Daily Budget Overview
Kyoto can be enjoyed at every budget level. Here is a realistic daily breakdown per person:
Budget (¥8,000–12,000 / $55–80): Hostel dorm (¥3,000–5,000), local restaurants (¥2,000–4,000), bus pass (¥700), temple entries (¥500–1,500)
Mid-range (¥15,000–25,000 / $100–170): Business hotel (¥8,000–15,000), mix of casual and nice restaurants (¥4,000–6,000), transport (¥1,000–1,500), activities (¥2,000–3,000)
Luxe (¥40,000+/day / $270+): Ryokan with kaiseki dinner (¥30,000–80,000), fine dining, private guides, premium transport
Accommodation
- Hostels: ¥3,000–5,000/night (dorm), ¥6,000–10,000 (private room)
- Business hotels: ¥8,000–15,000/night (clean, compact, near stations)
- Ryokan: ¥15,000–80,000/night (traditional inn, often includes breakfast)
- Minshuku: ¥6,000–12,000/night (family-run, homely atmosphere)
Food
- Convenience store (konbini): ¥500–800 per meal — surprisingly good onigiri, bento, ramen
- Local restaurants: ¥1,000–2,500 per meal — noodles, rice bowls, set meals
- Nishiki Market grazing: ¥1,500–3,000 for a full lunch of samples
- Kaiseki dinner: ¥15,000–30,000 — multi-course haute cuisine, a must-try experience
Money saver: Lunch sets (ランチ) at restaurants are often half the price of dinner. Many temples offer discounted morning entry. The ¥700 bus pass alone saves ¥500+ per day.
Temple Entry Fees
Most temples charge ¥400–600 entry. Some charge more for special areas (e.g., Kiyomizu-dera ¥400, Kinkaku-ji ¥500, Nijo Castle ¥1,300). Several are free: Fushimi Inari, the Philosopher's Path, Gion district, and the Imperial Palace Park.
Save Money Tips
- Visit during off-peak seasons (winter, early spring) for cheaper hotels
- Eat at convenience stores for breakfast and lunch, splurge on one nice dinner
- Walk instead of taking buses in compact districts (Higashiyama, Gion)
- Get the Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass (¥700) on heavy sightseeing days
- Check our JR Pass Calculator to see if a rail pass saves you money