Having explored Kyoto City numerous times, I have come up with several day tour itineraries that are aimed to maximize a day in Kyoto while still trying to spend the least amount of money.

Kyoto City Budget Day Tour Itinerary #1

Disclaimer:

1. Transportation from your accommodation going to Kyoto Station is not included in this itinerary.

2. The itineraries would always start in Kyoto Station and end in Kyoto Station.

3. The accommodation budget is also not included.

4. The itineraries start at 8:30AM as most destinations open at 9AM. 

5. The exploration time in a place is pegged at an hour per destination. However, you may opt to cut it shorter or stay longer. 

6. It is also assumed that you are traveling light.

Kyoto City Budget Day Tour Itinerary #1

Kyoto Station Walking Course

8:30AM	Arrival at Kyoto Station. Exit at the Karasuma Side of Kyoto Station. For those who are not familiar with Kyoto Station’s Karasuma Side, it is the one facing the Kyoto Tower.
8:35AM	Since you’re quite early and most nearby destinations are still closed, you can spend a few minutes looking for and taking pictures of the “monuments” of the  Kyoto Umekoji Monument Street that is scattered along with the Kyoto Station-Umekoji Area. You will find 5 of the 41 monuments in the Karasuma Side of Kyoto Station.   Read more about Kyoto Umekoji Monument Street
8:50AM	Walk towards Higashi Honganji Temple. Travel time from the station is 7-10 minutes.
9:00 – 10:00AM	Explore Higashi Honganji. Admission Fee: FREE Read more about Higashi Honganji
10:00AM	Walk to Nishi Honganji. Travel time from its sister temple is 10-15 minutes.
10:15 – 11:00AM	Explore Nishi Honganji. Admission Fee: FREE Read more about Nishi Honganji
11:00 – 12:00NN	LUNCH Options: - There is a cafe inside Nishi Honganji called Cafe de Shiun (Ziyun; 紫雲) that sells affordable food and coffee. - Outside the temple grounds are several convenience stores like Lawson, Family Mart, and 711 which sells affordable bento meals.
12:10PM	Walk to Umekoji Park Travel time from Nishi Honganji is 15 -20 minutes
12:25 – 1:30PM	Explore Umekoji Park Admission Fee: FREE If you took the Kyoto-Umekoji Monument Street seriously, it’s good to note that 19 of the 41 monuments are scattered in the park grounds. Optional things to do in Umekoji Park are:         Visit the Kyoto Aquarium Admission Fee: 2050 yen         Visit the Kyoto Railway Museum Admission Fee: 1200 yen Read more about Umekoji Park.
1:40PM	Walk to Toji Travel time from the park is 10-15 minutes
1:50 – 2:50PM	Explore Toji   Admission Fee: 500 yen to visit the pond and the pagoda.   There are stores and vending machines in the temple grounds where you can buy refreshments and snacks. Perfect for your noontime exploration. Read more about Toji.
3:00PM	Walk to Kyoto Tower Travel time from the temple is 20 -25 minutes.  If you’re tired or you want to avoid the heat of the sun, you can head to Tojimachi bus stop and ride bus #205 heading to Kyoto Eki-mae bus stop. Fare: 230 yen Travel time: 19 minutes.
3:20 – 5:00PM	Head up to Kyoto Tower, an observation deck to get a bird’s eye view of Kyoto City. Stay until sunset for a more enchanting view of the city. Admission Fee: 770 yen Read more about the Kyoto Tower.
5:05PM	Walk to Kyoto Station. Travel time 1-2 minutes.
5:10 – 6:30PM	Explore Kyoto Station’s Skywalk and observation deck before calling it a day. Admission Fee: FREE Read more about the Kyoto Station.

Expenses Summary:

Summary
Admission Fees	Toji – 500 yen Kyoto Tower – 770 yen
Food Expenses	Lunch  - _______ yen Snacks and refreshments - ______ yen
Optional Expenses	Souvenirs - ________ yen Kyoto Aquarium – 2050 yen Kyoto Railway Museum – 1200 yen Bus ride – 230 yen per passenger
Total Expenses	1270 yen + food expenses + optional expenses
Multiply the expenses to the X number of travelers.