Kyoto, a city known for its rich cultural heritage, also boasts a unique transportation landscape in 2024. With a significant portion of the population walking or using trains, Kyoto's traffic dynamics reflect a commitment to sustainable commuting.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves about 4.67 minutes of waiting and 15 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 9.83 km.
  • Train - Train commuters spend around 7.5 minutes waiting and 26.5 minutes on the train, traveling approximately 20 km.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 16.25 minutes, with minimal waiting time, covering 4.75 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Walking
57%
Train
29%
Home
14%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the cherry blossom season as tourists flock to the city. Winter months see a slight decrease in walking commutes due to colder weather.

Commuter Pain Points

Limited tram and bus services can lead to longer waiting times for those relying on public transport. High tourist influx during peak seasons can strain existing transportation infrastructure.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings and late evenings are the best times to avoid congestion in popular tourist areas. Weekdays generally see less traffic compared to weekends, especially in the city center.

Event Impacts

Major festivals like Gion Matsuri significantly impact traffic, requiring road closures and diversions. Public events often lead to increased demand for public transport, highlighting the need for additional services.

Sustainability Efforts

Kyoto is investing in expanding its train network to reduce reliance on cars. The city promotes cycling and walking through dedicated lanes and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gaining popularity, offering flexible commuting options. These services help reduce the number of private cars on the road, contributing to lower emissions.

Traffic Rankings

The Traffic Index for Japan combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Japan, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.

Worst to BestUpdated: Jan, 2025

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 7 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
6.1 miles
Walking
15.0 mins
Waiting
4.7 mins
Train
12.0 mins
Tram
1.7 mins
Total:
33.3 mins
Average when primarily using Train
Distance
12.4 miles
Walking
12.5 mins
Waiting
7.5 mins
Train
26.5 mins
Total:
46.5 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
3.0 miles
Walking
16.3 mins
Waiting
3.3 mins
Train
4.8 mins
Tram
2.5 mins
Total:
26.8 mins
Kyoto Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Walking and train are the most efficient and popular commuting methods in Kyoto.

There is potential to further reduce CO2 emissions by enhancing public transport options.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Kyoto's CO2 emissions index stands at 290, indicating moderate emissions levels.

Efforts to reduce emissions are ongoing, focusing on increasing public transport usage.

Time

The time index is 33.33, reflecting efficient commute times for most residents.

Walking and train commutes are particularly time-efficient in Kyoto.

Inefficiency

The inefficiency index is 85.01, suggesting room for improvement in traffic management.

Despite high walking rates, inefficiencies may arise from limited tram and bus usage.