Kansai International Airport (ŠÖ�¼‹ó�`, 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.

Getting to Kansai Airport

Central OsakaKyotoKobeNaraItami Airport

By JR Haruka limited express train

• Direct
• 70 min
• ¥2,200 - 4,040
• 2 trains per hour

Covered by: Japan Rail Pass

The JR Haruka limited express takes about 70 minutes and costs 3110 yen by non-reserved seat or around 3600 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.

By JR rapid trains

• 1 transfer
• 100 min
• ¥1,910
• 4 connections per hour

Covered by: Japan Rail Pass

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 1910 yen.

By Nankai and Hankyu railways

• 2 transfers
• 120 min
• ¥1,670
• frequent connections

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.

By Nankai and Keihan railways

• 2 transfers
• 120 min
• ¥1,640
• frequent connections

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, 430 yen). This route is worth considering by people staying in eastern Kyoto along the Keihan Line, e.g. Higashiyama or Gion.

By bus

• Direct
• 100 min
• ¥2,800
• 1-2 buses per hour

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 taxi

• Direct
• 90-150 min
• ¥5,000 - 30,000

By regular taxi the trip costs around 30,000 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.

Means of access to/from Kansai Airport

JR Limited Express "Haruka"

About 2000 yen, 30 minutes to Tennoji
About 2500 yen, 45 minutes to Osaka Station
About 2700 yen, 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka
About 3000 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), Osaka Station, Shin-Osaka (the shinkansen station of Osaka) and Kyoto. Reserved and non-reserved seats are available. Thanks to the Haruka 1-Way Ticket discount offer for foreign tourists, the Haruka can also be a relatively economical option.

JR Kansai Airport Rapid

1080 yen, 50 minutes to Tennoji
1210 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 "Rapi:t"

1490 yen, 35 minutes to Namba
Departures every 30 minutes

The Nankai "Rapi:t Alpha" and "Rapi: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 two more stations than Alpha trains and are, therefore, slightly slower. Both are comfortable trains especially for travelers to and from the airport. All seats are reserved. Discounted tickets can be purchased through Klook.

Nankai Airport Express

970 yen, 45 minutes to Namba
Departures every 15 minutes

The Nankai Airport Express, also connecting the airport with Namba, is the cheaper but slower alternative to the "Rapi:t" trains. Unlike the "Rapi: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
2600 yen, 100 minutes to Kyoto
2000 yen, 75 minutes to Kobe

Airport buses connect Kansai Airport with various places and hotels in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and other places in the Kansai Region. It is possible to purchase tickets online via Klook.

Taxi and airport transfers

Taxi: about 15,000 yen (18,000 yen late night), 50 minutes to central Osaka

Because Kansai Airport is located about 50 km outside of Osaka, a taxi ride into the city center is rather expensive. Alternatively, there exist a wide range of private and shared airport transfer services, many of which include meet and greet services and English speaking drivers. Among the travel websites allowing for reservations of such services with instant confirmation is Klook.

Ferry

1880 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.

Late night and early morning flights

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.

Late night transportation

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.

Early morning transportation

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.

Hotels around the airport

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:

• Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport (regular hotel, adjacent to terminal 1)
• First Cabin Kansai Airport (capsule hotel, adjacent to terminal 1)

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:

• OMO Kansai Airport (regular hotel)
• Kansai Airport Washington Hotel (regular hotel, free shuttle bus 5:20 to 23:35)
• Henn na Hotel Kansai Airport (robot-run hotel)
• Hatago Inn Kansai Airport (regular hotel)

Sightseeing attractions around the airport

Sky View Observation Hall

Hours: 10:00 to 17:00, free entry
Free shuttle bus from terminal 1 departs every 30 minutes

The Sky View Observation Hall is an airport museum and observation deck. Its close proximity to one of the runways affords visitors excellent views of the planes taking off and landing at Kansai Airport. The hall is located near the ferry terminal building and is accessible in 8 minutes by free shuttle buses from terminal 1.

Rinku Town

Hours: typically 10:00 to 20:00 (shops), 11:00 to 22:00 (restaurants)
Access by train (370 yen one way) or shuttle bus (300 yen)

Rinku Town is a shopping district with a large variety of shops, restaurants and other attractions. Some of the larger complexes include Seacle, a large shopping mall with a kids theme park, hot spring and ferris wheel; the Rinku Premium Outlets with over 200 brand name outlet shops and restaurants; and an Aeon shopping mall a little further away from Rinku Town Station.