How to go from Kansai Airport to Kyoto - Travel by bus, train or car

There’s no airport in Kyoto - so if you’re heading to this iconic destination for your next trip, the chances are that you’re flying from Singapore to Osaka’s Kansai Airport¹. You’ll want to be on the way as soon as possible from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, so you can make the most of your visit.

So what is the best way to get from Kansai international airport to Kyoto with minimum fuss? This guide covers all you need to know. We’ll also touch on the Wise card briefly - a great way to save when paying for things in Japan.

Can I go to Kyoto directly from Kansai Airport?

Yes. There are various ways you can choose to get your trip off to the best possible start, depending on your personal preferences.

You could pick up a train from Kansai Airport to Kyoto station, including speedy Haruka services and the slightly slower local train from Kansai Airport to Kyoto via Osaka. Or you might prefer a limousine style bus, or even for ultimate convenience hiring a car or hopping into a Kansai Airport taxi to Kyoto.

Not all of the routes we've highlighted here are direct. You may need to change trains for example, or even take a subway service from one station to another within Osaka before picking up a local train. If you’re traveling with young kids or a lot of baggage- particularly at peak times - this may not be an attractive option. Weigh up all of the different travel routes before you decide, based on both costs and convenience.

We examine all of these options - covering pros and cons - in more detail in this guide. First, here's a quick overview:

Kansai Airport to Kyoto distance

From Kansai Airport to Kyoto the distance is just under 100 kilometres.

If you’re heading from the airport by train you may decide to break up the journey with a stop in Osaka for a little sightseeing. Several of the options we explore involve taking the train right through Osaka’s central area, making this a super easy option if you’re travelling light. However if you have bags or if you’re travelling with family, getting to Kyoto in double quick time may be more important - we’ve got speedy travel choices coming right up too.

How to go to Kyoto from Kansai International Airport?

You can take the Kansai Airport to Kyoto train either on one of the local line options or by joining the JR Haruka Kansai Airport to Kyoto route, which is the quickest rail line available. You can also get a limousine style bus which goes right from the airport, or hire a car. This guide walks through each option so you can decide which works best for you.

JR Haruka

The Japan Rail Haruka line goes right from the airport to major stations including Kyoto. This train stops at Tennoji, Osaka, Shin Osaka and then Kyoto, so you could still hop off if you want to get into Osaka for a little look around, or you can speed your way right through to Kyoto if you’re in a hurry.

At the time of writing there’s a discounted fare offer for foreign visitors which means you’ll pay just 2,200 JPY per adult⁷ - about 20 SGD. The journey through to Kyoto takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes making this pretty much the fastest option available, at a very reasonable price point.

JR Rapid Line

The Haruka service isn’t the only train running from Kansai - you might also like to use the Rapid Line which will get you into Osaka in 1 hour and 5 minutes. You'll need to change to another local service through Kyoto, which is likely to take another 30 minutes or so. Trains are frequent and easy, and this could suit people who plan to take a pit stop in Osaka en route to Kyoto anyway.

Nankai Line and local trains

The other rail line which you may see when you arrive in Kansai is the Nankai line, which - along with other local lines - serves the smaller stops in Osaka. This is also an option to get you through to Kyoto, although you’ll need to take the train to an interchange in Osaka like Tengachaya and there navigate your way to another terminal for the train to Kyoto. The Osaka metro network is extensive and easy to figure out, so you can manage this with little hassle - but it may not be the best plan if you’re in a hurry or if you’re carrying bags.

Getting from the airport to Tengachaya is likely to take about 40 minutes - and then you’ll want to budget for another 60 minutes or so to get across the city and out into Kyoto, depending on the route selected.

Airport Limousine Bus

The Airport Limousine Bus runs a pick up from both Kansai T1 and T2, and then drops you off at Kyoto Station. The full journey takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage this may be a simple option as you won’t need to change transport mid way through your journey - just make sure you know how to get from Kyoto station to your accommodation in the end.

Depending on the time of day there may be as much as a bus every 10 minutes, and tickets one way for an adult are 2,800 JPY. That’s about 25 SGD for the convenience of the direct ride, making this an attractive balance of speed and cost for many travellers.

Car (Taxi, private transfers, rent)

Getting from Kansai airport to Kyoto by car may offer the most luxurious and convenient option. If you have cases you can put them in the car and only unload at your destination, and you can make sure you have a vehicle that gives you and your party plenty of room to stretch out in.

You may be able to book a private transfer or take a taxi from the airport to your destination. If you’re staying in a Kyoto hotel, they may be able to arrange your travel with preferential prices. Otherwise you can get a taxi at the airport. There’s a very helpful tool on the airport website to allow you to estimate the cost of taking a taxi to various destinations in Kyoto, which will give you an idea⁸. Final prices do depend on the specific provider you end up using.

The following car hire companies have a presence in the Kansai airport:

• Nippon Rent-A-Car
• Nissan Rent-A-Car
• Toyota Rent-A-Car
• Orix Rent-A-Car

The costs of hiring a car will vary enormously depending on the type of vehicle and how long you decide to hire it for.

Travel from Kyoto to Kansai Airport

Getting back to Kansai Airport at the end of your trip is likely to be pretty similar, just in the opposite direction. You will still have the same basic transportation options to select from, based on your preferences and needs. Take into account the time you have - including arriving at the airport in very good time for your check in - and how you’ll get your luggage there if you’ve been shopping while in Japan.

You might find that getting your hotel to help you arrange a private transfer at the end of your trip is worth splashing out on. You’ll have more control over the timings, and you can easily get to the airport even with additional bags. Transferring by car is not the cheapest route option, but it does cut out a lot of the stress as you can ask your hotel when you need to leave to be sure of arriving at the airport in time, even in peak hours.

One other important point - if you’re picking up the Kansai Airport Rapid Service in Osaka, remember that the train splits before arriving at the airport. You’ll need to ride in one of the first 4 cars to make it all the way to the airport - if you’re unsure of where to sit, ask station staff for help.

Pay for transport, food, and shopping with the Wise card to maximise your SGD to JPY conversions

While you’re in Japan you need easy ways to tap and pay, and to get cash as you go. Check out the Wise card as a smart solution to spending in JPY and 40+ other currencies. You can add money to your Wise digital account in SGD from your bank or with a card, and then either convert to JPY before you travel to see your budget instantly - or leave the funds in dollars and switch when you pay.

You’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees whenever you convert currencies, and there’s no additional fee to spend a currency you hold in your account. At times where you find yourself needing cash from an ATM in Japan, you can use the physical Wise card to make withdrawals to 350 SGD a month for free before low fees are incurred.

Your Wise account is also a great way to manage your finances across currencies in between trips - send payments to 140+ countries, and get paid from abroad in a selection of currencies.

Get your Wise card for hassle-free payments without any hidden fees in Kyoto and beyond.

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Sources:

1. Kansai Airport
2. JR Haruka and rapid line
3. Nankai line
4. Osaka metro
5. Airport bus
6. Kansai Airport car hire
7. JR pricing - Haruka
8. Kansai airport fare estimator