Roberta Aguirre
Osaka is served by two airports: Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport (ITM). Kansai International Airport is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay and is the only international airport of the two, serving destinations across Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Osaka International Airport, on the other hand, is much closer to downtown Osaka and exclusively serves domestic routes within Japan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Kansai International Airport |
| Year of Opening | September 1994 |
| Location | 28 miles south of Osaka |
| Construction | Built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay |
| Accessibility | Accessible by ground transportation, with a direct train to the airport |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Number of Runways | Multiple 4,000-meter-class runways |
| Operating Hours | 24 hours a day |
| Destinations | Connected to 91 cities in 25 countries |
| Average Daily Flights | 221.9 flights |
| Annual Travellers (Terminal 1) | 28 million |
| Amenities | Shops, restaurants, lounges, chairs for overnight stays, observation hall, duty-free shops |
| Airport Name | Osaka (Itami) Airport |
| Location | 12 miles north of Osaka |
| Accessibility | Accessible by car or taxi; no direct train service |
| Destinations | Serves domestic routes across Japan and its islands |
| Amenities | Lounges, shops |
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What You'll Learn
The pros and cons of Osaka's two airports
Osaka has two airports: Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport (also known as Itami Airport). Here are the pros and cons of each:
Kansai International Airport
Pros
- This airport is a major point of entry for foreign visitors, serving a wide range of international destinations across Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
- It is easily accessible by ground transportation, with direct connections to train and bus stations.
- The airport has beautifully designed facilities, great shopping, and dining options.
- It has multiple 4,000-meter-class runways that operate 24 hours a day.
- The airport is connected to Osaka's efficient rail network, with a direct train reaching the airport in around 50 minutes.
Cons
- Kansai International Airport is located further from downtown Osaka, at a distance of about 28 miles or 45 kilometres.
- The journey by car or taxi to Kansai can take between 45 and 50 minutes, which is longer than the travel time to Itami Airport.
- Post-security dining and shopping options are limited.
Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport)
Pros
- Itami Airport is much closer to downtown Osaka, located just 12 miles or 20 kilometres away.
- The journey to Itami Airport is quicker by car or taxi, taking around 30 minutes.
- Itami Airport is convenient for domestic passengers, with many domestic routes across Japan and its islands.
- The airport has plenty of restaurants serving traditional Japanese meals and confectioneries.
- Itami Airport has a rooftop observation deck offering splendid views of flights taking off and landing.
Cons
- There are no direct trains serving Itami Airport; passengers must take a shuttle bus service, which is subject to traffic.
- The airport currently only serves domestic routes, with no international options.
- Itami Airport may be smaller than Kansai International Airport, with fewer lounges and shops.
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Kansai International Airport
The airport offers various amenities for travellers, including lounges, restaurants, shops, and duty-free walk-through shops. It also provides free Wi-Fi and currency exchange services. Kansai International Airport has received accolades for its staff and baggage delivery services, being ranked the tenth-best airport in the world by Skytrax in 2020.
For those with longer layovers, the airport provides access to nearby areas such as Senshu for unique shopping experiences. The Kansai Observation Hall, "The Sky View," is also an attraction within the airport, offering visitors a different perspective of the airport and its surroundings.
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Osaka (Itami) Airport
Osaka has two airports: Kansai International Airport and Osaka (Itami) Airport.
There are several accommodation options near Osaka (Itami) Airport. Hotel 88 Shinsaibashi is located about 45 minutes away from the airport and offers modern rooms with free WiFi. Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is about 16 kilometres from the airport and features a restaurant, fitness centre, indoor pool, and sauna. Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only is 2.3 kilometres from the centre of Osaka and offers free WiFi, a kitchen, and luggage storage.
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Transport options from Osaka's airports
Osaka has two airports: Kansai International Airport and Osaka (Itami) Airport. Kansai International Airport is located on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, about 40-45 kilometers south of Osaka, while Itami Airport is situated around 11-20 kilometers north of central Osaka. Here are some transport options for travelling between Osaka and its airports:
Kansai International Airport
- Train: The Haruka Express train connects the airport to Osaka Station, Tennoji Station, and Shin-Osaka Station. It departs every 30 minutes and is the fastest way to reach Osaka, costing between 2000 and 4000 yen. The Kansai Airport Rapid train is a cheaper alternative, costing 1000 yen to Tennoji Station and 1200 yen to Osaka Station. It takes roughly 15 minutes longer than the Haruka Express as it makes more stops.
- Bus: Limousine buses run 24 hours a day, connecting the airport to Osaka Station and Nankai Namba Station. Tickets for adults cost 1,550 yen, and the journey time is approximately 1 hour.
- Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside the airport, but the fare is expensive due to the distance, costing around 15,000 yen during the day and 17,500 yen at night.
Osaka (Itami) Airport
- Bus: The Osaka Airport Limousine bus is a popular choice, with tickets priced at Y640 and a journey time of 30 minutes.
- Taxi: A private taxi is a convenient option, costing around Y5000 for a 25-minute ride to downtown Osaka.
- Monorail and Train/Subway: Travellers can take the Osaka Monorail from Itami Airport Station to Hotarugaike and then switch to the Hankyu Takarazuka Line to reach downtown Osaka (Umeda).
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Layover tips for Kansai International Airport
Kansai International Airport is Osaka's primary international airport, with Osaka (Itami) Airport being the other, smaller airport, where most of Japan's domestic flights land. If you're flying internationally, you will most likely land at Kansai International Airport, which is about 45 kilometres south of Osaka.
Facilities at the airport
Kansai International Airport has a range of facilities for travellers with layovers. There are multiple restaurants, duty-free stores, and souvenir shops. Coin-operated showers are available for passengers wanting to freshen up, and there is a prayer room and a post office at the airport. If you are travelling with children, there is a Kids Room on the fourth floor of the international departures area, with a playroom, infant room, and nursing room. There is also a business centre on the fourth floor.
Nearby attractions
If you have a longer layover, you can explore Osaka and nearby areas. You can reach Osaka, as well as nearby day-trip destinations like Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara, from Kansai-Airport Station. Ask for platform directions and buy tickets at the Travel Desk by the Kansai Tourist Information Centre in the airport. Rinku Town, a shopping centre with over 200 shops and restaurants, is also close by. You can also take a stroll in Rinku Park to see planes flying in or watch the sunset.
Accommodation
If you have an overnight layover, there are several lounges and chairs at the airport where you can spend the night. The Aeroplaza-Refresh Square is a 24-hour lounge with restaurants, concessions, amenities, and a hotel. They offer booths with soft recliners for short naps, as well as booths with soft mats for longer sleep.
Lounges
If you are looking for a place to relax or work during your layover, the Sakura Lounge at Kansai Airport offers Japanese cuisine and a place to unwind or catch up on work.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two airports in Osaka: Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport). Kansai International Airport is the only international airport in Osaka, so if you are flying directly from another country, you will arrive there. Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) currently only serves domestic routes.
Kansai International Airport is located 45-50km from Osaka and is accessible by car, taxi, or public transport. A direct train to the airport takes around 50 minutes, while a road bridge connects the airport to the mainland for those travelling by car or taxi.
Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) is located 18-20km from Osaka and is easily accessible by car or taxi. There is no direct train service to the airport, but a shuttle bus service takes around 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
