How to travel between Kobe and Osaka
Three railway companies, Japan Railways (JR), Hankyu and Hanshin, operate railway lines between Osaka and Kobe's Sannomiya Station:
By Japan Railways (JR)
JR special rapid trains require 20 minutes and cost 390 yen for the one way trip from Osaka Station to Sannomiya Station. You can also travel between the two cities by Sanyo Shinkansen in less than 15 minutes, however, the shinkansen stations in both Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) and Kobe (Shin-Kobe Station) are not centrally located.
By Hankyu Railways
Limited express trains on the Hankyu Kobe Line take 25 minutes and cost 310 yen from Umeda Station to Sannomiya Station. Hanshin Umeda Station is located just next to JR Osaka Station.
By Hanshin Railways
Hanshin operates direct trains from Osaka's Umeda Station (30 minutes, 310 yen) and Osaka-Namba Station (45 minutes, 400 yen) to Kobe's Sannomiya Station.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Kobe's busiest railway station is not Kobe Station but Sannomiya Station at the city center. Sannomiya Station is served by multiple railway companies, including Japan Railways (JR). The shinkansen (bullet train) stops at Shin-Kobe Station, a short subway ride north of Sannomiya Station.
Distances between the attractions in central Kobe are relatively short, and good walkers can cover many of them on foot. There is also a tourist oriented loop bus, which connects sites such as Kitano-cho, Nankinmachi, Meriken Park and Harborland with Shin-Kobe and Sannomiya Stations. The bus costs 250 yen per ride, while a day pass is available for 650 yen.
Kobe Airport, which is only served by domestic flights, is located on a man made island just off the coast of central Kobe and can be reached by the Port Liner from Sannomiya Station in less than 20 minutes and for 320 yen.
Special Tickets
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Kobe Meguri 1 Day Coupon (900 yen)
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Unlimited use of subways, some buses and non-JR trains in the Kobe area on one calendar day, plus a 650 yen coupon to be used on admission to selected tourist attractions. Available at non-JR railway stations.
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There are also extended versions of the ticket that include access to Kobe, e.g. the Hanshin version for 1500 yen that includes unlimited use of Hanshin trains or the Hankyu version for 1700 yen which can be used to access Kobe from as far as Kyoto by Hankyu trains.
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City Loop - Day Pass (650 yen)
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Unlimited rides on the Kobe City Loop bus on one calendar day.
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Kobe City Buses - Day Pass (one day 600 yen, two days 1000 yen)
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Unlimited usage of Kobe city buses (not including the City Loop) on one or two consecutive calendar days.
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Subway and Bus Day Pass (1000 yen)
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Unlimited usage of Kobe's two subway lines and Kobe city buses (not including the City Loop) on one calendar day.
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Kobe City Loop Bus for tourists
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