Kansai International Airport (KIX) is one of Japan's representative international airports and is used by numerous foreign tourists visiting Osaka and Kyoto.
In this article, we will explain how to access Osaka and Kyoto from KIX by train, bus, cab, and rental car.
- How to Get to Osaka City From Kansai International Airport [By Train, Bus, or Cab]
- How to Get to Kyoto City From Kansai International Airport [By Train, Bus, or Cab]
- How Can Foreign Tourists Access by Rental Car?
- There Are Many Ways to Get to Kyoto From Kansai International Airport! Make the Most of Them for a Comfortable Trip
How to Get to Osaka City From Kansai International Airport [By Train, Bus, or Cab]
This section explains how to get from Kansai International Airport to Osaka City by train, bus, or cab, the cost, and how to make reservations.
Train
JR Line (JR West) and Nankai Railway trains run from Kansai Airport Station in Kansai International Airport to Osaka City.
Access to Kansai Airport Station
Kansai Airport Station is located between the Terminal 1 Building, where most international and domestic flights arrive and depart, and the Aeroplaza Building, where hotels and commercial facilities are located.
The station can be accessed from the second floor of each building.
If you are accessing the station from the Terminal 2 building, where some low-cost airlines arrive and depart, you can use the free connecting bus (see figure below).
The bus connects the parking lot of the Terminal 2 Building to the first floor entrance of the Aeroplaza Building.
The JR line ticket gate (ticket gate) is colored blue, and the Nankai Railway ticket gate (ticket gate) is colored orange.
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
Route, Time Required, and Fare
The table below shows train routes from Kansai Airport Station to major areas in Osaka City. For detailed access routes, timetables, and fares, please search for KIX ACCESSMOOTHIE or similar services.
Fares for reserved seats vary by several hundred yen depending on the time of year.
| Destination | Routes and Trains | Approx travel time | Fare (half-price for children) |
| Tennoji Home to Shitennoji Temple and other popular destinations. Popular area down south | JR: Limited Express Haruka | 30 min | Non-reserved: 1,840 yen Reserved: 2,370 yen |
| JR: Kansai Airport Rapid | 45 min. *Excl. few minutes of waiting time for transfers | 1,080 yen | |
| Namba (Nankai Namba) Central downtown area famous for its gourmet food | Nankai Railway: Limited Express Rapito α, β | Alpha: 34 min. Beta: 39 min. | Regular seat: 1,490 yen Super seat: 1,700 yen |
| Nankai Railway: Airport Express | 43 min. *Excl. few minutes of waiting time for transfers | 970 yen | |
| Umeda Osaka's largest downtown area in the north (the nearest station on the JR line is Osaka Station) | JR: Limited Express Haruka (Special arrival station is Osaka Station) | 45 min. | Non-reserved: 2,410 yen Reserved: 2,940 yen |
| JR: Kansai Airport Rapid (Special arrival station is Osaka Station) | 65 min. *Excl. few minutes of waiting time for transfers | 1,210 yen | |
| Kanku - Nankai Namba Nankai Railway: Airport Express Subway Namba - Umeda Osaka Metro Midosuji Line | 52 min. *Excl. few minutes of waiting time for transfers | 1,210 yen | |
| Shin-Osaka Stations where the Shinkansen stops | JR: Limited Express Haruka | 50 minutes | Non-reserved: 2,590 yen Reserved: 3,120 yen |
| KIX-Osaka】 【Kansai-Osaka JR: Kansai Airport Rapid Osaka - Shin-Osaka JR: Kyoto Line | 68 min. *Excl. few minutes of waiting time for transfers | 1,390 yen | |
| Kanku - Nankai Namba Nankai Railway: Airport Express Subway Namba - Shin-Osaka Osaka Metro Midosuji Line | 59 min. *Excl. few minutes of waiting time for transfers | 1,260 yen | |
| Nearest Station to Universal City Universal Studios Japan | Kansai International Airport - Nishi-Kujo JR: Kansai Airport Rapid Nishi-Kujo - Universal City JR: Yumesaki Line | 70 min. *Excl. few minutes of waiting time for transfers | 1,210 yen |
Reservations (Multilingual)
Reservations for JR West trains can be made through e5489, a reservation website for foreign visitors to Japan.
The service is available in English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), and Korean.
Reservations for Nankai Limited Express trains (reserved seats) can be made through the Nankai Limited Express Ticketless Service.
The service is available in English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), and Korean.
Bus
Limousine buses (airport buses) connecting Kansai International Airport and Osaka are operated by Kansai Airport Transport, Kintetsu Bus, Osaka Bus, and Hanshin Bus. The routes are shared by all companies.
There is also a limousine bus operated by Nankai Bus, but be careful not to take it by mistake, as it goes to Izumi City and Kawachinagano City in southern Osaka Prefecture.
Other buses connect various locations within the airport.
(Source: Kintetsu Bus Corporation official website)
(Source: Hanshin Bus Company Official Website)
(Source: Osaka Bus Company Official Website)
Bus Stops
Bus stops are located at “A: in front of Terminal 1 1st floor (international and domestic arrivals floor)” and “B: Terminal 2 parking lot” (see figure below).”
On each route, there are buses that start at A and buses that start at B and stop at A before heading to Osaka (approximately 13 minutes between B and A).
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
Route, Time Required, and Fare
This section summarizes information on limousine bus routes. Timetables can be found on the Kansai Airport Transportation Information Page.
Some buses are out of service as of September 13, 2024.
Round-trip tickets are valid for 14 days from the day of travel (only one-way tickets are available for children).
| Destination | Route/Symbol | Bus Stops | Approx Travel Time (from A) | Fare (half-price for children) |
| Tennoji | *Out of service. Abeno Harukas (Tennoji Station) UH | A⑦ B⑧ | 60 to 65 minutes | One way 1,600 yen Round trip 2,900 yen |
| Namba | Namba (OCAT) OC | A⑪ B⑥ Some of them originate from A | 50 minutes | One way 1,300 yen Round trip 2,300 yen |
| Namba | *Out of service. Nankai Namba Station (midnight bus) | A⑤ B 3③ A⑤ B | 60 min. | One way 1,600 yen Round trip None |
| Uehonmachi/Shinsaibashi | Kintetsu Uehonmachi, Shinsaibashi UH | A⑦ B⑧ Some of them originate from A Only a few buses go to Shinsaibashi | Kamihonmachi 50 min. Shinsaibashi 67 min. | One way 1,800 yen Round trip 3,300 yen |
| Nihonbashi, Dotonbori, Osaka Castle | Osaka Castle, Nihonbashi ON | A10 B10 Only a few buses go to Osaka Castle | Nihonbashi, Dotonbori 60 min. Osaka Castle 74 min. | One way 1,800 yen Round trip None |
| Kaiyukan, Universal Studios Japan | Nanko, Tempozan (Kaiyukan), Universal Studios Japan NU | A③ B⑦ Some of them originate from A Some buses do not go through Kaiyukan | Kaiyukan 60 min. Universal Studios Japan 50-70 min. | One way 1,800 yen Round trip 3,300 yen |
| Osaka Station, Umeda | Osaka Ekimae UM | (1) 8 (2) 2 Some of them originate from A | 70 min. | One way 1,800 yen Round trip 3,300 yen |
Reservations (Multilingual)
Reservations are not accepted for limousine buses between Kansai International Airport and Osaka City, and will be made on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of service.
Cab
Approximate times and fares for cab access to major areas in Osaka City are as follows.
| Destination | Approx Time For Viewing: | Approx Fare (incl highway tolls, etc.) |
| Kaiyukan Aquarium | 50 minutes | 19,420 yen |
| Tennoji Station | 50 minutes | 19,840 yen |
| Chuo-ku, Osaka (Namba, Osaka Castle, etc.) | 50 minutes | 21,600 yen |
| Kita-ku, Osaka (Umeda, Osaka Station, etc.) | 50 minutes | 22,400 yen |
| Shin-Osaka Station | 60 min. | 23,090 yen |
Advance reservations can be made using “GO,” an iOS and Android cab dispatch reservation application available at cab companies throughout Japan.
MK Taxi operates the Airport Flat Fare Taxi service, which requires advance reservations and can be booked online.
Both of these services are available in English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), and Korean.
Cab stands are located in front of the international and domestic arrival floors on the 1st floor of the Terminal 1 building and in the parking lot of the Terminal 2 building (see map below).
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
How to Get to Kyoto City From Kansai International Airport [By Train, Bus, or Cab]
This section explains how to access Kyoto City from Kansai International Airport by train, bus, or cab, the cost, and how to make reservations.
Train
JR West operates the Limited Express Haruka from Kansai Airport Station to Kyoto.
The Limited Express Haruka also stops at Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station on the way.
Fares for reserved seats vary by several hundred yen depending on the time of year.
| Destination | Routes and Trains | Approx travel time | Fare (half-price for children) |
| Kyoto Station | JR: Limited Express Haruka | 75 min. | Non-reserved: 3,110 yen Reserved: 3,640 yen |
Kansai Airport Station is located between the Terminal 1 Building, where most international and domestic flights arrive and depart, and the Aeroplaza Building, where hotels and commercial facilities are located, and is accessible from the 2nd floor of each.
When accessing the station from the “Terminal 2 Building,” where some low-cost airlines arrive and depart, it is best to take the free connecting bus, get off at the first floor entrance of the Aeroplaza Building, and walk through the Aeroplaza (see the figure below).
JR West trains can be reserved in advance through e5489, a reservation website for foreign visitors to Japan.
The service is available in English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), and Korean.
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
Bus
Limousine buses (airport buses) connecting Kansai International Airport to Kyoto City (Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit) are operated by Kansai Airport Transport Company, Keihan Bus and Hankyu Kanko Bus. The routes are shared by all companies.
Timetables are available on the Kansai Airport Transportation Information page.
Round-trip tickets are valid for 14 days from the day of travel (only one-way tickets are available for children).
| Destination | Route/Symbol | Bus Stops | Approx Travel Time (from A) | Fare (half-price for children) |
| Kyoto Station (Hachijo Exit) | Kyoto Station, Highway Kyotanabe being unable to read the situation | A⑧ B② Some of them originate from A | 85 to 90 minutes | 2,800 yen one way Round trip 5,100 yen |
Reservations cannot be made for limousine buses departing from KIX and bound for Kyoto Station.
Reservations can be made for limousine buses departing from Kyoto Station and bound for KIX.
Reservations can be made in English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), and Korean via Japan Bus Online.
Bus stops are located at “A: in front of Terminal 1 1st floor” and “B: Terminal 2 parking lot” (see figure below).
There are buses that start at A and buses that start at B and stop at A before heading to Kyoto (approximately 13 minutes between B and A).
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
Cab
The estimated time and fare from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto Station is as follows.
| Destination | Approx Time For Viewing: | Approx Fare (incl highway tolls, etc.) |
| JR Kyoto Station | 100 min. | 39,150 yen |
Advance reservations can be made using “GO,” an iOS and Android cab dispatch reservation application available for cabs throughout Japan.
MK Taxi operates the Airport Flat Fare Taxi service, which requires advance reservations and can be booked online.
Yasaka Jidosha operates a shared-ride “Jumbo Taxi” service.
Reservations can be made via the web or app.
All of the above services are available in English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), and Korean.
Cab stands are located in front of the international and domestic arrival floors on the 1st floor of the Terminal 1 building and in the parking lot of the Terminal 2 building.
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
(Source: Kansai International Airport Official Website)
How Can Foreign Tourists Access by Rental Car?
Car rental counters are located on the 1st and 2nd floors of KIX's Aeroplaza, where you can rent a car on the day of your visit.
You can also make reservations online at the reservation sites of each company.
Nippon Rent-A-Car, Nissan Rent-A-Car, and Toyota Rent-A-Car are available in English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Korean, and Arabic, while Orix Rent-A-Car and Times Car are available in English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), and Korean.
Contact information for each company and links to their Web reservation sites are summarized on the KIX information page.
To rent a car if you do not have a Japanese driver's license, you will need either (1) or (2) below.
For details, please refer to the NIPPON Rent-A-Car Information page (viewable in English, Chinese, Korean, and Arabic).
- International driver's license issued by a member country of the Geneva Convention
- Driver's licenses issued by the Swiss Confederation, the German Confederation, the French Republic, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Principality of Monaco, and Taiwan, and a document that translates the contents of the license into Japanese (for licenses from Taiwan, a translation prepared by the Taiwan Association for Japanese Relations or the Japan Automobile Federation; for licenses from other countries, a translation prepared by the embassy or consulate in Japan of the country or For licenses from other countries, a translation prepared by the Japanese embassy or consulate in each country or the Japan Automobile Federation).
There Are Many Ways to Get to Kyoto From Kansai International Airport! Make the Most of Them for a Comfortable Trip
We have introduced the access methods from Kansai International Airport to Osaka City and Kyoto City.
If speed is important, we recommend taking the limited express train (especially with advance reservations for reserved seats).
If you want to save money as much as possible, express and rapid trains are recommended for Osaka City, and limousine buses (round trip) are recommended for Kyoto City.
Limousine buses are less expensive than express trains, and the advantage of limousine buses is that you can leave large luggage in the trunk room.
Cabs (especially with advance reservations) are recommended for those who value comfort. If you prefer to travel freely, renting a car is the best option.
English 
Japanese 
Korean 
Chinese