Kyoto has a reputation as an expensive city to visit, but it's much more affordable than you might realize.
In addition to high-end kaiseki restaurants and luxury ryokan hotels, Kyoto has plenty of options for accommodations, dining and exploring that won’t break the bank – you just need to know where to look.
Here are the top tips for exploring Kyoto on a budget.
Kyoto doesn’t have an airport of its own, but two are located in the neighboring Osaka prefecture: Itami (Osaka International Airport) and Kansai International Airport (KIX). Itami is closer, but KIX is larger, so check flights to both to find the best deals.
If you’re arriving at KIX and don’t have a JR Pass, the Icoca & Haruka card will get you a big discount on the JR Haruka train to Kyoto. Depending on where you’re flying from, it might be cheaper to fly to Tokyo and then take the Shinkansen (bullet train) the rest of the way.
For those heading to Kyoto from the capital, the Shinkansen is the quickest and most convenient option. It’s not necessarily the cheapest, but the Japan Rail Pass will cover the entire trip.
The JR Pass gives tourists unlimited travel on all JR trains (apart from the Nozomi Shinkansen) for seven, 14 or 21 days. This won’t save you money if you’re staying in Kyoto for your entire trip, but if you’re traveling across the country, it’s worth considering. It’s cheaper to buy the JR Pass outside of Japan, so get yours in advance to enjoy maximum savings.
The amount you spend on a trip to Kyoto will depend on the time of year, particularly when it comes to accommodations. The spring cherry blossom season (between March and May) is by far the most expensive period, followed by the fall foliage season from October to mid-December.
Rooms often sell out a year in advance during these times, and prices increase dramatically. By traveling outside of these months, you’ll not only benefit from cheaper costs, but the crowds will also be smaller.
Kyoto has an excellent public transport system, which makes renting a car in the city an unnecessary expense. The buses, trains and subway are all relatively inexpensive and efficient, plus you can save even more money with transport passes if you’re doing a lot of traveling.
All-day passes are available for unlimited travel on buses in the city center, plus one- and two-day passes for unlimited travel on the subway and city buses. They also get you discounts at certain attractions, such as Nijō-jō castle and the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
As a relatively compact city that’s mostly flat and easy to navigate, Kyoto is a great place to explore by bicycle or on foot. Bike rental stores are all over the city, and renting one for the day can be a cheap way to reach sightseeing spots outside the
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