From Kansai Airport to Osaka and Kyoto

The five options

Times are approximate and taken from each operator's official timetables. Fares change, so check the current fare at the station, at the bus counter or on the operator's site.

• JR はるか

  JR Limited Express "Haruka"

  Route: Kansai-Airport → Tennoji → Osaka → Shin-Osaka → Kyoto Station, no change of train.

  Time: About 30 minutes to Tennoji, 45 to Osaka, 50 to Shin-Osaka and 80 to Kyoto.

  Best if… You're staying in Kyoto, at Shin-Osaka or near Osaka Station (Umeda). It's a limited express: on top of the basic fare you need a limited express ticket, reserved or non-reserved.

• JR 関空快速

  JR Kansai Airport Rapid

  Route: Kansai-Airport → Tennoji and on around the Osaka Loop Line to Osaka Station.

  Time: About 55 minutes to Tennoji and about 70 to Osaka.

  Best if… You're staying near Tennoji or a Loop Line station and don't mind a slower ride. It's an ordinary rapid train: no limited express ticket needed.

• 南海 ラピート

  Nankai Limited Express "rapi:t"

  Route: Kansai-Airport → Nankai Namba.

  Time: From about 34 minutes.

  Best if… You're staying in Namba, Shinsaibashi or Dōtonbori. You need a limited express ticket on top of the basic fare; there are Regular and Super Seats.

• 南海 空港急行

  Nankai Airport Express

  Route: Kansai-Airport → Nankai Namba.

  Time: About 45 minutes.

  Best if… You're heading to Namba and would rather skip the limited express ticket: it takes about ten minutes longer than the rapi:t.

• リムジンバス

  Airport Limousine Bus

  Route: From Terminal 1 to Namba (OCAT), Osaka Station (Umeda) and Kyoto Station (Hachijō exit), among other stops.

  Time: About 50 minutes to Namba, about 60 to Osaka and 1 h 25 to 1 h 30 to Kyoto, depending on traffic.

  Best if… You have lots of luggage and would rather not haul suitcases up and down stairs. To Osaka no booking is needed: first come, first served.

Tips

• With an IC card (ICOCA, Suica…) you pay the basic fare on JR and Nankai by tapping through the gates. Haruka and rapi:t also need a limited express ticket.
• Choose by hotel, not by train: Namba and Shinsaibashi are on the Nankai line; Umeda, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto are on the Haruka route.
• If you arrive with big suitcases, avoid weekday morning rush hour on the rapid trains, which commuters use too.
• To go back to the airport by bus from Kyoto you need to book a seat. Check times and booking on the Airport Limousine Bus website.

And the next day, I pick you up at your hotel and we go together

I don't do airport transfers: I'm a day guide. Once you've settled in, I meet you in your hotel lobby in Osaka or Kyoto and we head out to see the city. I'm Tony, a private guide: just your group, at your pace.

Price per group, up to 6 people

• If you pay in advance, do it only once we have confirmed your date on WhatsApp.
• Trains, admissions and meals aren't included: you pay as we go and I show you how.
• Pay in cash on the day, or in advance with PayPal or Wise.
• Free cancellation up to 72 hours before.