Cheap Flights to Kyoto

Most popular in	July	High demand for flights, 13% potential price rise
Cheapest in	November	Best time to find cheap flights, 3% potential price drop
Average price	£660	Price for this month
Cheapest price	£409	From London to Osaka

Cheapest prices for Kyoto flights by month

January

£600

February

£598

March

£613

April

£692

May

£662

June

£635

July

£824

August

£815

September

£659

October

£633

November

£569

December

£723

November is currently the cheapest month to fly to Kyoto. At this moment in time July is the most expensive month. These prices are determined by multiple factors and booking in advance can help keep costs down if your schedule is not as flexible.

When is the best time to fly to Kyoto?

Choose a month below to see average flight price and weather conditions.

November is typically the best time to fly to Kyoto, but there are other times where great deals are available. If you are looking for warm weather when you arrive off of your flight to Kyoto then August is statistically the hottest. June is historically the period with most rainfall.

When is the best time to book flights to Kyoto?

The price you pay for your flight to Kyoto may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 22 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

Days before departure

Which day is cheapest to fly to Kyoto?

Tuesday is currently, on average, the cheapest day to fly to Kyoto. Flying on Saturday will result in higher flight prices.

What time of day is cheapest to fly?

To get the best value, try booking a flight in the evening when visiting Kyoto. Generally the prices will increase for flights at midday as these tend to have higher demand.

Once Japan’s Imperial capital, today Kyoto is a bustling modern Japanese city with a population of nearly two million. But underneath its industrialised façade Kyoto’s past is reflected in every corner of the city. The preserved Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples and Meiji-era buildings are a stark reminder of the fires and wars it survived. The Onin War in 1467 that lasted ten years destroyed most of the city, taking it more than 50 years to recover. Today travellers booking flights to Kyoto can look forward to exploring the surviving structures from the Heian Period including the Byodoin Temple in Uji and Shimo Daigo-ji Temple and the immaculate pebble Zen gardens that are dotted throughout the city.

Some of the best events in Japan take place in Kyoto, 500 of them to be precise. Nearly every month an elaborate matsuri (festival) is held on the streets of the city. And while most visitors are guaranteed a festival while they’re there, the best time to book a Kyoto flight is in July when Gion Matsuri, the most famous of festivals, takes place.

Kyoto climate

Surrounded by mountains, Kyoto is known for its stifling hot summer nights with barely a breath of air. July and August are typically the hottest months with temperatures in the 30s (C). June, July, and September are also the months with the most rainfall.

When to fly to Kyoto

Peak Season:

The New Year, Golden Week (end of April through beginning of May), and O-Bon festival (August) are very busy in Japan — both the Japanese and visitors flock to the popular attractions and destinations, making everything crowded. Other highlights include the Aoi Matsui in May, the Gion Festival throughout July, and the Jidai Festival in October.

The high season is May through October, and it is a good idea to make reservations ahead of time, even for attractions that require permits.

Off Season:

Autumn into November is a good time to book flights to Kyoto. The changing foliage is beautiful and the weather is pleasant. December to February can be cold, but the major attractions are less crowded.

Getting around Kyoto

Kyoto’s bus system is the city’s most convenient form of public transport. However, most bus signs are in Japanese, so make sure you know the route number you’re looking for. Buses reach all corners of the city and run from early morning to late evening.

You may consider the subway system easier to manage, but probably not as convenient. Save some money by paying for a day pass or prepaid card before boarding either the bus or subway.

If you’d rather travel by cab, hail a taxi anywhere, or pick one up at a taxi stand or hotel. You’ll find that some taxi companies have city tours, which are charged either by hour or by the route. Smaller taxis will have a slightly lower rate than some of the larger vehicles.

Many of the sights you’ll want to see are close to each other, so you can bike or walk if you want a little exercise. However you choose to travel, it never hurts to have your destination written in Japanese.