Airport Transfer (Haruka Express) from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Kyoto

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Adults (+12yo)

Children* (-12yo)

*the price displayed is for dedicated seats; children under 6 and babies can be seated on adults'lap free of charge.

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30 Number
of daily departures

1h15 Shortest
travel duration

$21 Our best
available price

06:31 / 22:16 Earliest / Latest
departure time

Getting from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto by Train

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is situated in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture and serves the greater Kansai region. The Kansai Airport Line's Haruka Express Train makes it simple to travel from the airport to a variety of locations and large cities like Osaka and Kyoto! The train leaves from Terminal 1, travels through the central metropolitan region and Osaka Prefecture before arriving at Kyoto Station. From Kyoto Station, transfers to other notable destinations in Kyoto Prefecture, such as Uji and Saga-Arashiyama can be made using the city's conventional lines.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TRANSFER TO KYOTO

The Haruka Express Train from Kansai International Airport takes travelers right to the heart of Kyoto, the ancient city that served as the capital of Japan up until the Meiji Period. This is the second most-visited city in all of Japan, home to some of the most noteworthy UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. Alongside these historic sites, a modern approach and appreciation for art and culture also live in Kyoto.

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.

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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, KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND OSAKA STATION

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 Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport is located in Osaka Prefecture, a bit outside of Osaka City. The Haruka Express departs from Terminal 1, the main terminal for international departures and arrivals. The same train can be ridden from parts of Osaka and Kyoto to return to the airport.

Where to go from Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station is the main transportation hub in Kyoto, a crosspoint for a number of different train lines to other parts of the prefecture as well as buses that go to varying locations throughout the city. Local JR train lines include the Biwako Main Line, JR Kyoto Line, Sagano Line, and Nara Line. Kyoto Station is also a major stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Kintetsu Railways and the Kyoto Munipal Subway also operate out of Kyoto Station.

Why book your airport transfer tickets with Japan Experience?

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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 AIRPORT TRANSFER TICKETS CONDITIONS

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.

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.

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 Kansai International Airport to Kyoto Station.

Frequently Asked Questions about Airport Transfers

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).

There are different types of carriages on the Shinkansen, with different levels of accommodation. The Ordinary Car is the most general seating option, but Shinkansen bullet trains are, by default, more luxurious than other types of trains due to them being built for long-distance travel. These accommodations include reclinable chairs, overhead storage, hooks for outerwear, deployable trays, and electrical outlets.
The Green Car is the next step up in luxury from the ordinary car, featuring even deeper reclining chairs and more legroom. All seats in these cars need a reservation. The oversized luggage area is also included with a seat on the Green Car.
The Gran Class Car is much like the Green Car but with even more elevated accommodations. Seats are formatted 2x1, optimizing room, and often, snacks and refreshments are included. Gran Class cars exist only on JR East lines, such as Tokyo <-> Nagano and Tokyo <-> Kanazawa.

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.