Kansai International Airport to Osaka city center

Kansai International Airport(KIX)　

To go to Osaka city center, it may seem confusing or overwhelmed because there are so many different ways to travel. Depending on which part of Osaka city you are going (North or South), you can decide JR or NANKAI. If you are going to Kyoto, it will be easier and faster to take JR Haruka. If you are staying near USJ area, or hotels that Bus stops, Limousine Bus would be most convenient.

*Please note City of Osaka has two major areas: Kita (North) and Minami (South) Kita includes JR Osaka Station, Umeda→ JR would be a good choice. Minami includes Namba and Dotonbori area →NANKAI would be faster easier. Easy access route search might be helpful. Access Information|Kansai International Airport (jorudan.co.jp)

*For JR, price change slightly off-peak, peak and top season　JR Central 2024 Calender Yellow: top season +￥400, Red: peak season+￥200, Blue: off-peak season-￥200

①　Trains　Train | Kansai International Airport (kansai-airport.or.jp)　Nankai and JR

1. NANKAI is a private rail company. There are 2 options.
   1. Nankai Rapi:t Limited Express Fastest option for Namba area
      • Search in the time table (nankai.co.jp)
   2. Nankai Airport Express -Cheaper than Rapi:t (Airport express do not require express ticket)
2. JR There are 2 choices:Introduction of Kansai-Airport Express “HARUKA” and Kansai-Airport Rapid Service | JR-WEST
   • JR Limited Express HARUKA–easiest if you go to Kita (North) Osaka/Umeda or Kyoto
   • JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service–easiest and fastest if you are going to Minami (South) Osaka near Namba and Dotonbori

②　Bus　

If you are staying at one of the hotels that limousine bus stops, this is the easiest way but please note that busses are less frequent than trains.

You can find destination, time table, and bus stops →　Bus | Kansai International Airport (kansai-airport.or.jp) Bus destination includes (Time from KIX Terminal 1)
・Namba(Osaka City Air Terminal or OCAT)￥1,300
・Osaka Castle（DOTON PLAZA, Hotel New Otani Osaka, Imperial Hotel Osaka) to DOTON Plaza approx. 60 min. \1,800
・Shinsaibashi（Hotel Nikko Osaka, Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka)　approx. 55 min. \1,800
・USJ, Kaiyukan, Hotel Kintetsu Universal City etc to USJ approx. 50-70 min. \1,800
・Kobe (Kobe Sannomiya) approx.65 min \2,200
・Nara (JR Nara Station) approx. 103 min \2,400
・Kyoto (JR Kyoto Station) approx. 90 min \2,800
・Wakayama approx. 40 min.\1,400
・Tokushima approx. 165 min \5,000 need reservation ahead of time

No reservations required (first-come-first-served basis) except for Himeji, Tokushima or Okayama.

Tickets can be purchased from the ticket vending machines (Cash only) Credit card can be used at following Ticket Counter:
Kansai International Airport Terminal 1
1F, Airport Bus Stop A Ticket Window 7:30-22:00
1F, Airport Bus Stop B Ticket Window 06:00-22:00
1F, Airport Bus Stop C Ticket Window All day
1F, Airport Bus Stop D Ticket Window 07:30-22:00
1 F, North Information Counter 07:30-22:30
Kansai International Airport Terminal 2
Terminal 2 Airport Bus Stop Ticket Window(Domestic line) All day
Terminal 2 Information Counter(International Line Flight Arrival) 09:30-18:00(Except 14:00-15:00)

For passengers arriving at Terminal 2, not all destinations can be boarded at Terminal 2. All other destinations board at Terminal 1, 1F. From Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, please use free airport shuttle bus. Regarding other details such as fare for children, luggages allowed are → Instructions | [Official] Kansai International Airport Limousine Bus/ Time Table/ Bus Stop/ Fare/ Route List (Kansai Airport Transportation Enterprise) (kate.co.jp)

If you are staying near the KIX and they offer Bus service to hotels^*1, busses leave from S12 (not 12) outside the Terminal 1. (The Free Shuttle Bus (airport shuttle bus) departs from outside of Terminal 2 to 1F of Aeroplaza Terminal 1). ^*1 For detailed information on hotel bus, check directly with the hotel.

③　Taxi

You will need to reserve for Jumbo Taxi, Fixed-Rate Taxi, Uber in advance. For inquiry and reservation →　Jumbo Taxi, Fixed-Rate Taxi, Uber | Kansai International Airport (kansai-airport.or.jp) Taxi stands are ❶ or ❼ in Terminal 1 or Taxi stand in Terminal 2

If you do not have taxi reservation, please go to in Terminal 1 ❸ Taxi stands or in Terminal 2, Taxi | Kansai International Airport (kansai-airport.or.jp)

Terminal 1（T1)❶ Reserved Taxis (South)　❸ Short/Long Distance　❼ Reserved Taxis (North)

Terminal 2 (T2) outside the arrival gate of International

④　To Kobe, another option:Ferry　High-Speed Ferry | Kansai International Airport (kansai-airport.or.jp)　 Bay Shuttle (kobe-access.jp)

To make reservation:Booking｜KOBE-KANSAI AIRPORT BAY SHUTTLE Booking Site (jcld.jp)

Fastest if you are going to Kobe. Area Map｜Bay Shuttle (kobe-access.jp)

Adult ￥1,800 (Children ￥940)　*Until March 31, 2025, there’s a discount for visitors from overseas　For Visitors to Japan｜Bay Shuttle (kobe-access.jp) if you use the Online Reservation Discount Code

From the Terminal, you need to take special shuttle bus to the pier.　The shuttle bus is limited (see below for the timetable) and cannot use taxi to the pier, so please be at the shuttle bus stop on time.

Enjoy Western Japan!