Using Public Transportation

Getting Around - Bus and Subway
Kyoto's transportation system is very extensive; you can go almost anywhere by bus or subway. And the useful one-day passes will help resolve your worries about the cost.

KYOTO CITY BUS

Operated by Kyoto Municipal Bureau of Transport, the Kyoto City Bus provides fairly extensive transport service throughout the city center at a flat rate of 220 yen. I'd say over 90% of the buses running here are the city bus.
The Green-colored regular buses are the most commonly found. We also have some special sightseeing buses named "Raku Bus". Mainly designed for sightseeing, Raku Bus stops only at major tourist spots, giving a little faster access.
The fare and the other rules are the same as those of the regular bus. So you can use the day passes likewise. I'm sure it's easy to recognize by appearance, for its different and more colorful design painted in pink, yellow etc... Look at the photos below.
*The drawback is their slow-moving operation caused by the heavy traffic and frequent stops. This is especially serious on holidays and during the busy season, which meas you have to spend quite a long time in an overloaded bus before reaching your destinations(well over 40 minuets from Kyoto Station to Kinkakuji temple, for instance). That's really stressful. Thus I prefer to use the much-faster subway system wherever possible.

Kyoto City Bus

Kyoto City Bus(regular type) Raku Bus

Economical One-Day Pass(¥500)

If you ride three time or more in a day, this all-day pass is a must. unlimited ride within a day period. The pass covers most of the city area. Some destinations not included are Arashiyama, Ohara, Kurama, Kibune etc.

1-day bus pass

500 yen One-Day Pass

Other Bus Companies
Other than Kyoto City Bus, following three bus companies are servicing in the city, though their routes are limitted. The differences in appearance is easy to recognize from one another. So make sure you board the right bus.
And please don't forget that the ¥500 one-day bus pass cannot be used for any of these.

Kyoto Bus Kyoto Bus
The name is a bit confusing. This is NOT "Kyoto City Bus". Kyoto Bus is a private bus company operating in the city. You have to take this bus IF you want to visit the northern outskirt town of Ohara, famous for Sanzen-in temple etc...

JR Bus JR Bus
Sorry for the JR Pass holders, but JR Bus runs on very limitted routes, mainly to northwest outskirts of town. So you wouldn't have a good chance to ride its bus here in Kyoto. But if you plan an excursion to the northwestern Takao area(famous for Jingoji temple etc), then this is what you have to take. Otherwise you can forget.

Keihan Bus Keihan Bus
Another private bus company, operated by Keihan Railway. Red and white appearance. Again, you wouldn't take this line while in town, since its service is mostly off the sightseeing areas.

KYOTO CITY SUBWAY

If you like speedy access, subway is much better.

1-day subway pass

600 yen One-Day Pass

Kyoto Sightseeing Card
1200
2000

1-day Kyoto Sightseeing Card

1-Day Card 2-Day Card

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	Kyoto Bus The name is a bit confusing. This is NOT "Kyoto City Bus". Kyoto Bus is a private bus company operating in the city. You have to take this bus IF you want to visit the northern outskirt town of Ohara, famous for Sanzen-in temple etc...
	JR Bus Sorry for the JR Pass holders, but JR Bus runs on very limitted routes, mainly to northwest outskirts of town. So you wouldn't have a good chance to ride its bus here in Kyoto. But if you plan an excursion to the northwestern Takao area(famous for Jingoji temple etc), then this is what you have to take. Otherwise you can forget.
	Keihan Bus Another private bus company, operated by Keihan Railway. Red and white appearance. Again, you wouldn't take this line while in town, since its service is mostly off the sightseeing areas.