Is it expensive to stay in Kyoto?

Kyoto has a reputation as an expensive city to visit, but the city is 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.



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Kyoto is more relaxing. Tokyo is about 30% more expensive than Kyoto for travelers. If you prefer big cities, modern technology, nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, Tokyo is for you. If you're after temples, shrines, garden, geisha and hiking, Kyoto is for you.

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Osaka and Kyoto 1-Week Itinerary Summary A good breakdown is 2 days in Osaka and 4 in Kyoto. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the most convenient airport to Osaka and Kyoto. A Japan Rail Pass is not a good idea for this itinerary, but a Kansai Thru Pass may be.

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A crucial question you must ask yourself is how much time to allot to each city. For most people, the ideal breakdown is 2 full days in Tokyo and 4 full days in Kyoto (travel days are not considered full days). If you are more interested in modern Japan, then you could spend 3 days in Tokyo and 3 in Kyoto.

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In Japan, Airbnb is often significantly cheaper than staying in hotel rooms, especially with multiple guests. Staying in a private home or apartment also gives you a more “local” experience, and you may have extra conveniences that you wouldn't get at most Japanese hotels, such as a kitchen or washing machine.

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Five days in Kyoto is the perfect amount of time to spend in Kyoto. You can explore the main sightseeing districts and take a daytrip to Nara. This itinerary allows you to get the best out of five full days in the city.

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Some places only accept cash Don't rely on credit cards when visiting local attractions or small shops in Kyoto. Of course, in hotels and shopping malls you will be able to use your credit card to pay for goods and services, but this is less certain at local places. In many instances, you will need to pay cash.

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Kyoto is a compact city with a well-developed transport network. It's very easy to get around. The subways and trains are the most convenient way to get around the city. Buses are less convenient, but cover almost the whole city.

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We recommend a minimum of 2 weeks to discover the Japanese archipelago. This is the minimum travel time in Japan to have time to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and their surroundings. For this, we advise you to spend a minimum of 6 nights in Tokyo and 6 nights in the Kyoto region .

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Shinkansen or bullet train It takes only 14 minutes to run between Kyoto Station and Shin-Osaka Station. If you want to use this option to get from Kyoto to Osaka, you need to buy a one-way ticket that costs 1,420 yen (unreserved seat) or 3,220 yen (reserved seat).

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When traveling in Japan, especially if you're in one of the big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, you'll generally have no problem not speaking Japanese at all. There are usually English signs all over train stations and airports.

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Safety at night:Very safe Kyoto is regarded as a very safe city to walk alone at night. The streets are well-lit and the crime rate in Kyoto is low compared to many other international cities. Locals are usually helpful and respectful.

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The best area to stay in Kyoto for tourists is Downtown Kawaramachi. Other recommended best places to stay in Kyoto are Gion, Kyoto Station and Central Kyoto. Downtown Kawaramachi offers plenty of shops and restaurants, and is in walking distance to historical Gion, making it the best place to stay in Kyoto.

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