transportation Archives

Kyoto travel passes are the best way to save money when traveling around the ancient capital. But the main attractions are spread out, and not all discount passes will get you where you want to go. So here's everything you need to know -- to help you choose the best pass for your trip to Kyoto. Pro tip: Avoid the crowds with . Kyoto travel passes compared Pass Price Best For Where to Buy Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass Traveling around the city Online (Klook) Subway 1-Day Pass Easy and straightforward subway travel Kyoto Station K'Loop Sightseeing Bus Budget hop-on-hop-off On the bus (cash) Skyhop Bus 1-Day Open-air bus which takes you around the city's main attractions Online (Klook) Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass Day-tripping to Osaka Online (Klook) Hankyū Tourist Pass Arashiyama + Osaka day-trip Online (Klook) Kansai Railway Pass Lite (2-day) Regional exploration Online (Klook) JR Pass (Kansai Area) (1-day) JR Line travel only Online (Klook) Note: Most passes pay for themselves in 2–3 attractions or just 1–2 rides. The key to picking the best Kyoto travel pass is first deciding which attractions you'd like to see, and what you'd like to experience in Kyoto. Otherwise, you risk buying a pass that doesn't serve your purpose. For those staying in Kyoto we recommend the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass for its affordability and large area of coverage, or the Skyhop Bus for its multilingual audio guides. If you're just day-tripping from Osaka, the Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass or the Hankyū Tourist Pass are good options. Read on for more details on each of the passes. Want to know more about the various transport options in Kyoto? Check out our complete guide to getting around in Kyoto. 1. JR Pass and JR regional passes Starting at for a 1-Day Kansai Area Pass Buy online In addition to the classic country-wide JR Pass, there are JR West Passes and Kansai Area Passes. In most cases, you'll need to buy your pass before arriving in Japan. With any of them, you get unlimited rides on JR trains and buses in the validity area. While there are all sorts of things that you need to consider when buying a JR Pass, when it comes to getting around in Kyoto the main thing to keep in mind is that you can only use the JR Pass on JR lines. So if you're planning on a full day of sightseeing, you might want to check whether you can get to where you want to go using only JR trains. Otherwise, a different pass will serve you better. 2. Skyhop: Hop-on hop-off Sightseeing Bus (1-Day Pass) or (2-Day Pass) Buy online If you want to hit a lot of places in one day, this is the pass for you. While it's definitely on the pricier end, it follows a loop course that covers all of Kyoto's major attractions like Kinkaku-ji Temple, Heian-jingū Shrine, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. There is free Wi-Fi onboard and also multilingual audio guides in the bus, so you can learn about Kyoto's history and culture as you travel around. Note that if you get the 2-Day Pass you must use it on consecutive days. You can buy Skyhop tickets online, in-person at a ticket counter, or as you board the bus. 3. Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass Buy a Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass online This pass is valid on all Kyoto City Bus routes and both subway lines. It's also valid on some Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, and JR West Bus routes. Because the pass combines bus and subway options, it covers a broad area. You can use it to get from Kinkaku-ji Temple in northwestern Kyoto all the way to Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto's southeast, although it would take a fair amount of time. The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass can only be bought in person. There are several places that sell it, but the most convenient option is the Kyoto City Bus and Subway Information Center outside Kyoto Station's Central Exit. Opt for a tour that includes transport. Join and visit some of Kyoto's most famous spots without worrying about how to get to them. 4. Subway 1-Day Pass The Subway 1-Day Pass is a scaled back version of the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass, that logically only covers Kyoto's two subway lines. This makes it a bit more limited, but you could still use it to get to places like Nijō Castle, the Higashiyama District, and Nishiki Market in Shijō. Keep in mind that only one of Kyoto's subway lines, the Karasuma Line, connects to Kyoto Station. Like the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass, you need to buy this pass in-person and the most convenient location is the Kyoto City Bus and Subway Information Center outside Kyoto Station's Central Exit. 5. K'Loop Sightseeing Loop Bus Another hop-on hop-off bus option is the appropriately named K'Loop Bus. At the moment there are three routes; the Kinkaku-ji Temple/Nijō Castle route, the Heian-jingū Shrine/Kiyomizu route, and the Fushimi Inari Shrine/Tō-ji Temple route. There are also plans to start an Arashiyama route in the future. A 1-Day Pass gives you unlimited rides on all three routes, so it's very good value for money. However, it doesn't have Wi-Fi or audio guides like the more expensive Skyhop Bus. Departures are also less frequent, and you can only buy tickets in-person from the bus attendants. 6. Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass (1-Day Pass) Buy online The Kyoto-Osaka Pass covers travel on the Keihan Line and the Otokoyama Cable Line. You can either buy it online in advance or in-person from select Kansai Tourist Information Centers, train stations, and hotels. Some overseas travel agents also sell them, but the cost may be higher. The pass is valid for one day, and there's also a Kyoto-only version that's valid for just one day. This pass gives you good access to places like Gion, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Uji, and Osaka Castle. Note that the Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass is only available for foreign tourists to Japan. 7. Hankyū Tourist Pass (1-Day Pass) or (2-Day Pass) Buy online If you're planning to make a day-trip from Osaka to Kyoto, the Hankyū Tourist Pass might be what you're looking for. You get unlimited rides on Hankyū Lines for either one or two (consecutive) days, which you can use to get to Arashiyama's Bamboo Forest, and Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station which is right by Gion. This pass can also get you to Kobe, or Minō so the 2-Day version is a good idea if you'd like to visit one of them too. Keep in mind that the Hankyū Tourist Pass is only available to international tourists to Japan. You can buy the Hankyū Tourist Pass online or in-person at Hankyū Tourist Information Centers, and at a select number of other locations. 8. Kansai Railway Pass Lite (2-Day Pass) or (3-Day Pass) Buy online Another pricier pass, the Kansai Railway Pass Lite (formerly known as the Kansai Thru Pass) is suited for wider travel in the Kansai region. It's valid on a wide range of private train lines, subways, and buses, but not on JR trains or buses. For travel in Kyoto, you can use it on the Hankyū Line, but if you're only traveling in Kyoto there are other travel passes that are more affordable. Note that, since April 2026, the Lite version is sold and valid only from April to September each year. However, the pass can get you to Osaka, Kobe, Wakayama, Nara, and Himeji so if you're planning day-trips from Kyoto it may well be worth it, especially because the pass is valid on non-consecutive days. Keep in mind that this pass is only available for foreign tourists to Japan. The pass can be bought online in advance or in-person at a number of Tourist Information Centers, hotels, and Bic Camera stores in the Kansai region. Frequently asked questions Can I use my JR Pass in Kyoto? If your JR Pass is valid for use in Kansai, then yes you can use your JR Pass to get around in Kyoto. However, there aren't a lot of JR Lines there, so depending on where you go you may have to pay for the use of private rail or bus routes. Are travel passes worth it? Most travel passes are worth it if you use them for a whole day and visit more than just one or two attractions. Check the routes in advance and plan your day carefully in order to make the most out of them. What transport card is used in Kyoto? In Kyoto (and Kansai in general), the main transport card is the "ICOCA." Its name is an abbreviation of "IC Operating Card" and also a pun because it sounds like "let's go" in the local Kansai dialect. You can also use other IC Cards like Suica or Pasmo in Kyoto. While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Last updated in June 2026, by Jane Pipkin.

Transportation Posts

8 Kyoto Travel Passes That Will Save You Money

Getting From Nagasaki Airport to Nagasaki City

The Complete Guide to Getting Around in Kyoto

The Complete Guide to JR West Rail Passes

Pretty in Pink: Riding the Hello Kitty Shinkansen

By Sky or Sail: How to Get to Yakushima

Road Trip! Exploring Hokkaido's Vast Beauty by Car

Transportation Posts

8 Kyoto Travel Passes That Will Save You Money

Getting From Nagasaki Airport to Nagasaki City

The Complete Guide to Getting Around in Kyoto

The Complete Guide to JR West Rail Passes

Pretty in Pink: Riding the Hello Kitty Shinkansen

By Sky or Sail: How to Get to Yakushima

Road Trip! Exploring Hokkaido's Vast Beauty by Car

Log in

Create Account

Recover Password

Log in Successful