Kyoto

My friend and I are arriving to Osaka international airport on April 23 around 8pm and would like to go to Kyoto for 2-3 days and than to Tokyo. What is the best way to go to Kyoto from the airport? Maybe we should stay in Osaka first night and go to Kyoto next day. Any hotel recommendations? In Kyoto we'd like to stay in not very expensive ryokan preferably located close to the public transportation.
Thanks a lot for all suggestions.

What is the best way to go to Kyoto from the airport?

It depends on where in Kyoto you are heading. Here are some basics:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html?aFROM=2033_2158

Maybe we should stay in Osaka first night and go to Kyoto next day.

If you are going to Osaka, you could just as well stay on the train/bus an additional 30 minutes and make it to Kyoto. If you want to avoid the trip to Kyoto on the first evening, I recommend to stay at a hotel around Kansai Airport, such as the Nikko Hotel or the ANA Hotel.

Thank you Uji!
I am going to Hotel Monterey Kyoto in Kyoto.

As RodW says in the other post,

Easier way costs 3700yen(2210yen by JR West pass) & needs 1 transfer.

Cheaper way costs 1760yen & needs 3 transfers.

Galina...the Monterey is definitely not a lower price ryokan....

I know. All other places were already booked. I'll try to find something for one extra day in Kyoto. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!

Is it true that the best and fastest way to get to Kyoto from the airport is to buy a one-day JR West Kansai Area Pass and take the Haruka Limited Express (non-reserved tickets only)?

I was going to say that with five days notice you would have been unlikely to find anything cheap, as this is a peak travel season for Kyoto. I'm glad you did manage to find somewhere!

Is it true that the best and fastest way to get to Kyoto from the airport is to buy a one-day JR West Kansai Area Pass and take the Haruka Limited Express (non-reserved tickets only)?
Yes

Thanks a lot! What is the name of my final stop on the train to Kyoto? Should I take a subway to go to the hotel from the train station?

I would take the subway from JR Kyoto station and exit at Shijo station (exit 22), the hotel is a 5 min walk from exit 22.The whole trip takes about 5 minutes, the subway station is inside the JR Kyoto station and about a 5 minute walk from the platforms (10 min walk from the Shinkansen platforms).All together it's a 15 min from the train to the hotel.