Public Transportation of Kyoto
Kyoto was the central city of the ancient Japanese transportation network and now belongs to one of the three major metropolitan areas in Japan. The traffic situation in the urban area of Kyoto is different from the other major Japanese cities, with public transportation as the main transportation, and rail transit as a supplement between scenic spots. Because it is an ancient capital, there are many wooden buildings in the old city, so the ground routes in the city are mainly based on buses and all major attractions have bus stops. Trams, subways, and JRs, as well as a large number of private railways, are the aorta of Kyoto's public transport system. Generally speaking, a one-day bus ticket can be more convenient for sightseeing in the city. To go to various scenic spots in the suburbs, you will need to take the JR, subway, and private railway. So what public transportation methods do you have to take in Kyoto to get to the attracts you want to visit? What coupons are available in Kyoto? Here we have briefly summarized the traffic strategy of Kyoto for you. We hope it will help you prepare for your trip to Kyoto.
1) Kyoto Municipal Management Subway
Due to the protection of cultural relics, there are fewer subway lines in Kyoto. Only the Karasuma Line running north and south and the Tozai Line running east and west are interchanged between Karasuma-Oike Station. The Tozai Line can be interchanged with the JR Lines at the Kyoto Station and KEAGE. If you use the subway more than three times a day, it is recommended to purchase a subway day pass.
2) Public Bus in Kyoto
The most common public transportation in Kyoto is the city bus. The general city bus has a light green body with dark green stripes and colorful vehicles. Tourists get into the car from the back door and ring the bell in advance when you want to get off the bus to notify the driver. You get off the bus after inserting coins to pay for the ride. If you take the city bus more than three times a day, it is recommended to purchase a city bus day pass, which can be used free of charge multiple times a day within the range indicated on the ticket. Kyoto City has also set up RAKU BUS for foreign tourists on the tour routes of the three main attractions in the city. The body of the car is the scenery of the four seasons of Kyoto; it is very easy to identify. It provides an English broadcast service on the bus, which is most convenient for tourists. The choice of RAKU BUS is the same as the ordinary city buses.
100 RAKU BUS runs from Kyoto Station to Silver Pagoda. Attractions: Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka-jinja, Heian Shrine, Nanzen-ji Temple, Eikando Temple
101 RAKU BUS runs from Kinkaku-ji to Kyoto Station. Attractions: Nijo Castle, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Daitoku-ji Temple
102 RAKU BUS runs from Silver Pagoda to Kinkaku-ji. Attractions: Silver Pagoda, Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, Daitoku-ji
3) Tram in Kyoto
Randen: As an essential private railway to Kyoto's northwestern scenic area. Randen has two lines, usually at Shinjo-Omiya Station, where one goes to Arashiyama and the other to Kitano. There are two types of one-day tickets that are very cost-effective. The Randen one-day ticket can be freely loaded and unloaded throughout the entire journey, and the other option is a one-day ticket shared with the Kyoto Metro.
Sagano Sightseeing Railway: Traveling from Arashiyama to Sagano area, you can explore the beauty of Arashiyama, Sagano, and Kozukyo for 25 minutes. The first and last stations are Kameoka Station and Sagano Station. The more common choice is to take the JR Line from the city to Kameoka Station, then get off at Sagano Station to visit Arashiyama. Tickets can be purchased in advance at various ticket windows in the urban area. When you ride the car, you will need to take the seat specified on the ticket During the autumn season and cherry blossom season, tickets may even sell out in advance, so you need to prepare for the purchase of tickets in advance.
4) Transportation Card and Transportation Package
The universal transportation prepaid cards in Kyoto are PiTaPa and ICOCA. Whether you take the subway, bus, or private railway, you can get one and off according to the instructions and swipe the card. ICOCA applies to most public transportation systems in the Kansai region, and the JR and tram systems are also common in other parts of Japan. Cards can be purchased at the JR Station manual windows and automatic ticket machines.
PiTaPa is a transportation card with a joint hairstyle of private railway companies in the Kansai region. There are certain discounts for traveling. Because it is a real-name application and requires a Japanese bank account, it is not convenient for most foreign travelers. However, cards such as the Suica card, commonly used in Tokyo, and Kitaca in Hokkaido, can also be used in underground railways and buses in the Kyoto area.
There are many types of transportation packages available in the Kyoto area. In addition to the common one-day tickets for buses and subways, most of them are package tickets based on a certain scenic spot, including transportation and ticket discounts to the scenic spot. Transport packages include the KANSAI THRU PASS, Kyoto Sightseeing One-day Pass, Kyoto Sightseeing Two-day Pass, etc.
KANSAI THRU PASS, commonly known as KTP, is one of the discount tickets often used to travel to and from Kyoto. If you plan to travel significantly in the Kansai area within a short period, you can consider purchasing the KTP. After purchasing the card, you need to keep the magnetic card and swipe the card every time you enter or exit the station. You can purchase the pass at tourist centers at Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Kyoto, and central Nara.
For the Kyoto Sightseeing One-Day Pass and Kyoto Sightseeing Two-Day Pass, if your itinerary in Kyoto is relatively long, you can consider buying Kyoto's one-day and two-day tickets. Passes can be used throughout the day in designated sections of municipal buses, municipal subways, and Kyoto buses. You can purchase it at ticket machines in subway stations, manual service windows for subway and buses, and at some hotels.
TIPS: If you want a more comfortable trip, it is recommended to consider a private transfer service in Kyoto if you are within 250 kilometers. Our branches in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya can help provide you with satisfactory chauffeur services. The advantage of private transfer is the door to door drop off and pick up, which eliminates the hassle of transit and heavy luggage handling.
Kyoto was the central city of the ancient Japanese transportation network and now belongs to one of the three major metropolitan areas in Japan. The traffic situation in the urban area of Kyoto is different from the other major Japanese cities, with public transportation as the main transportation, and rail transit as a supplement between scenic spots. Because it is an ancient capital, there are many wooden buildings in the old city, so the ground routes in the city are mainly based on buses and all major attractions have bus stops. Trams, subways, and JRs, as well as a large number of private railways, are the aorta of Kyoto's public transport system. Generally speaking, a one-day bus ticket can be more convenient for sightseeing in the city. To go to various scenic spots in the suburbs, you will need to take the JR, subway, and private railway. So what public transportation methods do you have to take in Kyoto to get to the attracts you want to visit? What coupons are available in Kyoto? Here we have briefly summarized the traffic strategy of Kyoto for you. We hope it will help you prepare for your trip to Kyoto.
1) Kyoto Municipal Management Subway
Due to the protection of cultural relics, there are fewer subway lines in Kyoto. Only the Karasuma Line running north and south and the Tozai Line running east and west are interchanged between Karasuma-Oike Station. The Tozai Line can be interchanged with the JR Lines at the Kyoto Station and KEAGE. If you use the subway more than three times a day, it is recommended to purchase a subway day pass.
2) Public Bus in Kyoto
The most common public transportation in Kyoto is the city bus. The general city bus has a light green body with dark green stripes and colorful vehicles. Tourists get into the car from the back door and ring the bell in advance when you want to get off the bus to notify the driver. You get off the bus after inserting coins to pay for the ride. If you take the city bus more than three times a day, it is recommended to purchase a city bus day pass, which can be used free of charge multiple times a day within the range indicated on the ticket. Kyoto City has also set up RAKU BUS for foreign tourists on the tour routes of the three main attractions in the city. The body of the car is the scenery of the four seasons of Kyoto; it is very easy to identify. It provides an English broadcast service on the bus, which is most convenient for tourists. The choice of RAKU BUS is the same as the ordinary city buses.
100 RAKU BUS runs from Kyoto Station to Silver Pagoda. Attractions: Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka-jinja, Heian Shrine, Nanzen-ji Temple, Eikando Temple
101 RAKU BUS runs from Kinkaku-ji to Kyoto Station. Attractions: Nijo Castle, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Daitoku-ji Temple
102 RAKU BUS runs from Silver Pagoda to Kinkaku-ji. Attractions: Silver Pagoda, Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, Daitoku-ji
3) Tram in Kyoto
Randen: As an essential private railway to Kyoto's northwestern scenic area. Randen has two lines, usually at Shinjo-Omiya Station, where one goes to Arashiyama and the other to Kitano. There are two types of one-day tickets that are very cost-effective. The Randen one-day ticket can be freely loaded and unloaded throughout the entire journey, and the other option is a one-day ticket shared with the Kyoto Metro.
Sagano Sightseeing Railway: Traveling from Arashiyama to Sagano area, you can explore the beauty of Arashiyama, Sagano, and Kozukyo for 25 minutes. The first and last stations are Kameoka Station and Sagano Station. The more common choice is to take the JR Line from the city to Kameoka Station, then get off at Sagano Station to visit Arashiyama. Tickets can be purchased in advance at various ticket windows in the urban area. When you ride the car, you will need to take the seat specified on the ticket During the autumn season and cherry blossom season, tickets may even sell out in advance, so you need to prepare for the purchase of tickets in advance.
4) Transportation Card and Transportation Package
The universal transportation prepaid cards in Kyoto are PiTaPa and ICOCA. Whether you take the subway, bus, or private railway, you can get one and off according to the instructions and swipe the card. ICOCA applies to most public transportation systems in the Kansai region, and the JR and tram systems are also common in other parts of Japan. Cards can be purchased at the JR Station manual windows and automatic ticket machines.
PiTaPa is a transportation card with a joint hairstyle of private railway companies in the Kansai region. There are certain discounts for traveling. Because it is a real-name application and requires a Japanese bank account, it is not convenient for most foreign travelers. However, cards such as the Suica card, commonly used in Tokyo, and Kitaca in Hokkaido, can also be used in underground railways and buses in the Kyoto area.
There are many types of transportation packages available in the Kyoto area. In addition to the common one-day tickets for buses and subways, most of them are package tickets based on a certain scenic spot, including transportation and ticket discounts to the scenic spot. Transport packages include the KANSAI THRU PASS, Kyoto Sightseeing One-day Pass, Kyoto Sightseeing Two-day Pass, etc.
KANSAI THRU PASS, commonly known as KTP, is one of the discount tickets often used to travel to and from Kyoto. If you plan to travel significantly in the Kansai area within a short period, you can consider purchasing the KTP. After purchasing the card, you need to keep the magnetic card and swipe the card every time you enter or exit the station. You can purchase the pass at tourist centers at Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Kyoto, and central Nara.
For the Kyoto Sightseeing One-Day Pass and Kyoto Sightseeing Two-Day Pass, if your itinerary in Kyoto is relatively long, you can consider buying Kyoto's one-day and two-day tickets. Passes can be used throughout the day in designated sections of municipal buses, municipal subways, and Kyoto buses. You can purchase it at ticket machines in subway stations, manual service windows for subway and buses, and at some hotels.
TIPS: If you want a more comfortable trip, it is recommended to consider a private transfer service in Kyoto if you are within 250 kilometers. Our branches in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya can help provide you with satisfactory chauffeur services. The advantage of private transfer is the door to door drop off and pick up, which eliminates the hassle of transit and heavy luggage handling.
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Most Frequently Asked Questions
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Are there special buses to attractions in Kyoto?Kyoto City has set up the RAKU BUS for foreign tourists on the tour routes of three main attractions in the city. The body of the bus is the scenery of Kyoto's four seasons; it is easy to identify. The English-language broadcast service is convenient for tourists to understand and take. Alternatively, the price of the RAKU BUS is the same as the ordinary city buses. You can also purchase a day pass for the bus if needed.
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What sights does the 100 RAKU BUS in Kyoto pass?100 RAKU BUS runs from Kyoto Station to Silver Pagoda. Attractions include Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka-jinja, Heian Shrine, Nanzen-ji Temple, Eikando, etc.
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What sights does the 101 RAKU BUS pass in Kyoto?101 RAKU BUS runs from Kinkaku-ji to Kyoto Station. Attractions include the Nijo-jo Castle, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Daitoku-ji, etc.
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How do I get to the Shimogamo Shrine or the Kyoto Imperial Palace in Kyoto?You can take the 102 RAKU BUS, which mainly runs between Silver Pagoda to Kinkaku-ji. Not only can you visit the Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace, but you can also visit Silver Pagoda, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, Kaitoku-ji, etc.
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How do I get to Arashiyama from downtown Kyoto by public transportation?You can purchase a RAMDEN One-day ticket and take a RANDEN at the Shijo-Omiya Station, which leads directly to Arashiyama and other attractions located in Kyoto's Northwest Scenic Area.
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How can I get to Arashiyama and Sagano in Kyoto?You can take the JR Line from the city to Kameoka Station, then take the Sagano Sightseeing Tram. You can explore the beauty of Arashiyama, Sagano, and Kozukyo for 25 minutes. Finally, you will get off at Sagano Station and then visit Arashiyama.
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What transportation cards are available in Kyoto for free travel?The ICOCA transportation prepaid card for foreign tourists in Kyoto is ICOCA. Whether you take the subway, bus, or private railway, get on and off according to directions and swipe the card. Cards can be purchased at the JR station's artificial windows and ticket machines. In addition, cards such as the Suica are commonly used in Tokyo, and Kitaca issued in Hokkaido, can also be used in the subways and buses in the Kyoto area.
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Are there any discount tickets for foreign tourists in Kyoto?Kyoto has a lot of transportation discount tickets for foreign tourists to visit. In addition to the common bus and subway one-day tickets, most of them are package tickets based on a certain scenic area, including transportation and ticket discounts in the area. Transport packages include the KANSAI THRU PASS, Kyoto Sightseeing One-day Pass, Kyoto Sightseeing Two-day Pass, etc.
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Where can I purchase transportation discount tickets for visiting Kyoto?You can purchase a KANSAI THRU PASS ticket with a passport at the tourist service centers at Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara City Center. You can also buy Kyoto at the subway station automatic ticket machines, subway and bus manual service windows, and some hotels.
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