Kyoto is a fairly large city, so it's a good idea to take your time choosing a good place to stay. The difference between a "well chosen" and a "poorly chosen" neighbourhood is not just about atmosphere - in Kyoto, it's all about time spent in traffic.

You'll use the buses the most, but they are often slow and crowded. So it makes sense to have the subway or rail handy and only tackle the last stretch to the sights by bus.

Show hotel prices in Kyoto

Quickest decision: where to stay based on your travel style

Location	Who is best for
Kyoto Station	The most practical base
Kawaramachi / Shijo	downtown, shops, restaurants
Gion	Traditional Japan
Higashiyama	historical atmosphere
Arashiyama	nature, bamboo forest

Where to stay in Kyoto

We recommend staying near one of the transport hubs, especially the subway stations.

In fact, you'll use the subway combined with buses the most to get around Kyoto, but it's a good idea to have the subway handy as bus travel is very lengthy.

Kyoto Station - the most practical location

Kyoto Station is a major hub for long-distance transport, the subway and dozens of city bus lines. If you plan to explore all of Kyoto, then the area around the station is by far the most convenient.

• 💸 APA Hotel Kyoto Ekimae *** - A popular budget Japanese hotel chain will also offer facilities at Kyoto Station near the post office.
• ⭐ ibis Styles Kyoto Station *** - good value hotel at the south entrance of the station
• 💎 Hotel Granvia Kyoto ***** - great accommodation without compromise is offered by this luxury hotel directly connected to the station building

Why stay here:

• easiest transport around the city
• direct trains to Osaka, Nara and Kobe
• Shinkansen to Tokyo, Nagoya, Hiroshima
• plenty of restaurants and shops

Disadvantage:

• the area around the station is not the nicest part of the city

All hotels near Kyoto Station

Gion - traditional Kyoto

Gion is Kyoto's most famous historic district and the center of geisha culture.

Staying here is ideal if you want to walk around the old streets, restaurants and traditional teahouses in the evening.

We recommend the following hotels in Gion:

• 💸 Rinn Gion Kenninji *** - A standard hotel with good prices located on the south side of Hanami-koji Street.
• ⭐ Kyoto Gion Hotel **** - cheap hotel on the main street just 5 minutes walk from the centre of historic Gion

Who it's best for:

• First visit to Kyoto
• you want a historical atmosphere
• you want to take in the sights on foot

Disadvantage:

• Hotel prices are higher
• poorer accessibility to long-distance trains

Higashiyama - quieter historical area

Higashiyama is right next to Gion and is one of the most beautiful parts of Kyoto.

While Gion is very lively in the evening, Higashiyama is very quiet from about 8pm onwards and offers beautiful views of Kyoto.

Higashiyama in particular has luxury hotels rated as some of the best in Kyoto.

• Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto *****
• Park Hyatt Kyoto *****

Who it's perfect for:

• You want a traditional atmosphere
• You want to be close to the sights
• You want a quieter location
• you like great hotels without compromise

Disadvantages:

• most expensive accommodation in Kyoto
• far from long-distance train stations

Kawaramachi - best city centre

Kawaramachi is a trendy area with restaurants, bars and shopping streets.

It's just a few minutes' walk from Gion and also has great metro and rail links.

• 💸 Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi *** - a well-known and relatively inexpensive chain offers its hotel on the busiest street in Kawaramachi
• 💎 Hilton Kyoto ***** - luxury hotel in the northern part of the district near Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae subway station

Who it's perfect for:

• Want to walk to restaurants in the evening
• you want the city centre
• you don't want to deal with long transfers
• for direct trains to Osaka (Hankyu Railway)
• lower hotel prices (great competition)

Disadvantages:

• more traffic and lots of people

Hotels in Kawaramachi

Arashiyama - nature and bamboo forest

Arashiyama in the west of Kyoto is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, many temples and bamboo forest.

We recommend staying here if you are heading to Kyoto for a short trip and want to spend time mainly in this area.

• 💸 Hotel Binario Saga Arashiyama **** - Affordable hotel near the JR train station
• 💎 MUNI KYOTO by Onko Chishin ***** - one of the most luxurious hotels in Kyoto overlooking the river

Pros:

• quieter atmosphere
• beautiful scenery
• minimum night traffic

Disadvantage:

• far from the city centre

Top 10 hotels in Kyoto

If you don't want to browse hundreds of hotels, here's our pick of the 10 hotels in Kyoto that make the most sense based on location, rating or unique experience.

You'll find a combination of:

• Iconic luxury hotels
• hotels with the best location
• hotels with very good value for money

Luxury hotels

The best luxury hotels in Kyoto are mainly concentrated in the historic Higashiyama area or along the Kamogawa River.

• Park Hyatt Kyoto - an iconic luxury hotel in historic Higashiyama overlooking Yasaka Pagoda
• The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto - one of the city's most prestigious hotels right on the Kamogawa River
• Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto - a new luxury resort with onsen and city views

Best hotels by location

If you want to minimise traffic solutions, it pays to stay close to major transport hubs. These are the top-rated hotels near Kyoto Station or in the central Kawaramachi district.

• Hotel Granvia Kyoto - right above Kyoto Station, ideal for trips to Osaka or Nara
• The Thousand Kyoto - a modern hotel a few minutes from the station
• Hilton Kyoto - luxury hotel in the city centre near Kawaramachi

Best value for money

These hotels are among the top choices of travellers due to their good location and reasonable price.

• ibis Styles Kyoto Station - one of the best budget hotels right by the station
• APA Hotel Kyoto Ekimae - a typical Japanese business hotel with a good price
• Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi - a cheaper hotel in the city centre

Unique hotels in the countryside

If you want a quieter atmosphere outside the city centre, Arashiyama is an interesting choice.

• Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel - a luxury boutique hotel by the river in the Arashiyama area

Hotel prices and when to book

Compared to other Japanese cities, Kyoto is a very expensive city and can be compared to prices in North America.

The average local 3* hotel offers 1 night in a room for around 130 usd.

You can get better hotels from international chains for prices between 200 usd and 320 usd.

When to book a hotel in Kyoto

Expect the highest hotel prices:

• March - April (Sakura)
• November - early December (autumn foliage)

It's a good idea to book your hotel as early as possible during these periods, as the best locations tend to sell out quickly.

Book your hotel in advance

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to stay in Kyoto?

The most practical location is Kyoto Station, as you have the best transport around the city and to surrounding towns from here.

Is Kyoto Station or Gion better?

Kyoto Station is more practical for transportation, Gion has a better atmosphere and sights to see on foot.

How much does a hotel in Kyoto cost?

The average hotel costs around 130 usd per night, luxury hotels normally cost 200-300 usd.