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Airport Transportation

Kansai International Airport

Also known as: Kansai Airport, Osaka Kansai Airport, Kansai International Airport Osaka.

KIX · RJBB · Osaka

Airport facts

Name
Kansai International Airport
IATA code
KIX
ICAO code
RJBB
City
Osaka
Country
Japan
Coordinates
34.4320, 135.2366

About Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the main international airport for Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, in the Kansai region of Japan. It is built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, about 38 km (24 miles) southwest of Osaka Station, and is linked to the mainland by the Sky Gate Bridge. In 2025 it handled about 34 million passengers, around 80% of them on international flights.

ANA and Japan Airlines both use Kansai as a hub, and Peach, the low-cost airline, is based here. Dozens of foreign airlines connect Kansai with China, South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Australia, North America and Europe. For domestic flights within Japan, many travelers use Osaka's other airport, Itami.

Kansai was Japan's first airport to operate 24 hours a day. Terminal 1, designed by Renzo Piano, is about 1.7 km long and handles most flights. Terminal 2 is a smaller, single-storey building for low-cost airlines such as Peach, Spring Airlines and Jeju Air, linked to Terminal 1 and the station by free shuttle buses.

From the airport, most travelers head into Osaka, to Namba, Umeda and Shin-Osaka, on to Kyoto and Nara, or to Kobe. Trains leave from Kansai Airport Station next to Terminal 1.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Kansai Airports (Orix and Vinci Airports)

Runways

Two (06R/24L and 06L/24R)

Passengers per year

About 34.1 million in 2025, about 27.5 million of them international

Hours

Open 24 hours

Arrival tips for Kansai International Airport

Check whether you land at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 before anyone comes to meet you; Peach, Spring Airlines and Jeju Air use Terminal 2, which is a shuttle-bus ride from Terminal 1 and the station.

On international flights you go through quarantine, then immigration, where foreign visitors have their fingerprints and photo taken, and then customs. Filling in your details on Visit Japan Web before you fly can speed things up.

In the arrivals lobby, follow the signs for trains, buses or taxis. Kansai Airport Station is next to Terminal 1: Nankai trains, including the rapi:t, run to Namba, and JR trains, including the Haruka limited express, run to Tennōji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto, while JR Kansai Airport Rapid trains run to Osaka Station. Airport Limousine buses run to hotels and stations across Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals lobby.

The airport is open 24 hours, but trains stop around midnight, so plan a taxi or pre-booked car for late arrivals. Japan is on Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) all year and uses the yen.

Ground transportation

Trains are quickest into Osaka and Kyoto; a pre-booked car or limousine bus is easier with luggage, at night or for hotels away from the stations.

  • Nankai Line to Namba

    Nankai trains, including the rapi:t express, run from Kansai Airport Station to Namba in south Osaka.

  • JR Haruka to Kyoto

    The JR Haruka limited express runs to Tennōji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto; JR Kansai Airport Rapid trains run to Osaka Station.

  • Airport Limousine bus

    Coaches to hotels and stations in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. Easy with luggage, slower in traffic.

  • Taxi from Kansai airport

    Taxis wait outside the terminals. Door to door, but expensive over the long drive into Osaka.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals lobby, useful for families, groups, Kyoto hotels and late arrivals after the trains stop.

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Moving between terminals

  1. Free shuttle bus

    Free buses link Terminal 2 with Terminal 1, Kansai Airport Station and the ferry pier.

  2. Walking through KIX Sora Park

    You can also walk between the terminals through KIX Sora Park.

Terminals

Terminal 1

The main terminal, designed by Renzo Piano and about 1.7 km long, for most international and domestic flights. Kansai Airport Station is next to it.

Terminal 2

A single-storey low-cost terminal with no jet bridges, used by Peach, Spring Airlines and Jeju Air. Not directly connected to Terminal 1 or the station.

Airlines and destinations

This directory lists the main airlines at Kansai.

All Nippon Airways T1

Domestic cities and Asia

Japan Airlines T1

Domestic cities, Asia and North America

Jeju Air T2

South Korea

Peach T2

Domestic cities and Asia

Spring Airlines T2

China

Frequently asked questions

How far is Kansai Airport from Osaka?

Kansai International Airport is on an island in Osaka Bay, about 38 km (24 miles) southwest of Osaka Station. Nankai trains run to Namba, JR trains to Osaka Station, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto, and limousine buses, taxis and pre-booked cars are also available.

How do I get from Kansai Airport to Kyoto?

Take the JR Haruka limited express from Kansai Airport Station straight to Kyoto Station, or an Airport Limousine bus. A pre-booked car goes door to door, which is easier with luggage or for hotels away from Kyoto Station.

Kansai or Itami: which Osaka airport?

Kansai (KIX) handles Osaka's international flights and some domestic routes. Osaka Itami (ITM), closer to the city, has domestic flights only. If you are flying in from abroad, you will almost always land at Kansai.

Is Kansai Airport open 24 hours?

Yes. Kansai was the first airport in Japan to operate 24 hours a day. Trains and most buses stop around midnight, though, so for late arrivals a taxi or pre-booked car is the practical way to Osaka or Kyoto.

How do I get from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 at Kansai?

Take the free shuttle bus, which links Terminal 2 with Terminal 1, Kansai Airport Station and the ferry pier. You can also walk through KIX Sora Park. Terminal 2 is used by low-cost airlines such as Peach.

What should I do before landing in Japan?

Register your passport and customs details on Visit Japan Web before you fly; it can speed up immigration and customs at Kansai. At immigration, foreign visitors have their fingerprints and photo taken.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from KIX