Kyoto Station is the center for transportation in the city. The second-largest in Japan, it houses a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one fifteen-story roof. The Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line (see below) as well as all local rail lines connect here. Buses operating on routes within the city, the region, and the nation stop here as well.

There are also frequent services on JR West, Keihan, Hankyu, Kintetsu, and other rail networks to other cities in the Kansai region. JR West and Kintetsu connect at Kyoto Station. Hankyu has a terminal at the intersection of Shijō Kawaramachi, Kyoto's most thriving shopping and amusement district. Keihan has a terminal at Sanjō Keihan Station which is not far from Shijō Kawaramachi.

The Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau operates Kyoto's subway and bus system. The city operates two subway lines: Karasuma Line and Tōzai Line. The Karasuma Line runs beneath north-south Karasuma Street and links to Hankyu trains running beneath Shijō Street at the intersection of Shijō Karasuma, Kyoto's central business district, to the west of Shijō Kawaramachi. The Tōzai Line runs beneath east-west Oike Street and connects to Keihan at Sanjō Keihan and to JR at Nijō Station. The two subway lines meet at Karasuma Oike Station.　 　

Buses

Kyoto's municipal bus network is extensive. Private carriers also operate within the city. Many tourists join commuters on the public buses, or take taxis or tour buses. Kyoto's buses have announcements in English and electronic signs with stops written in the Latin alphabet.

Most city buses have a fixed fare, but a one-day bus pass and a combined unlimited train and bus pass are also available. These are especially useful for visiting many different points of interest within Kyoto. The bus information center just outside the central station handles tickets and passes. The municipal transport company publishes a very useful leaflet called "Bus Navi." It contains a route map for the bus lines to most sights and fare information. This too is available at the information center in front of the main station.

In addition to Kyoto Station, you can transfer buses at the intersections of Shijō Kawaramachi and Sanjō Keihan. The intersection of Karasuma Kitaōji to the north of downtown has a major bus terminal serving passengers who take the Karasuma Line running beneath Karasuma Street, Kyoto's main north-south street.

Cycling

Cycling forms a very important form of personal transportation in the city, to an extent that bicycle culture forms a part of Kyoto's urban identity. The geography and scale of the city are such that the city may be easily navigated on a bicycle."