
Kyoto's transportation network has been criticised for not offering comprehensive and comfortable travel solutions. However, buses have become the most widely used mode of transport for visiting the former capital of Japan. There are two main types of buses in Kyoto: the city bus and the Kyoto bus. The city bus is a flat rate of 260 yen per ride, while the Kyoto bus fare depends on your route and will likely be between 200-500 yen. You can also purchase a one-day pass for unlimited rides, which is available for 1,100 yen (adult) and covers several bus and subway lines. Aside from cash, you can also pay using one-day tickets, IC cards, or the Japan Rail Pass.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Boarding | Rear door |
Alighting | Front door |
Payment location | Machine by the driver's seat |
Payment methods | Cash, IC Card, One-Day Ticket |
Change | Change machine available |
Accepted cards | PiTaPa, ICOCA, Suica, PASMO |
Unaccepted cards | Credit, debit, Japan Rail Pass |
What You'll Learn
Paying with cash
Kyoto's transportation network has been criticised for not offering comprehensive and comfortable travel solutions. However, buses have become the most widely used mode of transport for visiting the city and its elderly inhabitants.
There are two main types of buses in Kyoto: the City Bus and the Kyoto Bus. The City Bus serves downtown Kyoto, whereas the Kyoto Bus serves outlying areas. The City Bus is usually light green, and the Kyoto Bus is cream with red trimming. The Raku Bus is a type of City Bus aimed at tourists, with a flat fare of 230 yen.
When taking a City Bus or Kyoto Bus, you board from the rear and exit from the front. You pay when you get off, into a machine by the driver's seat. It is recommended that you prepare small coins in advance, as change will not be given. If you don't have the exact fare, there is a change machine beneath the payment slot that can break down coins and 1,000 yen notes.
Within the city, there is a flat fare zone, where adults pay 230 yen and children under 12 pay 120 yen. Outside of this zone, you will pay extra, taking a numbered ticket when you enter. The screen at the front of the bus will show your number and fare.
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Paying with an IC card
Kyoto's transportation network has been criticised for not offering comprehensive and comfortable travel solutions. However, buses have become the most widely used mode of transport for visiting the city, given that the subway covers a limited number of destinations and that bicycles and taxis are less convenient outside the city centre.
Kyoto City Buses are generally light green in colour and can be identified by their uniform green livery. They can be boarded from the rear and exited from the front, with payment made at the front, into a machine by the driver's seat. Kyoto Buses, on the other hand, are cream-coloured with red trimming and serve outlying areas such as Arashiyama, Sagano, Ohara, and Mount Hiei.
IC cards, such as SUICA, ICOCA, and PITAPA, can be used on all Kyoto City and Kyoto Buses. These rechargeable, contactless cards are a convenient way to pay for your bus fare in Kyoto. When using an IC card, simply touch the card to the IC card reader when entering and exiting the bus. This will deduct the appropriate fare from your card.
If you are riding within the Flat Fare Zone, which includes most tourist destinations, you only need to touch your IC card to the reader when getting off the bus. The Flat Fare Zone fare for adults is 230 yen, and for children (aged 6-12) it is 120 yen.
However, if you are travelling beyond the Flat Fare Zone, you will need to touch your IC card to the reader both when entering and exiting the bus. The fare for these journeys will depend on the distance travelled. For example, the fare for travelling to the Sanzenin Temple in the Ohara area is 560 yen for adults and 280 yen for children.
It is important to note that IC cards cannot be used on Keihan Bus or West JR local Bus routes. For these buses, you will need to touch your IC card onto each IC card reader when getting on and off the bus. Additionally, one-way tickets for buses are expensive, and there are no discounts for IC cardholders.
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Paying with a one-day ticket
The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass is a great option for unlimited rides on all Kyoto Subway lines and City Bus lines, as well as on the Kyoto Bus and Keihan Bus (with some exceptions). This pass is perfect if you're planning to explore different areas of Kyoto in a day. Here's everything you need to know about paying with a one-day ticket:
Purchasing the One-Day Ticket
You can buy the one-day ticket, also known as the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass, at any subway station in Kyoto. Additionally, you can purchase it from commuter pass sales booths, the Kyoto City Bus and Subway Information Centers, or the Kyoto City Bus Management Center. The adult ticket costs ¥1,100, and the child ticket (for ages 6 to 11 years old) costs ¥550. These prices were accurate as of April 1, 2024, and ticket designs may vary.
Using the One-Day Ticket on Buses
When boarding the bus, get on through the rear door, and remember to get off through the front door. Payment is made when getting off the bus. Insert your pass into the card slot of the machine located next to the driver before exiting. The first time you use the card, the date will be printed on the back, so for subsequent rides, simply show the date on your pass to the driver when you exit. Please note that the Kyoto City Bus is usually light green, but some buses may have unique paint jobs.
Using the One-Day Ticket on the Subway
To use the one-day ticket on the subway, insert your pass into the turnstile slot and go through the gate. Don't forget to retrieve your card after passing through. The date will be printed on the back when you first use the ticket. When exiting the subway at your destination, insert the pass into the turnstile slot again, remembering to take your card.
Additional Benefits of the One-Day Ticket
The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass not only offers unlimited rides but also provides special offers at select tourist spots. By presenting your ticket on the day of use, you can enjoy discounts at museums, shops, and other facilities. This makes the one-day ticket an even more attractive option for those looking to explore Kyoto's attractions.
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Paying with a pass
Kyoto offers a variety of bus passes that can help you save money on transportation costs. Here is some detailed information about paying with a pass on a Kyoto bus:
The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass
This pass is available for JPY 1,100 for adults and allows unlimited rides for a day on the following:
- Kyoto City Bus (all routes)
- Kyoto City Subway (all lines)
- Kyoto Bus (excluding certain routes)
- Keihan Bus (excluding certain routes)
- West Japan JR Bus (excluding certain lines)
The Kyoto City Bus & Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass
This pass is available at JPY 600 for adults and JPY 300 for children. It offers unlimited travel for a day within the flat fare zone on:
- Kyoto City Bus
- Kyoto Bus
The Kyoto Subway & Bus Pass
This pass covers all Kyoto City buses, Kyoto Municipal Subway trains, and some buses operated by Kyoto Bus and Keihan Bus. The pass is available in one- and two-day options:
- One-day pass: JPY 900 for adults, JPY 450 for children
- Two-day pass: JPY 1,700 for adults, JPY 850 for children
The Traffica Kyoto Card
The Traffica Kyoto Card is a prepaid card that offers a 10% discount on rides with Kyoto City Buses and the Kyoto Municipal Subway. It can be purchased for JPY 1,000 for children and JPY 3,000 for adults from vending machines and ticket offices.
Kansai Thru Pass (Surutto Kansai Pass)
The Kansai Thru Pass is ideal for visitors from overseas, covering not just Kyoto City Bus and Kyoto Bus but also the Kyoto Municipal Subway Line and several private railway and bus companies in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and Shiga. This pass cannot be used on JR Railways. The pass is available for two or three days.
Kyoto Sightseeing Pass (1-day)
The Kyoto Sightseeing Pass is available for anyone and covers the Keihan Railway.
Other Passes
There are several other passes available, such as the Hankyu/Hanshin 1-day pass, the Keihan Railway KYOTO-OSAKA SIGHTSEEING PASS 1-day, the Kyoto Railway Museum Sightseeing Pass, and many more. These passes can be purchased at the tourist information center, "Kyo Navi," in Kyoto Station.
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Paying with a card
Kyoto's transportation network has been criticised for not offering comprehensive and comfortable travel solutions. However, buses have become the most widely used mode of transport for visiting the city.
If you're planning on taking a bus in Kyoto, it's worth noting that you cannot pay with a credit or debit card. You can, however, use an IC Card, such as PiTaPa, ICOCA, Suica, or PASMO. These are contactless cards, similar to Suica cards in Tokyo. You can buy an Icoca or Pitapa card if you don't already have an IC card.
When boarding a bus in Kyoto, you will get on through the rear door and get off through the front. You will pay your fare when you get off the bus. If you are riding a Kyoto City Bus or a Kyoto Bus within the flat fare zone, you will touch your IC Card onto an IC card reader located next to the driver when you get off. If you are riding a Kyoto Bus outside of the flat fare zone, you will need to touch your IC Card onto another IC card reader located near the entrance door when you get on, too.
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Frequently asked questions
You can pay for a Kyoto bus using an IC Card (such as PiTaPa, ICOCA, Suica, & PASMO), a One-Day Ticket (e.g. the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass), or cash. Credit, debit, and cash cards cannot be used.
The cost of a bus ticket in Kyoto depends on whether you are travelling within or beyond the Flat Fare Zone. Within the Flat Fare Zone, the adult fare is 230 yen and the child fare is 120 yen. Beyond the Flat Fare Zone, the fare is calculated based on the number of stops and will be displayed on a screen at the front of the bus.
You can buy tickets directly from the driver or from a machine next to the driver's seat when you get off the bus. You can also purchase tickets in advance from automatic ticket vending machines at several bus stops.