Kyoto Transportation Guide
Everything you need to know about getting to and around Kyoto, including trains, buses, passes, and money-saving tips.
Getting to Kyoto
From Tokyo
Tokaido Shinkansen
Duration: 2h 15min (Nozomi), 2h 45min (Hikari)
Cost: ¥13,320 (regular), ¥13,850 (reserved)
Frequency: Every 10 minutes (peak)
Tokyo Station → Kyoto Station
✓ Covered by JR Pass (Hikari/Kodama only)
Book TicketsFrom Osaka
From Kansai Airport (KIX)
Haruka Limited Express
Duration: 75 minutes (direct)
Cost: ¥3,430 (reserved seat)
Frequency: Every 30 minutes
Budget: Local trains 2h, ¥1,880
✓ Haruka covered by JR Pass
Getting Around Kyoto
Kyoto's public transportation is efficient and tourist-friendly. Most attractions are accessible by bus.
City Buses (Most Popular)
Overview
- • Extensive network covering all major sites
- • Flat fare: ¥230 (cash or IC card)
- • Operates: Approximately 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- • Board from rear, pay when exiting front
- • English announcements and digital displays
Day Pass (Highly Recommended)
- • ¥700 unlimited city bus rides
- • Pays for itself after just 3 rides (¥690)
- • Buy at Kyoto Station, tourist info, or from driver
- • Valid until last bus of purchase day
- • Insert into card reader when boarding
Key Routes: #5 (Ginkaku-ji, Heian Shrine), #100/#101 (temple circuit), #12 (Arashiyama), #205 (Kinkaku-ji), #206 (Kiyomizu-dera, Gion)
View Bus Routes & MapSubway (Fast & Efficient)
Two Lines
- • Karasuma Line (Green): Kyoto Station ↔ North
- • Tozai Line (Red): East ↔ West
- • Fare: ¥220-360 (distance-based)
- • Operates: 5:30 AM - 12:30 AM
- • Not covered by bus day pass
Key Stations
- • Kyoto: Main station, connection hub
- • Karasuma Oike: Transfer between lines
- • Keage: Nanzen-ji Temple area
- • Higashiyama: Eastern temple district
JR & Private Trains
JR Lines
Sagano/San-in Line: Arashiyama (15 min, ¥240)
Nara Line: Fushimi Inari (5 min, ¥150)
✓ JR Pass accepted
Keihan Line
Main Line: Gion, Fushimi Inari
Connects to Osaka and Uji
Useful for eastern temples
Hankyu Line
Kyoto Line: Kawaramachi downtown
Arashiyama Line: To bamboo grove area
Cheaper than JR to Osaka
Bicycle Rentals
Rental Details
- • Cost: ¥1,000-1,500/day (standard)
- • Electric bikes: ¥2,000-2,500/day
- • Many shops near Kyoto Station
- • Passport/deposit usually required
- • Kyoto is mostly flat (except hills)
Best Cycling Routes
- • Arashiyama riverside & bamboo grove
- • Philosopher's Path (2km canal path)
- • Downtown Kyoto & Nishiki Market
- • Kamo River bike paths
- • Avoid hilly areas (Higashiyama, Kiyomizu)
Taxis
- • Base fare: ¥600-700 (first 1-2 km)
- • After: ~¥80 per 300-400m
- • Night surcharge: +20% (10 PM-5 AM)
- • Widely available at stations
- • Many drivers don't speak English
- • Show destination in Japanese/map
Walking
- • Many temples clustered together
- • Higashiyama: Walk temple to temple
- • Gion to Kiyomizu: 20-25 minutes
- • Northern temples: 20-40 min apart
- • Kyoto is very walkable & safe
- • Combine walking with occasional buses
Money-Saving Passes & Tips
Kyoto Bus Pass
Unlimited bus rides for one day
- ✓ Best value for tourists
- ✓ Covers most attractions
- ✓ Easy to use
JR Pass (Nationwide)
7 days unlimited JR trains (2024 price)
- ✓ Includes most Shinkansen (not Nozomi/Mizuho)
- ✓ Perfect for Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka trips
- ✓ Must buy before arriving in Japan
- ✓ 14-day pass: ¥80,000
Pro Tips
💡 Save Money
- • Get ¥700 bus pass for 3+ rides/day (pays for itself)
- • Walk between nearby temples (free & scenic)
- • IC card gives slight discount over cash fares
- • JR Pass only worth it if visiting multiple cities
- • Rent bikes for Arashiyama/Philosopher's Path areas
⏰ Timing & Navigation
- • Avoid buses during rush hour (7:30-9 AM, 5-7 PM)
- • Start early - first buses around 6 AM
- • Last buses typically 9-11 PM (varies by route)
- • Google Maps works perfectly for Kyoto transit
- • "Japan Transit Planner" app is also excellent
Plan Your Kyoto Journey
Combine transportation with our curated itineraries for the perfect trip.
View Itineraries