Kansai International Airport (original) (raw)

Kansai International Airport (�֐���`, 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.

"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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Rapid trains connect the airport with Tennoji Station (50 minutes, 1080 yen) and Osaka Station (70 minutes, 1210 yen).

"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.

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.

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

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:

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:

Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport is directly connected with the terminal 1 building

Sightseeing attractions around the airport

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