Kansai International Airport (Ö¼ó`, Kansai Kūkō, KIX) is one of Japan's most important international airports. Located on a man-made island about 40 kilometers south of central 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 two terminals. Terminal 1, the main terminal, is housed in a long, modern building and serves both domestic and international flights by regular airlines. The railway station is located directly adjacent to it. Added in 2012 in a more remote, spartan building, terminal 2 serves low-cost airlines (LCCs). It has fewer bus connections and no train service, and is connected to terminal 1 and the railway station by a free shuttle bus.
Getting to Kansai Airport
By JR Haruka limited express train
- Direct
- 30-50 min
- ¥1,300 - 3,520
- 2 trains/hour
Covered by:Japan Rail Pass
"Haruka" limited express trains connect Kansai Airport with Tennoji (30 minutes, 1840 yen by unreserved seat, about 2400 yen by reserved seat), Osaka Station (45 minutes, 2410 yen unreserved, about 3000 yen reserved) and Shin-Osaka Station (50 minutes, 2590 yen unreserved, about 3100 yen reserved). Available exclusively to foreign tourists, the Haruka 1-Way Ticket is a discount offer that allows you to use the Haruka between the airport and Osaka for only 1300 yen (to Tennoji) or 1800 yen (to Osaka or Shin-Osaka).
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By JR airport rapid train
- Direct
- 50-70 min
- ¥1,080 - 1,210
- 4 trains/hour
Covered by:Japan Rail Pass
Rapid trains connect the airport with Tennoji Station (50 minutes, 1080 yen) and Osaka Station (70 minutes, 1210 yen).
By Nankai limited express train
- Direct
- 35-40 min
- ¥1,350 - 1,490
- 2 trains/hour
"Rap:t" limited express trains by Nankai Railway take 35-40 minutes and cost 1490 yen from Kansai Airport to Namba Station. Seat reservations are mandatory. Discounted tickets that cost only 1350 yen are available through Klook.
By Nankai express train
- Direct
- 45-50 min
- ¥970
- 4 trains/hour
Express trains by Nankai Railway make the trip between Kansai Airport and Namba Station in 45-50 minutes and cost 970 yen one way. Seat reservations are not possible.
By bus
- Direct
- 45-60 min
- ¥1,300 - 1,800
- Frequent departures
There are direct buses from Kansai Airport to various places and hotels in Osaka, including Osaka Station (60 minutes, 1800 yen) and Namba Station (45 minutes, 1300 yen). It is possible to purchase tickets online via Klook.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Means of access to/from Kansai Airport
JR Limited Express "Haruka"
About 2000 yen, 30 minutes to Tennoji
About 2500 yen, 45 minutes to Osaka Station
About 2700 yen, 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka
About 3000 yen, 70 minutes to Kyoto
Departures every 30 minutesThe Haruka is a comfortable train for travelers to and from the airport, which connects to Tennoji (a large station in southern Osaka), Osaka Station, Shin-Osaka (the shinkansen station of Osaka) and Kyoto. Reserved and non-reserved seats are available. Thanks to the Haruka 1-Way Ticket discount offer for foreign tourists, the Haruka can also be a relatively economical option.
JR Kansai Airport Rapid
1080 yen, 50 minutes to Tennoji
1210 yen, 70 minutes to Osaka
Departures every 15 minutesThe 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 15 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 "Rapi:t"
1490 yen, 35 minutes to Namba
Departures every 30 minutesThe Nankai "Rapi:t Alpha" and "Rapi: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 two more stations than Alpha trains and are, therefore, slightly slower. Both are comfortable trains especially for travelers to and from the airport. All seats are reserved. Discounted tickets can be purchased through Klook.
Nankai Airport Express
970 yen, 45 minutes to Namba
Departures every 15 minutesThe Nankai Airport Express, also connecting the airport with Namba, is the cheaper but slower alternative to the "Rapi:t" trains. Unlike the "Rapi: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
2600 yen, 100 minutes to Kyoto
2000 yen, 75 minutes to KobeAirport buses connect Kansai Airport with various places and hotels in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and other places in the Kansai Region. It is possible to purchase tickets online via Klook.
Taxi and airport transfers
Taxi: about 15,000 yen (18,000 yen late night), 50 minutes to central Osaka
Because Kansai Airport is located about 50 km outside of Osaka, a taxi ride into the city center is rather expensive. Alternatively, there exist a wide range of private and shared airport transfer services, many of which include meet and greet services and English speaking drivers. Among the travel websites allowing for reservations of such services with instant confirmation is Klook.
Ferry
1880 yen, 30 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.
Late night and early morning flights
Travelers with flights departing in the early morning (before 8:00) or arriving in the late evening (after 22:00) should take note that all trains and most buses do not operate overnight. Taxis remain available, but are an expensive option with fares to Osaka starting around 18,000 yen. Affected travelers are advised to stay at a hotel in the vicinity of the airport, instead.
Late night transportation
The last train out of Kansai Airport to Osaka's Namba area departs just before midnight, while the last trains with connections to Osaka Station and Kyoto depart already around 11pm. Likewise, most last buses depart the airport around 23:00 or midnight.
Early morning transportation
The first train connections in the morning from Osaka reach the airport around 6:00, while those from Kyoto do so about an hour later. Early morning buses generally also start arriving around 6:00.
Hotels around the airport
Kansai Airport is open 24 hours, and it is possible for budget travelers to spend their first or last night there. Both terminals offer a variety of 24 hour facilities such as convenience stores, fast food and restaurants, while terminal 1 additionally offers showers, a paid airport lounge and an internet cafe.
There are a couple of hotels located in the immediate vicinity of the airport:
- Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport (regular hotel, adjacent to terminal 1)
- First Cabin Kansai Airport (capsule hotel, adjacent to terminal 1)
Several more accommodation options are available around Rinku Town Station, a short train (5 minutes, 370 yen) or taxi ride (about 2500-3500 yen) away. Some hotels offer free shuttle bus services to/from the airport:
- OMO Kansai Airport (regular hotel)
- Kansai Airport Washington Hotel (regular hotel, free shuttle bus 5:20 to 23:35)
- Henn na Hotel Kansai Airport (robot-run hotel)
- Hatago Inn Kansai Airport (regular hotel)
Sightseeing attractions around the airport
Sky View Observation Hall
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00, free entry
Free shuttle bus from terminal 1 departs every 30 minutesThe Sky View Observation Hall is an airport museum and observation deck. Its close proximity to one of the runways affords visitors excellent views of the planes taking off and landing at Kansai Airport. The hall is located near the ferry terminal building and is accessible in 8 minutes by free shuttle buses from terminal 1.
Rinku Town
Hours: typically 10:00 to 20:00 (shops), 11:00 to 22:00 (restaurants)
Access by train (370 yen one way) or shuttle bus (300 yen)Rinku Town is a shopping district with a large variety of shops, restaurants and other attractions. Some of the larger complexes include Seacle, a large shopping mall with a kids theme park, hot spring and ferris wheel; the Rinku Premium Outlets with over 200 brand name outlet shops and restaurants; and an Aeon shopping mall a little further away from Rinku Town Station.
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Hotels around Osaka
Read our Osaka Hotel Guide
Kaneyoshi Ryokan
A modern Japanese inn in Dotombori. the center of Osaka. 2 subway stations nearby. Close to many shops and Osaka Castle.
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Top rated near Kansai Airport
Budget:
Budget-friendly
Located just a 4-minute walk from Nankai Tsuruhara Station and within 5 km of Rinku Premium Outlets, Bighem Maison boasts a terrace, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. A hot tub is available for guests. The accommodation provides a shared lounge, and luggage storage for guests.All guest rooms is equipped with a microwave, toaster, a kettle, a bath or shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. Rooms are complete with a shared bathroom, while some units at the bed and breakfast also offer a seating area. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge.There are some shops and dining options within a 10-minute walk from Bighem Maison. Kansai International Airport is 10 minutes by train from the property.
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Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport - 3 mins walk to the airport
Luxury
Directly accessible within Kansai International Airport, Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport - 3 mins walk to the airport features comfortable rooms with free WiFi. The hotel offers free luggage storage services at the 24-hour front desk and free on-site private parking. For overnight guests, free parking for 24 hours for each night stay, and thereafter, the property will charge according to regulation.Rooms at the Kansai Airport Nikko are bright and spacious. They have a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an electric kettle and refrigerator. En suite bathrooms come with a shower, bathtub as well as a hairdryer and free amenities.Facilities at the Nikko Hotel include a business desk, and coin-operated computers with internet access. Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport - 3 mins walk to the airport is connected to Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 via a pedestrian walkway.A breakfast is served at the property. Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport - 3 mins walk to the airport boasts 4 on-site restaurants including a Japanese restaurant "Hanazato", teppanyaki-grill restaurant "Icho", Chinese restaurant "Toh-Lee" and a Japanese-Western fusion restaurant "The Brasserie".Hotel Nikko is located within the Kansai Airport's shopping mall Aeroplaza. It is a 5-minute walk away Kansai Kuko Station for JR and Nankai lines. Tennoji Station is a 30-minute train ride from the property, while Namba Station is a 40-minute train ride away.
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Odysis Suites Osaka Airport Hotel
Luxury
Located within 300 metres of Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle Shopping Centre and 3.5 km of Izumisano-shi Culture Hall, Odysis Suites Osaka Airport Hotel provides rooms in Izumi-Sano. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers free shuttle service and a 24-hour front desk. Private parking is available on site.The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Odysis Suites Osaka Airport Hotel every room comes with bed linen and towels.Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast.Icora Mall Izumisano is 3.7 km from Odysis Suites Osaka Airport Hotel, while Aeon Mall Rinku-Sennan is 4.8 km away. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 7 km from the hotel.
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Budget-friendly
Situated within 1.4 km of Izumisano-shi Culture Hall and 1.8 km of Icora Mall Izumisano, Greenwood Hostel features rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Izumi-Sano. The property is set 3.3 km from Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle Shopping Centre, 4.2 km from Naka Family Residence and 5.2 km from Wakihama Ebisu Grand Shrine. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a housekeeping service for guests.The units in the guest house are fitted with a kettle. Featuring a shared bathroom with a bidet and slippers, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. All units have bed linen.Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area.Kanda Shrine is 5.8 km from the guest house, while Kaizukagobo Gansen Temple is 5.9 km from the property. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 9 km from Greenwood Hostel.
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Budget-friendly
Bigtree Guesthouse offers accommodation in Izumi-Sano. This non-smoking property has a designated smoking area.Some units have a seating area where you can relax. Rooms are fitted with a shared bathroom. Bigtree Guesthouse features free WiFi throughout the property.The hostel also offers free use of bicycles. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 8 km from the property.
8.7Booking.com
OMO Kansai Airport by Hoshino Resorts
Luxury
OMO Kansai Airport by Hoshino Resorts provides accommodation in Izumi-Sano near Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle Shopping Centre and Rinku Park. Featuring a restaurant, the property also has a shared lounge, as well as a sauna and a hot tub. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, an ATM and free WiFi.The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Certain rooms are equipped with a kitchen with a microwave and a stovetop. At OMO Kansai Airport by Hoshino Resorts rooms come with bed linen and towels.The accommodation offers a sun terrace. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at this 5-star hotel.Izumisano-shi Culture Hall is 3.4 km from OMO Kansai Airport by Hoshino Resorts, while Icora Mall Izumisano is 3.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 7 km from the hotel.
8.6Booking.com
REF Kanku-Izumisano by VESSEL HOTELS
Luxury
Set within 1.6 km of Izumisano-shi Culture Hall and 2.1 km of Icora Mall Izumisano, REF Kanku-Izumisano by VESSEL HOTELS offers rooms in Izumi-Sano. Featuring a shared lounge, this 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. The hotel has a terrace and a sauna.All guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. At REF Kanku-Izumisano by VESSEL HOTELS all rooms include bed linen and towels.Staff at the accommodation are available to provide information at the 24-hour front desk.Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle Shopping Centre is 3 km from REF Kanku-Izumisano by VESSEL HOTELS, while Naka Family Residence is 4.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 9 km from the hotel.
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Kansai Airport Washington Hotel
Luxury
Washington Hotel offers rooms with free Wi-Fi, a buffet restaurant and massage services. An ATM is available, and free Wi-Fi is also provided at the lobby and the restaurant.The air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Washington Kansai Airport offer city or bay views. Each room is equipped with a TV with satellite channels, a fridge and an electric kettle.Washington Kansai Airport Hotel houses a 24-hour convenience store and drinks vending machines. Restaurant Kitchen Garden serves buffets with Western, Japanese and Chinese dishes.Kansai Airport Hotel Washington is a 3-minute walk from JR Rinku Town Station and a 9-minute walk to the Rinku Premium Outlets. Downtown Osaka is an hour away by train.
8.5Booking.com
Mid-range
Providing free WiFi in all areas, HATAGO INN Kansai Airport is located a 7-minute walk from Rinku-Town Station. The property is located within 1.2 km of Rinku Premium Outlets. The ground floor features a large library for staying guests only offering magazines and manga books. Free public baths separated by gender is available for guests to relax in.The rooms is fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a kettle, a bath or shower, free toiletries and a desk. The private bathroom is equipped with a hair dryer. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge.The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space for guests. Guests can choose from a selection of free amenities in the lobby.A buffet breakfast is served daily at the property.Kansai International Airport is 12 minutes by train from the property.
8.5Booking.com
Super Hotel Kanku Kumatoriekimae
Mid-range
Set in Izumi-Sano, within 1.1 km of Naka Family Residence and 2.3 km of Icora Mall Izumisano, Super Hotel Kanku Kumatoriekimae offers accommodation with a restaurant and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. This 3-star hotel offers a spa and wellness centre. Wakihama Ebisu Grand Shrine is 5.6 km from the hotel and Kanda Shrine is 6.1 km away.Izumisano-shi Culture Hall is 2.9 km from the hotel, while Jigenin Temple is 4.7 km away. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 12 km from Super Hotel Kanku Kumatoriekimae.
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★★★★★
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