Kyoto from the UK: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Kyoto, when to go, the visa for British travellers and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 21 Oct 2026.
Plan my Kyoto tripDay to day in Kyoto, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | £13 | £18 |
| A balanced mix | £26 | £31 |
| Mostly restaurants | £31 | £36 |
- Local transport: about £5 a day. Taxi: £3 to start, then £1.90 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about £12 a day for food.
- Tourist tax: about £2 a person a night, paid at your stay.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: machiya-inn-japan.com, travelvoice.jp, kyoto.travel; in GBP at today's rate.
When to go
6°F
7°M
11°A
17°M
22°J
25°J
29°A
29°S
26°O
20°N
14°D
8°
The most pleasant months are April and May. February is the driest month (92 mm of rain) and July the wettest (210 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit Japan, place by placeCompare: Japan or Thailand · Japan or Vietnam · Japan or Italy · Japan or United States · Japan or New Zealand · Australia or Japan
Not to miss in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taishashrine · half a dayGo at dawn or after dark to have the torii tunnels to yourself
Arashiyama Bamboo Grovetrail · a couple of hours
Gion geisha districtneighbourhood · a couple of hoursEarly evening is the best chance of seeing a geiko or maiko on her way to an appointment
Kiyomizu-dera Templetemple · a couple of hours
Ryōan-ji rock gardentemple · a couple of hours
Tofuku-ji autumn leavestemple · a couple of hoursOpen November. The Tsutenkyo bridge view over the maple valley is the classic shot
- Eikando Temple autumn illuminationstemple · a couple of hours
Open November
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)temple · a couple of hoursGet there early to beat the school groups; pair with nearby Ryōan-ji
Nishiki Marketmarket · a couple of hours- Tō-ji flea market (Kōbō-san)market · half a day
Held on the 21st of every month; antiques fair on the first Sunday
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a day in Kyoto cost?
Food and getting around come to about £18 a person a day eating street food, £31 with a balanced mix and £36 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
The most pleasant months are April and May. February is the driest month (92 mm of rain) and July the wettest (210 mm); daytime highs run from 6 to 29 °C over the year.
What should I not miss in Kyoto?
Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Gion geisha district, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ryōan-ji rock garden.
Your whole Kyoto trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from the UK, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
Plan my Kyoto trip