Getting from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto – via Train, Highway Bus
Kyoto is a city full of Japanese history and culture.
Many tourists would spend one day or two in Kyoto for a taste of Japanese traditional culture.
Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama are both famous attractions in Kyoto, offering unique experiences of Japan.
If you would go to Kyoto from Kansai Airport, you can take either one from these 4 following transports.
1. JR Kansai-Airport Express “HARUKA”
The fastest and the most convenient way to travel from Kansai Airport to Kyoto is by taking the JR HARUKA. It only takes you 75 minutes to get to Kyoto after landing in Japan.
Apart from enjoying a direct train journey, the spacious train cabin and the luggage space can offer you a comfy journey to Kyoto.
Estimated Travelling Time: around 1 hour 15 minutes
Fee (Single Trip): from 3,430 yen
2. JR Kanku Kaisoku + JR Rapid Train
The second fastest way to travel from the airport to Kyoto is by taking the rapid train from Kansai Airport to Osaka Station, then changing to the JR Kyoto Line rapid train, which will take you to Kyoto.
It would take around 100 minutes for the whole journey.
Estimated Travelling Time: around 1 hour 40 minutes
Fee (Single Trip): 1,910 yen
JR PASS: Your Money-saver!
JR offers a variety of JR PASS options for travelers, they provide different timeframes and regions, all of which are applicable to the route from Kansai Airport to Kyoto.
With the Kansai Area Rail Pass (1/2/3/4-Day Version), you can enjoy unlimited rides on the HARUKA express and local trains from Kansai International Airport to Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, Nara, as well as on West Japan JR buses.
What’s more, this pass includes one-day subway tickets for Kyoto Municipal Subway, the Kyoto Sightseeing One-day Pass for Keihan Electric Railway in Kyoto, and the Hankyu Railway One-day Pass.
You don’t have to worry about transportation during your stay in Kyoto.
On the other hand, the Kansai Wide Area Pass allows unlimited rides within a selected area on JR Sanyo Shinkansen, limited express, rapid, and local trains in 5 days.
It is suitable for those traveling to areas such as Shirahama, Amanohashidate, Kinosaki Onsen, or the Takamatsu area in Shikoku.
This pass not only saves time on ticket arrangements but also helps you save more on transportation costs.
3. Nankai Electric Railway Rapi:t + Local Train
With this route, you have to change trains twice, which may be inconvenient for people with heavy luggages.
Firstly you have to take the Rapi:t train operated by Nankai Electric Railway to Tenkachaya Station.
From there, change for Sakaisuji Line to Awaji Station.
Then, change to Hankyu Kyoto Line and alight at Kyoto Kawaramachi Station.
You can arrive in Kyoto in 100 minutes with a smooth connection between each train journey.
Estimated Travelling Time: around 1 hour 40 minutes
Fee (Single Trip): around 1,800 yen
Don’t Miss Out Discounted Tickets for Rapi:t!
If you purchase the ticket of Rapi:t online in advance, you can enjoy a discount of at least 140 yen!
We recommend you to buy the discounted ticket online and redeem the official ticket at the Terminal 1 of Kansai International Airport.
4. Limousine Bus
You can also choose to take a Limousine Bus to get to Kyoto from Kansai Airport.
You can enjoy a point-to-point bus ride, and don’t have to worry about carrying heavy luggage.
It takes around 1.5 hours for the journey.
It is suggested that you buy the bus ticket online and redeem the official ticket from the counter at the airport.
Then, you can board the bus in the bus terminal on the first floor.
Estimated Travelling Time: around 1 hour 30 minutes
Fee (Single Trip): 2,600 yen
JR Kansai-Airport Express “HARUKA” VS JR Kanku Kaisoku + JR Rapid Train VS Nankai Electric Railway Rapi:t + Local Train VS Limousine Bus
| JR Kansai-Airport Express “HARUKA” | JR Kanku Kaisoku + JR Rapid Train | Nankai Electric Railway Rapi:t + Local Train | Limousine Bus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Travelling Time | around 1 hour 15 minutes | around 1 hour 40 minutes | around 1 hour 40 minutes | around 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Fee (Single Trip) | from 3,430 yen | 1,910 yen | around 1,800 yen | 2,600 yen |
