Travel Budget for Kyoto Visit Kyoto on a Budget or Travel in Style

Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, Japan

How much does it cost to travel to Kyoto?

You should plan to spend around $98 (¥14,740) per day on your vacation in Kyoto. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $24 (¥3,651) on meals
  • $7.71 (¥1,157) on local transportation
  • $129 (¥19,427) on hotels

A one week trip to Kyoto for two people costs, on average, $1,375 (¥206,365). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $98
    ¥14,740
  • One Week Per person
    $687
    ¥103,183
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $1,375
    ¥206,365
  • One Month Per person
    $2,946
    ¥442,211
  • One Week For a couple
    $1,375
    ¥206,365
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $2,750
    ¥412,730
  • One Month For a couple
    $5,892
    ¥884,422
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Kyoto cost?

A one week trip to Kyoto usually costs around $687 (¥103,183) for one person and $1,375 (¥206,365) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Kyoto on average costs around $1,375 (¥206,365) for one person and $2,750 (¥412,730) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Kyoto will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Kyoto on average costs around $2,946 (¥442,211) for one person and $5,892 (¥884,422) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Kyoto has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Kyoto expensive to visit?

Prices in Kyoto are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within Asia, Kyoto is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Koh Samet or Zhengzhou.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Kyoto Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Kyoto?

The average Kyoto trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Kyoto travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) ¥19,427 ($129)
Local Transportation 1 ¥1,157 ($8)
Food 2 ¥3,651 ($24)
Entertainment 1 ¥1,993 ($13)
Alcohol 2 ¥926 - 2,777 ($6 - 19)
Accommodation Budget in Kyoto
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Kyoto is $65 (¥9,714). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Kyoto is $129 (¥19,427). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $65
    ¥9,714
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $129
    ¥19,427

Hotel Prices in Kyoto

Looking for a hotel in Kyoto? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Kyoto based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $101. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Kyoto
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Kyoto is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $7.71 (¥1,157) per person, per day, on local transportation in Kyoto.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $7.71
    ¥1,157

Recommended Services


Flights to Kyoto
How much does it cost to go to Kyoto? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Kyoto
The price of renting a car in Kyoto will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Kyoto
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Kyoto can vary, the average cost of food in Kyoto is $24 (¥3,651) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Kyoto should cost around $9.73 (¥1,461) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Kyoto is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $24
    ¥3,651

Recommended


Entertainment Budget in Kyoto
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Kyoto typically cost an average of $13 (¥1,993) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $13
    ¥1,993

Recommended Activities


Alcohol Budget in Kyoto
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $12 (¥1,851) on alcoholic beverages in Kyoto per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $12
    ¥1,851

Recommended


Water Budget in Kyoto
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $0.70 (¥105) on bottled water in Kyoto per day. The public water in Kyoto is considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $0.70
    ¥105


Last Updated: Oct 16, 2023
Kyoto On a Budget
Kyoto Eikando Temple, Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
Sights
Being a large and ancient city, Kyoto has an incredible number of sights to see, with a total of 17 historic locations on the UNESCO's World Heritage List. 14 are located in Kyoto itself, with two in neighboring cities. Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji, Kozan-ji, Shimogamo Shrine, and Kamigamo Shrine are all in Northern Kyoto, Nijo Castle, Nishi Hongan-ji, and To-ji are in Central Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera and Ginkaku-ji are in Eastern Kyoto, Tenryu-ji and Koke-dera are in Western Kyoto, and Daigo-ji is in Southern Kyoto.

There are also a handful of Imperial Palaces and Villas open to the public in Kyoto. These include the Imperial Palace and Sento Imperial Palace in Central Kyoto, as well as the Katsura Imperial Villa in Western Kyoto, and Shugakuin Imperial Villa in Northern Kyoto. Admission is free, though reservations need to be made with the Imperial Household Agency. The gardens of each location are most enchanting during cherry blossom season and autumn when colors are vibrant and beautiful.

And don't miss the Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is one of the most photographed places in the city. It should definitely be on your list of things to see with 2 days in Kyoto.
Neighborhoods
Downtown Kyoto is located at the heart of the city with the bustling streets of Nishikikoji, Teramachi-dori, Shinkyogoku, and Kawaramachi at its center. You'll find plenty of things to do in Kyoto in this area. It is a place where the modern mixes with the old-department stores and banks standing side by side with old book shops and printmakers. Shijokawaramachi is the main place in Kyoto for restaurants and shopping, while Gion is another center where old townhouses have been converted to stylish boutiques. There is also a stage on Gion Corner for the traditional arts where performances are held twice daily in the evenings. Along the narrow backstreets of Ponto-cho, Hanamikoji-dori, and Miyagawa-cho you might catch sight of a geisha, and see the quieter, simpler side of life when traditional lanterns light the paths at night in contrast to the glowing modernity of the main street.

Activities
Another homage to tradition, Kyoto's public baths, or sento, date back to the 13th century. Today, about 140 bath houses remain in the city. Funaoka Onsen is the oldest of these, though all of them are true to Kyoto culture.

Buddhist meditation sessions are another cultural activity that many visitors seek during their stays. In Northern Kyoto, the Taizo-in and Shunko-in temples offer authentic Zen meditation sessions, complete with explanations of the meaning and significance of such meditation. Reservations are required.

One of the most popular activities in Kyoto is definitely the viewing of cherry blossoms. On a list compiled by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association, three of the best spots for viewing are located in Kyoto (Arashiyama, Daigoji, Ninnaji). The striking colors and softness of the petals set against mountain scenery and temples overwhelms the viewer with an air of serenity and peace that is so inherent to Japanese culture. Eastern Kyoto is the most popular, especially for walking from Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji along the Philosopher's Path.

Plenty of other fun activities can be found in this dynamic city. Kyoto is a very family-friendly destination, too. Check out this list of things to do in Kyoto with kids, for example. From cooking classes to exploring the temples and shrines mentioned earlier, a child of any age will find exciting new things here.
Food and Dining
Kyoto is well known for matcha, or green tea. While it is very popular to drink the matcha flavor can be found in just about any flavor from ice cream to yatsuhashi, another kind of local snack. Yatsuhashi can be baked or raw - the original was a type of crunchy biscuit with cinnamon flavor. Today the baked biscuits remain the same, though you have the option for matcha and strawberry-flavored glazes. The raw yatsuhashi, also known as hijiri, was also made with cinnamon, but the cinnamon is mixed with bean paste and then folded into the hijiri to make a triangle-shape. Today flavors range from chocolate or banana to matcha or poppyseed. There are even seasonal flavors like the sakura (cherry blossom) yatsuhashi in the spring and mango, peach, blueberry, and strawberry, available from May to October. These are available nearly everywhere, though Honkenishio Yatsuhashi is the most famous.

Other specialties of the region include a white fish served with ume as sushi called hamo, tofu at places around Nanzenji temple, an expensive turtle dish called suppon, vegetarian dishes, ramen noodles, and a multi-course chef's choice called kaiseki-ryori. Sake is another thing, an alcohol, which cannot be missed during your visit. Some of Kyoto's most famous sake comes from Gekkeikan Brewery in the Fushimi area of Southern Kyoto. The brewery is about 400 years old and offers tours of its facilities.

Transportation
In Japan, trains are one of the fastest and lowest cost means of transportation. Getting a Japan Rail Pass can save you money if you plan to stay for several days or more. Regional and nation-wide passes are available, usually for the number of days of your choice.

By air, Kyoto is served by Osaka's two airports: Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport (a.k.a. Itami Airport). There is a good road and railway network between Osaka and Kyoto.

By train from Kansai, the Kansai Airport Station is located opposite the arrival lobby where the Japanese Rail (JR) West Haruka Kansai Airport Limited Express Train can be caught.

By bus from Kansai, comfortable limousine buses run from the airport to Kyoto Station, twice an hour, stopping at some of the major hotels along the way.

From Itami Airport, the easiest way to get to Kyoto is by limousine bus No. 15.

Once inside the city, the best way to navigate is by public transportation via bus, subway, bicycle rental or train.
Related
Looking for a hostel in Japan? In search of a party in Tokyo? Traveling alone to Osaka or Tokyo?

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.