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Getting around Kyoto

Public transport: 

As Kyoto is laid out in a grid system, the city is fairly easy to navigate. It is also easy, however, to underestimate distances, so it is a good thing that the local transport network covers all parts of the city quite well.

The Kyoto Subway Line is easy to use, but limited in reach. There are just two lines: the inner city south-north Karasuma Line and the east-west Tozai Line, with intersection at Karasuma Oike station.

The bus network is more comprehensive. The green Kyoto city buses are numerous and convenient and cover central Kyoto very well. The red Kyoto Bus services offer access to more outlying parts of the city. Bus information is available at the Kyoto Bus Information Center (tel: (075) 371 4474) in front of Kyoto Station. For some attractions it is necessary to use local trains, for instance the JR Nara Line to the get to Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Passes are available at automatic subway ticket vending machines and Kyoto City Bus and Subway Information Centres. The Kansai Thru Pass (www.surutto.com/conts/ticket/3dayeng) is valid for two or three days and offers unlimited travel on all subway and bus services in Kyoto, while the City Bus All-day Pass offers unlimited travel on city buses within a central area outlined on the back of the pass.

Taxis: 

Kyoto has a great number of taxis, and it is rarely difficult to get hold of one in the city centre. A vast fleet of taxis waits in front of Kyoto Station and there are usually taxi ranks close to major sightseeing places. To pre-book, call MK Taxi (tel: (075) 778 4141) or Yasaka Taxi (tel: (075) 842 1212).

Driving: 

Driving in Japan is not as daunting as might be expected - drivers in Kyoto are generally disciplined and courteous and major signs are in both Japanese and English. Parking can be very expensive and traffic tends to be heavy so driving in Kyoto is not recommended. Taxis or public transports are better options.

Car hire: 

There are numerous car hire companies operating in Kyoto, including Hertz (tel: (075) 365 0100; www.hertz.com) and National (tel: (075) 681 0311; www.nationalcar.com). Recommended Japanese companies are Nippon Rent-A-Car (tel: (03) 3485 7196; www.nipponrentacar.co.jp) and Nissan Rent-A-Car (tel: 0120 004 123; http://nissan-rentacar.com).

Bicycle hire: 

Cycling is popular in Kyoto, and as many of the city's major attractions are located within cycling distance of the city centre, it can be a convenient and pleasant way of going sightseeing. Kyoto Cycling Tour Project (tel: (075) 354 3636; www.kctp.net/en) has four bicycle terminals, one of which is just three minutes west of Kyoto Station's Karasuma exit. Kyo no Raku Chari, near Sanjo station (tel: 0120 318 319; http://rentacycle.jp), has daily and weekly rates and also rents out electric bicycles.

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