Bus Travel in Kyoto

Bus Travel

A network of bus routes covers the entire city. Most city buses run 7 AM-9 PM daily, but a few start as early as 5:30 AM and run until 11 PM. The main bus terminals are Kyoto Station, Keihan Sanjo Station, Karasuma-Kitao-ji, and at the Shijo-dori-Karasuma-dori intersection. Many city buses do not have signs in English, so you need to know the bus number. Because you will probably ride the bus at least once in Kyoto, try to pick up a bus map early in your stay from the Kyoto Tourist Information Center.

At each bus stop a guidepost indicates the stop name, the bus route, and the bus-route number. Because the information at most guideposts is only in Japanese (except for the route number, which is given as an Arabic numeral), you are advised to ask your hotel clerk beforehand to write down your destination in Japanese, along with the route number, to show to the bus driver and fellow passengers; this will allow the driver and others to help you if you get lost. You might also ask your hotel clerk beforehand how many stops your ride will take.

Within the city the standard fare is ¥220, which you pay before leaving the bus; outside the city limits the fare varies according to distance. Several special transportation passes are available, including the following: a one-day city bus pass for ¥500; a multiday discount bus pass that provides ¥2,250 worth of riding for ¥2,000; and the torafika kyo pass, which provides ¥3,300 worth of transport via city bus or subway for ¥3,000. Additionally, you can purchase combination one-day (¥1,200) or two-day (¥2,000) passes that cover travel on city buses, the subway, and private Kyoto Line buses, with restrictions on some routes. The ¥3,000 surutto Kansai, a versatile multiday pass, covers transportation on city buses, the subway, and all the major Kansai railways except the JR line. All of these passes are sold at travel agencies, main bus terminals, and information centers in Kyoto Station.

You can use a JR Pass on the local bus that travels between Kyoto Station and Takao (in northwestern Kyoto), passing close to Nijo Station.