Transport from Kansai Airport to Arima Onsen

Our ETA into KIX is 8:30am on Thursday Nov 23rd and we want to go to Arima Onsen quickly. Preferring to arrive by Keihan bus to Bus Stop 1 (Nearest to our Ryokan - Arima Onsen Tocen Goshoboh.

I found that I can either:
1. Take Bay Shuttle to Kobe Airport > Port Liner > Sannomiya Station > Bus to Arima Onsen \500 + \340 + \710 = \1,550 - Reservation for Bay Shuttle, OR
2. By Airport Limousine > Sannomiya Station > Bus to Arima Onsen \2000 + \710 = \2,710 - No reservation.

Questions
1. Is it risky if we don�ft reserve the Bay Shuttle? A bit hard to pin point exact timing for the ride.
2. Should we get the Kansai Thru Pass? Would it cover all our transportations? Probably not for the Bay Shuttle between KIX and Kobe Airport..?
After our 1 night stay in Arima Onsen we will head to Kyoto. Probably on Keihan Bus.

Thanks!

From kansai airport to arima onsen,you can buy surutto kansai pass for unlimited travel by rail and bus in kansai area
2 Day = 4380 yen
3 Day = 5400 yen

Hi Dixit,

Thanks for responding. Surutto Pass doesn�ft cover the Bay Shuttle between KIX & Kobe Airport and Port Liner between Kobe Airport & Sannomiya Station, right?

How long do these options take to get there?

If you take various commuter trains using the kansai thru pass. That's 2.5-3.0 hours including transfers.

Shuttle is not covered, to answer that question.

Hi H,

If I�fm not mistaken, the ferry is almost half the time to get to Sannomiya if compared to taking a bus from KIX. Ferry is 30 min + 10 min shuttle. Bus direct from KIX is 60 min. The numerous transfer on the train b/w Sannomiya & Arima Onsen makes it unattractive for me. Especially after an overnight flight & with an elderly. I�fm too not so young, mid 50s.
I�fm thinking of going to the ferry counter at KIX to try and buy the tickets. But if no availability for the next couple of departures, I�fll change to the bus options.
The ferry is much cheaper at \1,550 vs \2,710 with the bus option (if not mistaken). I�fm still working out what�fs the total cost with the return trip from Arima Onsen to Kyoto before considering the Kansai Thru Pass.

1. the cost of bay shuttle (ship only) is 1880 yen. if sea is calm and sunny, you may enjoy it. but, if not, you will be unpleasant. you need to take two transfers.
2. your No.2 route is doable for old persons and probably easier for strangers, because of only one transfer.
3. you can choose anther bus route with transferring of the busses at Osaka station, instead of San-no-Miya.

you will feel more comfortable when fewer transfers (less confusion) and frequent running of transportations (flexibility).

Actually Ken, currently there is a tourist promo of \500 for the ferry.

https://www.kobe-access.jp/eng/info_visitors.php

it is your choice, because you seems to be facinated by the cheapness.
you need to carry your baggage by yourself from the exit of the airport building to the harbor and carry it from the arrived port to the portliner station. it depends on how heavy and how many baggage you have.
it is quite general that the driver helps to store your baggage to the bus trunk space, when you ride on limousine bus. also, the ticket counter and bus stops are located near the exit of the airport buildings.

I simply advise you the easy (accessible) and comfortable route. so, the conclusion depends on what you find value in.

It is not just cheaper but faster too.

The information I found for the Bay Shuttle: After we purchased the ferry ticket at the high-speed ferry ticket counter (located on the 1st floor of Terminal 1), we take the bus departing from bus stop 12 on the 1st floor of Terminal 1.
Bus stop map: https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/ferry
Once we arrived at Kobe Airport pier, take the free shuttle bus if we have large luggage. We can also walk to Kobe Airport of course. It only takes about 5 minutes.

Least expensive and quickest. Seems an easy pick.

Hourly services in the late morning. So if you miss one. Just enjoy the sea breeze and get the next ferry.

🙏