The metro is the most popular mode of transport in Kyoto, but it is not very convenient for tourists. It only goes to a very limited number of sights.
However, the metro is a great complement to buses, which are described more in the Transport chapter. In fact, you can buy a convenient day ticket for the metro + buses.
Since many maps also show urban and suburban railways as metro lines, we'll describe them in this chapter as well. There are indeed marked differences, for example in ticketing, between the subway and other rail carriers in Kyoto.
Book a hotel in Kyoto in advance
Map of subways and railways
Clear official maps of all railways in Kyoto are not available, so we have created our own map of the Kyoto subway, JR trains and all private railways.
Kyoto Subway
The classic subway is the busiest urban railway in Kyoto, but it only has 2 lines.
Trains run at a frequency of 4-7 minutes on weekdays and about 8-10 minutes on weekends.
All subway lines in Kyoto run from approximately 5:30 am to 11:30 pm.
The official website with a list of lines and timetables can be found at: city.kyoto.lg.jp.
Fares
Fares for children aged 6 to 11 are always half the adult fare. Children under 6 travel free on the subway.
The price for single fares is calculated according to distance. A map of the network hangs above the machines at each station. Look for your destination station where the amount you will pay is written.
A day ticket is valid for 1 calendar day and not for 24 hours.
| Single tickets | 220 jpy - 300 jpy |
| All-day - metro only | 800 jpy |
| All-day - metro + buses | 1 100 jpy |
For the exact price of a single fare, please visit city.kyoto.lg.jp.
What other tickets and passes are valid for riding the Osaka Metro?
| Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass | Yes |
|---|---|
| JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass | No |
| Kansai Railway Pass | yes |
How to use the tickets?
You can use traditional paper tickets or transport cards on Kyoto Metro.
Paper tickets
Tickets can be bought from the ticket machines at each metro station. You can also use a ticket office with a ticket attendant. Classic paper tickets can only be paid for in cash.
If you buy a single ticket, first find the destination station on the map above the machine, where the amount is written. You then select this on the machine screen and pay.
You insert the paper ticket into the turnstile on one side and the turnstile returns it to you on the other side. Don't forget to take your ticket as you will need it again when you leave the station.
If you use a single ticket, the turnstile will keep it when you exit. If it is a day ticket, the turnstile will return it again.
Transport cards
You can also use one of Japan's 10 transport cards to pay your fare.
- Icoca
- Pitapa
- Suica
- Pasmo
- Toica
- Manaca
- Kitaca
- Sugoca
- Nimoca
- Hayakaken
There is no discount for paying with these cards in Kyoto compared to paying with cash.
The Icoca card is sold in Kyoto and can be purchased from a machine at any subway station for 500 jpy. You choose the amount you want to load onto the card.
You are then charged a fare based on how you ride. You don't have to check the fare when you pay. Simply place your card on the reader at the turnstile when you enter and exit the platform.
You can use the card on all means of transport throughout Japan.
Subway Station Facilities
All stations are equipped with very clean toilets, which are always accessible free of charge.
Most stations have vending machines in the ticket machine area and sometimes on the platform, where you can usually pay with cash only.
In the vast majority of stations you will also find automatic luggage lockers with prices ranging from 400 jpy to 800 jpy for 24 hours depending on the size of the luggage.
Railways in and around the city
In addition to the subway, many different rail carriers run around Kyoto.
JR-WEST
The state-owned carrier's trains provide the fastest service from the city centre to the Arashiyama area, where there is, for example, the popular Bamboo Forest, or further afield to Kameoka, where traditional sightseeing boats sail back downriver to Kyoto.
JR trains are also the fastest for travel from Kyoto Station to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Choose a hotel near Kyoto Station
The JR Pass or JR-WEST Pass are convenient for travelers who have the JR Pass.
Single fares are calculated according to distance and prices range from 190 jpy to 290 jpy.
| Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass | No |
|---|---|
| JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass | Yes |
| Kansai Railway Pass | no |
Find connections and exact ticket prices on westjr.co.jp.
Keihan Railway
The Keihan Railway is used to travel from Osaka to the touristy eastern part of Kyoto with its many sights.
However, the trains also serve well for quick transport from Fushimi Inari Shrine to the Gion district or further north into the mountainous areas, with a transfer to the Eizan Railway.
Tickets can be purchased from vending machines (paper tickets) or you can pay with one of Japan's 10 transport cards.
Single fares are calculated according to distance and prices range from 190 jpy to 290 jpy.
| Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass | No |
|---|---|
| JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass | No |
| Kansai Railway Pass | yes |
Official website: keihan.co.jp
Eizan Railway
The small Eizan Railway network connects to Keihan trains at Demachiyanagi Station.
These trains take you to the Kurama mountain area (1 transfer required at Takaragaike Station) or to the cable cars to Mount Hiei.
Tickets can be purchased from vending machines (paper tickets) or you can pay with one of 10 Japanese transport cards.
Single fares are calculated according to distance and prices range from 190 jpy to 290 jpy.
| Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass | No |
|---|---|
| JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass | No |
| Kansai Railway Pass | no |
Official website: keihan.co.jp
Hankyu Railway
These trains provide service from Kyoto's central Kawaramachi shopping district via both Green and Red Line subway stations to the southwest of the city and on to Osaka.
The Hankyu Railway also takes you to Arashiyama Station, but trains from there only go to Katsura Station and are more convenient for travel to Osaka than central Kyoto.
Tickets can be purchased from vending machines (paper tickets) or you can pay with one of Japan's 10 transport cards.
| Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass | No |
|---|---|
| JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass | no |
| Kansai Railway Pass | yes |
Official website: hankyu.co.jp
Randen Tram (Keifuku Railway)
Kyoto also has two Randen tram lines operated by Keifuku Railway.
They serve travel from the Arashiyama tourist area to the northern part of downtown Kyoto or to the terminus of the Red Line subway.
The fare is flat and costs 220 jpy. You pay the fare when you get off the tram in exact cash or with one of 10 Japanese transport cards.
| Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass | No |
|---|---|
| JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass | no |
| Kansai Railway Pass | no |
Official website: keifuku.co.jp
Kintetsu Railway
You won't get much use out of these trains for pure transportation around Kyoto.
They are suitable for trips to nearby areas, especially Nara.
Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines (paper tickets) or you can pay with one of the 10 Japanese transport cards.
| Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass | No |
|---|---|
| JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass | no |
| Kansai Railway Pass | yes |
Convenient multi-day passes are also available for the Kintetsu train network only:
- 1 day for 1 800 jpy (for Osaka - Nara - Kyoto axis lines only) - this pass is only worthwhile for at least 4 rides in one day, which is not very feasible
- 2 days for 3 000 jpy (only for lines on the Osaka - Nara - Kyoto axis)
- 5 days for 4 500 jpy (for the entire Kintetsu network) - a very good ticket for travel to Nara, Yoshino, Ise-Shima, Nagoya
For Limited Express trains, you must always purchase a seat reservation in addition to the fare.
Official website: kintetsu.co.jp
