How to connect between Kyoto's subway, JR and private railways
Kyoto's subway has just two lines, Karasuma and Tozai, meeting at Karasuma Oike; JR and the private railways each run their own stations and tickets. Before you travel, check the full station name and the operator, then the platform direction.
Kyoto Station: three operators, three sets of gates
Kyoto Station hosts JR, the Karasuma subway line and Kintetsu, each with its own gates. The standard transfer time from the Shinkansen to Kintetsu or the subway is 10 minutes. JR's Sagano Line runs toward Nijo, Saga-Arashiyama and Kameoka; the Nara Line runs toward Tofukuji, Uji and Nara.
Two subway lines, one interchange
The Karasuma Line runs north-south with 15 stations and the Tozai Line runs east-west with 17; they meet at Karasuma Oike, where you transfer without passing through a gate. Karasuma Line trains continue from Takeda onto the Kintetsu Line toward Nara, and Keihan Otsu Line trains run through between Misasagi and Uzumasa Tenjingawa. For Yamashina and Rokujizo, take a Rokujizo-bound train — a Biwako-Hamaotsu train will not get you there.
Shijo, Kawaramachi, Sanjo: different names, same interchange
Hankyu Karasuma Station connects with Shijo Station on the subway — different names, one interchange. From Hankyu Kyoto-kawaramachi Station, cross Shijo Bridge and you reach Keihan Gion-Shijo Station. The subway's Sanjo Keihan Station connects with Keihan Sanjo Station; the subway name carries the word Keihan, so check the full name before you get off.
Arashiyama, Nijo, Inari: similar names, different places
Three different stations serve Arashiyama: Hankyu Arashiyama is on the Arashiyama Line, reached by changing at Katsura; Randen Arashiyama is on the Arashiyama Main Line; and JR Saga-Arashiyama pairs with Randen-Saga. The Tozai Line has two neighbouring stations, Nijo and Nijojo-mae. For Fushimi Inari, JR takes you to Inari Station and Keihan to Fushimi-Inari Station.
Keihan: Limited Express, Rapid Express and Rakuraku
Keihan's Rapid Limited Express 'Rakuraku' runs non-stop between Kyobashi and Shichijo, stopping at Shichijo, Gion-Shijo, Sanjo and Demachiyanagi. Both the Limited Express and the Rapid Express stop at Sanjo, but at Korien the Limited Express does not stop while the Rapid Express does. For a reserved seat, buy a Premium Car ticket on top of your fare.
JR and Kintetsu: reserved seats cost extra
Some JR Special Rapid trains have reserved A-Seats: the reserved-seat ticket costs 840 yen on top of your fare. Rapid trains offer reserved 'Ureshiito' seats for 530 or 330 yen. Kintetsu Limited Express trains are all reserved — you need a limited express ticket as well as a fare ticket, so buy both before boarding.
Randen and Eizan: how the small trains work
Randen charges a flat 250 yen for adults and 120 yen for children, paid when you get off — there is no need to touch your IC card when boarding. The Arashiyama Main Line and the Kitano Line meet at Katabiranotsuji, where changing trains costs nothing extra. Eizan Railway connects with Keihan at Demachiyanagi; from Kyoto Station, take the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji and change to Keihan.
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