
Kyoto is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, but it does not have its own airport. Kyoto Station can be accessed from several nearby airports, including Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport), which is around an hour away by limousine bus or train, and Kansai International Airport, which offers both international and domestic flights and is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away by limousine bus or 1 hour and 15 minutes by JR Limited Express Haruka train. Chubu Centrair International Airport is another option, from which travellers can take a combination of trains to reach Kyoto Station in just under 1 hour and 30 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Closest airport | Kansai International Airport (KIX) |
| Travel time from Kyoto Station | 75-90 minutes by train |
| Alternative airports | Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport), Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), Narita International Airport (NRT) |
| Osaka Airport travel time | 55-70 minutes by limousine bus, 60-70 minutes by train |
| Centrair Airport travel time | 60-90 minutes by train, 3 hours 15 minutes by bus |
| Narita Airport travel time | 3 hours 35 minutes by train |
| Domestic-only airport | Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) |
| International airports | Kansai International Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, Narita International Airport |
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What You'll Learn

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is 90 minutes away by train
Kyoto is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, but it does not have its own airport. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the main international access point to Kyoto and is about 90 minutes away by direct express train. The Limited Express Haruka, operated by JR West, is the only rail service between Kyoto Station and Kansai International Airport. The train covers the distance in about 75 minutes, stopping at Osaka City's Shin-Osaka Station and Tennoji Station. The earliest Haruka service from Kyoto Station is at 5:46 a.m., arriving at Kansai Airport Station at 7:11 a.m. The latest Haruka service from Kyoto Station is at 8:15 p.m., arriving at Kansai Airport at 9:43 p.m. The normal fare for the journey is 2,850 yen, but the train is also covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
The fastest and most convenient way between KIX and Kyoto is the special JR Haruka Airport Express. This train does not require reserved seats, except during busy travel seasons. Tickets can be purchased at the transport counter in the international arrivals hall at KIX, or from attendants at the main stop near the Avanti department store in Kyoto.
In addition to the train, there are several other ways to travel between Kansai International Airport and Kyoto Station. A limousine bus runs regular services between the two locations, with buses departing from Kansai Airport stopping at several locations in Kyoto. The bus fare is 2,800 yen for adults and 1,400 yen for children, and the journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
For those who prefer to drive, there are several rental car options at Kansai Airport and close by Kyoto Station. The drive between the two locations takes about 90 minutes, depending on traffic. Renting a car can be a good option for those who plan to explore areas outside of Kyoto that are less accessible by train or bus. However, an international driver's license is required to rent a car in Japan.
Another option for travel to Kyoto is through Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). Centrair Airport is less than 90 minutes from Kyoto by airport express and shinkansen. To get to Kyoto from Centrair Airport, travellers can take a Meitetsu line train to Nagoya Station, followed by a shinkansen train, with a combined travel time of just over an hour.
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Osaka Airport: Accessible by limousine bus in 55 minutes
Osaka Airport, also known as Itami Airport, is accessible by limousine bus from Kyoto Station in around 50 to 55 minutes. This is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between Osaka Airport and Kyoto. The bus fare is 1,310 yen, and the service is direct, although the journey time may vary depending on traffic conditions.
The airport buses depart from bus stop 2, located directly outside the airport's Central Block, and arrive at the Hachijoguchi Exit on the south side of Kyoto Station. Passengers can purchase their bus tickets from ticket machines outside the arrivals hall and wait at the curb for their bus. No reservations are necessary.
Osaka Airport is served by flights from all regions of Japan and is, therefore, a useful option for domestic trips. Both ANA and JAL operate regular flights to and from Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports, with flights taking around 1 hour and 10-20 minutes. The airport also offers flights to and from major cities in Hokkaido, Tohoku, central Honshu, western Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa.
Travelling between Osaka Airport and Kyoto by train is also possible, with a fare of 980 yen. However, the route is complicated, requiring at least two changes, and the journey can take between 60 to 70 minutes.
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Centrair Airport: Transfer by train and bus in 1 hour
Kyoto is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, but it does not have its own airport. The closest airport to Kyoto Station is Osaka International Airport (Itami; ITM), which is 50-55 minutes away by limousine bus. This airport mostly serves domestic flights. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is another option, located 90 minutes from Kyoto Station by direct express train.
If you're looking for an international airport with both domestic and international services, Central Japan International Airport (Centrair; NGO) is a great choice. Centrair Airport is less than 90 minutes from Kyoto Station by train and bus. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get from Centrair Airport to Kyoto Station in about an hour:
- Take the Meitetsu Line train from Centrair Airport to Nagoya Station. This journey usually takes around 28 minutes and costs 1,230 yen.
- At Nagoya Station, transfer to the JR Tokaido Shinkansen for Kyoto. This leg of the trip will take approximately 35 minutes, with a full fare of 5,070 yen for an unreserved seat.
- A 15-minute transfer between trains is typically required, bringing the total travel time to about 1 hour and 18 minutes. The entire journey will cost 6,300 yen, and a reserved seat on the Shinkansen will cost an additional 500 yen.
It's important to note that the Japan Rail Pass is not valid for this particular route. However, if you plan to explore other areas of Japan as well, the pass may still be useful for those trips.
When travelling between Centrair Airport and Kyoto Station, this train and bus combination offers a fast and efficient way to reach your destination.
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Narita Airport: Accessible by train and Shinkansen in 3 hours
Kyoto is served by several airports, with three within close proximity. The closest airport to Kyoto is Kansai International Airport (KIX), which is around 90 minutes away from Kyoto by direct express train.
Another option is to fly into Osaka Airport, which is served by flights from all regions of Japan, making it a good option for domestic trips. The easiest way to travel between Kyoto and Osaka Airport is to take the limousine bus, which takes around 55 minutes and costs 1,310 yen.
If you are flying from overseas, it may sometimes be cheaper to fly into Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) and then take a connecting domestic flight to Osaka Airport. Narita Airport is located 67 kilometres east of Tokyo, and you can take the Narita Express train into the city, before transferring to a Tokaido Shinkansen service for Kyoto at either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. The Narita Express will get you to Tokyo in around one hour for 3,020 yen, and to Shinagawa Station in around 70 minutes for 3,190 yen. The Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto will take around 2 hours and 20 minutes for a fare of 13,080 yen. The total journey time from Narita Airport to Kyoto Station is around 3 hours and 30 minutes, for a full fare of 16,100 yen.
If you are travelling with a JR Pass, you can use this to catch a Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, which will take just over a couple of hours. The Hikari Shinkansen is the best option, taking 2 hours and 40 minutes, which is only 20 minutes slower than the Nozomi Shinkansen. The Kodama Shinkansen is the slowest option, taking around 4 hours and stopping at every station.
There are also a few alternative options for travelling between Narita Airport and Kyoto. You can take a shuttle bus from the airport into Tokyo for just 1,000 yen, although the journey time will depend on traffic conditions. There is also a long-distance overnight bus, called the Nankai Express, which runs between Narita Airport and Kyoto, arriving at Kyoto Station at 6:25 am. This costs 8,740 yen for a one-way ticket.
Finally, you can also drive between Narita Airport and Kyoto via the Chuo Expressway or the Tomei Expressway, although this will take around 6 to 8 hours depending on traffic, and toll fees are expensive.
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Haneda Airport: Reach Kyoto in 4 hours by train
Kyoto is served by several airports, with Kansai International Airport (KIX) being the main international access point. However, it may be cheaper to fly into Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) and then travel to Kyoto.
Haneda Airport is located in Tokyo, and it can take around four hours to reach Kyoto from there by train. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get from Haneda Airport to Kyoto by train in around four hours:
Step 1: Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station
First, you need to get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station. There are a few ways to do this:
- By train: You can take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station, and then transfer to the Tokaido Shinkansen service for Kyoto. The Keikyu Line will take around 15 minutes, and the Shinkansen will take around 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach Kyoto.
- By monorail: You can use the Tokyo Monorail in combination with the JR Yamanote Line to get to Tokyo Station. From there, you can take the Shinkansen to Kyoto.
Step 2: Tokyo Station to Kyoto
Once you arrive at Tokyo Station, you can take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto. The Shinkansen is a high-speed bullet train that can get you from Tokyo to Kyoto in approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The train fare for this journey is around 13,080 yen.
Please note that the total travel time for the entire journey from Haneda Airport to Kyoto, including transfers, will be closer to 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Alternative Options
If you are looking for alternative options to get from Haneda Airport to Kyoto, there are a few other methods you can consider:
- By bus and train: You can take a bus from the airport to Tokyo Station and then take the Shinkansen to Kyoto. This option can reduce the total travel time to around 2 hours and 40 minutes but may be more complicated and expensive.
- By domestic flight: From Haneda Airport, you can take a domestic flight to Osaka Itami International Airport or Kansai International Airport, which are both located near Kyoto. From there, you can travel to Kyoto by bus or train. This option can be faster but may be more expensive, with ticket prices ranging from 23,000 to 40,000 yen.
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Frequently asked questions
Kansai International Airport is the closest international airport to Kyoto. It is about 90 minutes from Kyoto by direct express train. Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) is the closest airport for domestic flights.
The JR Haruka Airport Express train is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Kyoto Station from Kansai International Airport. The train ride takes about 75 minutes and costs 2,850 yen. The Limited Express Haruka operated by JR West is the only rail service between the two stations.
The limousine bus from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto Station costs 2,800 yen for adults and 1,400 yen for children. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
You can take a limousine bus or a shared taxi van from Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) to Kyoto Station. The limousine bus is the fastest and most convenient option, taking about an hour.











































