JR Trains Kyoto to Narita

Hi there,

What would be the fastest and simplest route from Kyoto to Narita that's covered by JRPass (no Nozomi...)?

We've a 5.45pm flight to catch and plan to take an early train out abt 9am+. I believe the journey takes 4.5hrs. As we're travelling with 3 kids so has quite a bit of luggage. We're worried about the possibility of missing connecting trains. Should this be an issue?

Also, do we need to reserve seats on these trains?

Thanks in advance!!

Take a hikari train from Kyoto to Tokyo (Tokyo or Shinagawa Station) and transfer to the Narita Express. You can get timetables by selecting the "except Nozomi checkbox":
http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi

Thanks Uji! Does JRPass allow travel on limited express trains?

Thanks again.

Yes, JR limited express trains are covered.

Isee,
With the JR Rail Pass you can have free seat reservation on the JR hikari shinkansen between Kyoto and Tokyo. You must have free seat reservation for the Narita Express. But please note: The kids holding JR Railpass child ( from 6 to 11 years old ) will get same free seat reservation. A kid below 6 years needs no JR Railpass, travels for free but will not receive a seatreservation.
If you only travel Kyoto - Narita airport by train during your stay in Japan the adult ticket is Yen 17 000 compared to adult 7 day JR Railpass at Yen 28 300, so JR Railpass is more expensive than single tickets.

Kyoto --Shinkansen Hikari-- Shinagawa --Narita Express-- NRT

9:29 - 12:03/12:23 - 13:29
9:56 - 12:33/12:50 - 13:59
10:29 - 13:03/13:20 - 14:29
10:56 - 13:33/13:50 - 14:59
11:29 - 14:03/14:20 - 15:29
11:56 - 14:40/14:50 - 15:59

However please note that a long distance travel on the exact day of international flight may involves some risk of late arrival at the airport. Refer to the thread in the link.

http://tinyurl.com/5qajuc

Thanks, Uji, Peter & optimistk.

Yes, we were concerned abt missing the train. I guess we should take the early 9.29am train to have time for delays. We didn't want to stay over at Tokyo as it would involve lugging our luggages. Also, we would be staying in Tokyo 9 nights before going Kyoto.