based on traveling time and budget.

Osaka and Nagoya are the two main entry points when traveling in Japan. Both are located on Japan’s biggest island Honshu and are situated around 180 kilometers away.

For budget concerns and some other reasons, if you are landing at Kansai KIX airport and would like to go to Nagoya; or landing at Chubu International Airport and would like to go to Osaka, it is important to know and arrange the transport.

Rest assured. Thanks to Japan’s extensive transport network, there are a few options for getting from Osaka to Nagoya, or from Nagoya to Osaka. It can be done hassle-free with different options to choose from. Some are the fastest and some are the cheapest. Get the one that is best suitable for your travel plan and budget.

Transport Options: From Osaka To Nagoya

From Osaka To Nagoya

Here’s a quick overview on how to get from Osaka to Nagoya; or from Nagoya to Osaka:

Transport OptionTraveling TimeFareTransport Pass
Shinkansen50 -70 minutesReserved Seat: ¥6500JR Pass
Local JR Trainfrom 160 minutesabout ¥3,400 

Kintetsu Railway Train

about 2 hoursReserved Seat: ¥4500Kintetsu Rail Pass
Highway Busabout 3 hoursfrom ¥1500 to ¥2500 

Pro Tips: Passes are cheaper when purchased outside of Japan, which you can do online. We recommended purchase via Klook with cheapest price and delivery options!

By Shinkansen

The fastest way to get from Nagoya to Osaka or vice versa is by taking the shinkansen or Japan’s bullet train.

Nagoya (Nagoya Station) and Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) are the primary terminal and are connected by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. There are several types of shinkansen that you can take: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. Nozomi trains require about 50 minutes for the trip, while Hikari and Kodama trains take between 55 and 70 minutes with more stops in between.

All the Shinkansen mentioned can take you from Osaka to Nagoya or vice versa. However, Kindly take note that if you’re holding a JR Pass, you won’t be able to use that on Nozomi trains. The good news is, both Hikari and Kodama trains accept JR Pass.

JR Shinkansen (Between Nagoya and Osaka)
Travel time: About 50 -70 minutes.
On-Way Fare (Non-Reserved Seat): ¥5940
On-Way Fare (Reserved Seat): ¥6500

Japan Transport Pass that Covers for Shinkansen between Nagoya and Osaka:

  • Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) – Valid for 7, 14, 21 consecutive days with unlimited travel across JR lines, including local buses, Miyajima Ferry, and more!

By Local JR Train

Besides, local JR trains are also can be traveling between Osaka and Nagoya. Depending on the train selected, the fastest JR train from Osaka to Nagoya will take about 2 hours and 45 minutes with at least one stop transfer required. The one-way fare is about ¥3410.

Local JR Train (Between Nagoya and Osaka)
Travel time: from 2 hours 45 minutes.
On-Way Fare: ¥3400

Japan Transport Pass that Covers for JR Train between Nagoya and Osaka:

Note that although Nagoya is a stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen, only the National JR Pass Rail Pass covers travel on the Tokaido Shinkansen. No direct JR train connect between Nagoya and Osaka, so traveling time can be range up to 3 to 4 hours depending on the stops and transfer time. 

By Kintetsu Railway Train

Aside from JR, there is another train company offering a direct train service from Osaka to Nagoya. Kintetsu (近鉄) is the biggest railway company in Japan with extensive railway connections. It connects Nagoya Station with Ise and various cities in the Kansai Region, including Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka.

Kintetsu trains run between Osaka (Osaka-Namba Station) and Nagoya (KintetsuNagoya Station). The Kintetsu-Nagoya is located just next to the JR Nagoya Station.

The direct limited express train takes about 2 hours with twice hourly. Generally, the ride will cost you about ¥4300 to ¥4500 for a one-way fare. All seats on the Limited Express trains are with seat reservations. While the much slower express trains will cost only ¥2410, it takes 3.5 hours with several transfers along the ride.

Kintetsu Limited Express Train (Between Nagoya and Osaka)
Travel time: About 2 hours
One-Way Fare (with Reserved Seat): ¥4500

Kintetsu Express Train (Between Nagoya and Osaka)
Travel time: from 3 hours 30 minutes
One-Way Fare: ¥2410

Kintetsu Official Website: https://www.kintetsu.co.jp/

Kintetsu Rail Pass

When comparing between JR local trains and Kintetsu, the Kintetsu Railway will be slight costly. But most travelers will choose this option as Kintetsu Railway is offering the Kintetsu Rail Pass that offer you unlimited access to the Kintetsu Railway network, which covers much of the Kansai Region and Nagoya. If you are planning to to visit Kyoto, Nara or even Mie, this is the best budget option!

Transport Pass from Kintetsu can be use to travel from Osaka to Nagoya: 

Take note that the Kintetsu Rail Pass for 1 Day and 2 Days is not covered up to Nagoya and Mie. So you are not able to use the train options from Nagoya to Osaka.

Also, the Kintetsu Rail Pass only covers the basic fare and you will need to top up for seat fees when using the Limited Express Train. From Osaka to Nagoya, the seat reservation fee costs about ¥2130. Travelers can make the seat reservation at the Kintetsu counter at the stations or Kintetsu Website: Here.

By Highway Bus

Using a highway bus is the cheapest option if you are looking for a budget option to travel between Nagoya and Osaka. Depending on the traffic, the journey usually takes around 3 hours. One-way fares can go as lowest from ¥1500 to ¥2500.

There are different bus station at Osaka and Nagoya, so make sure you know where to board the bus.

Highway Bus (Between Nagoya and Osaka)
Travel time: About 3 to 4 hours.
Fare: About ¥1500 to ¥2500.

Overview: Best Way to get from Osaka To Nagoya

All in all, we hope you have a better idea of how to get from Osaka to Nagora, or from Nagoya to Osaka. Obviously, the fastest and most convenient way is by using the Shinkansen and Japan Rail Pass can be very handy. But if budget is a concern, Kintetsu Railway is another good option and the Kintetsu Rail Pass (5 Days) can be used to save some money.

Lastly, if it’s your first time visiting Nagoya or Osaka, free feel to read through some travel blogs below for inspiration:

Related Transportation Guide on in Kansai region:

Related Transportation Guide on in Chubu region: