Kyoto Transportation Tips by BorderHopper

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Getting to Kyoto from KIX International airport near Osaka is as easy as following well marked signs from the arrivals terminal to the JR station which is a short walk away. You can purchase either un-reserved tickets or reserved tickets for the trip to Kyoto via the JR Express train. We purchased un-reserved tickets and found a few available seats in the train cars which are designated for this type of seating (infants & toddlers ride for free). We paid about 750 yen for a one way ticket to Kyoto Station that took about an hour on the express train.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: The minimum cost for a taxi ride is at least $6 usd so if you have the oppurtunity to use the public bus system in Kyoto I'd highly recommend this option. The bus fare is cheap. I think we averaged about $2 usd per trip & the bus does announce stops in English as well as Japanese. The main public bus terminal in Kyoto is at the Kyoto rail Station.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Because I don't recall all of the details from our travels around Japan I'll include a brief explanation regarding train travel around Kyoto which I've referenced from the Lonely Planet Kyoto guidebook (an excellent source if you're planning a trip to Japan).
There are several options for getting around Kyoto by train. For South Western Kyoto take the JR Tokaido Line, the JR San-In line runs into Western Kyoto, and the JR Nara Line runs into southern Kyoto and then onward into the city of Nara.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: We found that taxis were only an option when you're stuck with a load of luggage and you're not "backpacker budget" enough to lug your belonging half way across town. While it may be tempting to just hail a taxi and jump in you'll still have to pay at least 550 yen for the first few kilometers. If you must use a taxi you'll have to cue in line outside the JR stations. If you're not near a taxi stand then you may hail a passing taxi. The drivers are usually extremely courteous & are dressed in a suit with white gloves. Their taxis are immaculate, unlike anything you'll ride in here in the US. Don't ever open the rear door from the backseat because the driver controls when the door is opened...they are automated.

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