Never Get Lost Again! The Savvy, Budget-Friendly Guide for Getting around Kyoto

The Kyoto City Bus covers the entire Kyoto city area. Major tourist destinations like Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu-dera (Kiyomizu Temple), and Fushimi Inari Taisha (Fushimi Inari Shrine) can all be accessed using the Kyoto City Bus. While it's generally safe to assume that you can get to famous tourist spots using the Kyoto City Bus, be mindful of potential confusion due to the variety of bus routes available. The buses run frequently, approximately every 10 to 15 minutes (4 to 6 buses per hour) from morning to evening, and many routes have their last buses scheduled between 10 PM and 11 PM. That being said, the exact schedule may vary depending on which route you take.

The fare system is divided into two categories: a "flat fare zone" at 230 yen (children 120 yen) and an "adjustment zone" where fares vary based on travel distance. Most tourist attractions fall within the flat fare zone (230 yen). You’ll know the Kyoto City Bus when you see it thanks to its iconic pale green exterior.

Like the Kyoto City Bus, the Kyoto Bus also circulates throughout Kyoto City. While both have similar names, the bus groups are run by different companies with distinctly different services, so be sure not to confuse them.

Kyoto Bus routes include destinations that may appeal more to seasoned travelers, such as Sanzen-in Monzeki, Suzumushi-dera, and Jakko-in in Kyoto Ohara. However, the frequency of Kyoto Buses is about 2 to 3 buses per hour (one every 30 to 40 minutes), and most routes have their last buses scheduled early, at no later than 7:30 PM, with fewer total buses compared to the Kyoto City Bus.

As most tourists tend to use the Kyoto City Bus, Kyoto Buses are often less crowded and can offer a more relaxed travel experience for those looking to avoid the hustle and bustle. Also, several tourist spots have stops for both the Kyoto City Bus and Kyoto Bus, so if you can adjust your schedule, it might be worthwhile to use the Kyoto Bus.

You’ll know the Kyoto Bus when you see it by its cream-colored exterior with red lines, making it easy to tell apart from the green Kyoto City Bus.

In Kyoto, buses are typically boarded from the rear, with exiting at payment at the front as a basic rule of the ropes. The fare is displayed at the front and varies depending on the distance traveled.

The main payment methods are cash and IC cards. For cash payments, take a numbered ticket when boarding and pay the displayed amount when exiting. If using an IC card, touch it to the designated area upon boarding. Although buses can provide change, carrying small change is recommended for smooth disembarking.

If you're concerned about fare payment, using an IC card that automatically calculates the fare is the recommended way to go. If you have a One-day Pass for the subway and buses, insert it into the ticket slot on your first ride, and for subsequent rides, simply show the printed side of the ticket to the driver.

Remember to press the stop button to signal your desire to disembark at the next stop, as you might miss your stop without signaling the driver.

The Bus One-Day Pass allowed unlimited rides for a day on the flat-fare zones of the Kyoto City Bus, Kyoto Bus, and JR Bus. Unfortunately, the sale of this pass was discontinued as of September 30, 2023, and it's no longer available for purchase. For current ticket holders who still have a ticket, you can still use it until March 31, 2024.
This pass was popular among both tourists and locals alike for extra ease, but was discontinued mainly to deter overcrowding and delays caused by extra passengers. Additionally, this change also came as an after effect of efforts during Covid-19 to help evenly disperse travelers across more trains and buses. Please keep this in mind if you had planned to use this pass.

As a leading tourist destination in Japan, Kyoto’s buses can become extremely crowded during the tourist season. This is particularly true during the autumn foliage season (early November to early December), which annually attracts a large number of tourists and school trip groups. Due to road congestion and crowded buses, it may take longer than expected to reach your destination, making trains a potentially faster option. During especially crowded times, you may consider combining buses and trains to get where you’re going with ease.

The Karasuma Line is an underground subway line connecting 15 stations from Kokusaikaikan Station to Takeda Station. Some of the famous tourist spots accessible on foot from stations on the Karasuma Line are included below.
In addition to the tourist spots here, you can access a variety of popular spots by using the Karasuma Line and buses.

The Tozai Line is an underground subway line that connects 17 stations, running from Rokujizo Station to Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station.
Below is a list-up of a few famous tourist spots accessible on foot from Tozai Line stations.

If you plan to use both the subway and buses for sightseeing in Kyoto, it's highly recommended to purchase and use the Subway & Bus One-day Pass. This pass allows unlimited travel for a day on all lines of Kyoto City Subway and Bus, as well as certain routes of Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, and West Japan JR Bus. It covers most of the major tourist destinations.

Using both the subway and bus together will significantly reduce travel time, making your sightseeing experience that much more cost-effective and comfortable. As an added perk, the pass also offers discounts and special offers at about 60 facilities in Kyoto, including shrines, temples, and restaurants.

Pick up the pass by purchasing near the bus information center in front of Kyoto Station, Kotochika Kyoto at the subway Kyoto Station, and inside Karasuma Oike Station. The cost is 1,100 yen for adults and 550 yen for children.