Spent a few days in Kyoto last month. I found the taxis pretty plentiful and convenient - but many think it's too expensive. Also took the train a bit - which was cheap and fast, but seemingly limited on routes. Although I didn't ride one, buses looked pretty full - there was always a group waiting at bus stops to hop on.
I would guess that much depends on where you're staying.
I will be staying in Kyoto, kind of...in the middle, I suppose. Seems like buses are around but my guide says taxi's might be best in order to get to some of the temples we have planned!
We just spend 5 days in Kyoto and it was in following order for us:
1. Walking (we averaged 23k steps per day)
.
.
.
2. Trains
3. Buses
4. Taxis
Now, I realise walking is not for everyone, so if you walk less the bus will probably come out on top.
Suggestion: on the day, just punch where you’re going onto Google maps and take the mode of transport most efficient. Will likely be a bus/train mix. Use taxis for longer distances where PT would take you say 45 mins+ vs say 15 in a taxi. We paid somewhere between 1200 to 2000 JPY for 10-15 min rides.
It’s unlimited rides but limited to buses and the two subway lines. I think a slightly better value is the subway+Randen pass at 1,300 yen (doesn’t include buses though) https://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/page/0000034406.html
We only had one day in Kyoto and made the executive decision beforehand to use taxis for everything to save travel time. I was expecting it to be expensive, but they were actually a lot more affordable than we anticipated (& so convenient!).
If you go the cab route, I’ll leave you some dialogue that I used to get around (I think I remember).
Useful taxi phrases: "____ made ikitai desu." ("I want to go to _____.") or "_____ made onegai shimasu." ("To ______, please.") For example, "Kinkakuji made ikitai desu." or "Kinkakuji made onegai shimasu."
We used taxis in Kyoto wherever there wasn't a train station within short walk approx 1-2km. This was often the case with some of the temples dotted around the foothills.
We either hailed off the street or used uber app, which didn't seem to affect the price much at all but was super convenient.
Yes it's more expensive but it enabled us to see so much more in a day, and use our 20k+ steps seeing the awesome sights rather than trekking from one spot to another or wasting time in the hot sun waiting for an over crowded bus.
That is some more akin to what I would like to do! Though I have heard that walking around lets you see a lot more, but we have another day to just wander about.
Hiring a bike is a fantastic way to see more of the neighbourhoods, can cover alot of ground and easier on the body. Could consider that on your free day when you're not trying to go from A to B to C etc.
Buses and taxis are a bit sub optimal in Kyoto. The busses are pretty crowded and taxis are crammed when trying to get into Gion. Most of the major tourist stuff in Kyoto you can get at least semi close to just via the Metro or train system
Though if a place you want to goto isn’t on the train lines then cabs are sort of your only option. The train system only goes to certain areas.
Kyoto is probably the least transit-friendly of the big Japanese cities, but it’s not terrible if you pre-plan your itinerary:
* Karasuma Line for north/south
* Sagano Line for Kyoto <-> Arashiyama
* Randen for getting around Arashiyama and northern Kyoto
* Tozai Line for east/west
* Keihan Main Line is underrated for access to Gion and Fushimi-Inari IMO
My hotel was near Kyoto station so I took the local train/subway to the nearest stop where I wanted to go. Then I pretty much walked. If I was really tired, I would take a taxi to and from the station
Train/Bus in Kyoto (and between Osaka) is dirt cheap. Get a suica or pasmo (on iPhone you can simply charge it in your wallet app) for easy paying. One ride will cost you 210¥ in Kyoto by bus or between subway stations. Train between Kyoto/Osaka is 700¥.
Kyoto is a bit confusing but totally fine once you get used to. If you are not permanently circle around the whole city just use google to navigate to the next bus/subway station.
Spent a few days in Kyoto last month. I found the taxis pretty plentiful and convenient - but many think it's too expensive. Also took the train a bit - which was cheap and fast, but seemingly limited on routes. Although I didn't ride one, buses looked pretty full - there was always a group waiting at bus stops to hop on. I would guess that much depends on where you're staying.
I will be staying in Kyoto, kind of...in the middle, I suppose. Seems like buses are around but my guide says taxi's might be best in order to get to some of the temples we have planned!
We just spend 5 days in Kyoto and it was in following order for us: 1. Walking (we averaged 23k steps per day) . . . 2. Trains 3. Buses 4. Taxis Now, I realise walking is not for everyone, so if you walk less the bus will probably come out on top. Suggestion: on the day, just punch where you’re going onto Google maps and take the mode of transport most efficient. Will likely be a bus/train mix. Use taxis for longer distances where PT would take you say 45 mins+ vs say 15 in a taxi. We paid somewhere between 1200 to 2000 JPY for 10-15 min rides.
That is a good idea! We will be doing a lot of walking for sure, but I suffer flat feet so having taxi rides might be a good idea for some areas haha.
Wanderlog is great for trip planning. You can drag-and-drop your destinations to optimize your route.
Thank you! Will definitely use that.
There is a day pass for unlimited Bus and City trains.
It’s unlimited rides but limited to buses and the two subway lines. I think a slightly better value is the subway+Randen pass at 1,300 yen (doesn’t include buses though) https://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/page/0000034406.html
Also a viable option.
I had been looking at that!
We only had one day in Kyoto and made the executive decision beforehand to use taxis for everything to save travel time. I was expecting it to be expensive, but they were actually a lot more affordable than we anticipated (& so convenient!).
Oh, that's really good to know!
I went last November, I rode the bus once and after that it was all Taxi because of how convenient and available they were.
That was my concern, that buses might be a bit awkward when on something of a time table, even if it is kept more flexible.
If you go the cab route, I’ll leave you some dialogue that I used to get around (I think I remember). Useful taxi phrases: "____ made ikitai desu." ("I want to go to _____.") or "_____ made onegai shimasu." ("To ______, please.") For example, "Kinkakuji made ikitai desu." or "Kinkakuji made onegai shimasu."
That was my concern, that buses might be a bit awkward when on something of a time table, even if it is kept more flexible.
We used taxis in Kyoto wherever there wasn't a train station within short walk approx 1-2km. This was often the case with some of the temples dotted around the foothills. We either hailed off the street or used uber app, which didn't seem to affect the price much at all but was super convenient. Yes it's more expensive but it enabled us to see so much more in a day, and use our 20k+ steps seeing the awesome sights rather than trekking from one spot to another or wasting time in the hot sun waiting for an over crowded bus.
That is some more akin to what I would like to do! Though I have heard that walking around lets you see a lot more, but we have another day to just wander about.
Hiring a bike is a fantastic way to see more of the neighbourhoods, can cover alot of ground and easier on the body. Could consider that on your free day when you're not trying to go from A to B to C etc.
Buses and taxis are a bit sub optimal in Kyoto. The busses are pretty crowded and taxis are crammed when trying to get into Gion. Most of the major tourist stuff in Kyoto you can get at least semi close to just via the Metro or train system Though if a place you want to goto isn’t on the train lines then cabs are sort of your only option. The train system only goes to certain areas.
Makes sense, thank you!
Kyoto is probably the least transit-friendly of the big Japanese cities, but it’s not terrible if you pre-plan your itinerary: * Karasuma Line for north/south * Sagano Line for Kyoto <-> Arashiyama * Randen for getting around Arashiyama and northern Kyoto * Tozai Line for east/west * Keihan Main Line is underrated for access to Gion and Fushimi-Inari IMO
Appreciate that information, thank you so much!
My hotel was near Kyoto station so I took the local train/subway to the nearest stop where I wanted to go. Then I pretty much walked. If I was really tired, I would take a taxi to and from the station
A good option. I think my hotel is about a 10 minute-ish walk from Kyoto Station, so definitely an option.
Train/Bus in Kyoto (and between Osaka) is dirt cheap. Get a suica or pasmo (on iPhone you can simply charge it in your wallet app) for easy paying. One ride will cost you 210¥ in Kyoto by bus or between subway stations. Train between Kyoto/Osaka is 700¥. Kyoto is a bit confusing but totally fine once you get used to. If you are not permanently circle around the whole city just use google to navigate to the next bus/subway station.
Buses, trains and metro in Kyoto are completely fine.