How to choose the best train and bus pass for sightseeing in Kyoto

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
It is Must-See spot in Kyoto. ©Sue Ann Simon/©JNTO
2016.11.13
Toji temple is just 10 minutes away from Kyoto station. © Q.Sawami/© JNTO

There are several deals for sightseeing in Kyoto. I would like to show you the deals for the tourist who stays in Kyoto and want to visit the places there. I believe you will find most suitable for your trip.

By the way, if you intend to have a day trip to Kyoto from other cities, such as day trip to Kyoto from Osaka, from Kobe, Kansai thru pass and other deals are available. Please find the detailed information about the deal that covers Kyoto and other cities in the link below:

How to choose discount railway ticket and pass in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara) area

Kyoto City Bus & Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass

Kyoto city bus
Kyoto city bus
  • Price – Adult:600 yen / Child:300 yen
  • Coverage – Kyoto city bus and Kyoto bus in allocated area
  • Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)

This pass is most affordable deal in Kyoto. It covers the bus lines in most part of Kyoto city. It does not cover any trains and subway lines. Please see the link below to find the bus route map. You will find the allocated area.

Kyoto city bus route map

The single fare of bus ride is 230 yen. If you make three trips by bus, it is paid off. It is quite easy and this deal is so reasonable.

However the traffic in Kyoto is heavy and Kyoto is very popular city. The bus is stuck by traffic and is behind the schedule very often. Especially when Kyoto hold an event or festival, the bus is very crowded. If you want to visit many places in one day and have very tight schedule, I recommend you to take a train and/or a subway as much as you can. The train is much faster and much more reliable.

Subway, Bus One-day and Two-day Pass

Kyoto station platform (C) もんじゃ (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Kyoto station platform (C) もんじゃ (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Price of one day pass – Adult:900 yen / Child:450 yen
  • Price of two days pass – Adult:1,700 yen / Child:850 yen
  • Coverage – All Kyoto subway lines, Kyoto city bus and Kyoto bus in allocated area
  • Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) or two consecutive days

This deal covers both bus and subway in Kyoto. The subway lines run from west to east and from south to north. This deal gives you more convenience than Kyoto city bus pass and gives you more smooth movement.

If you pay a single fare, it costs 210 to 340 yen to take the subway and 230 yen to take the bus. So if you take a bus or subway more than 4 times a day, this pass is worth the price. Even if you are not sure how many times you make trips in one day, I recommend you to purchase this pass. It is not such a bad deal. You will get more convenient and save your time to calculate the fare at the station.

Please see the links below to find the subway route map and all trains system map in Kyoto.

Kyoto subway route map

You also can find the train network in Kyoto in the link below:

Kyoto train route guide. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Kyoto. This post shows you the train network in Kyoto. You can learn how to get the major places in Kyoto.
jprail.com
2013.09.22

Kyoto City Subway One-day Pass

  • Price – Adult:600 yen / Child:300 yen
  • Coverage – All Kyoto subway lines
  • Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)

This deal covers only subway lines in Kyoto. The price is cheaper than Subway, Bus one day pass but the price difference is only 200 yen. And the coverage of subway pass is very limited. You cannot visit many places in Kyoto by subway only. This pass is not very useful in my opinion.

ICOCA, Kansai One Pass and other IC cards

ICOCA is most popular IC card in Kansai area. (C) タンジェント (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
ICOCA is most popular IC card in Kansai area. (C) タンジェント (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

You may use these cards to take any trains and buses in Kyoto. You can use even other area’s card, such as Suica, Pasmo too. These cards give you convenience. You can avoid to purchase a ticket whenever you make a train trip. You can take any kinds of trains, such as JR, subway and Non JR trains. However these cards do not give you any discount and unlimited travel.

If you meet these following things, IC card is your choice.

  1. You intend to visit a few places in a day.
  2. You need to take several kinds of trains and buses, like subway, Hankyu, Keihan, JR.
  3. You cannot fix your plan and want to have some flexibility.

If you visit three places in bus coverage area, you may need to take a bus at least 4 times. It costs around 800 yen that is much more than Kyoto City Bus & Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass.

Please see the link below to find more information about IC card in the link below:

What is IC card, Suica, ICOCA, Pasmo? How to use these cards?
IC card is very common ways to take a train and a bus in these days in Japan. There are so many cards available in Japan. This post will explain you the type of IC card, the way of using it and the coverage area.
jprail.com
2018.07.30

Kansai One Pass

This is same type of IC card as ICOCA. You can use this pass by same way as ICOCA. But this card is designed for overseas tourist. The preload amount is 2,500 yen (plus 500 yen deposit and sold at 3,000 yen) and you can get a discount at many attractions. ICOCA is sold at any JR stations throughout Kansai area. But Kansai One Pass is sold in the designated stations only. Please see the link below to find the detailed information at official site.

Kansai One Pass official site

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Kyoto
Hotels in Kyoto station
Hotels in Gion, Kyoto
Hotels in Arashiyama, Kyoto
Hotels in Kansai International Airport

For traveler who visit Osaka and other cities in same day

As I mentioned at the top of this article, there are some deals available, such as Kansai Thru Pass. But if you move other city after sightseeing in Osaka, Kansai Thru Pass and other deals may not be suitable.

e.g.
Sightseeing in Kyoto, move to Osaka and stay (no sightseeing in Osaka)

In this case, the combination of one of the deals in Osaka and single fare between Osaka and Kyoto is usually cheaper than Kansai Thru Pass or other pass. But if you do sightseeing in two cities, Kansai Thru Pass is your choice.

e.g.
Sightseeing in Kyoto, move to Osaka and sightseeing in Osaka

But sightseeing in two cities in one day is very tight and not very recommended.

For traveler who use national or regional pass

If you use JR pass (national pass) or other regional deal, such as Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, JR train network in Kyoto is covered. You may visit some places by these passes, such as Arashiyama, Nijo and Fushimi. You may not have any other passes beside these deals if you intend to visit these places. Please see the link below to find the coverage of these national and regional deals in Kyoto.

Kyoto train route guide. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Kyoto. This post shows you the train network in Kyoto. You can learn how to get the major places in Kyoto.
jprail.com
2013.09.22

I hope this post helps you to find the best deal in Kyoto.

Comments

  1. Yue Shan says:
    February 17, 2020 at 1:11 am

    Hi there! Would appreciate if you can give me some advice! I would be purchasing the JR pass as I would be taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto. My boyfriend and I are traveling from 4-11 April 2020.

    I intend to spend time visiting famous Kyoto tourist attractions, Kinkakuji temple, Arashiyama and also visit Nara and Himeji. Do you need there is a need for me to purchase an additional Kyoto Subway + Bus pass? Or the Kansai One pass? Or any other passes to supplement the JR pass?

    Would greatly appreciate your input! Thank you!

  2. Nagesha G says:
    January 27, 2020 at 8:21 pm

    Hi,
    Can you please help me with the suitable pass for this trip in osaka / kyoto.

    Day1 :
    Arrive at Itami (ITM) airport from tokyo and then head to Kyoto directly. Stay at Kyoto.

    Day2 and Day3 :
    Sightseeing in kyoto

    Day 4:
    Travel from Kyoto to Osaka and Osaka Sightseeing

    Day5 :
    Osaka sightseeing in the morning and then later travel to Itami airport for further flight.

    Thanks in advance !!

  3. Kevin says:
    January 18, 2020 at 3:16 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Really appreciate you in helping foreigners planning the best way during our trip in Japan.
    Can you recommend me the most suitable passes for my trip, as follows

    Day 1 : Kyoto
    – Nishiki Market
    – Gion
    – Fushimi Inari
    – Pontocho Alley
    Stay at Kyoto

    Day 2 : Kyoto-Osaka
    – Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
    – Monkey Iwayatama Park
    – Train to Osaka
    – Dotonbori
    Stay in Osaka

    Day 3 : Osaka
    – Osaka Castle
    – Shitennoji Temple
    – Kuromon Ichiba Market
    – Shinsaibashisuji
    Stay in Osaka

    Day 4 : Osaka – Himeji – Kobe
    – Train to Himeji & Visit Himeji Castle
    – Train to Kobe & Dinner
    – Train to Osaka
    Stay in Osaka

    Day 5 : Osaka – Nara
    – Train to Nara
    – Nara Park, Naramachi, Nearest Temples
    – Train to Osaka
    Stay in Osaka

    Day 6 : Osaka
    – Full Day in Universal Osaka
    Stay in Osaka

    Day 7 :
    – Explore Dotonbori and Shopping
    – At evening, train to KIX

    We are going by 5 people (Family), so we are considering buying Kansai Thru Pass and ICOCA. Still not sure if we need to have other passes (Osaka Amazing Pass, etc.)

    Thank you very much 🙂

  4. Lalitha says:
    December 10, 2019 at 7:39 am

    Hi,

    I have purchased my 7 day JR pass.

    Day 1 – Tokyo to Gala Yuzawa
    Day 2 – Tokyo to Osaka (osaka site seeing)
    Day 3 – Universal studio
    Day 4 – Osaka site seeing
    Day 5 – Osaka to Kyoto (kyoto site seeing)
    Day 6 – Kyoto (site seeing)
    Day 7 – Kyoto to Tokyo

    Im aware that I can only use the 7 day JR pass for Gala Yuzawa, Osaka and Kyoto.

    Would like to know what will be the ideal pass for me to get to explore Osaka and Kyoto to see all the main attractions.

    Thanks
    Lalitha

  5. Stacy Alicesia Nari says:
    November 13, 2019 at 9:45 pm

    Hi Takeshi ,
    Would be much appreciated if you could advise if my plan as below is suitable and I’m open to any suggestion on the train pass .

    Day 1 Osaka ( Hotel @ Nipponbashi Area )
    traveling to Nara Park – Todaiji temple – Kofukuji Temple – back to OSAKA and visit Harukas 300 – Dotonbori – Back to hotel
    I’m planning to use Kintetsu 1 Day Pass + ICOCA

    Day 2 : Osaka Area
    OSAKA castle- Umeda Observatory – Kayukian Aquarium – Santa Maria Cruise -Tempozan Ferris Wheel
    – using Osaka Amazing Pass

    Day 3 : USJ whole day and will be using ICOCA for this

    Day 4 :
    Nippombashi – Himeiji Castle – Kobe Port – Mt Rokko ( Snow Park ) – back to OSAKA
    planning to use 1-Day JR Kansai Area Pass and Rokkosan Pass

    Day 5 : Travel to Kyoto and will be staying at Kyoto ( Shijo Area)
    OSAKA- Kyoto – Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Yakasa Shrine – Gion – Kodaiji Temple – Kiyomizudera- temple – Nishiki market – back hotel
    Planning to use Hankyu 1 Day Pass + ICOCA or Purchase 2 day Kyoto Subway and bus pass

    Day 6 : Sightseeing Kyoto ( using Kyoto Subway and bus pass )
    Fushimi Inari – Kinkakuji Temple – Nijo Castle – Kyoto Imperial Palace( not sure if still doable for this )
    Day 7 : Kyoto Imperial Palace – KIX Airport using Haruka train – Rinku Outlet while waiting for flight departure ( flight to depart at night )

    Thanks in advance.

  6. Ratri says:
    August 10, 2019 at 9:35 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    Please give me advise about which pass to choose on my (kinda ambitious) Kansai itenerary as follow:

    Day 1:
    Arrive at Osaka
    Go to Kobe
    Sightseeing Osaka
    Stay in Kyoto

    Day 2:
    Sightseeing Kyoto arround gojo-gion
    To Ginkakuji Temple
    Stay in Gojo

    Day 3:
    To Nagoya Castle
    To Nara Deer Park
    Stay in Gojo

    Day 4:
    To Kinkakuji Temple
    Sightseeing arashiyama
    Stay in Arashiyama

    Day 5:
    To Hachiman bori
    To Hikone
    To Chikubu Island
    Stay in (maybe) Higashiyama area

    Day 6:
    To Kifune shrine
    To Nijo Castle
    To Kyoto Imperial Palace
    To Fushimi Inari
    Stay in (maybe) Higashiyama area

    Day 7:
    Planning to see Toei Studio
    And repeat what I like the most about Kyoto

    I think I need 3 days kyoto pass, and kansai pass… also thinking do I need Kintetsu rail pass to cover the nagoya-nara trip?

    Thanks for the enlightment 🙂

  7. Hagu Chan says:
    July 12, 2019 at 10:07 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San, can you kindly recommend on the most suitable passes for my trip as follows:

    Day 1: Kyoto
    – Arashiyama
    – Fushimi Inari

    Day 2 : Kyoto
    – Kiyomizu-dera
    – Kinkakuji

    Day 3 : Nara
    – Nara Deer Park

    Day 4 : Osaka
    – Universal Studios

    Day 5 : Osaka
    – Umeda Observatory
    – Tempozan Ferris Wheel
    – Osaka Castle

    Day 6 : Osaka
    – Dotonbori

    My plan is to use Osaka Amazing Pass & Kansai Thru Pass.

    Thank you very much.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      July 13, 2019 at 6:25 pm

      Hi Hagu san,

      As you think, you can use Kansai thru pass 3-day for day 1 to 3. You can use Osaka amazing pass on day 5. I don’t think you need any passes on day 4 and 6.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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