Getting Around

The city has done a great job with sightseeing. There are a few Raku [the local bus company] sightseeing buses, that ply the commonly-visited sites. You can get a unlimited ride one-day bus ticket for ¥500, which would allow you to visit most sights in the central area.

[Well worth it if you plan on taking more than 2 bus trips in a day (at 220 each).  Note: In Kyoto you board on the rear of the bus; you exit and pay on the front near the driver.  Unfortunately this means it's hard to ask the driver if you are on the wrong bus before it starts moving.  Also, keep in mind that you cannot ride on the metro with this card, but the buses go all over the city anyway.]

If you are interested, there are underground [metro] trains as well, but they serve fewer places of interest. A combined unlimited subway and bus ticket for one day is ¥1400, and ¥2000 for two days.

Taxis are a more expensive but more convenient option. Flag down rates start at ¥630.

For about ¥4000 you can also hire a bike wich is very good way to get around as Kyoto is relativly flat. A word of caution you ride mainly on the sidewalk and share it with pedestrians wich can be in certain parts chaotic.