Kyoto Airport: Does It Exist And Where?

is there a airport in kyoto

Kyoto, Japan, is a city steeped in history and tradition, offering stunning temples, serene gardens, and vibrant cultural experiences. However, the city does not have its own airport. Luckily, there are three airports near Kyoto: Kansai International Airport (KIX), Itami Airport (ITM), and Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). Each airport offers its own unique advantages and transport options to get you to and from Kyoto.

Characteristics Values
Airports near Kyoto Kansai International Airport (KIX), Osaka International Airport (Itami; ITM), Central Japan International Airport (Centrair; NGO)
Kyoto International Airport Exists, but not in Kyoto
Transport options Train, bus, taxi, rental car
Closest airport Osaka International Airport (Itami; ITM)

shunhotel

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is 77km from Kyoto

Kyoto, a city in Japan that boasts ancient traditions and modern life, does not have its own airport. However, there are three airports near Kyoto that you can consider flying into. The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport (ITM), also known as Itami Airport, which is about 36 kilometres from the city. This airport mainly operates domestic flights, making it the closest and most convenient option for those travelling within Japan. To get to Kyoto from Itami Airport, you can take the limousine bus, which is the fastest and most convenient option, taking about an hour. Alternatively, you can opt for a shared taxi van, which will take you directly to your accommodation but may take longer due to multiple stops.

The second closest airport to Kyoto is Kansai International Airport (KIX), located about 77 kilometres from the city. Kansai International Airport serves as the main international gateway for travellers visiting Kyoto, offering flights to and from various locations in Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. When travelling from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto, you have several transportation options, including trains and buses. The Limited Express Haruka train, operated by JR West, is the fastest and most comfortable option, taking around 75 minutes to reach Kyoto Station. This train offers scenic views and comfortable seating, making your journey enjoyable. Tickets for the Haruka Express can be purchased on the day of travel, and there are approximately 30 daily services.

Another option for transportation between Kansai International Airport and Kyoto is the airport bus. The direct airport bus takes around 100 minutes to reach Kyoto and costs 2,550 JPY (approximately $24). This bus departs from the airport every hour, and you can purchase your ticket from the transport counter. Additionally, the bus passes by several major hotels in Kyoto, making it a convenient choice if your accommodation is along its route. If you prefer a more direct journey, shared taxi vans are also available, which will take you straight to your desired location.

The third airport option near Kyoto is Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), commonly referred to as Centrair. This airport is located 97 kilometres from Kyoto and offers both international and domestic services. To get to Kyoto from Centrair Airport, you can take a combination of trains and buses or opt for airport shuttle services. The fastest way is to take the Meitetsu Line train to Nagoya Station, followed by the Shinkansen train to Kyoto, with a total travel time of just over an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus from the airport to Kintetsu-Yokkaichi Station and then change to another bus for the second leg of the journey to Kyoto, which will take approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes.

shunhotel

Osaka International Airport (Itami; ITM) is 36km from Kyoto

Kyoto does not have its own airport. However, there are three airports near the city, each with its own transport options for getting to Kyoto. Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport (ITM), is the closest airport to Kyoto, situated about 36 kilometres from the city. Itami Airport primarily handles domestic flights and is just a short 50-minute journey from Kyoto by airport limousine bus. The bus is the fastest and most convenient option, costing around 1,310 JPY (approximately $12) for a one-way trip, and departs from the airport every 20 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket machines outside the arrivals hall, and the bus will drop you off at your lodgings. However, because it is a shared service, you may have to stop at several places, which can be time-consuming.

Another option is to take a shared taxi van or minivan shuttle service, which will also take you directly to your accommodation. This option is more budget-friendly, costing around 2,300 JPY (about $22) per person, but the journey time can be longer as it depends on the route for the whole group. Reservations for the shuttle service must be made at least two to three days in advance.

For those who prefer to travel by train, the nearest international airport to Kyoto is Kansai International Airport (KIX), located in Osaka Bay about 77 kilometres from Kyoto. The Limited Express Haruka train, operated by JR West, is the fastest and most comfortable way to travel between Kansai Airport and Kyoto, taking around 75 minutes and costing 2,850 JPY. Tickets can be booked on the day, and there are approximately 30 daily services. The train departs from Platform 4 at Kansai Airport Station, which can be accessed via the 2nd floor of Terminal 1.

The third airport option is Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), also known simply as "Centrair", which is located 97 kilometres from Kyoto. This airport is further away but may be a better option if flights are cheaper than to Kansai Airport. To get from Centrair to Kyoto, you would first take the Meitetsu Line train to Nagoya Station, which takes 30 minutes, and then transfer to the JR Tokaido Shinkansen for another 35 minutes to reach Kyoto. The entire one-way trip will cost around 6,300 JPY (approximately $60) for a full fare.

El Nido Airport: Does it Exist?

You may want to see also

shunhotel

Central Japan International Airport (Centrair; NGO) is 97km from Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital, is a city steeped in history and tradition. With its iconic bamboo groves, traditional tea ceremonies, and vibrant culture, it is a captivating destination for travellers. However, getting to Kyoto does involve a bit of planning, as the city does not have its own airport.

The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport (ITM), also known as Itami Airport, which is approximately 36 kilometres away. This airport primarily handles domestic flights, so if you are travelling to Kyoto from an international destination, you will likely fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka Bay, about 77 kilometres from Kyoto. This airport serves as the main international gateway to Kyoto, with flights from Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Another option for international travellers is Central Japan International Airport (Centrair; NGO), which is located 97km from Kyoto. Centrair is a major airport in central Japan, with both international and domestic services. It is situated on an artificial island in Ise Bay, 35 kilometres south of Nagoya. From Centrair, travellers can take advantage of fast rail links to reach Kyoto. The recommended route is to take the Meitetsu Line train to Nagoya Station and then transfer to the Shinkansen for the journey to Kyoto. This option takes just over an hour and offers a convenient and relatively quick journey to the city.

In addition to these airports, travellers can also consider flying into Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND) and then connecting to Osaka Airport. This option may be more convenient depending on your origin and can provide access to both international and domestic flights.

When travelling to and from Kyoto's airports, there are various transportation options available, including trains, buses, and taxis. The Haruka Express train, operated by JR West, is a popular choice for those arriving at Kansai International Airport, offering a 75-minute journey to Kyoto Station with scenic views along the way. For those on a budget, airport buses provide an affordable and direct route to Kyoto, although the journey can take up to 100 minutes. Additionally, shared taxi vans offer a convenient door-to-door service but may involve multiple stops along the way.

shunhotel

Narita International Airport (NRT) is in Tokyo, 5 hours from Kyoto

Kyoto, the former capital of Japan and a popular tourist destination, does not have its own airport. The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport (ITM), which is located about 50 minutes away by car. However, Osaka International Airport mostly serves domestic flights. For international flights, travellers often use Kansai International Airport (KIX), which is about 90 minutes away from Kyoto by direct express train. Another option is Central Japan International Airport (NGO), which is less than 90 minutes away from Kyoto by airport express and Shinkansen.

In certain circumstances, it may be more convenient to fly into an airport in Tokyo and then travel to Kyoto. Tokyo has two international airports: Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND). Narita International Airport, located about 60 km east of central Tokyo in Narita, Chiba, is approximately 5 hours from Kyoto by train. It is one of the busiest airports in Japan, serving as a hub for airlines such as Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Nippon Cargo Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport has two main terminals with shops, restaurants, observation decks, and other amenities. To get from Narita Airport to Kyoto, you can take the Narita Express (N'EX) train to Tokyo Station and then transfer to the Shinkansen, which will take you to Kyoto. The entire journey will cost around Y15,000.

shunhotel

Haneda Airport (HND) is in Tokyo, 1 hour 10 minutes from Osaka

Kyoto does not have its own airport. The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport (Itami), which is 50 minutes away by bus. Osaka Airport, however, only serves domestic flights. The main international access point to Kyoto is Kansai International Airport, which is about 90 minutes away from Kyoto by direct express train.

Another option is to fly to Osaka from Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND). Haneda Airport is located in Tokyo, which is 1 hour and 10 minutes from Osaka by plane. There are nonstop flights from Haneda Airport to Osaka on a daily basis. The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Tokyo to Osaka are Skymark Airlines and ANA. The average price for the route with Skymark Airlines is $132, while ANA offers flights at an average price of $148.

If you are considering taking the train from Haneda Airport to Osaka, the journey will take about 3 hours. The fastest route is to take the Keikyu Line from Haneda to Shinagawa Station, and then take the Shinkansen from Shinagawa to Shin-Osaka Station.

Frequently asked questions

No, there is no airport in Kyoto. However, there are three airports near Kyoto: Kansai International Airport (KIX), Osaka International Airport (also known as Itami Airport) and Chubu Centrair International Airport (also known as Centrair Airport).

Kansai International Airport is located about 75 to 90 minutes away from Kyoto by train.

Osaka International Airport is about 50 minutes away from Kyoto by limousine bus.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is about 90 minutes away from Kyoto by train.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

DK Japan (Travel Guide)

$26.65 $27.99

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment