Tokyo and Nagoya are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 100 minutes to reach Nagoya from Tokyo, Hikari trains about 110 minutes and Kodama trains about three hours. The regular one way fare is 10,360 yen for a non-reserved seat on any train, and around 11,000 yen for a reserved seat. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Hikari and Kodama trains but not on Nozomi trains.
With the "Puratto Kodama Economy Plan", you can travel between the two cities by reserved seat on a Kodama train for only 8300 yen, but the plan has to be purchased at least one day in advance.
The one way trip from Tokyo to Nagoya by highway bus takes about five to six hours. There are daytime and overnight buses. One way fares by conventional bus operators are around 5000 yen, while fares by discount bus operators, such as Willer Express, start from around 2500 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer.
By local trains, the one way trip from Tokyo to Nagoya takes about six hours and typically involves about three transfers of trains. The regular fare is a relatively expensive 6260 yen, however, with a Seishun 18 Kippu you could theoretically do the trip for as little as 2370 yen.
The one way journey between Nagoya Station and Central Japan Airport by Meitetsu Railways takes 30 minutes and costs 870 yen for a non-reserved seat and 1230 yen for a reserved seat. The airport trains also provide direct connections to Inuyama and Gifu City. To reach Toyohashi, a transfer of trains is required at Jingu-mae Station.
Several types of trains run between the airport and central Nagoya: Myu Sky limited express trains carry only reserved seats while limited express trains (tokkyu) have both reserved and non-reserved sections. All other types of trains, such as express and local trains, carry only non-reserved seats and are distinctly slower than the limited express trains.
The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on Meitetsu trains.
Meitetsu Bus operates buses between the airport and several locations around Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture and surrounding prefectures. In particular, there is a bus service connecting the airport with several hotels in central Nagoya, the bus terminal in Sakae and the Meitetsu Bus Center next to Nagoya Station once every two hours. The one way ride costs 1200 yen and takes between 45 and 85 minutes depending on the bus stop.
A taxi ride into central Nagoya costs about 12,500 yen.
Nagoya (Nagoya Station) and Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) are connected by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 50 minutes for the trip between Nagoya Station and Shin-Osaka Station, while Hikari and Kodama trains take between 55 and 70 minutes. The regular one way fare is 5830 yen for a non-reserved seat and around 6500 yen for a reserved seat. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Hikari and Kodama trains but not on Nozomi trains.
With the "Puratto Kodama Economy Plan", you can travel between the two cities with a reserved seat on a Kodama train for only 4400 yen, but the plan has to be purchased at least one day in advance.
The one way trip between Osaka and Nagoya by highway bus takes about three hours and costs about 3000 yen. Discount bus operators, such as Willer Express, offer fares from around 2500 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer and Japan Bus Online.
By local trains on the JR Tokaido Main Line the one way trip between Shin-Osaka and Nagoya takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes and requires a transfer of trains at Maibara Station. The one way fare is 3350 yen, however, with a Seishun 18 Kippu you could theoretically do the trip for just 2370 yen.
Direct "Urban Liner" limited express trains between Nagoya Station and Namba Station in central Osaka take just over two hours and cost 4260 yen one way. By express trains, the one way trip costs only 2360 yen, but takes 3.5 hours and requires several transfers along the way.
JR Shirasagi limited express trains provide a direct connection between Nagoya and Kanazawa every 1-2 hours. The one way journey takes three hours and costs 6810 yen for a non-reserved seat or about 7500 yen for a reserved seat. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
The journey by local JR trains takes about 6.5 hours and typically involves 3-6 transfers of trains along the way. The one way fare is 4430 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Alternatively, with a Seishun 18 Kippu you can do the trip for as little as 2370 yen.
The one way ride between Nagoya and Kanazawa by highway bus takes about four hours and costs 4180 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 6700 yen and is valid for four days. There are about ten round trips per day, operated by Hokutetsu and Meitetsu Bus.
Gifu Bus operates multiple direct buses per day between Nagoya (Meitetsu Bus Center next to Nagoya Station) and Shirakawa-go. Travel time is roughly three hours, and the fare is 3900 yen one way. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on this bus. Online bookings can be made through Willer.
Gifu Bus operates one round trip bus per day between Meitetsu Bus Center (next to JR Nagoya Station) and Shirakawago that stops at the Jokamachi Plaza bus stop in central Gujo along the way. The one way trip between Nagoya and Gujo takes 80 minutes and costs 2210 yen.
Nohi Bus, Meitetsu and JR Tokai Bus operate nine round trips per day between Nagoya (Meitetsu Bus Center) and Takayama, which stop along the way at "Gujo-Hachiman Inter", a bus stop which is located along the expressway outside of the town center. The one way trip between Nagoya and Gujo takes 90 minutes and costs 1850 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 3190 yen and is valid for four days.
Gifu Bus also operates multiple round trips between Gifu (Meitetsu and JR Gifu Stations) and Gujo, all of which stop in the town center. The one way trip takes about 75 minutes and costs 1520 yen. Gifu can be reached from Nagoya Station by JR or Meitetsu trains in less than 30 minutes and for around 500 yen.
None of the above buses are covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Gujo is connected by Nagaragawa Railway with Mino-Ota Station (80 minutes, 1350 yen, not covered by the Japan Rail Pass), from where you can catch a JR limited express train (40 minutes, about 2500 yen) or local trains (70 minutes, 970-1140 yen via Tajimi or Gifu) to Nagoya.
Direct Kintetsu limited express trains (tokkyu) connect Nagoya and Ise (Iseshi or Ujiyamada Station) in 80 minutes. The one way fare is 2770 yen. All seats are reserved. Many trains continue to Toba and Kashikojima. By slower express trains (kyuko), the trip takes about 100 minutes, but costs only 1450 yen. There is one direct connection per hour, and several more connections which require one transfer of trains at Ise-Nakagawa Station. All seats are non-reserved.
Direct "Mie" rapid trains (kaisoku) require roughly 90 minutes for the journey between Nagoya and Ise (Iseshi Station). The one way trip costs 2000 yen. There is about one train per hour. Most trains continue to Toba. Note to Japan Rail Pass holders: Because the "Mie" rapid train partially uses non-JR tracks, pass holders have to pay a supplemental fee of 510 yen (one way) on board of the train.
Mie Kotsu operates multiple highway buses per day between Nagoya (Meitetsu Bus Center next to Nagoya Station) and Iga Ueno (Ueno Sangyo Kaikan next to Uenoshi Station). The one way journey takes about 100 minutes and costs 1850 yen.
Take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line from Nagoya to Ise-Nakagawa (60 minutes by limited express, 75 minutes by express) and transfer to the Kintetsu Osaka Line to get to Iga-Kambe Station (20 minutes by limited express, 35 minutes by express). Finally take the Iga Railway to Ueno-shi Station (25 minutes). The entire trip takes two hours and costs 3240 yen by limited express trains (tokkyu) and 2.5 hours and 1920 yen by express trains (kyuko). There is usually one connection per hour.
Take the JR Kansai Line from Nagoya to Iga-Ueno Station (120-140 minutes, 1660 yen) with one transfer at Kameyama Station. From Iga-Ueno Station take the Iga Railway to Ueno-shi Station (5 minutes, 260 yen). Depending on the connections, the whole journey takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. There is usually one connection per hour. The trip is covered by the Japan Rail Pass except for the section of the Iga Railway.
To access Magome, take the JR Shinano limited express from Nagoya to Nakatsugawa Station (50 minutes, approx. 3000 yen). From Nakatsugawa, Magome can be reached in a 30 minute bus ride (see timetable).
To access Tsumago, take the JR Shinano limited express from Nagoya to Nagiso Station (75 minutes, approx. 3000 yen). Note, however, that many limited express trains do not stop at Nagiso Station, in which case you should transfer to a local train at Nakatsugawa Station. From Nagiso Station, Tsumago can be reached in a short taxi or bus ride (see timetable).
To access Narai, take the JR Shinano limited express train from Nagoya to Kiso-Fukushima Station (85 minutes) and transfer to a local train to Narai Station (20 minutes). The entire one way trip costs around 4500 yen.
Local trains along the JR Chuo Line connect Nagoya with Nakatsugawa (70 minutes, 1320 yen), Nagiso (90 minutes, 1660 yen) and Narai (3 hours, 2590 yen).
Many highway buses, which run along the Chuo Expressway between Nagoya and Nagano (e.g. buses along the Nagoya-Iida route), stop at "Chuodo Magome" bus stop, which is located in the Misaka parking area along the expressway. From the bus stop, Magome can be reached in about a 20 minute walk. The one way journey between Nagoya and Chuodo Magome takes about 90 minutes and costs 1860 yen.
Nagoya and Nagano are connected by hourly JR Shinano limited express trains. The one way trip takes around three hours, costs about 7000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
The one way journey by local trains takes between 5.5 and 6.5 hours and typically requires two transfers of trains along the way. The one way fare is 4430 yen, but can be as little as 2370 yen with a Seishun 18 Kippu.
Meitetsu and Alpico operate four daytime highway buses per day between Nagoya (Meitetsu Bus Center) and Nagano Station. The one way journey takes about 4.5 hours and costs around 4000 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer.
Nagoya and surroundings are served by multiple railway companies and six subway lines. Japan Railways (JR) including the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train), Meitetsu Railways, Kintetsu Railways, the Aonami Line and two subway lines converge at Nagoya Station.
A network of bus lines complements the rail network, but it is not easy to use for foreigners. The exception is the Meguru loop bus for tourists, which connects Nagoya Station with several of the city's main tourist attractions.
The most convenient means of getting around Nagoya for foreign visitors are the city's six subway lines. Color coded and thoroughly bilingual, they are easy to navigate, and provide convenient access to most of central Nagoya's attractions.
This loop bus line for tourists connects Nagoya Station with many of Nagoya's major sights, including the Toyota Techno Museum, Noritake Garden, Nagoya Castle, the Tokugawa Art Museum and Sakae. Buses operate every 20-30 minutes on weekends and every 30-60 minutes on weekdays, but they do not operate on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) when the museums are closed. The fare is 210 yen per ride or 500 yen for a day pass for unlimited rides on one calendar day.
JR connects Nagoya via the Tokaido Shinkansen with Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Other JR lines commencing or passing through Nagoya are the Tokaido Main Line, Chuo Line (to Kiso Valley, Nagano), Kansai Line (in direction of Ise) and Takayama Line (to Takayama). While they are useful for side trips out of Nagoya, the JR lines are not very useful for getting around the city of Nagoya.
Meitetsu Railways operates numerous railway lines from Nagoya Station into Nagoya's suburbs and surrounding regions. Meitetsu's main station is located in the basement below JR Nagoya Station and is also known as Meitetsu Nagoya Station. Of interest to foreign travelers are the Inuyama Line (to Inuyama), Toyota Line (to Toyota) and the Airport Line (to Central Japan Airport).
Kintetsu Railways connects Nagoya Station with Ise and various cities in the Kansai region, including Nara and Osaka.
The Linimo started service as Japan's first maglev train in March 2005. It operates between Fujigaoka and Yakusa Stations and provided access to the Expo 2005 site.
Toica (by JR) and Manaca (by Meitetsu and Nagoya Subway) are the prepaid IC cards that can be purchased in Nagoya and used on virtually all trains, subways and buses in the Greater Nagoya region (and many other major cities in Japan) instead of cash. Furthermore, eight IC cards from other major cities of Japan can also be used on the trains and buses of Nagoya, including Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, Pitapa, Sugoca, Nimoca and Hayakaken.
Not available to residents of Japan, this ticket provides unlimided use of subways and city buses (including the Meguru loop pass) on one calendar day. It can be purchased at Central Japan Airport and a small number of tourist information centers and ticket counters in central Nagoya (around Nagoya, Kanayama and Sakae stations).
Unlimited use of subways on one calendar day. Available at vending machines in subway stations and at ticket counters.
Unlimited use of subways and city buses (including the Meguru loop bus) on one calendar day. Available at vending machines in subway stations, at ticket counters and from bus drivers.
This one-day pass is valid only on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and on the 8th of every month. It provides unlimited use of subways and city buses (including the Meguru loop bus) on one calendar day. It is available at vending machines in major subway stations, at ticket counters and from bus drivers.