How to Travel from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto

To fly to Kyoto means transferring at Kansai International Airport in Osaka or Osaka International Airport, as there is no airport in Kyoto. Among the 2 airports, Kansai International Airport is chosen by more visitors as it serves more international airlines. To get to Kyoto from the Airport, you can take the swift Limited Express Train Haruka and comfortable Limousine Bus without transferring. Or, you can save money by transferring among Express Rapi:t, Osaka Subway, and Airport Rapid trains.

Best Way - Limited Express Train: 3,110 yen, 80 minutes

Limited Express Haruka is popular among visitors traveling to Kyoto because of its high speed and comfortable environment.

Advantages: no transfer, punctual arrival, comfortable environment, destination at Kyoto Station – transportation hub

Station signboard

Departure station: Kansai Airport Station
Destination station: Kyoto Station
Operation hours at the Airport: 
6:30 a.m. – 10:16 p.m. on weekdays
6:40 a.m. – 10:16 p.m. on weekends and holidays
Frequency: 40 minutes on average
Prices: 

• Non-reserved seats: 3,110 yen
• Reserved seats: 3,440 yen
• Gran Clsss seats: 4,210 yen

To save money, you can use the Japan Rail Pass which supports taking Haruka.
Where to take: 
To take Haruka, please go to the train platform 4 at Kansai-Airport Station. The Station is close to Terminal 1. For traveler exiting from Terminal 2, please take the free airport shuttle bus to get to Terminal 1.
Disadvantage: comparatively higher ticket price than other vehicles

Cheapest Way – Transfer between Train and Subway: 1,800 – 2,200 yen, 100 – 120 minutes

Advantages: 
1. Lowest ticket prices
2. Destination is at downtown area in Kyoto where there are many restaurants and hotels, which means you can take a rest as soon as you arrive in Kyoto.
3. Multiple transfer plans, which may help you save your time.

1. Private Airport Express Train - Rapi:t 

Destination: Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station or Gion-Shijo Station
Time needed: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Price: around 2,200 yen
Transferring: twice
Transfer plans:

Plan 1
Take train	Express Train Rapi:t
Departure Station	Nankai Kansai Airport Station
Transfer 1
Where to transfer	Tengachaya Station
Transfer to	Osaka Subway – Sakaisuji Line
Transfer 2
Where to transfer	Awaji Station
Transfer to	Hankyu Railway – Kyoto Line
Destination	Kyoto Kawaramachi Station

Plan 2
Take train	Express Train Rapi:t
Departure Station	Nankai Kansai Airport Station
Transfer 1
Where to transfer	Tengachaya Station
Transfer to	Osaka Subway – Sakaisuji Line
Transfer 2
Where to transfer	Kitahama Station
Transfer to	Keihan Railway – Main Line
Destination	Gion Shijo Station

Dark blue rapi:t train

2. Airport Rapid Train

Destination: Kyoto Station
Time needed: 2 hours
Transferring: once
Prices: around 1,800 yen

Transfer plan
Departure station	Kansai Airport Station
Time needed	1 hour and 6 minutes for 15 stops
Take Train	Airport Rapid Train
Frequency	4 trains each hour on average
Fare	1,210 yen
Transfer at	Osaka Station
Time needed	30 minutes
Take train	JR Special Rapid Train of Kyoto Line
Frequency	Every 15 minutes
Fare	580 yen
Destination Station	Kyoto Station

Disadvantages: 
1. Frequent transferring seems troublesome, as you need to spend time buying tickets and waiting. In addition, you need to watch out to avoid getting on the wrong train.
2. Airport Rapid Trains have no designated place for people to put their luggage, which may be inconvenient for visitors carrying too many items. 

Another Way to Kyoto without Transfer - Airport Limousine Bus: 1 h 40 minutes, 2,800 yen 

Advantages: 

1. The time needed is just 20 minutes longer than Haruka Express Train. 
2. You don’t need to worry about the luggage as the staff will help carry your luggage onto the bus.
Destination: Kyoto Station.-Hachijoguchi, from which there is only 3 minutes’ walking to Kyoto Station

Airport Limousine Bus

Ticket offices:

Terminal 1: Bus Stop 8
Terminal 2: Bus Stop 1
Running hours at the Airport: 
Terminal 1: from 6:45 a.m. to 11:05 p.m. 
Terminal 2: from 9:37 a.m. to 10: 52 p.m. 
Frequency: 
15 – 60 minutes at Terminal 1
15 – 50 minutes at Terminal 2
Tip: 
The ticket can only be bought on-site, so please wait for about 20 minutes for the next bus if the seats are full.

Kyoto's taxi

Convenient but Most Expensive Way – Taxi: 1.5 hours, 30,000 – 40,000 yen

On the first floor of Terminal 1 of the Airport, you can take the taxi you reserved in advance. In addition, stuff at Uber Counter on the first floor would provide guidance on how to hail a taxi in Japan. 

Advantages: 
1. It’s time-saving as you don’t need to wait for trains or buses. 

2. It’s friendly for visitors with a lot of luggage.