| To reach Kyoto from Kansai airport, you have a few options. First is the Haruka express train straight to the huge futuristic downtown railway station, a controversial recent addition to the city. 70 minutes and 3690 yen, running about every 20 minutes. A limousine bus service runs about every 45 minutes and drops you off on the old south side of Kyoto Station. Around 100 minutes and 2300 yen (3900 roundtrip). Also, if you have someone on the ground to help you or you feel up to the challenge, MK Taxi accepts reservations and will take you to your door. The flat fee is 3000 yen per person and the time will be around the same as the bus, 100 minutes, depending on traffic. MK Taxi’s phone number is (011)(81) 75.721.4141, or 075.721.4141 from within Japan. Note: ONLY do this if you have made a reservation, complete with flight time and number, so a driver is waiting for you as you leave customs. If you flag a taxi from the airport, you will have to pay the airport tolls plus a huge meter – it would cost at least 10,000 yen, and probably closer to 20,000. |
| You can get anywhere in Kyoto and surrounding environs using public transport. There are a number of private railways servicing the city – the largest and most useful are the Keihan line on the east, the Hankyu running east-west through the middle of the city, and the Kintetsu which runs along the western side. All those lines can take you to Osaka as well, but JR trains are faster, albeit slightly more pricey. In addition, Kyoto has a small subway system with two lines that run north-south and east-west, while a huge bus system fills in all the gaps. Buses cost 220 yen per ride, or 500 yen for a one-day pass; bus maps are available in the small white ticket building just north of Kyoto station. The train fares vary, depending how far you are traveling. Remember to hold onto your ticket; you’ll need it to exit at your destination station. |
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