Many foreign tourists visiting the Kansai and Chubu areas use Kansai International Airport (KIX).
There are various means of transportation from the airport to the city of Osaka, and even if the destination is the same, the best method can change depending on what you are looking for, such as speed or cost. In this article, we will introduce the means of transportation from Kansai International Airport to various areas in Osaka city. In addition, we will also compare the time and cost to popular tourist areas such as Namba and Shinsaibashi.
※The information featured in this article is as of December 2023. Please check the official website or other sources for the latest information.
※The travel times for each mode of transportation are approximate times from Kansai Airport Station or the bus stop at Kansai Airport Terminal 2 to the destination. They may vary slightly depending on the train or bus used.
There are mainly three types of transportation from Kansai International Airport to downtown Osaka
In 1994, the "Kansai International Airport (commonly known as Kansai Airport)" opened as the world's first offshore airport. Located about 50km away from downtown Osaka, it is an international hub airport connecting to 25 countries and 91 cities.
The main modes of transportation from Kansai International Airport to downtown Osaka are by train (Nankai Electric Railway, JR West) and airport limousine bus. As each has different stops, it is recommended to choose your mode of transportation according to your accommodation or tourist spots.
It's important to note that Kansai Airport Station, the terminus for both the Nankai Electric Railway and JR, is only directly connected to Terminal 1. If you are departing from Terminal 2, which is exclusively for low-cost carriers (LCCs), you must first take a free shuttle bus to Terminal 1. The transfer between terminals takes about 10 minutes, so be sure to allow plenty of time for your journey.
1. Travel time and fare for Nankai Electric Railway (Limited Express Rapi:t & Airport Express)
The "Rapi:t Limited Express" is an airport express train with all reserved seats that connects Kansai International Airport and the Namba area. There are two types, "Rapi:t α" and "Rapi:t β", which have different numbers of stops. The former operates between Kansai Airport Station and Namba Station in as little as about 34 minutes. If you take the latter, it also stops at Sakai Station and Kishiwada Station, so it takes about 39 minutes to reach the final destination, Namba Station.
The train has covered luggage racks and spaces for carry-on luggage, so tourists with large luggage can use it with peace of mind. If you want to travel more comfortably, we recommend the Super Seats, which have more seat width and spacing than regular seats.
To board, you need a ticket and a limited express ticket, so you should purchase them from the web, or from the limited express ticket sales window or ticket vending machine at major stations.
On the other hand, the "Airport Express" operates on the same route as the Limited Express Rapi:t. Although it takes slightly longer than the Limited Express Rapi:t, it operates more frequently and does not require a special express ticket, making it a more affordable means of transportation.
| Limited Express Rapi:t | Airport Express | |
| Example of Osaka city center station stop | 【Rapi:t α】Namba Station, Shin-Imamiya Station, etc. 【Rapi:t β】Namba Station, Shin-Imamiya Station, Sakai Station, Kishiwada Station, etc. | Namba Station, Shin-Imamiya Station, etc. |
| Estimated Time & General Fare | 【Rapi:t α】About 34 minutes to Namba Station 【Rapi:t β】About 39 minutes to Namba Station｜ Regular Seat 1,490 yen, Super Seat 1,700 yen ※All seats are reserved | About 43 minutes to Namba Station｜970 yen |
- Official Website：https://www.nankai.co.jp/
2. JR West Japan (Limited Express Haruka & Kansai Airport Rapid) Travel Time and Fare
The "Limited Express Haruka" allows you to access Osaka Station, Shin-Osaka Station, and even Kyoto Station without any transfers. Not only does it have a luggage space where you can store suitcases, but its biggest charm is undoubtedly the fact that most of its trains are wrapped in a traditional Japanese Hello Kitty design. The exterior of the vehicles features four designs: "Butterfly", "Ori-tsuru (Origami Crane)", "Kanzashi (Hairpin)", and "Ougi (Fan)", with the traditional Japanese Hello Kitty welcoming passengers along with Japanese traditions.
Tickets can be purchased at the JR West counter or ticket machines at Kansai International Airport. In addition to the "Haruka One-way Ticket" which can only be purchased by short-term foreign visitors, the "JR-WEST RAIL PASS" which allows unlimited rides during the period is also available.
Although the travel time to each major station in downtown Osaka is slightly longer than the Limited Express Haruka, the "Kansai Airport Rapid" can be used at a reasonable fare. Since a special express ticket is not required to board, it can be used cheaper than the Limited Express Haruka. It stops at stations such as Osaka Station and Tennoji Station, and operates at 15-minute intervals during the daytime.
For the latest information, please always check the JR West Japan official website.
| Limited Express Haruka | Kansai Airport Rapid | |
| Example of downtown Osaka stop stations | Osaka Station, New Osaka Station, Tennoji Station, etc. | Osaka Station, Tennoji Station, Shin-Imamiya Station, etc. |
| Travel time (approximate) & General fare | About 45 minutes to Osaka Station｜ About 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station｜ About 80 minutes to Kyoto Station｜ ※The above prices are for one-way adult fares during normal periods | About 65 minutes to Osaka Station | 1,210 yen About 45 minutes to Tennoji Station | 1,080 yen |
Official site:
- https://www.jr-odekake.net/train/haruka/
- https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel/shopping/access/train.html
3. Travel time and fare for the Airport Limousine Bus
The biggest advantage of the Airport Limousine Bus at Kansai International Airport is that it has numerous stops. It provides direct access to major tourist areas such as Namba and Shinsaibashi, as well as tourist attractions like Universal Studios Japan™ and Kaiyukan, and even popular hotels. In addition, many of the routes are on highways, so you can enjoy the views of the bay area and the city while you travel.
The boarding locations are at the bus stops in front of the 1st floor of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Tickets can be purchased at the North Information Counter inside Terminal 1 and at four locations in front of the limousine bus stop, as well as in front of the limousine bus stop at Terminal 2 (Domestic Flights).
| Example of Osaka City Stops | Osaka Station Front (Osaka Shin Hankyu Hotel, HERBIS OSAKA) | Namba (Osaka City Air Terminal (Abbreviation: OCAT)) | Kintetsu Uehommachi (Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka), Shinsaibashi (Hotel Nikko Osaka) | Tempozan (Kaiyukan), Universal Studios Japan™ |
| Travel Time (Estimated) & General Fare | About 50 minutes to Shin Hankyu Hotel | 1,600 yen | About 50 minutes | 1,100 yen | About 50 minutes to Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka | 1,600 yen *Only some services stop at Shinsaibashi | About 50-70 minutes to Kaiyukan | 1,600 yen |
Official site: https://www.kate.co.jp/
Transportation from Kansai International Airport to Osaka Station/Umeda Area
| Limited Express Haruka | Kansai Airport Rapid Service | Limousine Bus (Hankyu Sightseeing Bus, Hanshin Bus etc.) | |
| Route | Kansai Airport Station ↓ Osaka Station | (Same as on the left) | Between Kansai International Airport Terminals (2nd & 1st) ↓ In front of Osaka Station (Osaka Shin-Hankyu Hotel, Herbis Osaka) |
| Travel Time (Estimated) & General Fare | About 45 minutes to Osaka Station｜ ※The above prices are for regular periods. | About 65 minutes to Osaka Station | 1,210 yen | About 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka Hankyu Hotel, about 60 minutes to Herbis OSAKA | 1,600 yen |
The area around Osaka Station and Umeda Station is known as "Kita", one of the two largest downtown areas in Osaka, the other being "Minami".
JR (Osaka Station), Osaka Metro (Umeda Station, Higashi-Umeda Station and Nishi-Umeda Station), Hankyu Railway and Hanshin Electric Railway (Osaka Umeda Station) are all within walking distance, making it convenient for transfers.
If your destination or accommodation is near the Shin-Osaka Hankyu Hotel (adjacent to Hankyu Osaka Umeda Station, a short walk from the Midosuji North Exit of JR "Osaka Station") or Herbis OSAKA (a short walk from Osaka Metro Nishi-Umeda Station and Hanshin Osaka Umeda Station), we recommend using the limousine bus.
Transportation from Kansai International Airport to Namba and Shinsaibashi Area
| Limited Express Rapi:t | Airport Express | Limousine Bus (Kansai Airport Transportation, Nihon Kotsu) | Limousine Bus (Kansai Airport Transportation, Kintetsu Bus) | |
| Route | Kansai Airport Station ↓ Namba Station ↓Change to Osaka Metro Midosuji Line ↓ Shinsaibashi Station | (Same as left) | Kansai International Airport Terminal (2nd & 1st) ↓ Namba (OCAT) | Kansai International Airport Terminal (2nd & 1st) ↓ Shinsaibashi (Hotel Nikko Osaka) |
| Estimated Time & Regular Fare | 【Rapi:t α】About 34 minutes | About 43 minutes｜970 yen | About 50 minutes｜1,100 yen | About 70 minutes｜1,600 yen |
The area around Namba Station, known as "Minami", is filled with tourist spots such as the Glico sign in Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, and Amerikamura.
If you want to get from the airport to Namba Station as quickly as possible, we recommend the Nankai Railway. However, it does not go to Shinsaibashi Station, so you will need to transfer to the Osaka Metro (about 1 minute | 190 yen) or walk along the Shinsaibashi Shopping Street for about 10 minutes. If you want to avoid the crowds, use the limousine bus, which does not require a transfer.
Transportation from Kansai International Airport to the Tennoji Area
| Limited Express Haruka | Kansai Airport Rapid | |
| Route | Kansai Airport Station ↓ Tennoji Station | (Same as left) |
| Estimated Time & General Fare | Approximately 35 minutes｜ *The above prices are for normal periods | Approximately 45 minutes｜1,080 yen |
The Tennoji Station area, featuring landmarks such as the Tennoji Zoo and Tsutenkaku, centered around the over 300m high-rise building "Abeno Harukas".
As of November 2023, the limousine bus to Tennoji Station (Abeno Harukas) from Kansai International Airport is suspended, so the only direct means of transportation is JR (Limited Express Haruka & Kansai Airport Rapid). The difference in travel time between the limited express train and the rapid train is only about 10 minutes, so you can choose based on whether you prioritize comfort or want to keep transportation costs low.
Choose the best mode of transportation to suit your needs, budget, and time!
Kansai International Airport, along with Chiba Prefecture's Narita International Airport, is used by many foreign tourists. The shortest and best means of transportation to the center of Osaka varies depending on the area, so choose the best method according to your destination and needs.
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