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

Select your itinerary

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.

From Destinations *

Departure date *

Time *

27 Number
of daily departures

0h45 Shortest
travel duration

$16 Our best
available price

07:37 / 21:44 Earliest / Latest
departure time

Getting from Kansai International Airport to Osaka by Train

Kansai International Airport (abbreviated to KIX) is located in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture. It services the greater Kansai area. From the airport, access to a number of destinations and major cities like Osaka and Kyoto is made easy thanks to the Haruka Express Train on the Kansai Airport Line! The train departs from Terminal 1 with a final destination of Kyoto Station. On the way, the train goes through the city of Osaka, and to the city center, the journey only takes around 45 minutes.

The Haruka Express stops at a number of different stations within the Osaka metropolitan area, and disembarking from the train at the namesake Osaka Station isn’t the only option for visitors going to the city. While this is a great stop to get off at for access to central Osaka, the Haruka Express Train also makes stops at other prominent stations in the city, such as Tennoji Station on the other end of the Osaka Loop Line, as well as Shin-Osaka Station. On this page, tickets for the Haruka Express Train airport transfer service can be booked to best fit your travel schedule. If you wish to stop at one of these other stations, please change the destination in the ticket selector above before clicking on “Search.”

More information about your transfer to Osaka

The Haruka Express Train from Kansai International Airport takes travelers right to the heart of Osaka, the largest city in the Kansai Region with a population of almost 3 million people. This is a city known for its eclectic environment,whicht is simultaneously rich in culture and history. For many, the iconic neighborhoods of Dotonbori and Shinsekai provide a scene that is distinctive to urban Japan: dense streets with shops and small eateries lining up and down and bright signs that illuminate the night. For some insight into the Japan of the past, Osaka Castle and the Mozu Tombs are must-visit attractions. Additionally, Taro Okamoto’s famous “Tower of the Sun” finds its home in Osaka, originally created in 1985 for the World’s Fair that took place in the city at that time. With the World’s Fair returning to Osaka in 2025, a commemorative visit is well worth your time!

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.

Search your airport transfer now!

Train information

The Haruka Limited Expres Train on the Kansai Airport Line is an essential line, not just for travelers, but fort residents of Kansai as well, as it serves as the main means of going to and from the airport for most locales in Kansai. The train itself departs from Terminal 1 in Kansai International Airport and goes out all the way to Kyoto, stopping at a number of stations within Osaka Prefecture and the Osaka City metropolitan area.

These stops include Tennoj Station, Osaka Station, and Shin-Osaka Station. Tennoji Station is surrounded by a retro environment and attractions that go back much farther into Japan’s history. On the other end of the Osaka Loop Line, Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station, only one stop away from each other, are in a commercial center of the city with large skyscrapers and shopping complexes all around.

More information about the Haruka Express, Osaka Station, and Kansai International Airport

Out to central Osaka takes around 45 minutes, depending on the stop, but to go all the way from KIX to Kyoto takes around one hour and 15 minutes. To get to other destinations in Kansai, such as Nara and Himeji, the Haruka Limited Express can be ridden to certain stations in order to make transfers.

Each train on the Haruka Express has six to nine cars, with the option of a higher-end Green Car with upgraded amenities, such as further reclining charis and more leg room as compared to ordinary train cars. There is often a mix of reserved and non-reserved seating. We strongly recommend booking tickets for reserved seats during peak travel times to assure a comfortable journey from the airport, especially after a long flight!

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 Osaka Station

Osaka Station is located in a central commercial area of Osaka known as Umeda, and in fact, both Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station (built in 1964 to service the newly built Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkasen) are nearby Umeda Station. Osaka Station is a major stop on the famous Osaka Loop Line, making it easily accessible by train. The Haruka Express stops at Osaka Station on the way to Kyotot from Kansai International Airport. Other trains that go to and from Osaka Station include the Thunderbird Limited Express Train and Super Hakuto Limited Express Train.

Reminder: you can also decide to stop at Tennoji Station or Shin-Osaka Station via the Haruka Express

Why book your airport transfer tickets with Japan Experience?

Official seller

Our train tickets are issued through an official partnership with the National Japan Railways Group (JR).

Secure payment

You're in control! We offer different payment options.

Quality at our core

Our team of passionate individuals based in Japan works with you directly, no intermediary needed.

Customer support

We're here to help, 7/7. And available through all channels.

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 the 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 Kansai International Airport to Osaka Station, Tennoji Station, or Shin-Osaka 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 Limited Express trains such as the Haruka Express, with different levels of accommodation. The Ordinary Car is the most general seating option, but Japanese trains are, by default, more luxurious than other types of trains you may be used to. 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 leg room. All seats in these cars need a reservation.

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.