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How to Access Osaka from Kansai International Airport (2024)
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If you land at the Kansai International Airport (KIX), there are several ways to reach Osaka. The Nankai Rapi:t express and the JR limited express Haruka are the fastest methods! We've compared trains, buses, taxis, and rental cars in terms of price and travel times.
Written by
Born in Taipei, Taiwan. I worked in the inbound tourism industry in Kyoto, writing a blog about travel in Japan. I joined MATCHA in October 2019.
Hobbies: travel, watching trains, visiting stylish cafes, sweets, collecting seal stamps, watching musicals, taking photos, and others - so many, in fact, that I find it weird myself.
more
How to Access Osaka City from Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Some may experience difficulty deciding which route to take from Kansai International Airport to Osaka City.
For these travelers, we've compared three transportation methods in terms of price and travel time: trains (JR and Nankai Electric Railway), buses, and taxis.
Reaching Osaka from KIX Airport
1. Price Comparison: Trains, Buses, and Taxis
2. Train: Nankai Electric Railway
3. Train: JR Line
4. Bus: Limousine Bus
5. Car: Airport Taxi
6. Shared Taxi
Comparison of Access by Train, Bus, and Taxi
The following is a list of transportation methods from Kansai International Airport to Osaka City, including fares and required travel time.
| Transportation | Fare (1 Adult) | Time Required |
| Nankai Rapi:t Limited Express | 1,450 yen to Namba Station (Fare: 930 yen, Limited Express Fare: 520 yen) | 38 minutes to Namba Station |
| Nankai Airport Express | 930 yen to Namba Station | 45 minutes to Namba Station |
| JR Limited Express Haruka | ・1,660 yen to Tennnoji Station (Fare: 1,030 yen, Limited Express Fare/Non-reserved Seat: 630 yen) ・2,200 yen to Osaka Station (Fare: 1,210 yen, Limited Express Fare/Non-reserved Seat: 990 yen) *The Limited Express Haruka will begin stopping at Osaka Station on March 18, 2023. The fare is an estimate. ・2,260 yen to Shin-Osaka Station (Fare: 1,320 yen, Limited Express Fare/Non-reserved Seat: 940 yen) *The fare varies depending on the season. |
・32 minutes to Tennoji Station ・ 47 minutes to Osaka Station ・50 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station |
| JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service | ・1,080 yen to Tennnoji Station ・1,210 yen to Osaka (Umeda) Station |
・ 52 minutes to Tennnoji Station ・70 minutes to Osaka Station |
| Limousine Bus | 1,600 yen to Umeda, Uehonmachi, or Universal Studios Japan (USJ) | ・ 60 minutes to Umeda ・ 55 minutes to Uehonmachi ・ 70 minutes to USJ |
| Airport Taxi | ・About 10,600 yen to Umeda ・About 9,300 yen to Uehonmachi ・About 10,000 yen to USJ *Please note that toll road is charged separately. |
・About 50 minutes to Umeda ・About 50 minutes to Uehonmachi ・About 40 minutes to USJ |
Find Accommodations in Osaka on Booking.com!
Check out the JR Pass: a budget-friendly ticket for overseas visitors to Japan.
Book airline tickets on skyticket!
Nankai Electric Railway (Rapi:t and Airport Express)
Photo by Pixta
The Nankai Electric Railway is the best option to access the Namba area in Osaka regarding time and budget.
It takes about 38 minutes on the Rapi:t Express to Namba Station and 47 minutes on the Airport Express. Visitors can start shopping immediately at the neighboring Shinsaibashi area.
Book tickets for Nankai Rapi:t limited express
For additional information, please check the Nankai Electric Railway official website.
JR Line Trains (Limited Express Haruka and Kansai Airport Rapid Service)
Those heading to Shin-Osaka Station or Kyoto Station should take the JR Limited Express Haruka. If your destination is Tennoji Station, board the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service, which goes straight to Tennoji.
Currently, the Limited Express Haruka does not stop at Osaka Station, located in the Umeda area. If you're headed to Osaka, get off at Tennoji Station and switch to the rapid service trains.
Book tickets for the limited express Haruka
Limited Express Haruka Now Stops at Osaka Station!
Picture courtesy of JR West
Following the timetable revision on March 18, 2023, the Limited Express Haruka is now stopping at Osaka Station.
The current required time from Kansai International Airport to Osaka Station is 67 minutes. However, the new travel time will be 47 minutes, a reduction of 20 minutes! This is good news for those heading to Kyoto via Osaka from Kansai International Airport.
ICOCA: A Budget-Friendly IC Card
The fare for the Limited Express Haruka, shown on the list above, may seem expensive.
JR West provides Limited Express Haruka discount tickets to overseas visitors who own an ICOCA (*1) card. The one-way fare from Kansai International Airport to Tennoji Station will cost 1,200 yen per adult if you have an ICOCA IC card.
The ICOCA card can be obtained in Osaka after completing an online purchase. Additionally, the Limited Express Haruka discount tickets can be purchased at JR West ticket booths, including at Kansai International Airport.
For details, please check the JR West official website, which is available in English, traditional/simplified Chinese, Korean, and Thai.
*1 ICOCA: an IC card provided by JR West. Train fares can be paid with this card and used for purchases at affiliated stores.
JR Pass: An All-You-Can-Ride Ticket
Overseas visitors can purchase a JR Pass, which allows users to ride any JR trains on a fixed rate.
The JR West Kansai Pass is a similar ticket, covering the route from the airport to Osaka. It also permits users to board the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto.
The JR Pass for Whole Japan is a ticket that can be used on all JR lines throughout Japan.
Book the JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)
Read also
Limousine Bus
Picture courtesy of Pixta
A train ride to Osaka Castle or Universal Studios Japan (USJ) includes switching trains along the way. This is why we recommend those heading to these destinations to take the Limousine Bus.
Bus stops are at Terminals 1 and 2 of Kansai International Airport. Be sure to check the list below.
| Destination | Osaka Station/ Senri-Chuo Station |
Osaka Castle/ Nipponbashi/ Tenmabashi/ Hirakata |
Uehonmachi/ Tennoji |
Namba OCAT | USJ/ Ibaraki |
| Terminal 1 Bus Stop | No. 5 | No. 10 | No. 7 | No. 11 | No. 3 |
| Terminal 2 Bus Stop | No. 1 | × | No. 8 | No. 6 | No. 7 |
Bus tickets for Osaka Station can be purchased on this page.
Timetables and bus fares can be viewed on the Kansai International Airport official website.
Airport Taxi
Photo by Pixta
The Airport Taxi is an ideal service for people traveling with small children or senior citizens.
Although the fare is expensive compared to other transportation methods, passengers can easily reach their destination.
For details, please check the website of companies offering this service, such as MK Taxi or nearMe.
Car Rental: Travel at Your Own Pace
Travelers can also book a rental car to reach Osaka from Kansai International Airport.
The distance from the airport is about 45 kilometers. It will take roughly 50 minutes, with the minimum toll for the expressway costing 1,320 yen. Although a car rental fee will be added to the toll, users can enjoy a hassle-free drive into the city.
Rental Car Reservations: Tabirai is a company that carefully compares car rental deals.
MATCHA offers a 10% discount coupon, which can be used at Nippon Rent-A-Car: a major Japanese car rental company.
The company has offices located at Kansai International Airport and Kyoto. Those wishing to travel at their own pace should consider booking a car rental service.
Since free Wi-Fi spots in Japan are limited, it may be wise for overseas visitors to consider using a portable Wi-Fi router.
MATCHA is issuing a 20% discount coupon for NINJA Wi-Fi, so please take a look!
Shared Taxi
nearMe.Airport, an airport transport service using a shared taxi.
The fare will be split among people sharing the ride, so it will be cheaper than a taxi and a smoother ride than a bus.
There are three steps to book a reservation for NearMe service as follows:
Step 1: Go to the reservation page (Japanese/English*), and input your destination, departure time, desired time of arrival, number of passengers and luggage.
Step 2: You will be notified within 24 hours of the availability of a pick-up shuttle. The vehicle's arrival time will be sent to the passenger no later than 18:00 on the day before the ride.
Step 3: On the day of your reservation, board the vehicle from the designated spot and head to your destination.
*As of June 2023, only two languages are available. Three more languages will be added in the future.
Book a ride with nearMe.Airport
In Conclusion
The transportation system in the Kansai area may look like a maze to those unfamiliar with it.
But the complexity also indicates that the system effectively serves travelers, enabling them to take various routes to many destinations.
We hope this article assists readers on their trip to Osaka!
Read also
Main image by Pixta
Born in Taipei, Taiwan. I worked in the inbound tourism industry in Kyoto, writing a blog about travel in Japan. I joined MATCHA in October 2019.
Hobbies: travel, watching trains, visiting stylish cafes, sweets, collecting seal stamps, watching musicals, taking photos, and others - so many, in fact, that I find it weird myself.
more
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