Airport Transfer (Haruka Express) from Kyoto to Kansai International Airport (KIX)
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Getting from Kyoto to Kansai International Airport by Train
Situated in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, Kansai International Airport (KIX) services the greater Kansai area. Traveling to this airport from Kyoto, the other terminal station of the Kansai Airport Line, is made easy with the Haruka Express Train! The train departs from Kyoto Station, passes through Osaka Prefecture and the core urban area of Osaka City before reaching Kansai International Airport's Terminal 1, the main hub for international departures.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TRANSFER TO KANSAI AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL
The main station of the city, Kyoto Station, serves as a departure point for the Haruka Express Train. Kyoto served as the capital of country up until the Meiji Period. Along with Tokyo, the country's present capital, this city is considered a must-see when visiting Japan due to it being home to some of the most notable UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. Kyoto is home to both modern culture and a contemporary appreciation for art and culture in addition to these historic attractions.
Note: Kansai International Airport is a major international gateway to Japan, serving as the primary airport for travelers arriving in Kansai. As such, booking your Haruka Express transfer in advance is recommended to secure your seats, especially during peak travel periods, and save time at the airport.
Train information
Since it is the primary route for most Kansai residents to get to and from the airport, the Haruka Limited Express Train on the Kansai Airport Line is crucial not only for tourists but also for locals. Starting from Kansai International Airport's Terminal 1, the train travels all the way to Kyoto, making stops at various stations in Osaka Prefecture and the Osaka City metropolitan area.
Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station, and Tennoj Station are some of these stops. The surroundings of Tennoji Station are vintage, with landmarks dating considerably further back in Japanese history. Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station, located on opposite ends of the Osaka Loop Line and just a single stop apart, are situated in the city's business district, surrounded by massive buildings and retail centers.
Depending on the stop, the ride to central Osaka takes about 45 minutes, but the entire trip from KIX to Kyoto takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Ride the Haruka Limited Express to specific stations and make connections to other Kansai destinations, like Himeji and Nara. Local lines from Kyoto Station go to other noteworthy places in the larger Kyoto Prefecture, such as Arashiyama and Uji.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HARUKA EXPRESS, KYOTO AND KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The Haruka Express offers trains with six to nine cars each, with the option of upgrading to a higher-end Green Car, which has more legroom and more reclining seats than other train cars. A combination of reserved and open seating is common. Especially after a lengthy flight, we highly advise purchasing tickets for reserved seats during busy travel periods to ensure a comfortable trip from the airport!
How to get to Kyoto Station
The primary hub for public transportation in Kyoto is Kyoto Station, which serves as the intersection of several bus routes that travel to various parts of the city and train lines that travel to other parts of the prefecture. The Biwako Main Line, JR Kyoto Line, Sagano Line, and Nara Line are examples of local JR train lines. Another important station on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line is Kyoto Station. Kyoto Station is also the home of Kintetsu Railways and the Kyoto Munipal Subway.
Getting around Kansai International Airport
Situated on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, Kansai International Airport serves the prefecture of Osaka. It has two terminals, with Terminal 1 being the busiest and most prominent, handling the majority of the inbound and outgoing international flights. There are several eateries and amenities at this terminal, but the most noteworthy is the "Nintendo Check-in" area, where passengers can play Nintendo Switch games while they wait to board their flights.
Why book your airport transfer tickets with Japan Experience?
How to Book and Exchange Haruka Express Train Tickets
When you buy your train tickets through Japan Experience, you'll receive a QR code via email. This QR code can be easily accessed and scanned at the machines located at JR Stations in Japan. Once you scan the QR code, your tickets will be issued to you, and you'll also have the option to get a receipt. Whether you're arriving at the airport or a major station in the city, you can find more information below about ticket fares and how to exchange your train tickets. Along with your QR code, you'll also receive a detailed user guide that will help you navigate the simple and efficient process of obtaining your physical train tickets in Japan.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CONDITIONS
Is there a special airport transfer service ticket fare for children?
Yes, there are special fares applicable for children to board the Haruka Express Ttrain. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced child fare (except for Green Class). Children under the age of 6 travel for free (except for Green Class). This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare to ride aboard the Haruka Express airport transfer.
Modification and Cancelation
You can find the conditions of modification and cancellation of our train tickets in our “Frequently Asked Questions” section at the bottom of the page.
Eligibility
All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions of residence status or nationality, are eligible to buy individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply.
Validity of Haruka Express train tickets
Haruka Express airport transfer service tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking, from Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions about Airport Transfers
Yes, both of these cities in Kansai are accessible from Kansai International Airport (KIX). The Haruka Expres Limited Express Train passes through and stops within Osaka City and has a terminal station of Kyoto Station.
Up to 72 hours before departure, you can modify your booking one time free of charge or cancel your booking (with a 15% cancellation fee). Please find more details below.
- How can I cancel or modify my booking?
You can cancel or modify your tickets by contacting Japan Experience by phone or email.
Modifications and cancellation are not possible in stations, neither at ticket machines (even those with a QR code reader) nor at JR counters (except when mentioned by our assistance*).
- What are the cancellation conditions?
You can cancel your train tickets up to 72 hours before departure, with a 15% cancellation fee applied. Past 72 hours before departure, no cancellation can be done.
- What if I miss my train?
If you have missed your train, your tickets allow you to board any train on the same route in the same day – in non-reserved seat cars only.
- What are the modification conditions?
You can modify your booking for free one time up to 72 hours before departure. Any extra modification will result in booking cancellation to make a new order, with a 15% cancellation fee applied.
Past 72 hours before departure, no modifications can be done.
If you want to modify:
- Seat and/or departure time (for e-tickets or e-voucher before paper tickets issued): Japan Experience can modify your booking for free, one time per booking.
- Departure date and/or ticket class: Japan Experience allows you to change your departure date/ticket class free of charge by canceling your order without fees in order to make a new booking. Please note that a new date in a higher travel season or an upper class will result in a price difference.
- Adding or removing passengers from the booking: Adding a passenger is free of charge, you only need to pay the extra ticket price. Removing a passenger equals to canceling the booking for that passenger only, cancellation conditions apply for the removed passenger ticket (15% fee).
- Departure station/arrival station: This change equals a cancellation, with a 15% cancellation fee applied.
*For the rare and only case of cancellation for e-voucher after paper tickets have been issued, you need to request a cancellation at Japan Railways counters (not machines) in stations, up to 10 minutes before departure. JR will refund you around 70% of your order, in cash (JPY ¥). Modifications at JR machines or counters in stations are also possible up to 10 minutes before departure (some fees may apply).
- The Haruka Express train does not have luggage size limitation, and does not require to book extra luggage space in advance as it is the case for the Shinkansen trains. You can head out of the airport and into the city worry-free, as you will have room to store all your luggage aboard the Haruka train service!
With over 40 years of dedicated experience dealing specifically with Japan travel and tourism, you can rest assured that we will have the best knowledge and familiarity with getting around the country. Our train tickets are acquired through an official partnership with JR West. We also offer reliable and expert assistance thanks to our onsite team in Japan, flexible modification options, and a fully digital booking experience with no hidden fees.
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