How to get from Kansai International Airport to Osaka!Limousine Bus VS.Train

Hi’I’m Keiko from Osaka!

Kansai International Airport is the entrance to Osaka by air.

More than 10 milion foreign tourists visited Osaka using Kansai International Airport in 2016.

It is easily accessible to Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

There are three ways to go to Osaka from Kansai International Airport using Limousine Bus,Train and Taxi.

I avoid taking taxis, because they’re expensive in Japan.

If you take a taxi from Kansai International Airport to Osaka station, it will cost　about 14,000〜17,000 yen.

Therefore I recommend you to take Limousine Bus or Train if you’re not in hurry.

But which is the better option for you?

I compared Limousine bus and Train to know which has a easier access to Osaka!

How to get from Kansai International Airport to Osaka!Limousine Bus VS.Train

Osaka City is largely divided into two areas: the Umeda area and Namba area.

Umeda is called “Kita(North of Osaka)” and the Namba/Shinsaibashi/Tennoji area is called “Minami(South)”

I’d like to tell you you how to get from Kansai International Airport to Umeda and Namba.

1.How to get from Kansai International Airport to Umeda area

By Limousine Bus

If you take Limousine bus,there are no transfers to take so you can make direct connections to your destination.

And there is no need to handle luggage yourself, so Limousine Bus would be very helpful for those who have many luggages.

You can purchase the Limousine bus tickets at the ticket counters outside of the building or the vending machine located near the bus stop.

The Limousine bus stops at major hotels and place in the city below.

• Hotel New Hankyu
• Herbis Osaka(Close to Ritz Carlton Hotel Osaka)
• Hilton Osaka
• Hotel Hankyu International
• Westin Hotel Osaka

You have to board from KIX TERMINAL 1 (bus stop No.5) or KIX TERMINAL 2 (bus stop No.1)the limousine bus which is going to Osaka station(Chayamachi/Shin-Umeda City)

It departs from the airport to　Hotel New Hankyu every 20-30 minutes.

If you will stay at these hotels or the hotels which are close to these hotels above, Limousine Bus would be the best public transportation for you.

Kansai International Airport- the Umeda area
Time required:about 60 minutes Fare:1,550 yen
Limousine Bus Timetable from KIX to Umeda

By Train to Umeda station

From Kansai International Airport, take Nankai Airport Express(42 min.920 yen) or Limited Express Rapi:t β.(35 min.920 yen) to Namba station.

From there,take subway Midosuji-line to Shinsaibashi station(12 min.240 yen)

“Rapi:t” is the express train that is operated by Nankai Railway.

All seats are reserved seats,so to board a Limited Express Rapi:t β, you need to purchase a separate Limited Express ticket for 510 yen.

If you use Rapi:t β, the total fare would be 1430 yen (=920 yen for your limited express ticket plus 510 yen as a Limited Express charge).
Kansai International Airport- the Umeda area
Time required:about 60 minutes Total Fare:1,160〜1,670 yen
(＊Purchase Kanku Chikatoku Ticket which allows you to ride between Kansai Airport Station and subway/New Tram stations for only 1,000yen!)

2.How to get from Kansai International Airport to Namba/Shinsaibashi area

By Limousine Bus to Namba

The Limousine bus stops at Namba OCAT.

There is a Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka right next to Namba OCAT.

From Kansai International Airport,you have to board from KIX TERMINAL 1 (bus stop No.11) or KIX TERMINAL 2 (bus stop No.6)the limousine bus which is going to Namba OCAT.

Limousine Bus Timetable from KIX to Namba
Kansai International Airport- Namba OCAT
Time required:about 59 minutes Fare:1,050 yen

By Limousine Bus to Uehonmachi/Shinsaibashi

The Limousine bus stops at Sheraton Miyako Hotel in Kintetsu Uehonmachi or the Hotel Nikko Osaka in Shinsaibashi.

Uehonmachi station is a railway station in Tennoji district.

You have to board from KIX TERMINAL 1 (bus stop No.7) or KIX TERMINAL 2 (bus stop No.8)the limousine bus which is going to Kintetsu uehonmachi/Shinsaibashi

It departs from the airport to Sheraton Miyako Hotel every 20-30 minutes.

But Unfortunately only two buses goes directly to Shinsaibashi per day.

So if you miss these 2 buses, it’s better for you to take a train.

Please check the bus time table below.
Limousine Bus Timetable from KIX to Tennoji/Shinsaibashi area
Kansai International Airport- Sheraton Miyako Hotel in Tennoji
Time required:about 69〜82 minutes Fare:1,050 yen

By Train to Namba station

From Kansai International Airport, take Nankai Airport Express(42 min.920 yen) or Limited Express Rapi:t β.(35 min.920 yen) to Namba station.

All seats are reserved seats,so to board a Limited Express Rapi:t β, you need to purchase a separate Limited Express ticket for 510 yen.

Kansai International Airport- Namba station
Time required:about 35〜42 minutes Total fare:920〜1,430 yen

By Train to Shinsaibashi station

From Kansai International Airport, take Nankai Airport Express(42 min.920 yen) or Limited Express Rapi:t β.(35 min.920 yen) to Namba station.

All seats are reserved seats,so to board a Limited Express Rapi:t β, you need to purchase a separate Limited Express ticket for 510 yen.

From Namba station,take subway Midosuji-line to Shinsaibashi station(8min.180 yen)

Kansai International Airport- Shinsaibashi station
Time required:about 35〜42 minutes Total Fare:1,100〜1,610 yen

By Train to Tennoji station

There are two ways to go to Tennoji station.

It is better to use the Kansai Airport Express Haruka or JR West than Nankai Railway because they runs directly between Kansai International Airport and Tennoji station.

1.By The Kansai Airport Express Haruka

The Kansai Airport Express Haruka is the fastest limited express service which goes directly to Tennoji Station from Kansai International Airport.

From Kansai International Airport, take The Kansai Airport Express Haruka bound for Kyoto and get off at Tennoji station.

Kansai International Airport- Shinsaibashi station
Time required:about 35 minutes Total Fare:1,710 yen

2.By JR West.the Kansai Airport Rapid Service

From Kansai International Airport, take JR West.the Kansai Airport Rapid Service bound for Tennoji and get off at Tennoji station.

Kansai International Airport- Tennoji
Time required:about 51 minutes Total Fare:1,060 yen


Compare to train and Limousine bus, trains are cheaper to go to cities.

If you purchase Kanku Chikatoku Ticket,it allows you to ride between Kansai Airport Station and subway/New Tram stations for only 1,000yen!

Make use of public transportation service depending on your destination and have a nice trip to Osaka city!

If you need shared shuttle bus from Kansai International Airport to Osaka, it is available at Voyagin:here

Click here for related information:
How to get from Osaka to Kobe?The best and cheapest way !
How to get from Osaka to Kyoto?The best way to 5 famous sightseeing spots
Local tells Top 5 Must-Visit Restaurants in Dotonbori,Osaka!