Kansai Airport's main terminal building
Kansai International Airport (KIX) is Japan's second most important international airport. Located on a man made island about 50 km south of Osaka, Kansai Airport was opened in 1994, taking over all international and some of the domestic air traffic formerly handled by Osaka's Itami Airport.
Kansai Airport has two terminal buildings: the main terminal building (terminal 1) serves international and domestic flights by regular airlines, while a second terminal building (terminal 2) serves international and domestic flights by low-cost airlines. Various train and bus lines connect the airport with the nearby cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and surroundings.
How to travel between Kansai Airport and Central Osaka
By JR Haruka limited express train
"Haruka" limited express trains (tokkyu) connect Kansai Airport with Tennoji Station (30 minutes, 1760 yen by unreserved seat, about 2300 yen by reserved seat) and Shin-Osaka Station (50 minutes, 2470 yen unreserved, about 3000 yen reserved).
With the Icoca & Haruka package, available for 3000 yen to foreign tourists only, you can travel by non-reserved seat on the Haruka from the airport to Osaka and receive an Icoca prepaid card worth 2000 yen (500 yen refundable deposit plus 1500 yen worth in train and bus fares). A round trip version is available for 4000 yen.
By JR airport rapid train
Rapid trains (kaisoku) connect the airport with Tennoji Station (50 minutes, 1030 yen) and Osaka Station (70 minutes, 1160 yen). The Icoca & Haruka package can be used on the rapid trains and can provide a small saving over regular tickets.
By Nankai Railways
"Rap:t" limited express trains (tokkyu) take 30 minutes and cost 1390 yen (all reserved) from Kansai Airport to Namba Station, while express trains (kyuko) do the same trip in 45 minutes and for 890 yen.
Those transferring to a subway line at Namba Station should consider the "Kanku Chikatoku Ticket" which combines the Nankai train ride from Kansai Airport to Namba Station and a subway journey from Namba Station to any subway station within Osaka for only 980 yen one way. The ticket is also available for travel in the opposite direction.
By bus
There are direct airport limousine buses from Kansai Airport to various places and hotels in Osaka, including Osaka Station (60 minutes, 1500 yen), Namba Station (45 minutes, 1000 yen) and Itami Airport (70 minutes, 1900 yen).
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Means of access to/from Kansai Airport
|
JR Limited Express "Haruka"
About 2000 yen, 30 minutes to Tennoji
About 3000 yen, 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka
About 3500 yen, 70 minutes to Kyoto
Departures every 30 minutes
The Haruka is a comfortable train for travelers to and from the airport, which connects to Tennoji (a large station in southern Osaka), Shin-Osaka (the shinkansen station of Osaka) and Kyoto. Reserved and non reserved seats are available. Thanks to the Icoca & Haruka package, the Haruka can also be a relatively economical airport access option.
|
|
JR Kansai Airport Rapid
About 1000 yen, 50 minutes to Tennoji
About 1200 yen, 70 minutes to Osaka
Departures every 15 minutes
The JR Airport Line is the inexpensive JR alternative to the Haruka limited express between the airport and central Osaka, serving Tennoji, Osaka and other major stations on the Osaka Loop Line. It cuts the ticket price in half, but increases the traveling time by about 15 minutes. Unlike the Haruka, it is a normal commuter train which stops a few times between the airport and Osaka and can become crowded during rush hours.
|
|
Nankai "Rap:t"
About 1400 yen, 35 minutes to Namba
Departures every 30 minutes
The Nankai "Rap:t Alpha" and "Rap:t Beta" trains are limited express trains which connect the airport with Namba, the heart of Osaka's southern city center. Beta trains stop at one more station than Alpha trains and are, therefore, just slightly slower than Alpha trains. Both are comfortable trains especially for travelers to and from the airport. All seats are reserved.
|
|
Nankai Airport Express
About 900 yen, 45 minutes to Namba
Departures every 30 minutes
The Nankai Airport Express, also connecting the airport with Namba, is the cheaper but slower alternative to the "Rap:t" trains. Unlike the "Rap:t" trains, these trains are normal commuter trains which stop more frequently and can become crowded during rush hours.
|
|
Airport Limousine Bus
About 1500 yen, 60 minutes to central Osaka
About 2500 yen, 100 minutes to Kyoto
About 1900 yen, 75 minutes to Kobe
Airport limousine buses connect Kansai Airport with various places and hotels in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and other destinations in the Kansai Region.
|
|
Taxi
About 17,000 yen, 50 minutes to central Osaka
Because Kansai Airport is located about 50 km outside of Osaka, a taxi ride into the city center of Osaka is very expensive and not recommended to common travelers.
|
|
|
Ferry
1800 yen, 30 minutes to Kobe Airport
A high speed ferry connects Kansai Airport with Kobe Airport. A shuttle bus connects the airport terminal with the ferry pier.
|
|
