Kyoto Bus services and subway lines are convenient ways of getting around Kyoto when sightseeing.
Combine the above with JR, other private railways and private bus services, and you have a formidable transport network to help you get to your destinations.
Kyoto City run buses and subway lines offer special discounts not only for the disabled but also for helper companions. [Details]
The City Bus network across Kyoto means that you can get to nearly all the main sightseeing spots in the city.
The routes consist of "uniform fare routes" and "multi-section routes". Route names are displayed on the front, side and rear of each bus. Buses are boarded on the left side at the back or middle of the bus side. And buses on multi-section routes provide zone tickets from an auto vending machine in the boarding area.
Bus stops are announced in advance, so when you hear the stop you want announced, press the alighting button, and when the bus stops, put your money (and zone ticket) into the fare box, and alight.
This is a one-day pass (Adult: ¥500, Child: ¥250) that can be used for unlimited travel on City Bus uniform fare routes (*). So, if you need to ride three or more buses on uniform fare routes, this card will save you money.
[Sale points] [Details on City Bus One-Day Pass]
The City Bus service is now running stepless buses (barrier free vehicles) to make bus use far easier for the elderly, disabled and pregnant women. So now wheelchair users can board buses in their wheelchairs (most of these buses can take one wheelchair but some can take two). And, for onboard safety, the driver will have to secure the wheelchair with a belt. There is no reservation system, so if a wheelchair user already is onboard or the bus is crowded when the bus arrives at your bus stop, the driver may – unfortunately - have to refuse the boarding of the wheelchair.
Kyoto has two subways crossing the city, the north-south Karasuma Line that passes through Kyoto Station (Kokusaikaikan Station-Takeda Station) and the east-west Tozai Line (Rokujizou Station-Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station), with both lines bisecting each other at Karasumaoike Station. These lines run close to many tourist areas, get you to your destination quickly without the worry of traffic jams, have elevators for easy accessing and exiting, and are well equipped with universal toilets that accommodate wheelchairs.
For conventional travel, purchase a ticket at a ticket machine, pass through the ticket barrier and head to the platform. However, if you have a disability card, show it to station staff (if at an unmanned barrier, use the intercom to tell staff that you have a disability card and then hold it up to the intercom camera) in order to receive a discount on your journey.
This one-day pass lets you ride the city's subway lines as many times as you like during entire of the day the pass is valid for. Also, if you present the pass at some facilities, such as Nijo Castle, you can get an entry discount. The pass costs ¥600 for an adult (¥300 for a child), so if you ride the subway three or more times during the valid day, you are on a winner. And, if you are riding some of the longer sections, you only need to use the subway twice to make a saving. Note that the pass is used like a ticket, so just pass it through the ticket barrier.
[Kyoto City Subway One-Day Pass]
When passing through the ticket barrier, tell station staff (use intercom at unmanned ticket barriers) that you want to board a subway train, and they will set up a ramp for you to board the train at the platform and pass on a message to the alighting station, so that a ramp will be waiting there for you too.
With the Karasuma Subway Line, if you want assistance with your wheelchair, board the very rear carriage where the train conductor is, s/he will help you and pass on a message to alighting station (use this boarding method if the staff at the ticket barrier are unable to help you).
There are many, many taxis running around Kyoto. And, some of those taxis are care taxis that – unlike conventional ones – can let customers board directly in their wheelchairs. Fares differ depending on the taxi company. And, to get an idea of the companies, you can check them out here. (Tsudoi Network, Handicab Guide Kyoto Version)
