Cartes de transport pour les bus et les métros à Kyoto
- Publié le : 18/01/2022
- Par : Japan Experience
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©Andrew Leu, Unsplash
Les essentiels pour se déplacer à Kyoto
Pour les visiteurs et pour les résidents de Kyoto, cartes de voyage, cartes à puce et pass à utiliser dans le métro et dans les bus de la ville sont nombreux.
Tarifs de bus et de métro à Kyoto
À Kyoto, les tarifs adultes pour le métro vont de 220 à 360 yens. Pour les mineurs, il faut compter entre 110 et 180 yens. Le métro de Kyoto comporte deux lignes : la ligne nord-sud Karasuma (verte) et la ligne est-ouest Tōzai (rouge). Il est beaucoup plus rapide de prendre ces lignes que d'utiliser les bus de la ville ! Néanmoins, les bus de la ville de Kyoto ont un tarif unique de 230 yens dans la zone centrale désignée et lorsque vous voyagez en dehors de cette zone, le tarif augmente. Pensez à vous procurer un billet numéroté à l'entrée ! Le tarif correspondant à votre numéro est indiqué sur un panneau électronique à l'avant du bus.
Métro et bus à Kyoto : pass un jour et deux jours
La Kyoto Sightseeing Pass Card (carte d'un jour et carte de deux jours) a été remplacée par le Subway, Bus One-Day Pass (pass d'un jour).
Le pass est valable pour le métro de Kyoto, les bus de la ville de Kyoto et certains bus Keihan (notamment vers Yamashina et Daigo). Contrairement au pass d'un jour pour les bus de la ville de Kyoto (voir plus bas), le pass métro et bus d'un jour inclue le voyage vers le temple Saihō (Kokedera; temple Moss), Ōhara et Iwakura.
Le pass d'un jour (Subway, Bus One-Day Pass) est valable uniquement le jour de sa délivrance (et non pendant 24 heures) ! Il coûte 1,100 yens pour les adultes et 550 yens pour les enfants.
Pass journalier pour le métro de la ville de Kyoto
Le pass journalier pour le métro de Kyoto permet des déplacements illimités dans le métro de la ville. Il coûte 800 yens pour les adultes et 400 yens pour les enfants. Ce pass journalier comprend des réductions sur l'entrée au musée municipal d'art de Kyoto, au château de Nijo, au zoo de Kyoto, au musée de Kyoto et au musée international du manga de Kyoto !
*Consultez le site officiel pour une liste complète des réductions et des cadeaux de bienvenue disponibles sur oneday-pass.kyoto .
The K'Loop Buses operate on weekends and public holidays in a clockwise loop connecting major Kyoto attractions and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A day pass costs 1,500 yen for adults and 700 yen for children, allowing unlimited hop-on-hop-off access at stops including Kyoto Station, Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Ginkakuji Temple, Heian Shrine, Gion, Kiyomizudera, and many more. Tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver.
Shugakuin, accessible via train or bus in Kyoto
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Kyoto KYOCERA Municipal Art Museum , accessible via train or bus in Kyoto
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Arashiyama Sagano Bamboo Forest, accessible via bus or train in Kyoto
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The Hankyu Tourist Pass (1,600 yen for one day) provides unlimited access to Hankyu, Hanshin, and Kobe Kōsoku train lines, connecting Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. This is particularly useful for visitors planning to explore these cities in a short timeframe.
For those interested in exploring Kyoto's eastern areas, the Keihan Railway's Kyoto Sightseeing Pass (1,000 yen for one day) covers unlimited travel on Keihan lines, making it convenient for visiting areas like Gion, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Uji.
The Arashiyama/Sagano Free Ticket from Kyoto Bus is ideal for exploring the scenic Arashiyama area, known for its bamboo groves and temples.
Regional Passes Covering Kyoto and Beyond
Visitors planning to explore beyond Kyoto can benefit from regional passes that cover wider areas:
The R-West Kansai Area Pass (available for 1, 2, 3, or 4 consecutive days) allows unlimited travel on JR trains connecting Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, and the Haruka Express from Kansai International Airport (KIX). This pass also includes one voucher each for a Kyoto Subway One-Day Card, a Keihan 1-Day Kyoto Sightseeing Pass, and a Hankyu 1-Day Kyoto Line Free Pass. Prices range from 2,800 yen for one day to 7,000 yen for four days (adults).
The JR Kansai Wide Area Pass (5,600 yen for adults) offers more extensive coverage, including the Sanyo Shinkansen between Osaka and Okayama, making it suitable for trips to destinations like Kinosaki Onsen and the Kumano Region.
Kyoto Subway rideable with the Subway, Bus Pass
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Kyoto Bus rideable with the Subway, Bus Pass
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The Kansai Thru Pass (4,480 yen for two days or 5,600 yen for three days) provides unlimited access to most non-JR railways, subways, and buses in the Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and Wakayama. Unlike other passes, it can be used on non-consecutive days, offering greater flexibility.
For travel between Kansai Airport and Kyoto, the Icoca & Haruka ticket provides a discounted fare on the Haruka Express and includes an ICOCA card preloaded with 2,000 yen.
Icoca card
Kansai One Pass card
Railway-Specific Passes and Tickets
Several railway companies offer their own passes for specific lines:
The Kintetsu Rail Pass (available in 1-day, 2-day, and 5-day options) covers travel on Japan's largest non-JR railway network, connecting Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Ise-Shima, and Nagoya. The "plus" version also includes buses around Nara and the Shima Peninsula.
The Hankyu Hanshin One-Day Pass (1,600 yen) provides unlimited access to Hankyu and Hanshin lines connecting Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, making it convenient for day trips between these cities.
The Keihan Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass (1,500 yen for one day) offers unlimited travel on the Keihan Line and Otokoyama Cable Line, plus discounts at selected attractions. It's particularly useful for trips between Kyoto's eastern areas and Osaka.
For exploring northern Kyoto, the Eizan Railway passes cover routes to areas like Kurama and Kibune, while the Keifuku Randen Line passes are useful for traveling to Arashiyama from central Kyoto.
How to Purchase and Use Transportation Passes
Most Kyoto transportation passes can be purchased at major stations, tourist information centers, and some hotels. The main locations include:
- Kyoto Station Bus Information Center (near the central exit)
- Subway station ticket windows and machines
- Kyoto City Bus & Subway Information Centers
- Tourist Information Centers at Kansai International Airport
- Major hotels throughout Kyoto
Some passes, like the Kansai Thru Pass and JR West passes, are only available to foreign visitors with "temporary visitor" status. You'll need to show your passport when purchasing these passes.
When using day passes on buses, insert your pass into the card reader next to the driver when exiting on your first ride. The date will be printed on the back, and you can simply show this to the driver on subsequent rides.
For subways, insert your pass into the ticket gate when entering and exiting. On your first use, the date will be printed on the back of the card.
Regional and railway-specific passes often have their own validation procedures, so be sure to follow the instructions provided when purchasing.
Money-Saving Tips for Kyoto Transportation
Choose the right pass based on your itinerary. If you're staying mainly within central Kyoto, the Subway & Bus One-Day Pass is often the most economical choice. For trips that include outlying areas or nearby cities, consider regional passes.
Combine different transportation modes to save time. For example, use the subway to avoid traffic congestion, then transfer to a bus for the final leg of your journey.
When exploring areas like Higashiyama during peak seasons (especially cherry blossom season), consider walking rather than using buses or taxis, as roads can become extremely congested.
For Getting around Kyoto, consider using trains to reach the station closest to your destination, then connect to a bus or walk. For example, to visit Kinkaku-ji, transfer to a city bus from Enmachi Station on the JR Sagano Line rather than taking a bus all the way from Kyoto Station.
If you're traveling as a group of three or four people, taxis can sometimes be more economical than buses for short distances. They're also useful for connecting areas that aren't well-served by public transportation.
For those planning to explore Kyoto extensively, consider renting a bicycle, as the city is mostly flat and bicycle-friendly. This can be a cost-effective and enjoyable way to see the city, especially in areas like Arashiyama.
If you'll be using JR trains frequently throughout Japan, calculate whether activating your Japan Rail Pass in Kyoto is worthwhile. Since there are few JR lines in Kyoto, it might make sense to delay activation until you leave the city.
By understanding Kyoto's transportation options and choosing the right passes for your needs, you can navigate this historic city efficiently and economically, making the most of your time in Japan's cultural heart. Remember that planning ahead and being flexible with your transportation choices will help you avoid crowds and discover the best of what Kyoto has to offer.
