🚌 Updated June 2026
Is the Kyoto Subway & Bus
1-Day Pass Worth It? (2026 Guide)
A great deal on a temple-hopping day — and a waste on a quiet one. Here's exactly where the line falls.
Worth it from
~5 rides / day
Price (adult)
¥1,100 Subway & Bus
Old ¥700 bus pass
Discontinued
Bottom line: The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass (¥1,100) pays off on a busy temple day of roughly five or more rides. For lighter days — or any day relying on JR trains to Arashiyama — a pay-as-you-go Suica or ICOCA is cheaper and more flexible.
This guide weighs up the pass on its own. For the full picture on buses, subway, and JR, see our getting around Kyoto guide.
Current Pass Prices (2026)
| Pass | Adult | Child | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway & Bus 1-Day | ¥1,100 | ¥550 | All city buses + both subway lines |
| Subway-only 1-Day | ¥800 | ¥400 | Karasuma + Tozai subway lines |
City-bus fares are a flat ¥230 and subway fares start at ¥210. The passes are paper tickets — they are not loaded onto an IC card. Prices are current 2026 figures; confirm before buying.
Three Things to Know First
The old ¥700 Bus 1-Day Pass is gone
Many older guides still mention a ¥700 City Bus 1-Day Pass. It has been discontinued — sales ended in September 2023 and it stopped being usable at the end of March 2024. The current bus-inclusive option is the ¥1,100 Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass. Don't go looking for the ¥700 ticket; it no longer exists.
No large luggage on city buses
Kyoto city buses don't accept large suitcases — they get too crowded, especially in peak season. Use the coin lockers or luggage storage at Kyoto Station, or a luggage-forwarding service, before you start a bus-based sightseeing day.
Some areas aren't covered
The pass covers the city-centre network, but outlying spots such as Kibune & Kurama and Mt Hiei sit outside it or need an extra fare. Treat coverage of fringe areas as a 2026 guide and confirm before you travel.
How Many Rides to Break Even?
The combined pass: about 5 rides
The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass is ¥1,100. With a flat city-bus fare of ¥230 and subway fares from ¥210, you need roughly five rides to break even. A full temple day usually clears that before mid-afternoon.
The subway-only pass: about 4 rides
The Subway-only 1-Day Pass is ¥800. At ¥210+ per subway ride, four or more rides put you ahead. It's the better buy only if your itinerary stays on the two subway lines.
Below that, use an IC card
If you'll take just a couple of journeys, a pay-as-you-go Suica or ICOCA is cheaper and more flexible — and it also works on JR local trains to Arashiyama and Uji, which the passes do not cover.
Which Pass (or No Pass) Fits Your Day?
| Your day looks like | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Temple-hopping across spread-out sights | Subway & Bus Pass | Kinkakuji, Kiyomizudera, Gion and Arashiyama are best reached by city bus — the combined pass covers them all. |
| Mostly cross-city hops on the subway | Subway-only Pass | Cheaper at ¥800 if your day runs along the Karasuma or Tozai lines and skips the buses. |
| Only 2–3 rides all day | Suica / ICOCA | Pay-as-you-go is cheaper than any day pass at this level of use. |
A Day Where the Pass Wins
Picture a classic Kyoto temple day: bus from Kyoto Station to Kinkakuji in the morning, across to Kiyomizudera by bus, down to Gion, then the subway back to your hotel — with a detour or two in between. That's five or more rides.
At ¥230 a bus ride, those journeys add up to ¥1,150 or more on a pay-as-you-go card. The ¥1,100 Subway & Bus Pass covers the lot, and every extra hop is free. On a day like that, the pass is the clear winner — and you skip fumbling for change each time you step off a bus.
Flip it around: a relaxed day walking the Higashiyama district with two rides would cost less on an IC card, and the pass would leave you out of pocket. It all comes down to how many times you ride.
Where to Buy the Pass
Subway station machines & info centres
Buy the pass at subway ticket machines, the Kyoto Station Bus Information Center, and many major hotels. It's a separate paper ticket — it isn't loaded onto an IC card.
Online via Klook (voucher)
You can buy a voucher in advance and exchange it for the pass after you arrive. This locks in the price and saves a decision after a long travel day.
Common Questions
1. Is the Kyoto Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass worth it?
2. What happened to the ¥700 Kyoto bus day pass?
3. Subway & Bus Pass or Subway-only Pass — which should I buy?
4. Does the pass cover JR trains to Arashiyama?
5. Can I take a suitcase on a Kyoto city bus?
Planning a full day of temples?
If you'll be hopping between Kinkakuji, Kiyomizudera, and Gion, lock in the Subway & Bus Pass online and exchange it after you arrive.
Book Kyoto Subway & Bus Pass on Klook →