Kyoto is one of Japan’s premier tourist destinations, rich in history and culture, but it does not have its own airport. Therefore, visitors need to access Kyoto from nearby major airports.
This article provides detailed information on transportation options from Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport), Kansai International Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, Narita Airport, and Haneda Airport to Kyoto. For those looking to find the best method to suit their needs, whether it be airport limousine buses, shuttle buses, or trains, please read on.
1.Closest Airport to Kyoto
Kyoto is a world-renowned tourist city but lacks its own airport, so direct flights to Kyoto are not possible.
If you wish to reach Kyoto as quickly as possible from overseas, flights to Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) or Kansai International Airport are recommended. The nearest airport to Kyoto is Itami Airport, from which you can reach Kyoto in about an hour. Itami Airport currently serves only domestic flights, so when traveling from abroad, you will need to transfer from another airport within Japan. For direct flights without transfers, Kansai International Airport in Osaka is a convenient option.
Depending on your departure airport and schedule, you might not be able to find flights to Itami or Kansai Airports. In such cases, flights to Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya are recommended.
If you prefer to minimize carrying cash or find it cumbersome to purchase tickets repeatedly during your trip, IC cards for transportation can be very helpful. You can buy IC cards for foreign travelers that are usable in the Kansai area at major stations like Kansai Airport Station and Kyoto Station.
2.Transportation from Airports Near Kyoto to Kyoto
To travel comfortably from Itami Airport or Kansai Airport to Kyoto, limousine buses or shuttle buses are recommended. Taking the train can also save on travel costs. If you plan to visit other places before heading to Kyoto or want to avoid traffic jams, trains are a convenient option. When traveling from Centrair to Kyoto, express trains and the Shinkansen are recommended.
Here are the ways to get from Itami Airport, Kansai Airport, and Centrair to Kyoto.
2-1.From Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) (ITM) to Kyoto
Main transportation methods from Itami Airport to Kyoto are as follows:
・Airport Limousine Bus: Osaka (Itami) Airport – Kyoto Station
Fare: Adults ¥1,340, Children ¥670
Destinations: Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit, Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit, Shijo Kawaramachi, etc.
Travel time: About 50-55 minutes to Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit
The airport limousine bus operates on a first-come, first-served basis and does not require reservations.
Airport Limousine Bus Schedule and Fares
・Shared Shuttle Bus (MK Skygate Shuttle): Itami – Kyoto
Fare: ¥4,500 per person (various discount systems available)
Luggage fee: ¥1,000 per item (free for up to two items if the total of the three dimensions is under 100 cm, or one item if under 200 cm)
Destinations: Kyoto City, etc. (some areas excluded)
Reservations for the shared shuttle bus must be made online by 5 PM three days before your travel date. The departure time will be determined the evening before your travel date. When departing from the airport, please wait at the dedicated MK Taxi counter.
MK Taxi Shared Skygate Shuttle
・Train
First, take the monorail to either Hotarugaike Station or Minami-Ibaraki Station, then transfer to the Hankyu Line towards Kyoto. Alternatively, transfer from Senri-Chuo Station on the monorail to the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Line to Shin-Osaka Station, and then take the JR line or Shinkansen to Kyoto Station. The fare is approximately ¥900-1,200, slightly higher if using the Shinkansen. The travel time is about 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
2-2. From Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Kyoto
Main transportation methods from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto are as follows:
・JR Limited Express Haruka: Kansai Airport – Kyoto
Fare: Non-reserved seat ¥3,110, reserved seat ¥3,640 (varies by season)
Travel time: Approximately 78-100 minutes
For travelers, the Haruka One-Way Ticket for foreign visitors is convenient. This ticket allows you to travel in a reserved seat from Kansai Airport Station to Kyoto City for ¥2,200 (adults) or ¥1,100 (children). The Haruka One-Way Ticket can be purchased through the JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION system.
参考：JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION
・Airport Limousine Bus: Kansai Airport – Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit
One-way fare: Adults ¥2,800, children ¥1,400
Round-trip fare: ¥5,100 (valid for 14 days from the date of purchase for adults only)
Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (Terminal 1 – Kyoto Station)
Kanisai Airport to Kyoto/Kyotanabe
The bus from Kyoto to Kansai Airport can be reserved through the Hassha Orai Net reservation site. The bus from Kansai Airport to Kyoto is not reservation-based and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
・Shared Jumbo Taxi (Yasaka Airport Shuttle)
Destinations: Kyoto City, etc. (some areas excluded)
Fare: Adults ¥4,980-5,480, children ¥2,490-2,740 (varies by reservation time)
Luggage fee: ¥1,000 per item (one item per person free of charge)
Kansai Airport taxi stand: South side of Terminal 1
Kansai International Airport Jumbo Taxi/Fixed Fare Taxi/Uber
The departure time for the shared jumbo taxi is determined by 6 PM the day before your travel date. Please make reservations by 3 PM the day before your travel date.
Yasaka Taxi Smart Shuttle Reservation Site (from Kansai Airport
2-3.From Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) to Kyoto
To travel from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Kyoto, take the Meitetsu train to Nagoya Station and then transfer to the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station. For a more comfortable journey from the airport to Nagoya Station, the all-reserved seat μ-SKY is recommended. For a more economical option, the limited express train is suitable.
・Meitetsu Tokoname Line/Airport Line: Chubu Centrair International Airport – Meitetsu Nagoya
Fare (μ-SKY): Adults ¥1,430, children ¥490
Fare (Limited Express): Adults ¥980, children ¥490
Travel time: Approximately 28 minutes by μ-SKY, 37 minutes by limited express
・Shinkansen Nozomi: Nagoya – Kyoto
Fare: Reserved seat ¥5,910, non-reserved seat ¥5,170 (children half price, varies by season)
Travel time: Approximately 34 minutes
JR East Fares and Special Express Fares Table
For ticket reservations from Centrair to Kyoto, check the Meitetsu online reservation service and the English version of the Shinkansen online reservation service.
3.How to Travel from Tokyo Airports to Kyoto
Depending on your departure airport and schedule, you may not find flights to Osaka or Nagoya. Additionally, you might want to travel to Kyoto after visiting Tokyo. Understanding how to travel from Tokyo’s Narita Airport or Haneda Airport to Kyoto can make your travel planning more flexible.
3-1.From Narita International Airport (NRT) to Kyoto
Take the Narita Express from JR Narita Airport Station to Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, and then transfer to the Shinkansen to Kyoto.
・Narita Express: Narita Airport – Tokyo or Shinagawa
Fare: ¥3,070 (children half price, discounts available)
Travel time: Approximately 59-75 minutes
・Shinkansen Nozomi: Tokyo or Shinagawa – Kyoto
Fare: Reserved seat ¥14,170, non-reserved seat ¥13,320 (children half price, varies by season)
Travel time: Approximately 130 minutes from Tokyo Station, 125 minutes from Shinagawa Station
JR East Fares and Special Express Fares
Narita Express tickets can be purchased on the JR East official website. Shinkansen tickets can be purchased on the Shinkansen online reservation service page.
3-2. From Haneda International Airport (HND) to Kyoto
Take the Keikyu Line from Haneda Airport Terminal 1 and 2 Station directly to Shinagawa Station. Then, transfer to the Shinkansen to Kyoto, similar to the route from Narita Airport.
・Keikyu Line (Airport Express): Haneda Airport Terminal 1 and 2 – Shinagawa
Fare: Adults ¥330, children ¥170
Travel time: 14 minutes
The Airport Express has non-reserved seats only, and no special tickets or reservations are needed. For information on the Shinkansen from Shinagawa to Kyoto, refer to the description in the Narita Airport to Kyoto section.
Haneda Airport is the closest airport to central Tokyo. If you wish to explore Tokyo before heading to Kyoto, transfer at Shinagawa Station to the Toei Subway or JR lines. Asakusa Station on the Toei Asakusa Line is near the famous Kaminarimon Gate. Oshiage Station, two stops from Asakusa, is directly connected to Tokyo Skytree. Get off at Higashi-Ginza Station for gourmet dining and shopping in Ginza. For Shibuya, Shinjuku, Shin-Okubo, and Tokyo Station, take the JR Yamanote Line from Shinagawa Station.
Conclusion
When planning a trip to Kyoto, it’s essential to know how to access the city from nearby major airports since Kyoto does not have its own airport. Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) is available for domestic flights only and can be reached by airport limousine bus or train in about an hour.
Kansai International Airport offers both international and domestic flights and is about 1.5 hours away by JR Limited Express Haruka or limousine bus. From Chubu Centrair International Airport, you can access Kyoto via Nagoya and the Shinkansen. Additionally, you can reach Kyoto from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport using the Shinkansen.
*This article is based on information available as of May 2024.
