Roberta Aguirre
Kyoto, Japan, is a city steeped in rich cultural history and is a popular destination for tourists and travellers alike. When planning a trip to Kyoto, it is important to note that there is no airport within the city that caters to direct international flights. Thus, travellers will need to fly into one of the several airports located near Kyoto and then make their way to the city via train, bus, or taxi. This article aims to provide an overview of the different airport options and transport methods available to travellers heading to Kyoto.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport to Kyoto | Osaka International Airport, also known as Osaka Itami Airport |
| Distance from Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto | 24 miles |
| Travel time from Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto | 50 minutes by bus |
| Other nearby airports | Kobe Airport, Kansai International Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, Nagoya Airfield |
| Distance from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto | 50.1 miles |
| Travel time from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto | 70 minutes by train, 100 minutes by bus |
| Travel time from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Kyoto | 90 minutes by train, 3 hours and 15 minutes by bus |
| Airports that require a connecting flight to Osaka Airport | Narita International Airport, Haneda Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Osaka International Airport is the nearest airport to Kyoto
Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport, is the nearest airport to Kyoto. It is located about 24 miles from Kyoto and can be reached in about 50 minutes by limousine bus. The bus departs from Osaka International Airport every 20 minutes and costs around 1,310 JPY (approximately $12).
Alternatively, you can take a shared taxi van from the airport, which is a budget-friendly option that will drop you directly at your accommodation in Kyoto. However, travel time may be longer as the shuttle taxi makes multiple stops. The shared taxi van service is offered by several companies and costs around 2,300 JPY (about $22) per person.
If you are travelling from an international destination, you will likely fly into Kansai International Airport in Osaka, as Osaka International Airport stopped serving international flights in the mid-1990s. Kansai International Airport is about 50 miles from Kyoto and offers various transportation options, including trains, buses, and taxis.
Another option for international travellers is to fly into Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports and then take a domestic flight to Osaka Airport. This may be a cheaper and more convenient option if you are already planning to visit Tokyo. From Narita or Haneda Airports, you can take a flight to Osaka Airport, with a travel time of about 1 hour and 20 minutes or 1 hour and 10 minutes, respectively.
Once you arrive at Osaka International Airport, you can easily rent a car to get to Kyoto. There are five rental car companies available at the airport, including Toyota, Nissan, Nippon, Orix, and Times. The drive between the airport and Kyoto can take between 45 minutes to 80 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. However, please note that you will need a valid international driver's license to rent a car in Japan.
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Centrair Airport is a major airport in central Japan
Centrair Airport, also known as Chubu Centrair International Airport, is a major airport in central Japan. It is located on an artificial island in Ise Bay, 35 km south of Nagoya and 97 km east of Kyoto. The airport covers about 470 hectares of land and has one 3,500-metre runway. Centrair is classified as a first-class airport and is the main international gateway for the Chubu ("central") region of Japan.
Chubu Centrair serves the third-largest metropolitan area in Japan, centred around the city of Nagoya. The region is a major manufacturing centre, housing the headquarters and production facilities of Toyota Motor Corporation, as well as production facilities for Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation. The airport features both international and domestic services, with Terminal 1 designated for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights. Each terminal has dedicated ticket counters, security checkpoints, and baggage carousels, with additional immigration and customs facilities for international flights.
Centrair Airport offers a range of facilities and services for travellers. These include massage and beauty treatment services, a relaxation area with a Japanese bath, and a multi-faith prayer room. The airport also provides a business centre, rental lounges, and various designated lounges for first and business-class passengers. Information counters are located throughout the airport, offering assistance with wheelchair and baby pushchair rentals, as well as tourist and transportation information.
Travelling between Centrair Airport and Kyoto is most commonly done via a combination of train and bus services. The airport does not have direct JR train links to Kyoto, so travellers typically take the Meitetsu Line train to Nagoya Station and then transfer to the Shinkansen to reach Kyoto. Alternatively, bus services are available from outside the terminal building, offering transfers to many destinations in the region.
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Kansai International Airport is the third busiest airport in Japan
Kyoto, Japan, is served by several airports, including Kansai International Airport, which is the third busiest airport in Japan. Located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, Kansai International Airport is approximately 38 km (24 mi) southwest of Osaka Station. The airport opened on September 4, 1994, as the first 24-hour airport in Japan. It is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area and the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe.
Kansai International Airport is served by over 31 airlines from 26 countries, and passengers can travel to and from the airport by train, bus, or taxi. The JR Haruka Limited Express train is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between the airport and Kyoto, taking approximately 70 minutes. The train departs every 30 minutes, and passengers can purchase reserved or non-reserved seats. Additionally, the Japan Rail Pass covers this journey.
For those who prefer to travel by bus, there is a direct airport bus service from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, with 1-2 buses per hour. The journey takes approximately 100 minutes, and tickets can be purchased at the transport counter. No reservations are necessary, and the buses pass by several major hotels in Kyoto. Alternatively, passengers can opt for a shared taxi van or a regular taxi, which offers a more direct travel option but may take longer due to multiple stops.
Kansai International Airport has undergone several developments since its opening, including the addition of a new terminal building in 2012. There were plans for further expansions, including a third runway, a new cargo terminal, and an increase in the airport's size. However, these plans have been postponed due to funding issues. The airport has also faced challenges, such as complaints from foreign airlines regarding the allocation of departure hall counter space and the issue of the airport island sinking more than predicted.
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Itami Airport is the closest airport for domestic flights
Kyoto is a city on the island of Honshu, in Japan. Travellers looking for Kyoto airport information may be surprised to learn that they cannot fly directly into the city. International visitors to the region will most likely fly into Kansai International Airport in Osaka.
However, if you are travelling to Kyoto via a domestic flight, Itami Airport is the closest and most convenient option. Itami Airport, also known as Osaka International Airport, is located about an hour's drive from Kyoto. The airport is served by flights from all regions of Japan, making it a useful gateway for domestic trips. The city of Kyoto is 50 minutes away by airport limousine bus, which costs around 1,310 JPY (approximately $12). The bus departs from Itami Airport every 20 minutes, and there is no need to make a reservation as tickets can be purchased in the arrivals hall.
If you are looking for an even more convenient option, you can opt for a shared taxi van or shuttle taxi. The shared taxi van is a budget-friendly option that will drop you right at your accommodation, but travel time may be longer as it makes multiple stops. A ride on the shared taxi shuttle costs around 2,300 JPY (about $22) per person. A regular taxi will also get you to the city in around 90 to 150 minutes, depending on your destination.
Itami Airport is a great choice for travellers flying within Japan who want quick and easy access to Kyoto. With its proximity to the city and convenient transportation options, it is a popular gateway for domestic travellers visiting the historic city of Kyoto.
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$15.12
Kobe Airport is another airport for domestic flights
Kobe Airport is another airport option for those travelling to Kyoto via domestic flights. It is located 40.1 miles from Kyoto and it takes about an hour and thirty minutes to get from Kobe Airport to Kyoto.
While Osaka International Airport is the closest airport to Kyoto, Kobe Airport is another option for those travelling to Kyoto from within Japan. Osaka Airport is served by flights from all regions of Japan, so it is a good option for domestic trips.
Kobe Airport is located on the island of Kobe in the southern part of Japan. The airport is a hub for domestic flights and offers several options for transportation to Kyoto.
One option for travelling to Kyoto from Kobe Airport is by train. The train journey takes about two hours and involves taking the Kobe Rapid Service train to Osaka Station and then transferring to the Special Rapid Service train on the JR Kyoto line.
Another option is to take a bus from Kobe Airport to Kyoto. The bus journey takes about two and a half hours and involves taking the Kobe City Bus to Sannomiya Station and then transferring to the Hankyu Bus to Kyoto.
It's important to note that Kobe Airport is not as convenient as Osaka International Airport for travelling to Kyoto. The travel time from Kobe Airport to Kyoto is longer, and there may be fewer transportation options available. However, Kobe Airport can be a good alternative if you are already in the region or if there are more convenient flight options to Kobe.
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Frequently asked questions
The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport. However, it might not be the most convenient option for your trip. Kansai International Airport in Osaka is the main airport for international visitors to the region.
There are several ways to get from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto. The fastest and most convenient way is the JR Haruka Limited Express train, which takes about 70 minutes to an hour and ten minutes. The train departs from Kansai Airport every 30 minutes, and you can buy your ticket from the transport counter in the international arrivals hall. The Japan Rail Pass covers this journey.
You can also take a direct airport bus from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, which takes about 100 minutes. There are 1-2 buses per hour, and no reservations are necessary. Tickets cost 2,550 JPY (about $24). You can also take a shared taxi van or a regular taxi, but these options are more expensive and may take longer.
