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 Kyoto's subway, JR trains and all private railways.

When the Kyoto Metro is worth taking (and when it's not)

In practice, the subway in Kyoto is best when:

• ✅ you need to get across the city quickly and don't want to be stuck in bus queues
• ✅ you want to avoid the crowded tourist lines around Gion and Higashiyama
• ✅ combine subway + bus as part of Subway & Bus 1 Day (1 100 jpy )

On the other hand, if you are mainly planning to:

• ❌ Arashiyama
• ❌ Fushimi Inari
• ❌ Sights scattered around the north and east

...you'll often end up with a combination of train + bus + walking anyway.

Handy tip: accommodation near the main station is most convenient for a combination of subway, train and bus (and especially for day trips outside Kyoto).

Choose a hotel near Kyoto Station

Kyoto Subway

The classic subway is the busiest urban railway in Kyoto, but it only has 2 lines.

• Weekdays: interval usually 4-7 minutes
• weekends: about 8-10 minutes
• operating hours: approximately 5:30-23:30

The official website with a list of lines and timetables can be found at: city.kyoto.lg.jp.

Looking for information on other Japanese cities as well? Check out our experiences and articles:

• 🚇 Metro Tokyo
• 🚇 O saka Metro

Kyoto subway fares

Fares for children aged 6 to 11 are always half the adult fare. Children under 6 travel free on the metro.

Single fares are calculated according to distance. There is a network map hanging above the machines at each station - find your destination station and the amount next to it.

Day tickets are valid for 1 calendar day, not 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 single fares, 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

You can buy them from the ticket machines at each station, or from a ticket office with a ticket attendant. Paper tickets can only be paid for in cash.

Single ticket procedure:

• on the map above the machine, find the destination station and the amount
• select the amount on the machine, pay and take the ticket
• insert the ticket at the turnstile - the turnstile will return it to you
• you also need the ticket when you get off the train (the turnstile keeps the ticket for a single ticket)

For day tickets, the turnstile returns the ticket when you exit.

Transport cards (Icoca, Suica and others)

You can 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 compared to cash when paying with these cards in Kyoto, but it's the most convenient way - you don't have to worry about the fare.

Icoca is the most commonly purchased in Kyoto. You get a card from a machine at each metro station (backup 500 jpy) and top it up straight away.

Usage:

• insert the card at the turnstile when entering
• insert the card at the turnstile on exit
• the fare is automatically deducted

The card can then be used virtually anywhere in Japan.

Practical tip: once you start paying with a transport card, you'll use it all the time - not just for transport, but often in vending machines or smaller shops. That's why it's also nice to have reliable data (maps, translator, timetables) and easy payments to hand.

Airalo eSIM for Japan

Subway lines

Kyoto has 2 metro lines:

• Karasuma Line (green) - Kyoto Station, Shijo (for downtown Kawaramachi), Kyoto Imperial Palace, northern part of the city (bus lines for example to Kinkaku-ji)
  • Most services at the southern end from Takeda terminus continue without changing trains as the Kintetsu train to Nara
• Tozai Line (red) - connects the area to the west of the centre via Nijo Castle, Gion, Higashiyama, Nanzen-ji Temple and on to the eastern suburb of Yamashina

Metro station facilities

All stations are equipped with very clean toilets, which are always accessible free of charge.

Most stations have drinking machines in the ticket machine area and sometimes on the platform, which are usually 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 Kyoto, you'll often confuse the subway with other rail carriers on maps. But for tourists, the difference is crucial - mainly because of tickets and passes.

Below are the carriers you will realistically use most often.

JR-WEST (JR trains)

JR trains are often the fastest option in Kyoto, though they don't get mentioned much in "subway" inquiries.

They are especially useful for:

• the fastest way from the city centre to the Arashiyama area (e.g. Bamboo Forest)
• travel from Kyoto Station to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine
• excursions to the surrounding area, where you change to other railways

Choose a hotel near Kyoto Station

Convenient for travelers who have a JR Pass or JR-WEST Pass.

Fares are based on distance, typically 190-290 jpy.

Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	Yes
Kansai Railway Pass	no

Find connections and exact ticket prices on the westjr.co.jp website.

Keihan Railway

The Keihan is an extremely practical railway if you are moving between the eastern part of Kyoto and the tourist areas.

It is suitable for:

• fast transfer from Fushimi Inari towards Gion
• travel from central Osaka to eastern Kyoto
• transfer to the Eizan Railway to the mountains

You can buy tickets from ticket machines or pay with a transport card. Fares usually 190-290 jpy.

Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	no
Kansai Railway Pass	yes

Official website: keihan.co.jp

Randen Tram (Keifuku Railway)

Kyoto also has two Randen tram lines operated by Keifuku Railway.

They are suitable for:

• travel from Arashiyama to the northern part of the city centre to Ninna-ji and Ryoan-ji temples
• a journey from Arashiyama to connect to the terminus of the Red Metro Line or to the western edge of the modern Shijo Centre

The fare is flat 220 jpy and is payable on exit (exact cash or transport card).

Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	No
Kansai Railway Pass	no

Official website: keifuku.co.jp

Hankyu Railway

Hankyu is mainly used for:

• travel from central Kyoto (Kawaramachi) to Osaka
• to move quickly towards the south-west of the city
• combination on the way to Arashiyama (more convenient on the way to Osaka than to central Kyoto)

Payment by transport card is possible.

Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	No
Kansai Railway Pass	yes

Official website: hankyu.co.jp

Eizan Railway

Eizan connects to Keihan at Demachiyanagi Station and is one of the nicest "local" railways around Kyoto.

Suitable for:

• Kurama (1 transfer required at Takaragaike Station)
• Connection to the cable cars on Mount Hiei

Fares usually 190-290 jpy, payment by transport card possible.

Kyoto Subway 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	no
Kansai Railway Pass	no

Official website: keihan.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 the surrounding area, especially Nara.

Tickets can be purchased from vending 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 lines only) - this ticket is only worthwhile if you make at least 4 journeys 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

The most common "subway" mistakes in Kyoto

1️⃣ People often look for the subway because they know it from Tokyo. But in Kyoto, the subway doesn't cover the sights that well - you usually end up with a combination of subway + bus.

2️⃣ In Google Maps, the railways (JR, Keihan, Hankyu) sometimes act as "subway". It's normal - just keep an eye on what you're ticketed for.

3️⃣ Subway & Bus 1 Day Passes are not valid on rail (JR, Keihan, Hankyu, Randen). You pay separately for those.

Practical questions people are looking for

Is the subway in Kyoto worth it?

Not usually as the only mode of transport. It's worthwhile as a quick way to move across the city and as a complement to buses, especially when using the metro + bus day pass.

How much does the subway cost in Kyoto?

A single ticket costs approximately 220-300 jpy depending on distance. A full day metro ticket costs 800 jpy.

How to pay for the subway in Kyoto?

Either with a paper ticket from a machine (cash) or with a transport card (Icoca, Suica and others), whichever is most convenient.

Where to stay to make the subway and trains make sense

If you want to minimize transportation solutions and take frequent trains (Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, trips to Nara/Osaka), the Kyoto Station area is the most practical.

Hotels near Kyoto Station

If you want to be within walking distance of downtown in the evening and also have a quick connection to subway lines, the area around Karasuma/Kawaramachi often makes sense.

Hotels in central Kyoto