Kansai International Airport is situated on a man-made island in Osaka Bay about 40 km from central Osaka. There are various ways to get to and from the airport. If you are traveling from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto, then the Tourist Information Center can help with transportation tickets, accommodation reservations, and general visitor information. It is located on the first floor of the Terminal 1 building and is open from 9:00 to 19:00 year-round. The official airport website also has a digital airport map covering Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Aeroplaza.
Kansai Airport transport ticket counters on the arrivals level
Probably the easiest and fastest option when traveling between Kansai International Airport and Kyoto is the train. However, there are other options that may suit you better depending on the time of your journey and other circumstances. Below is a full list of options for traveling between these two destinations.
By Train
The Limited Express Haruka – Kansai Airport to Kyoto
The Limited Express Haruka operated by JR West is the main direct rail service between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport Station. It covers the distance in about 80 to 90 minutes, usually stopping at Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station, and Tennoji Station on the way. Some services have different stopping patterns, so check your train before boarding. At Kyoto Station many Haruka services depart from platform 30, but passengers should always check the station departure boards. At Kansai Airport Station, follow JR West signs and platform information for the Haruka.
The Limited Express Haruka runs about 30 round trips between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport Station every day.
The earliest Haruka service departs from Kyoto Station at 5:45 am, getting into Kansai Airport Station at 7:10, and the latest Haruka service from Kyoto Station departs at 20:30, getting into Kansai Airport Station at 21:59.
The earliest Haruka service from Kansai Airport is at 6:31 am on weekdays and 6:40 on weekends and holidays, and the latest is at 22:16.
You can use JR West’s Timetable & Route Finder to find a train time that suits your schedule.
Green seats on the Limited Express Haruka
Luggage space is available in every car on the Haruka Express train
This train is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The Haruka requires a basic fare plus a limited express ticket. A direct Kyoto-Kansai Airport Haruka is 3,060 yen with an ordinary non-reserved limited express ticket, or 3,590 yen with an ordinary reserved seat. Fares can vary by seat type and ticket, so check JR West’s route finder before travel.
Japan Rail ticket office at Kansai Airport – discount tickets and Japan Rail Pass exchange
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By Bus
A Limousine Bus for Kansai International Airport
A Limousine Bus runs regular services between Kyoto Station’s Hachijo-guchi southern exit, Highway Kyotanabe, and Kansai Airport. The bus can be useful if you are staying on the south side of Kyoto Station, if you have heavy luggage, or if the bus timetable fits your flight better than the train. Check timetables on the Kansai Airport website for details.
At Kansai Airport you can board buses for Kyoto at bus stop 8 on the first floor of Terminal 1, and bus stop 2 at Terminal 2. Ticket windows and ticket vending machines are located near the bus stops. Tickets for buses departing from Kansai Airport are not reserved, and boarding is on a first-come first-served basis. The Kansai Airport website has maps for the bus stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
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For buses departing from Kyoto Station the bus stop is in front of the Avanti building which is directly opposite the Hachijo-guchi exit on the south side of Kyoto Station. Be careful that you don’t board a bus for Osaka Airport by mistake, as this is a different destination and the departure point is nearby. Buses from Kyoto Station to Kansai Airport use reserved seating. You may be able to board without a reservation if seats are available, but early bookings are advisable in case seats become unavailable. You can reserve tickets at the Keihan Bus Center which is directly behind the bus stop in the Avanti building. The Kansai Airport website has a map for this departure point. Other bus stops can be found on this page.
Limousine Buses for Kansai Airport depart from the Avanti building in Kyoto
The fare between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport is 2,800 yen for adults and 1,400 yen for children and the journey between Kyoto Station Hachijo-guchi and Terminal 1 takes approximately 1 hour and 25 to 30 minutes.
The earliest departure from Kyoto Station is at 4.30 am reaching Kansai Airport’s Terminal 2 at 5.56 and Terminal 1 at 6.07.
The latest departure from Kyoto Station is at 21.10 reaching Kansai Airport’s Terminal 1 at 22.35.
The earliest listed departure from Kansai Airport is at 6.45 am and reaches Kyoto Station at 8.13.
The latest departure from Kansai Airport is at 23.07 from Terminal 2, and 23.20 from Terminal 1. It reaches Kyoto Station at 0.45 am.
Full timetables for the Limousine Bus service between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport are available on the Kansai Airport website.
By Taxi
Kyoto to Kansai Airport Taxi – An MK Taxi minibus
We do not recommend that you simply hail a taxi from Kansai Airport to Kyoto or vice versa as it would be far too expensive. However, pre-booked door-to-door airport services can make sense for late arrivals, early departures, heavy luggage, or groups. The advantage of these services is that you do not have to travel between your hotel and Kyoto Station as the taxi or shuttle service will pick you up, or drop you off, at your door. Because it takes time to travel to each passenger’s separate location, shared shuttle journeys can take longer than a direct train or bus.
Kansai Airport lists the Yasaka Airport Shuttle as a shared service between Kansai International Airport and homes, accommodations, or other destinations in Kyoto City and parts of Kyoto Prefecture. The fare is 4,300 yen one way per person, and reservations are required by 12:00 two days before your planned travel.
MK Taxi offers private airport transfer and flat-rate taxi services. Kansai Airport gives Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit as an example fare from 23,800 yen per vehicle, with expressway tolls charged separately. This can be good value for groups, but it is a very different service from a low-cost shared shuttle.
Another option is NearMe, a reservation-required airport shuttle service with shared rides and private transfers between Kansai Airport and Kyoto-area destinations. Kyoto shared rides start from 5,980 yen per person, and private transfers start from 29,800 yen per vehicle.
For all door-to-door airport services, book ahead and check the pickup area, baggage rules, cancellation policy, and final fare before you travel.
By Rental Car
A Nippon Rent-A-Car office is located across from Kyoto Station’s Hachijo-guchi exit
There are several rental car options to choose from at Kansai Airport and close by Kyoto Station. Driving between the two locations will probably take about 90 minutes depending on the traffic. Renting a car might be a worthwhile option if you intend to explore areas of the Kansai region that are less accessible by train or bus. However, you will need a valid license or permit that can be used in Japan. Many visitors need an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, while license holders from some countries and regions need an official Japanese translation instead. Check the requirements before you travel. At Kansai Airport the car rental counters are in the Aeroplaza section of the airport which is a three-minute walk from Terminal 1 via the 2F connection passage or a 7-minute ride from Terminal 2 on the free shuttle bus. The following rental car companies are reliable and have English information online: Nippon Rent-A-Car, Nissan Rent-A-Car, Toyota Rent-A-Car, Orix Rent-A-Car and Times Car Rental.
Staying Overnight
If your plane arrives late at Kansai Airport you may need to stay overnight. The Hotel Nikko is the only hotel on the Kansai Aiport site. Check the airport hotel website for availability of rooms. The Hotel Nikko along with various shops and restaurants is located in the Aeroplaza section of the airport.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 18-Jun-2026.
