How to Travel from Kansai Airport to Neighboring Areas

Tourists departing from Kansai International Airport (KIX) for sightseeing in surrounding areas such as Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Wakayama and Himeji can take the comfortable Airport Limousine Bus to enjoy the convenience of luggage-free service and direct access to their destinations, or take different trains by transfer to reach the spots at a lower price.

Kansai Airport Station

KIX – Kyoto

From Kansai International Airport, you can travel to Kyoto by taking either the speedy Limited Express Train Haruka or the cozy KIX Airport Limousine Bus without any transfers. Another option is to save money by transferring among the Express Rapi:t, Osaka Subway, and Airport Rapid trains.

Nankai Limited Express Rapi:t Train

KIX - Kobe

KIX – Sannomiya & Mount Rokko

By Airport Limousine Bus - The Fastest & Hassle-free Way

The airport buses to Kobe run frequently with extended operating hours, only one stopover, and luggage assistance from staff, making it the fastest and convenient option.

Prices:
One-way: Adults - 2,200 yen, Children - 1,100 yen
Round-trip (same for adults & children): Reserved 3,700 yen, Same-day 3,200 yen.

Departure Frequency:
Terminal 1: Departures from 6:20 AM to 11:00 PM.
Terminal 2: Departures from 9:27 AM to 10:47 PM.
Frequency: Every 15~40 minutes.

Destinations & Travel Times:
Kobe Sannomiya Station: 1 hour 5 minutes.

Mount Rokko (Sheraton Kobe Bay Hotel): 1 hour.

JR Kobe Sannomiya Station

By Train – The Cheapest Way with a Transfer

Recommended Route: Take Nankai Airport Line to Nankai Namba Station, transfer to Hanshin Namba Line at and Disembark at Kobe Sannomiya (Hanshin) Station.

Price & Travel Time: 1,390 yen, 1 hour 30 minutes.

Departure Frequency:
Nankai Airport Line (to Namba): 5:45~23:55, every 5~15 minutes per train.

Hanshin Namba Line: 5:03~23:55, approximately every 2~10 minutes per train.

Nankai Airport Line

KIX – Kobe Airport (UKB)

By Kobe-Kansai Airport Ferry – The Cheapest with Seascape

For an economical, fast and scenic journey to Kobe Airport, taking the ferry is the ultimate choice. However, be mindful of the intervals between departures and plan your departure time accordingly to ensure a smooth ferry ride and punctuality for your flight.

Prices:
One-way: 
Original - Adults: 1,880 yen, Children: 940 yen. 
Special for foreign tourists visiting Japan - Adults: 500 yen, Children: 250 yen (until March 31, 2025).
Round-trip: Adults – 3,060 yen, Children – 1,530 yen

Departure Frequency: Departures from 6:30 AM to 0:00 PM, with one ferry every 45~90 minutes.

Destination & Travel Time: Kobe Airport, 50 minutes (20 minutes by shuttle bus & 30 minutes by ferry)

How to Buy Tickets & Take the Ferry:

From Terminal 1: Purchase tickets at the ticket counter on the 1st floor. Then take the shuttle bus at Stop 12, also on the 1st floor, directly to the ferry terminal.
From Terminal 2: Purchase tickets at the ticket counter near the international arrivals gate. And proceed to the shuttle bus that will take you to the ferry terminal.
Online Option: Passengers can also book ferry tickets online via the Kobe-Kansai Airport Bay Shuttle official website.

KIX - Nara

By Airport Limousine Bus – Convenient but Not Frequent

The airport bus to Nara eliminates the need for transfers and facilitates luggage handling. However, it may not suit passengers with tight schedules or whose flights land outside the buses' operating hour, due to the long intervals between buses up to 3 hours.

Prices: 
One-way: Adults 2,400 yen, Children 1,200 yen
Round-trip (same for adults & children): Reserved 4,500 yen, Same-day 3,000 yen.

Departure Frequency: 
Terminal 1: Departures from 8:45 AM to 8:45 PM.
Terminal 2: Departures from 10:32 AM to 8:32 PM.
Frequency: Every 3 hours.

Destinations & Travel Times: 
JR Nara Station: 1 hour 50 minutes
Dainihanna Ikoma: 1 hour
Yamato-Saidaiji Station: 1 hour 10 minutes

Nara Prefectural Convention Center: 1 hour 20 minutes

JR Nara Station

By Train – The Fastest & Cheapest Way

Advantages: With longer operating hours, more frequent departures, and cheaper price, trains provide greater convenience than airport bus from KIX to Nara.

Recommended Route: Take Nankai Airport Line to Shin-Imamiya Station, transfer to Osaka Loop Line, and exit the vehicle at JR Nara Station.

Price & Travel Time: 1,550 yen, 1 hour 30 minutes.

Departure Frequency:
Nankai Airport Line (to Namba): 5:45~23:55, every 5~15 minutes per train.
Osaka Loop Line: 6:40~22:45, every 5~15 minutes per train.

KIX - Wakayama

By Airport Limousine Bus – The Fastest but not Frequent

Prices: 
One-way: Adults - 1,400 yen, Children - 700 yen.
Round-trip (same for adults & children): Reserved & Same-day 2,600 yen.

Departure Frequency: 
Terminal 1: Departures from 10:50 AM to 5:20 PM.
Terminal 2: Departures from 10:37 AM to 5:07 PM.
Frequency: Every 1.5 hours.

Destinations & Travel Times: 
JR Wakayama Station: 40 minutes

Wakayama Castle: 52 minutes

Terminal 1, Kansai Airport

By Train – The Most Economical Way

Recommended Route: Take JR Kansai Airport Line to Hineno Station, transfer to JR Hanwa Line, and then alight at JR Wakayama Station.

Price & Travel Time: 900 yen, 50 minutes.

Departure Frequency:
JR Kansai Airport Line: 5:50~23:43, every 15 minutes per train.
JR Hanwa Line: 5:20~0:30, every 12~15 minutes per train.

KIX – Himeji

By Airport Limousine Bus – Convenient but not Frequent

Prices: 
One-way: Adults – 3,700 yen, Children – 1,850 yen.
Round-trip (same for adults & children): Reserved 5,900 yen, Same-day 4,800 yen.

Departure Frequency: 
Terminal 1: Departures from 8:50 AM to 8:25 PM.
Terminal 2: Departures from 10:57 AM to 8:12 PM.
Frequency: Every 1.5~2 hours.

Destinations & Travel Times: 
Himeji Bus Station: 2 hours 20 minutes

Kakogawa Bus Station: 1 hour 50 minutes

JR Himeji Station

By Airport Bus & Train – Faster & Cheaper with a Transfer

Recommended Route: Take Airport Limousine Bus to Kobe Sannomiya Station, transfer to Tokaido Sanyo Main Line, and then alight at Himeji Station.

Price & Travel Time: 3,190 yen, 1 hour 45 minutes.

Departure Frequency:
Airport Limousine Bus (to Kobe): 6:20 AM~11:00 PM, every 15~40 minutes per bus.
Tokaido Sanyo Main Line: 6:25~0:42, every 15 minutes per train.