basic information

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is Japan's second most important international airport. Located on a man made island about 50 km south of Osaka, Kansai Airport was opened in 1994, taking over all international and some of the domestic air traffic formerly handled by Osaka's Itami Airport.

Kansai Airport has only one terminal building. Various train and bus lines connect the airport with the nearby cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and surroundings.

How to travel between Kansai Airport and Central Osaka

By Japan Railways (JR):

"Haruka" limited express trains (tokkyu) connect Kansai Airport with Tennoji Station (30 minutes, 1760 yen by unreserved seat, about 2100 yen by reserved seat) and Shin-Osaka Station (50 minutes, 2470 yen unreserved, about 2800 yen reserved).

Rapid trains (kaisoku) connect the airport with Tennoji Station (50 minutes, 1030 yen) and Osaka Station (70 minutes, 1160 yen).

By Nankai Railways:

"Rap:t" limited express trains (tokkyu) take 30 minutes and cost 1390 yen (all reserved) from Kansai Airport to Namba Station, while express trains (kyuko) do the same trip in 45 minutes and for 890 yen.

By bus:

There are direct airport limousine buses from Kansai Airport to various places and hotels in Osaka, including Osaka Station (60 minutes, 1300 yen), Namba Station (45 minutes, 880 yen) and Itami Airport (70 minutes, 1700 yen).

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Click here for current yen exchange rates.

Means of access to/from Kansai Airport

	JR Limited Express "Haruka" About 2100 yen, 30 minutes to Tennoji About 2800 yen, 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka About 3500 yen, 70 minutes to Kyoto Departures every 30 minutes The Haruka is a comfortable train for travelers to and from the airport, which connects to Tennoji (a large station in southern Osaka), Shin-Osaka (the shinkansen station of Osaka) and Kyoto. Reserved and non reserved seats are available.
	JR Kansai Airport Rapid About 1000 yen, 50 minutes to Tennoji About 1200 yen, 70 minutes to Osaka Departures every 20 minutes The JR Airport Line is the inexpensive JR alternative to the Haruka limited express between the airport and central Osaka, serving Tennoji, Osaka and other major stations on the Osaka Loop Line. It cuts the ticket price in half, but increases the traveling time by about 20 minutes. Unlike the Haruka, it is a normal commuter train which stops a few times between the airport and Osaka and can become crowded during rush hours.
	Nankai "Rap:t" About 1400 yen, 35 minutes to Namba Departures every 30 minutes The Nankai "Rap:t Alpha" and "Rap:t Beta" trains are limited express trains which connect the airport with Namba, the heart of Osaka's southern city center. Beta trains stop at one more station than Alpha trains and are, therefore, just slightly slower than Alpha trains. Both are comfortable trains especially for travelers to and from the airport. All seats are reserved.
	Nankai Airport Express About 900 yen, 45 minutes to Namba Departures every 30 minutes The Nankai Airport Express, also connecting the airport with Namba, is the cheaper but slower alternative to the "Rap:t" trains. Unlike the "Rap:t" trains, these trains are normal commuter trains which stop more frequently and can become crowded during rush hours.
	Airport Limousine Bus About 1500 yen, 60 minutes to central Osaka About 2500 yen, 100 minutes to Kyoto About 1800 yen, 75 minutes to Kobe Airport limousine buses connect Kansai Airport with various places and hotels in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and other destinations in the Kansai Region.
	Taxi About 17,000 yen, 50 minutes to central Osaka Because Kansai Airport is located about 50 km outside of Osaka, a taxi ride into the city center of Osaka is very expensive and not recommended to common travelers.
	Ferry 1500 yen, 50 minutes to Kobe Airport A high speed ferry connects Kansai Airport with Kobe Airport. A shuttle bus connects the airport terminal with the ferry pier.

Airlines and Destinations

Below is a table of airlines which operate international flights to/from Kansai Airport:

Any advice or questions? Voice them in the forum!

news and reports

	Osaka Cherry Blossom Report April 15, 2009
	Osaka Cherry Blossom Report April 6, 2009

question forum

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hotels & ryokan

J&F Guesthouse Osaka Furnished apartments. No key money or guarantor. Free internet. From 25,000yen/month w/ utilities. Refundable 20,000yen deposit. Weekly Mansion Osaka Furnished apartments in the middle of downtown Osaka for short and extended stays. Free In-Room Broadband. Kaneyoshi Ryokan A modern Japanese inn in Dotombori. the center of Osaka. 2 subway stations nearby. Close to many shops and Osaka Castle. Osaka Yamatoya Honten Japanese style budget ryokan. From 5,775yen. Right next to Dotonbori in Osaka. ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka Experience ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka, formally known as ANA Hotel Osaka, in Osaka starting October 1st 2008. Japan Osaka Ryokan Association For business or pleasure, search by area for the perfect traditional Japanese ryokan to match your Osaka accommodation needs.

tours and packages

Osaka Tours Various tours and travel packages for Osaka and surroundings. Kyoto Hotel with Airport Transfers Kyoto hotel accommodation with airport bus transfers included. Quick and easy online booking! The Kyoto Explorer 3-day package!

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