Getting Around Kyoto — City Buses, Subway, ICOCA & Best Value Passes (2026)

The lay of the land

A temple city where the bus is the star

Here's the honest truth: a lot of people arrive in Kyoto expecting that Japan means "take the train", then open the map and wonder why famous temples like Kinkaku-ji or the Gion district have no subway station anywhere near them. The answer is that Kyoto runs mostly on buses, not the subway. The City Bus network blankets the whole city and reaches nearly every temple and shrine, while the subway is just two lines crossing in the centre.

Good news for us: an ICOCA, Suica or Pasmo taps for everything — buses, subway, tram and JR — so there's no buying a ticket for every single ride, and Google Maps works to the full (Japan doesn't block it), giving you bus numbers and the stop to get off at. The thing to brace for: Kyoto's buses get extremely crowded at peak times, in both the autumn-foliage and cherry-blossom seasons, so you'll want to allow extra time and know when to switch to a train to cut the wait.

This guide brings together every way to get around Kyoto — from the city bus that reaches every temple, to the fast and punctual 2-line subway, the JR trains and the Randen tram that carry you to Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari, through to which pass is best value for your particular trip, and the bike rental that many travellers love. Know a little of this and the whole trip flows smoothly, and stays cheap.

Your main option

The City Bus — the lifeline to every temple

Kyoto's core network, carrying you to Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu, Gion and Arashiyama. A flat ¥230 across the central zone.

The Kyoto City Bus is the real star of sightseeing here, because the headline temples and shrines — Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu-dera and the Gion district — are mostly reachable by bus only. Across the central zone the fare is a flat ¥230 per ride (¥120 for children), near or far. The way it works: board through the rear door, then pay as you get off at the front — and if you use an IC card inside the flat-fare zone, you simply tap once on exit.

Hanami-koji street in Kyoto's Gion district, with traditional dark wooden machiya and teahouses — Gion is reached mainly by City Bus — Gion and many of Kyoto's famous temples are reached chiefly by bus — routes 100, 206 and the other 100-series numbers are the temple-hopper's best friends.

The route numbers visitors use most often include routes 100 and 206, which loop past the eastern temples (Kiyomizu, Gion, Ginkaku-ji), while routes 101, 102 and 205 head up to Kinkaku-ji in the north. The single most important boarding point is the bus terminal in front of Kyoto Station, where the route numbers and destinations are clearly signposted in English. When in doubt, open Google Maps and type the name of your destination temple — it gives you the route number and the stop to get off at.

The key tip: Kyoto's buses are famous for being crowded and slow in rush hour, especially in the autumn-foliage season (November) and at cherry-blossom time (late March–April). If a destination can also be reached by train (Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, for example), take the train instead — it's faster and you won't be standing shoulder to shoulder the whole way.

The 2-line subway

The subway — fast and punctual, but only 2 lines

Kyoto's subway has just 2 lines, crossing in a cross shape at Karasuma Oike Station in the city centre — remember this spot for changing lines. Fares are distance-based, from ¥220 up to around ¥360. The subway is much faster and more punctual than the bus and is great for north–south journeys through Kyoto Station, but it reaches fewer temples, so it's usually paired with the bus.

Line	Route	Key stops
Karasuma (green · K)	North ↔ south	Kyoto Station · Shijo (shopping district) · Karasuma Oike · Kitaoji
Tozai (orange · T)	East ↔ west	Karasuma Oike · Sanjo Keihan · Higashiyama · Nijo Castle (Nijojo-mae)

When to use the subway: it works best for north–south trips along the Karasuma Line (say, Kyoto Station → the Shijo shopping area) or for reaching Nijo Castle via the Tozai Line (get off at Nijojo-mae). Beyond that, the eastern and northern temples almost all need a bus connection — so planning a pairing of "subway for the long stretch, bus for the temple approach" is the smoothest way to go.

Cards & paying

How to pay — ICOCA, Suica and single tickets

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ICOCA

JR West's IC card for the Kansai region. ¥2,000 (¥1,500 of travel value + ¥500 deposit). Taps on buses, subway, tram and JR — easy to buy at Kyoto Station.

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Suica / Pasmo

Already have a Tokyo IC card? Use it as-is. Suica, Pasmo, Kitaca and ICOCA are interchangeable nationwide, tapping for the bus, train and tram all over Kyoto.

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Single ticket

For the subway, buy from a machine (English menu). For the bus, drop the flat ¥230 into the fare box as you get off — keep coins or small notes ready.

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Day passes

An unlimited-ride one-day pass pays off if you're temple-hopping a lot that day — see the comparison table below for which one to use when.

Value passes

Unlimited-ride passes — which fits which day

Pass	Price (adult)	Covers / conditions
Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass	¥1,100	Unlimited 1 day on the City Bus + both subway lines + selected Kyoto/Keihan/JR West Bus services · best value for temple-hopping (pays off from about 5 bus rides)
Subway 1-Day Pass	¥800	Unlimited 1 day on both subway lines · suits a day focused on subway travel only
Randen 1-Day Pass	¥500	Unlimited 1 day on the Randen (Keifuku) tram · suits a day on the west side / Arashiyama
Bus 1-Day Pass	Discontinued	The bus-only pass (formerly ¥500) was withdrawn in late 2023 · use the Subway & Bus 1-Day instead

Honestly, on any day you're hitting several temples by bus, just grab the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass at ¥1,100 — the flat ¥230 bus fare means about 5 rides covers the cost, and you get the subway for free on top. But on a day with only 2–3 bus rides, tapping your ICOCA per ride may work out cheaper. And on a day heading to Arashiyama by tram, use the separate Randen 1-Day Pass at ¥500 or simply tap your IC card as you go. Prices may change in 2026, so check the city's official site for the latest.

Other options

JR Trains, the Randen Tram bikes and taxis

Inside Kyoto Station, looking through the glass-and-steel roof out to Kyoto Tower — the main JR station of Kyoto

JR · Inari + Arashiyama + Nara

JR Trains

JR West · the fast way around crowded buses

JR is the shortcut that lets you skip the crowded buses to certain spots. The most-used services are the JR Nara Line to Fushimi Inari (get off at Inari Station, about 5 minutes from Kyoto Station, and the shrine of red torii gates is right there) and the JR Sagano (San-in) Line to Arashiyama (get off at Saga-Arashiyama, about 15 minutes).

That same Nara Line carries on to the city of Nara in around 45 minutes — a hugely popular day trip. Every line starts from Kyoto Station; pay with an IC card or buy a ticket from the machine.

Fushimi Inari: Inari Station · ~5 min · JR Nara Line

Arashiyama: Saga-Arashiyama · ~15 min · JR Sagano Line

Pay with: ICOCA/Suica/IC card or buy at the machine

Tram · Arashiyama

The Randen Tram

嵐電 Keifuku · Kyoto's last surviving tram

The Randen (Keifuku) is the only tram line left in Kyoto, running across the west of the city to Arashiyama. The fare is a flat ~¥250 per ride, near or far, and you can tap ICOCA or Suica. The mood is classic and retro, rolling past old residential streets, and in the blossom season the views to either side are especially lovely.

Ride from Shijo-Omiya station, or connect from the subway at the end of the Tozai Line (Uzumasa Tenjingawa, then walk to the Randen station), all the way to Arashiyama at the end of the line. If you're touring the west side all day, the Randen 1-Day Pass at ¥500 is good value.

Fare: ~¥250 flat per ride (check the latest)

Top destination: Arashiyama (bamboo grove · Togetsukyo Bridge)

Best pass: Randen 1-Day Pass ¥500

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Bike Rental

レンタサイクル · a flat city, easy to ride

Central Kyoto is fairly flat and a real pleasure to cycle, and many districts sit closer together than you'd think. Rental shops are everywhere, costing around ¥1,000–1,500 a day. It suits the city centre, the Kamo River and temples that cluster near one another, and saves you waiting for a packed bus.

Worth knowing: for the hillside temples to the east (such as Kiyomizu) or the longer trip out to Arashiyama, the bus and train are still more comfortable. And you must park in designated bicycle parking, or you risk a wheel lock and a fine.

Price: around ¥1,000–1,500/day

Best for: city centre · the Kamo River · clustered temples

Watch out: park in designated bays to avoid a wheel lock

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Taxis

タクシー · always on the meter

Kyoto taxis are all metered, with a flag-fall of around ¥500. They're ideal when you've got a lot of luggage, for hillside temples the bus doesn't reach, and for a group of 3–4 splitting the fare — sometimes cheaper than buying several passes — or late at night after the buses and trains stop. Most cars take credit cards and IC cards.

Tip: most drivers speak little English, so have the temple name or destination address in Japanese script, or drop a pin in Google Maps to show the driver — that's easiest. The GO app hails cars in Kyoto, though in the city centre joining a station rank or flagging one on the street works just as well.

Flag-fall: from around ¥500

Best for: luggage · hillside temples · late after trains stop

Pay with: cash · credit card · IC card (most cars)

Travel tips

Dodge the crowded buses and keep things flowing

Honestly, the real enemy of sightseeing in Kyoto isn't the cost — it's buses that get crowded and slow in rush hour, especially in the morning around 8:00–9:30 before the temples open, and late afternoon as everyone heads back. In the autumn-foliage season (November) and at blossom time (late March–April), buses can get so full you'll often have to wait for the next one. The way out is to set off earlier than the buses fill up and pick a JR or subway train on any route that allows it.

If you're hauling a big suitcase, don't board a bus in rush hour — luggage space is limited and the buses are packed. Stash your bags in a coin locker at Kyoto Station, or use a luggage-forwarding service to your hotel (takkyubin), and sightsee light. It's far more comfortable.

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Avoid the rush hours

Start early · skip the peak seasons

Buses are fullest in the morning 8:00–9:30 and late afternoon, and absolutely jammed in the autumn-foliage season (November) and at blossom time (late March–April). Set off a bit earlier and you'll get quieter temples and emptier buses. On any route a train can serve, take the train first.

Daily peaks: morning 8:00–9:30 · late afternoon

Yearly peaks: autumn foliage Nov · blossoms Mar–Apr

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Navigation apps work fully

Google Maps · Japan Transit

Japan doesn't block Google, so Google Maps is highly accurate in Kyoto, giving you bus route numbers, the stops to board and alight, plus the subway, tram and JR with times and fares. Japan Transit Planner and Navitime are just as good. Carry a SIM or eSIM with data so you're online as you go.

Recommended: keep mobile data on you (SIM/eSIM) while travelling

Good apps: Google Maps · Japan Transit · Navitime

First time in Kyoto? Choose a hotel near Kyoto Station or the Shijo-Karasuma area and life gets a lot easier — both are starting points for every bus route and sit on the Karasuma subway line, so reaching any temple is simple. See more on where to stay and what to do in the Kyoto travel guide and Kyoto attractions.

The one real tip

Match the pass to your style and save across the whole trip

If I could give one piece of advice: first look at how many temples you'll hit by bus that day, because that's what decides whether to buy a pass or tap per ride — on a day running between several temples (about 5 bus rides or more), the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass at ¥1,100 is clearly cheaper, but on a day with only 2–3 bus rides, tapping your ICOCA per ride is usually less.

Another thing that helps: give each mode a clear role — buses for reaching temples, the subway for long north–south runs, and JR/the Randen tram for Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama. Splitting the roles this way tells you exactly which pass to carry on which day, so you never buy more than you need. If you're heading on to other Kansai cities (Osaka, Kobe, Nara), check the JR Kansai Pass too.

Plan your day for value: group temples in the same zone into one day (say, Higashiyama–Gion to the east, or Kinkaku-ji–Ryoan-ji to the north) to cut the number of bus rides sharply. For sights and walkable districts, see Kyoto attractions, the Gion district guide and things to do in Kyoto.

Common questions

FAQ · Getting around Kyoto

How much is the Kyoto city bus, and how do I pay?

Within central Kyoto the City Bus charges a flat ¥230 per ride (¥120 for children), regardless of how far you go. Board through the rear door and pay as you get off at the front. If you pay with an IC card such as ICOCA or Suica, you only tap once on exit inside the flat-fare zone; outside that zone you tap on boarding too and the fare is distance-based. Having coins or an IC card ready is the smoothest way to do it.

Which travel pass is best value in Kyoto, and is there still a bus-only pass?

The bus-only pass (the ¥500 Bus One-Day Pass) was discontinued in late 2023. The best-value pass for temple-hopping today is the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass at ¥1,100 (¥550 for children), giving unlimited rides on the City Bus, both subway lines, plus selected Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus and JR West Bus services. It pays for itself the moment you take about 5 bus rides in a day. On a subway-heavy day the Subway 1-Day Pass at ¥800 also works. Prices may change in 2026, so check the city's official site for the latest.

How many subway lines does Kyoto have, and what's the fare?

Kyoto has just two subway lines: the Karasuma Line (green, running north–south through Kyoto Station) and the Tozai Line (orange, running east–west). The two cross at Karasuma Oike Station in the city centre, where you change between them. Fares are distance-based, from ¥220 up to around ¥360. The subway is fast and punctual, ideal for north–south journeys, but many temples and shrines still need a bus connection because the subway doesn't reach everywhere.

Can I use a Suica in Kyoto, and what is ICOCA?

Yes — if you already have a Suica or Pasmo from Tokyo, you can tap it on the buses, subway, Randen tram and JR throughout Kyoto, because Japan's IC cards are interchangeable nationwide. ICOCA is JR West's IC card for the Kansai region, easy to buy at Kyoto Station (physical cards are readily available again in 2025–2026 after an earlier shortage). It costs ¥2,000 (¥1,500 of travel value plus a ¥500 deposit). If you don't have any IC card yet, a single ICOCA covers your whole Kansai trip.

How do I get to Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari?

For Arashiyama, take the JR Sagano (San-in) Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama, about 15 minutes, or ride the classic Randen tram from the west side of the city. For Fushimi Inari (the shrine of red torii gates), take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station just two stops to Inari Station, about 5 minutes; the shrine entrance is right outside the station. For both of these, the train is clearly more convenient than the bus.

Is renting a bicycle a good way to see Kyoto?

For some trips it's excellent, because central Kyoto is fairly flat and easy to ride, and many districts are closer together than you'd think. Rental shops are all over the city, costing around ¥1,000–1,500 a day. It suits the city centre, the Kamo River and temples that sit near one another. But for the hillside temples to the east (such as Kiyomizu) or the longer trip out to Arashiyama, the bus and train are still more comfortable. You must park in designated bicycle parking, or you risk a wheel lock and a fine.

Kyoto Travel Guide

Where to stay, neighbourhoods, temples and shrines, Gion · Arashiyama · everything

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Kyoto Attractions

Kinkaku-ji · Fushimi Inari · Kiyomizu · Arashiyama · the lot

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Things to Do in Kyoto

Activities, experiences and photo spots you shouldn't miss

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Gion District Guide

The geisha quarter and classic wooden streets — reached mainly by bus

See →