You can go everywhere with one pass! 10 Types of Kyoto Transportation Passes
Kyoto is known as a popular travel destination. These are some savvy tips just for you!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
1. Kyo Meguri
If you are an energetic traveler and would like to see the most of Kyoto in one day, check out this exclusive deal! It is suitable for Kintetsu trains, Kyoto city buses, and the Kyoto subway (some lines are excluded). Because everything is included in one pass, you can simply hop on and hop off whenever you want without worrying about paying extra on transportation!
On sale: January 12, 2016 – December 25, 2016
Price: 1820 JPY, 2130 JPY (the prices varied between different types, please check the link below)
Website: http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/senden/Railway/Ticket/kyo_meguri/index.html
2. Kyoto Sightseeing Pass (1 day, 2 days)
This deal offers 1 day and 2 days passes and it is suitable for unlimited rides of Kyoto buses and the subway. You can use this pass to visit most of the tourist attractions. It also includes discounts for 60 must-see destinations and services (the details and the map come with the ticket).
Price: (1 day) Adults 1,200 JPY, Children 600 JPY
(2 days) Adults 2,000 JPY, Children 1,000 JPY
(the image shows the available stops for this pass)
3. Kyoto Sightseeing One-day Pass (Yamashinaku, Daigo Deluxe Edition)
There is a deluxe version of the 1-day pass that we introduced before. This pass covers the same area as the regular pass, plus extra destinations. If you plan to see more, we highly recommend this deal! Same as the regular Kyoto Sightseeing Pass, it includes the unlimited rides of Kyoto city buses, city subway (some lines are excluded), and Keihan Buses (some lines are excluded). Besides, you can get the discount entrance fees for Iwaya-ji, Kaju-ji, Zuishin-in, Bishamon-do. Enjoy your comfortable and relaxing trip in Kyoto!
On Sale: April 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017
Price: 1,300 JPY (only available for adults)
4. Pedestrian-Friendly City Kyoto, 1-Day/2-Day Rail Ticket
This ticket covers unlimited rides of the main city railroads, including some discounts for sightseeing attractions. The pass is meant to encourage everyone to use public transportation to reduce air pollution and create clean environments. Though Kyoto buses are excluded from this deal, the pass is suitable for the Kyoto subway, regular rail systems (new-rapid, rapid, and local), Keihan trains, Kyofuku trains, and Hankyu trains.
On Sale: One-Day Pass: July 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016
Two-Day Pass: June 30, 2016 – September 29, 2016
Price: One-Day 1,300 JPY (only available for adults)
Two-Day 2,000 JPY (only available for adults)
5. Kyoto City Subway One-day Pass
As the name of the pass, you can use this pass for unlimited Kyoto subway rides. Plus, you can get the discount prices for selected attractions if you visit the same day, including Nijo Castle, Kyoto Cultural Museum, Kyoto City Zoo, Kyoto Art Museum, Kyoto Aquarium, and more (special events or exhibitions are excluded). You can visit several destinations in one day so you can have a great trip!
* Additional fee may apply when transferring to Kintetsu and Keihan lines.
**Please be aware of the special deals for the attractions may vary according to adults and children’s fares are different.
On Sale: All year round
Price: Adults 600 JPY, Children 300 JPY
city.kyoto.lg.jp(the image shows the available stops for this pass)
6. Kyoto City Bus, Kyoto Bus One-day Pass
Who said you can only use train or subway systems while you travel? Taking the bus actually offers you more opportunities for sightseeing! This year, from March 19th, the bus pass has extended its suitable area. It is only 500 JPY to enjoy the unlimited rides for the Kyoto buses. Let's save some money on transportation and use it for other travel expenses!
*This pass is not suitable for Keihan buses, JR buses, and other private owned buses; the city subway is also excluded.
On Sale: All year round
Price: Adults 500 JPY, Children 250 JPY
(the image shows the available stops for this pass)
7. Kyoto Subway and Randen 1-day Ticket
This ticket offers unlimited rides on the subway and Randen (Kyofuku railroads). You only need one ticket to take you to everywhere in Kyoto. Check out the map below and plan out your most wanted destinations. Plan your best Kyoto experience with this ticket!
On Sale: April 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017
Price: 1000 JPY (only available for adults)
* This ticket covers full service on the Kyoto cubway, but city are excluded. This ticket is eligible until April 30th, 2017
(the image shows the available stops for this pass)
8. Arashiyama/ Higashiyama 1-day Ticket
Fushimi Inari-taisha、Kawaramachi、Arashiyama、Gion…this ticket covers all you need! You can use it for the Keihan, Hankyu, and Randen trains, as well as some exclusive deals for the attractions along Randen! This easy-to-use ticket can make your Kyoto experience unforgettable, especially if this is your first time to Kyoto.
On Sale: February 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017
Price: Adults 1000 JPY – 1300 JPY
Children 500 JPY – 650 JPY
(Price varies according to the starting station)
Website: https://www.keihan.co.jp/traffic/valueticket/ticket/arashiyama-higashiyama/
(Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge)
(Higashiyama Gion)
(the image shows the available stops for this pass)
9. Kyoto/ Arashiyama 1-day Pass
This is a seasonal ticket that is only available for a limited time. It is suitable for unlimited rides for the Randen and Hankyu trains, Kyoto buses, and the Noseden to Arashiyama, Sagano, or Uzumasa areas during the spring or autumn seasons. The ticket offers coupons for gift shops and temples. We highly recommend this seasonal special ticket to visit the beauty of nature, whether it be cherry blossoms or autumn foliage.
Price: 1,300 JPY (Hankyu edition), 1,600 JPY (Noseden edition) (only available for adults)
(the image from spring in Arashiyama)
(the image from autumn in Arashiyama)
10. Subway and Hieizan Ticket
This ticket is suitable for traveling from Kyoto to Hieizan by using city subways, buses, or transferring to cable car or ropeway for a discount price. It only takes no more than one hour to Hieizan from downtown. Summer is nice and cool, and autumn is full of beautiful maple leaves in Hieizan, so both of these seasons are highly recommended for you to pay a visit. With this ticket, you can get the special price for three towers of Enryaku-ji or the Garden Museum Hiei.
On Sale: April 17, 2016 – December 4, 2016
Price: Adults 2000JPY, Children 1000JPY
(Autumn in Hieizan)
(Garden Museum Hiei)
Ticket discounts:
April 17 – November 19: Adults 1,030 JPY → 830JPY, Children 515 JPY →415JPY
November 20 – December 4: Adults 515JPY →415JPY, Children 260JPY→210JPY
There are so many types of special tickets just in Kyoto! Match up with your traveling schedule and find the best choice of the tickets and enjoy your trip!
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
About the author
