City Bus
The bus network covers all major attractions. The Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass costs ¥700 and gives unlimited rides for the day — it pays for itself after 4 rides (base fare ¥230). Buy it at the bus information center in Kyoto Station or from the driver.
Key routes: Bus 100 (Kyoto Station — Kinkaku-ji via Kiyomizu-dera), Bus 206 (Kyoto Station circuit), Bus 12 (Arashiyama). Buses accept IC cards (Suica, ICOCA) but NOT the bus pass on IC — you must get the physical pass.
Beat the crowds: Buses are packed from 10 AM–4 PM. Use them early morning or after 5 PM. For midday travel, walking or subway is often faster.
Subway
Kyoto has two subway lines: the Karasuma Line (north-south) and the Tozai Line (east-west). A one-day subway pass costs ¥800. The subway is faster than buses for cross-city travel and connects to the JR lines at several stations. Useful for reaching Kinkaku-ji (Karasuma to Kitaoji + bus) and eastern Kyoto.
Bicycle
Kyoto is flat and compact — perfect for cycling. Many rental shops near Kyoto Station offer bikes from ¥1,000/day. Popular routes include the Kamo River path and the Philosopher's Path. Our complete cycling guide covers rental shops, routes, and rules.
IC Cards (Suica / ICOCA)
These rechargeable cards work on all trains, buses, and even convenience stores across Japan. Tap to enter and exit — no tickets needed. You can now add Suica to your iPhone/Android (Apple Wallet or Google Pay). Load at least ¥3,000 for a day of travel.
Taxi
Useful for late nights (buses stop around midnight) or reaching places with poor bus connections. Base fare starts at ¥500 for the first 1.2 km. Doors open and close automatically — don't touch them. Uber works in Kyoto but is less common than in Tokyo.
Walking
Many of Kyoto's best areas are walkable. The entire eastern Higashiyama district (Kiyomizu-dera to Ginkaku-ji) can be covered in a half-day walk. Our 3-day itinerary includes walking routes for each day.
Recommended combo: Subway in the morning (before buses fill up), walking for eastern Kyoto districts, bus for northern temples, bicycle for river paths and longer distances. One-day bus pass + subway day pass covers most needs.