Traveling around Kyoto is made convenient with a variety of bus passes being offered, taking you to tourist destinations at a budget-friendly price. Once you figure out how to use the bus system, you’ll be able to visit all the places on your list with ease.
Table of Contents
- Getting Around Kyoto by Bus
- The Different Types of Kyoto Bus Passes
- Things to Keep in Mind When Using Kyoto Bus Passes
- Summary
Getting Around Kyoto by Bus
When you visit Kyoto, riding a bus is probably more convenient depending on where you’re going. The city has many bus routes around, many of them stopping at or nearby famous tourist attractions. The main three you need to know are:
-
Kyoto Bus (the white and red bus);
-
Kyoto City Bus (green bus); and
-
Raku Bus (colorful design).
Riding Kyoto's buses might be confusing at first, as you enter from the back and exit after paying at the front, note that Raku Buses are boarded from the front. Prepare coins and exact fares as much as possible (although you can get change if needed - you can use the machine at the front). You can pay via cash or IC cards or you can use your discount bus passes or One Day Pass cards (more on that below). The buses can get quite crowded, so pay attention to the stops and make sure to push the button to inform the driver you intend to get off at the next stop when it’s announced.
The basic flat fare of these buses in Kyoto is 230 yen for adults, and 120 yen for children ages 6 - 11 (as of January 2022). You will have to pay more when leaving the flat rate areas.
The best place to start is Kyoto Station as it has a Kyoto Bus Information Center as well as the bus terminal for many buses going to major tourist attractions, both located outside the North Exit of the station.
Writer's Pick
The Different Types of Kyoto Bus Passes
If you have a bus pass, it makes things all the more easier. You can take unlimited rides on the buses where the pass is accepted, which means extra money to go towards actually paying for the various attractions you’ll be visiting, food, souvenirs, etc. You also don’t have to waste time figuring out the fares and paying at every stop.
Depending on your itinerary and the areas you’ll be visiting, there should be a good pass for you! Check them out below:
Kyoto Bus One Day Pass
Buses: Kyoto Bus, Kyoto City Bus, Keihan Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Raku Bus
-
700 yen for adults, 350 yen for children
-
Unlimited rides within flat-fare area
-
Special discount from certain tourist spots.
-
Purchase at Kyoto City Bus and Subway Information Center, Kyoto City Bus Office, bus information centers, on the buses, commuter pass ticket booths and at subway stations (for adults only).
Subway & Bus One-Day Pass
Buses: Kyoto Bus, Kyoto City Bus, Keihan Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Raku Bus, All Kyoto Municipal Subway Lines
-
1100 yen for adults, 550 yen for children
-
Special discount from certain tourist spots.
-
Purchase at subway stations, bus information centers, commuter pass ticket booths, designated hotels, etc.
-
If you buy through a travel agency, you may need to exchange the proof of purchase for an actual ticket
Kyoto City Bus・Kyoto Bus・West Japan JR Bus & Randen One-Day Pass
-
1200 yen for adults (adult tickets only)
-
Useful if you’re going to be exploring the Arashiyama area and will be taking the Randen, the tram that runs from Arashiyama to Kitano-Hakubaicho or Shijo-Omiya
Kansai Thru Pass
-
Unlimited use of trains, subways and buses in Kansai
-
Visit Himeji, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, and Koyasan areas
-
Only available to people living abroad
2-day pass: 4380 yen (adults), 2190 yen (children)
3-day pass: 5400 yen (adults), 2700 yen (children)
4-day pass: 6420 yen (adults), 3210 yen (children)
-
Can be purchased in Japan as well but will be 100 to 200 yen more expensive than the online price, and only 2 or 3 day passes are available
-
Can be used on non-consecutive days
-
Purchase at these places in Japan
- Discounts at over 250 facilities across Kansai
Things to Keep in Mind When Using Kyoto Bus Passes
-
Period of validity: One-day passes don’t mean 24 hours, but are only able to be used on the day you begin to use it. Also check for expiration dates when buying in advance.
-
Prices and services where the passes are accepted are subject to change. Check the websites carefully to see whether the pass will cover where you need to go.
-
Think about whether a bus-only pass or a train & bus pass will be more ideal for your Kyoto itinerary. Plan everything out in advance. If you need some ideas, here’s a few of our articles on Kyoto and Kansai in general:
Summary
If you visit Kyoto you will certainly want to explore as much as you can as Kyoto has so much to offer. Utilize the available bus passes to your advantage not only to save money but to make your traveling that much easier. And any time you get tired of walking, as you’ll be doing quite a bit of it in Kyoto, just hop on a bus to your next destination! Happy traveling (and riding)!
