Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Kansai International Airport is an airport built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, about 40 kilometers south of Osaka. It is a gateway airport in the Kansai region and connected by two railway lines.
Terminals
The airport consists of two terminals. Terminal 1, the main terminal is the longest building in the world at 1.7km. Terminal 2 is designed for a low-cost airline, with no air conditioner or boarding bridge. Most low-cost airlines use Terminal 1, and only Fitch Airlines and Spring Airlines use Terminal 2.
JR Kansai Airport Express “Haruka”
It is a limited express train connecting Kansai Airport and Kyoto and is popular for its comfortable seats and fast speed. It stops at Tennoji Station, Osaka Station, and Shin-Osaka Station in downtown Osaka.
This train is most convenient if the destination is Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, and Tennoji. It is a very popular train, and it is recommended to use reserved seats because there are many passengers. Reserved seats are available free of charge when purchasing online tickets.
Time Requred
- Tennoji: 35 minutes
- Osaka: 45 minutes
- Shin-Osaka: 50 minutes
- Kyoto: 80 minutes
Fare (foreign visitors)
- Tennoji: 1,200 yen
- Osaka, Shin-Osaka: 1,600 yen
- Kyoto: 1,800 yen
How to use
It is convenient to buy tickets online because the queue is long when you buy them at the airport. You can receive the e-ticket with QR code by e-mail after the reservation is completed. You can scan the QR code and passport to receive the actual ticket at the ticketing machine. Reservations for seats are available when issuing tickets.
JR Rapid Service
This train runs from Hineno Station with the Wakayama – Osaka express train. Therefore, it is convenient if the destination is within the Osaka Loop Line (Tennoji, Taisho, Bentencho, Nishikujo, Fukushima, Osaka Station, Tenma, Sakuranomiya, Kyobashi, Sakuranomiya, Tamatsukuri, Tsuruhashi, Momodani).
Fare and Time Required
- Kansai Airport – Tennoji (53 minutes): 1,080 yen
- Kansai Airport – Nishikujo (75 minutes): 1,210 yen
- Kansai Airport – Osaka (1 hour 11 minutes): 1,210 yen
- Kansai Airport – Kyobashi (1 hour 18 minutes): 1,210 yen
- Kansai Airport – Tsuruhashi (1 hour 27 minutes): 1,080 yen
How to use
It’s JR’s train, so you can go to the blue JR Line ticket gate. You can buy tickets according to the destination, and you can use ICOCA travel card such as well.
Only trains 1 ~ 4 can go to Kansai Airport, so it doesn’t matter when you ride at the airport, but you must be careful when you take the train to Kansai Airport.
Nankai Airport Line Express “Rapi:t”
It is a special express train operated by Nankai railway connecting Kansai Airport and Namba. It is convenient if the destination is Namba. If your destination is Umeda or Kyoto, it is more convenient to take the JR Line train.
Time required
It takes 40 minutes from Kansai Airport to Namba at the final station.
Fare
If you buy it at the ticket office, it’s 1,290 yen one way. If you buy a ticket online, you can buy it with reduced fare. (one way :1,100 yen, round trip 2,150 yen )
How to use
You can receive the e-ticket by e-mail after the reservation is completed. You can exchange ticket with e-ticket at the ticket office. Rapi:t is a reserved seat, so the train and seat number are marked on the ticket. If you have Kansai Thru Pass, you can use Rafit for an additional 520 yen.
Nankai Airport Express
Nankai Airport Express trains run along the same tracks with Rapi:t. their trains have long seats such as the subway. There are many passengers leaving work between Namba and Izumisano section, so it is better to avoid it during rush hour.
Time required
- Kansai Airport – Tengachaya : 40 minutes
- Kansai Airport – Shin-imamiya: 42 minutes
- Kansai Airport Namba: 45 minutes
Fare
The fare is 930 yen, the cheapest transportation at Kansai Airport. If you have a Kansai Thru pass or Osaka Amazing pass, you can use it for free. You can use transportation cards such as ICOCA and Suica.
Airport limousine bus
Nankai Line trains and JR Line trains connect Kansai Airport and downtown. However, there is no railway line directly to Kobe, so it is convenient to use a limousine bus.
Fare
- Osaka Station: 1,600 yen
- Kyoto Station, Kyoto City: 2,600 yen
- Namba OCAT: 1,100 yen
- Kobe Sannomiya: 2,000 yen
Taxi
It’s 20,000 yen from Kansai Airport to Osaka by meter, and 16,000 yen for a flat-rate taxi. Expect a taxi ride to Kyoto to cost in the range of 32,000 yen
Private Pickup Service
If you have a lot of company, you can use the private pickup service for 3/6 seats: 12,353/12,899 yen.
