Tokyo
How to get from Tokyo to Hakone
Take the Odakyu limited express from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto: about 85–100 minutes, roughly ¥2,300–2,500 (2026 estimate, check). It is the fastest and simplest option; a bus is cheaper but slower. Book a reserved seat in autumn or on weekends, when trains fill (check).
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Key facts
- Fastestcheck
- Odakyu limited express, Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, about 85–100 min (check)
- Cheapestcheck
- Odakyu express or highway bus, roughly ¥1,000–2,300 (2026 estimate, check)
- Main station
- Hakone-Yumoto, then switch to the mountain railway, bus or ropeway
- Book aheadcheck
- Reserved seats recommended on weekends, holidays and autumn (check)
- Fuji views
- Clearest October to February; the ropeway and Lake Ashi are the best spots
Options compared
Hakone sits about 90 km southwest of central Tokyo. Almost everyone starts at Shinjuku, where the Odakyu line runs to Hakone-Yumoto, the gateway town for the onsen, the mountain railway and the ropeway. From there local transport takes over.
The train is the default. The limited express is the quickest and most comfortable; the ordinary express is slower but cheaper. Highway buses leave from Tokyo and cost less, but they sit in traffic and arrive at the same gateway. Driving is possible but parking in Hakone is tight and the mountain roads are slow.
| Mode | Time | Price (2026 estimate) | Frequency | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odakyu limited express (Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto) | 85–100 min (check) | ¥2,300–2,500 (check) | Check | Odakyu |
| Odakyu express (Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto) | About 2 h (check) | ¥1,200–1,300 (check) | Check | Odakyu |
| Highway bus (Tokyo → Hakone) | 2–2.5 h (check) | ¥1,000–2,000 (check) | Check | Odakyu / JR Bus |
| Shinkansen + local train (Tokyo → Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto) | About 1 h 30 min (check) | ¥4,000–4,500 (check) | Check | JR Central / JR East |
| Car (Tokyo → Hakone) | 1.5–2.5 h (check) | Tolls and fuel, check | Any time | Self-drive |
Prices are one-way per adult and are 2026 estimates; check current fares and timetables with the operator.
How to book
Reserve the Odakyu limited express through the operator's official site, at a ticket office in Shinjuku, or at a machine. Reserved seats cost a little more than unreserved. On weekdays outside holidays you can usually buy a seat on the day, but weekends and autumn fill up (check).
Highway buses also sell reserved seats and can sell out in peak season (check). If you are using a Japan Rail Pass, note that the Odakyu line is not covered; the JR route via Odawara is (check). Compare the pass against point-to-point fares before buying.
For the Hakone loop itself, a free pass covering the mountain railway, ropeway, boats and buses is sold by Odakyu and usually pays off if you are doing the full circuit (check).
- Book the limited express as soon as your dates are fixed in October and November (check).
- Buy the Hakone free pass at Shinjuku before you leave; it covers the loop (check).
- Keep your ticket or IC card handy for the transfer at Hakone-Yumoto.
Tips
Start early. The ropeway and Lake Ashi are busiest from late morning, and clouds often build over Fuji by midday (check). Leaving Shinjuku before 8am gives you the clearest window and a quieter loop (check).
Pack light. Hakone's buses and the mountain railway have limited space, and many onsen inns are a short walk from the stop. Forwarding bags to your next city is easier than hauling them up the mountain.
Check the weather before you commit to the ropeway. Strong wind can close it, and volcanic activity has closed sections before; have a bus or boat alternative in mind (check).
Questions people ask
How long does it take to get from Tokyo to Hakone?
The Odakyu limited express from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto takes about 85–100 minutes (check). The ordinary express takes around two hours, and a highway bus takes two to two and a half hours depending on traffic (check).
What is the cheapest way to get from Tokyo to Hakone?
The highway bus and the ordinary Odakyu express are the cheapest, roughly ¥1,000–2,300 one way (2026 estimate, check). The limited express costs more but saves around an hour.
Do I need to book in advance from Tokyo to Hakone?
Not always, but reserved seats on the limited express are worth booking for weekends, holidays and autumn (check). Buses also sell reserved seats and can sell out in peak season (check).
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialOdakyu Electric Railway
- officialJR Central
- officialHakone Navi (Hakone Tourist Association)