Kansai International Airport (関西空港, Kansai Kūkō, KIX) is one of Japan's most important international airports. Located on a man-made island about 40 kilometers south of central 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 terminals. Terminal 1, the main terminal, is housed in a long, modern building and serves both domestic and international flights by regular airlines. The railway station is located directly adjacent to it. Added in 2012 in a more remote, spartan building, terminal 2 serves low-cost airlines (LCCs). It has fewer bus connections and no train service, and is connected to terminal 1 and the railway station by a free shuttle bus.
The JR Haruka limited express takes about 70 minutes and costs 3060 yen by non-reserved seat or around 3500 yen by reserved seat from Kansai Airport to Kyoto. There are departures every 30 minutes. Available exclusively to foreign tourists, the Haruka 1-Way Ticket is a discount offer that allows you to use the Haruka for only 2200 yen.
Take the JR Airport Rapid from Kansai Airport to Osaka Station and transfer to a special rapid train along the JR Kyoto Line to Kyoto. The one way trip takes about 100 minutes and costs 1860 yen.
Take a Nankai express train from Kansai Airport to Tengachaya Station (40 minutes, 970 yen), and then the Sakaisuji Subway Line and Hankyu Kyoto Line to central Kyoto (about 60 minutes, 700 yen, one transfer of trains along the way, typically at Awaji, Ibarakishi or Takatsuki Station). This route is worth considering by people staying in central Kyoto along or around Shijo-dori Street.
Take a Nankai express train from Kansai Airport to Tengachaya Station (40 minutes, 970 yen), followed by a 10 minute ride on the Sakaisuji Subway Line to Kitahama (240 yen). From Kitahama, take the Keihan Main Line to central Kyoto (50 minutes, 490 yen). This route is worth considering by people staying in eastern Kyoto along the Keihan Line, e.g. Higashiyama or Gion.
Direct airport buses from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station take about 100 minutes and cost 2800 yen. It is possible to purchase tickets online via Klook.
By regular taxi the trip costs around 35,000 yen and takes about 90-150 minutes depending on the destination in Kyoto. Furthermore, several taxi companies operate so called "shuttle services" (mini buses shared by several passengers) between the airport and a desired location in Kyoto for around 5000 yen per person. Advance reservations are required for these "shuttle services".
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Travelers with flights departing in the early morning (before 8:00) or arriving in the late evening (after 22:00) should take note that all trains and most buses do not operate overnight. Taxis remain available, but are an expensive option with fares to Osaka starting around 18,000 yen. Affected travelers are advised to stay at a hotel in the vicinity of the airport, instead.
The last train out of Kansai Airport to Osaka's Namba area departs just before midnight, while the last trains with connections to Osaka Station and Kyoto depart already around 11pm. Likewise, most last buses depart the airport around 23:00 or midnight.
The first train connections in the morning from Osaka reach the airport around 6:00, while those from Kyoto do so about an hour later. Early morning buses generally also start arriving around 6:00.
Kansai Airport is open 24 hours, and it is possible for budget travelers to spend their first or last night there. Both terminals offer a variety of 24 hour facilities such as convenience stores, fast food and restaurants, while terminal 1 additionally offers showers, a paid airport lounge and an internet cafe.
There are a couple of hotels located in the immediate vicinity of the airport:
Several more accommodation options are available around Rinku Town Station, a short train (5 minutes, 370 yen) or taxi ride (about 2500-3500 yen) away. Some hotels offer free shuttle bus services to/from the airport:
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