Around Kyoto Station, the city’s main hub, easily connects with famous sights like Kinkaku-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion) and Nijo-jo Castle to the north, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine to the south, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Ginkaku-ji Temple (the Silver Pavilion) to the east, and Arashiyama to the west. With all this ground to cover, public transportation is a must.

While there are several ways of getting around Kyoto City, for the smoothest visit, knowing how to effectively combine buses, subways, and trains is key. The city often faces traffic jams due to the growing number of tourists. Relying solely on buses for transportation can lead to significant delays. To get around this, we advise utilizing a mix of subways, trains, and buses.

The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass allows unlimited rides on all Kyoto City subway lines, all city buses (including the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus), as well as the Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus and West Japan JR Bus (excluding some routes) for one day, making it possible to visit tons of sightseeing spots in Kyoto with just one ticket!

Please keep in mind that this is not a 24-hour ticket and can only be used on the same day that it is activated. The price is 1,100 yen for adults and 550 yen for children (6-11 years old).

As an added bonus, with a Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass, you can get discounts and other perks at over 60 locations in Kyoto.

For instance, you can get 100 yen off the entrance fee to Nijo-jo Castle, a 100 yen discount on the entrance fee to Eikando Temple, a spot famous for its autumn colors (not applicable during illumination events), and more.

To redeem these special offers, just present your pass at the entrance of the location you want to use it in. Details on special offers can be found on the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass website.

See a list of spots with special offers here ▶ Kyoto City Transportation Bureau (oneday-pass.kyoto)

And, the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass has become an even better deal! Starting summer 2024, you can also ride the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus as much as you like! The Sightseeing Limited Express Bus will skip intermediate stops and only service stops near famous tourist destinations. This means you can reach Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, Heian Jingu Shrine, Ginkaku-ji Templefaster than other buses! For example, travel time to Ginkaku-ji Temple is 20 minutes shorter than regular city buses! The fare is 500 yen for adults (250 yen for children) one way, making it 1,000 yen for a round trip. However, with the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass, you can ride the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus as much as you want, so you'll quickly get your money's worth!

If you intend to spend a full day sightseeing around Kyoto, the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass is worth getting. Take a look at this sample course to see how much money you can save using the pass. ＊This course reflects a weekday when the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus is not in operation.

This route visits some of the famous tourist destinations, starting from Kyoto Station and going to Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Nijo-jo Castle, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple before returning to Kyoto Station.

If you efficiently combine subway and bus transport, the fare is 1,620 yen. With the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass, you can save more than 500 yen! In addition, Nijo-jo Castle offers a 100 yen discount on the entrance fee.

The Subway & Bus 1-Day Passes can be purchased at many convenient locations, including at ticket machines and ticket counters in Kyoto Station and other subway stations, as well as at bus stops in front of Kyoto Station.

Ticket machines are also available at the Kyoto Tourist Information Center (Kyo-Navi) on the second floor of the Kyoto Station building.

Note that both the ticket counter and ticket machines accept cash only. Please have cash ready before purchasing.

See a list of locations where Subway & Bus 1-Day Passes are sold ▶ Kyoto City Transportation Bureau (oneday-pass.kyoto)

It's so easy to use!

Insert the pass into the yellow slot on the automatic ticket gate. The pass will come out the other side, so don't forget to grab it.
The first time you use the pass, the date will be printed on it automatically.

The first time you get off a bus, insert the pass into the slot of the fare machine next to the bus driver's seat. The date will be printed on the pass. Don't forget to pick up the pass when it comes back out.

On subsequent rides, just show the date written on your pass to the bus driver when you get off the bus. There's no need to insert the pass into the slot again.

*The Sightseeing Limited Express Bus requires passengers to board through the front door and exit through the rear door, so the order is reversed. Please note that fare payment is made upon boarding.

Having a Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass makes visiting Kyoto's sightseeing spots a breeze. Since you just need to insert the pass into the gate to board the subway or present it to the bus driver when you ride the bus, it takes all the hassle out of riding public transportation. Navigate the subway and buses efficiently without worrying about the cost and enjoy every corner of Kyoto to the fullest.

For details ▶ Kyoto Subway and Bus 1-Day Pass website