Search flights to Kyoto Airport

Since Kyoto Airport doesn’t offer service according to the information obtained in 2016, passengers can use Kansai International Airport which is one of the closest airports to the city. Although the distance is about 78 kilometers, you can benefit from many transportation alternatives. Express trains, high-speed trains, airport shuttles, shuttle buses, taxis and car rental services are among the alternatives that you can use for your transportation. The travel lasts about 1-2 hours depending on traffic conditions and your vehicle choice.

Train

The fastest way to get to Kyoto city center from Kansai Airport is using trains without doubt. There are more than one options if you prefer travelling by train. The first option is JR Haruka Express train which takes you to Kyoto in 70 minutes. On condition that you make a pre-reservation for express trains departing every 30 minutes, you can buy your ticket by paying 1,600 yen (by 2016). If you don’t have a pre-reservation, you can get on one of the trains by buying the ticket called Icoca & Haruka by paying 2,980 yen. The second option is JR High Speed Trains (bullet trains). The total travel time of these trains operating from 06:00 am to 00:15 am and having 4 stations is 100 minutes and the ticket price is 1,880 yen. The last two options are the trains operated by Nankai & Hankyu and Nankai & Keihan railways. The ticket prices of these trains which carry passengers to Kyoto in about 100-120 minutes vary between 1,230 and 1,600 yen.

Airport Bus

There are direct buses to many cities of Japan including Kyoto from the bus stops located at the exit of the both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 buildings. The bus route 8, which is one of the city buses, goes directly to Kyoto city center by departing from Kansai Airport Terminal 1. The buses start operating at 06:05 am and they operate at frequent intervals until the midnight. By getting on this bus route, you can travel to Highway Kyotanabe, Kyoto Station, Horikawa Gojo, Shijo Omiya, Nijo Station, Shijo Karasuma, Karasuma Oike and Kyoto City Hall which are the central points of Kyoto. The estimated travel time is about 1 hour and 25-30 minutes. You can buy the tickets from the ticket vending machines or ticket offices at the airport. Ticket prices are 1,280 yen for children and 2,550 yen for adults. Ticket prices can increase to 4 yen according to your destination in Kyoto. In order to reach Kyoto from Terminal 2, you need to follow the same steps and you need to get on the bus route 1.

Shuttle Bus

Unlike the city buses and airport buses, there are many shuttle companies that provide faster and more comfortable transportation. The most reliable and budget-friendly shuttle bus companies that you will come across at the terminals of Kansai Airport are Yasaka and Skygate shuttle companies. If you prefer Yasaka, you can get to Kyoto by paying 3,500 yen. If you choose Skygate, you can get to the city center by paying 3,600 yen. Shuttle buses usually start operating at 06:00 am and offer service until 10:00-11:00 pm. The travel lasts about 1-2 hours.

Taxi

Since the distance between Kansai Airport and Kyoto is not short, using a taxi is generally not recommended because it can be very costly. Since the airport offers service for 24 hours, you can easily find a taxi anytime you want. If you get on a taxi for travelling to Kyoto city center from Kansai Airport, the highest amount that the driver will demand is 32,000 yen. If you prefer getting on a taxi for your transportation, you will reach Kyoto city center in maximum 2 hours.

Car Rental

If you are planning to stay for a long time in Kyoto, renting a car will be the right choice for you. You can comfortably travel to the city center from Kansai Airport by renting a car. Before arriving at Kansai Airport, you need to make a little search on the local and foreign car rental companies located at the airport because you can benefit from the discounts if you make a pre-reservation. The car rental companies which have offices at the airport terminal are Nippon Rent a Car (+810724568787), Nissan Rent a Car (+810724568623), Toyota Rent a Car (+810724568790), Orix Rent a Car (+810724568780) and Times Rent a Car (+810724568544). As long as you have an international driver’s license, you can rent your car in a few minutes. After receiving your car at the airport, you can comfortably travel to the city center. The travel lasts more than one hour.

Since Kyoto Airport doesn’t offer service according to the information obtained in 2016, passengers can use Kansai International Airport which is one of the closest airports to Kyoto city center. Although the distance is not short, you can benefit from many transportation alternatives. Express trains, high-speed trains, airport shuttles, shuttle buses, taxis and car rental services are among the alternatives that you can use for your transportation. The travel lasts about 1-2 hours depending on traffic conditions and your vehicle choice.

Train

There is a train station in every central part of Kyoto and there are high-speed trains and express trains providing transportation to Kansai Airport from many of these stations. Although these trains are operated by different companies, their ticket prices are almost the same and more affordable than buses and taxis. The fastest way to cover the distance between Kyoto and Kansai Airport is using the express trains. JR Haruka express train carries you to airport Terminal 1 and 2 in about 70 minutes. On condition that you make a pre-reservation for express trains departing every 30 minutes, you can buy your ticket by paying 1,600 yen (by 2016). If you don’t have a pre-reservation, you can get on one of the trains by paying 2,980 yen. The second option is using JR High Speed Trains (bullet trains) by paying 1,880 yen. These trains which have 4 different stations in total depart from Kyoto Station and reach the airport in 100 minutes. The last two options are the trains operated by Nankai & Hankyu and Nankai & Keihan railways. The ticket prices of these trains which carry passengers to Kansai Airport in about 100-120 minutes vary between 1,230 and 1,600 yen.

Airport Bus

There are many buses that go directly to Kansai Airport from Kyoto city center and other central points of the city. The bus route 8, which starts operating at 04:30 am, provides transportation service until 11:05 pm at frequent intervals. The estimated travel time of the bus route operating within the body of the Kansai Airport Transportation Services is 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you want to get to Kansai Airport directly by using this bus route, you should wait for the bus at Demagi Yanchi Station, Sanjo Keihan, Kyoto City Hall, Nijo Station, Shijo Omiya, Horikawa Gojo, Kyoto Station or Highway Kyotanabe. Ticket vending machines and ticket offices are available at all stations, and the ticket price of the bus route 8 is 2,550 yen for adults and 1,280 yen for children. Depending on your location in Kyoto, this amount can increase to 4 yen. If you want to reach Kansai Airport Terminal 2 from Kyoto city center, you should take the bus route 1 by following the same steps.

Shuttle Bus

If you don’t want to use city buses or airport buses, you can choose one of the two companies offering the best price. These are Yasaka and Skygate shuttle companies (they are also referred to as limousine buses). If you prefer Yasaka, you can get to the airport by paying 3,500 yen. If you choose Skygate, you can get to the airport by paying 3,600 yen. Shuttle buses usually start operating at 06:00 am and offer service until 11:00 pm. You can arrive at the airport in about 1-2 hours by using the shuttle buses.

Taxi

Although the means of public transportation are highly developed in Kyoto, every tourist who is in a hurry prefers getting on a taxi. The distance between the airport and city center is not short. However, every tourist whose flight is at a late hour or who is in a hurry prefer getting to the airport by taxi. By getting on one of the taxis that you can easily find in every corner of Kyoto, you can arrive at Kansai Airport in 2 hours. If you get on a taxi for travelling to Kansai Airport, the highest amount that the driver will demand is 32,000 yen. Shared taxis or Uber taxis are the most popular alternatives since they are more budget-friendly.

Car Rental

Renting a car is very popular in Kyoto because it offers a great opportunity to visit the nearby cities as well. Since Kansai Airport is not very close to the city, renting a car can be a good option economically. You should be careful about the following points; to have an internationally recognized driver’s license, to make a pre-reservation and to choose a car rental company that has also an office at Kansai Airport. Some of the car rental companies that have offices at Kansai Airport; Nissan Rent a Car (+810724568787), Nissan Rent a Car (+810724568623), Toyota Rent a Car (+810724568790), Orix Rent a Car (+810724568780) and Times Rent a Car (+810724568544). By choosing one of these car rental companies, you can go to its office in Kyoto and receive your car easily. Depending on the traffic condition and your driving speed, your arrival time may vary but usually it does not exceed 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Airport Information

Kansai International Airport was first opened to service in 1994. Kansai Airport, which offers service for approximately 23 million passengers in a year, is one of the busiest airports of the western region of Japan. The airport is located 40 kilometers of Osaka city center and 78 km of Kyoto city center. Terminal 1 located at the airport, which has two terminals, is known as the main terminal, and many of the public transportation vehicles offer service from here. Terminal 2 is the terminal of the medium-sized airline companies. There are many services you can enjoy while waiting for your flight at Kansai International Airport. There are many souvenir shops and stores of various global brands. You can also buy affordable products from KIX Duty Free shops. If you are hungry, you can try different tastes from the Japanese cuisine in one of the famous restaurants and cafes such as Kamakura Pasta, Kamadogohan Sa Chihukuya, Ganko, Ganko Sushi, Kineya, Restaurant&Cafe Ginza Lion Departure, Goryo, Thei-Don, Sukiya, Sorateria and Takomasa. Information desks where you can find the answers of many questions such as how you can go to Kyoto from Kansai Airport, the offices of travel agencies and transfer services, car rental companies, banks, ATM machines and foreign exchange offices, playgrounds for children, post office, police station, health center, pet hotels, smoking areas, VIP rooms and free internet access are among the other services you can benefit from at the airport.