Ruth Haines
Kyoto is the second most visited city in Japan, yet it does not have its own airport. The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport, which is around an hour away. However, Osaka Airport only serves domestic flights, so most international travellers fly into Kansai International Airport, which is 75-77 minutes away by train. Kyoto is also accessible via Centrair Airport, which is the furthest airport from the city, and Itami Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for lack of airport | There is no space to build an airport in the city |
| Nearest airport | Osaka International Airport |
| Distance to nearest airport | 77 km, 1 hour drive, 75-minute train ride |
| Other nearby airports | Kansai International Airport, Centrair Airport, Itami Airport |
| Transport options from Kansai International Airport | Train, limousine bus, taxi |
| Transport options from Centrair Airport | Train, bus |
| Transport options from Itami Airport | Limousine bus, shared taxi van |
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What You'll Learn
Kyoto is accessible via other airports
Kyoto is accessible via several airports in nearby cities. The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport (also known as Itami Airport), which is about 36 kilometres from the city. However, since Osaka International Airport only operates domestic flights, most international travellers arrive at Kansai International Airport, located in Osaka Bay, about 77 kilometres from Kyoto. Kansai International Airport is the closest international airport to Kyoto and serves as the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area of Japan. It offers both domestic and international flights to and from Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
There are several transport options available to travel between Osaka International Airport and Kyoto. The easiest and most convenient way is to take the airport limousine bus, which takes around 50 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. This bus service offers the added convenience of dropping passengers directly at their lodgings. Tickets for the limousine bus can be purchased online or from ticket machines and attendants at the airport and in Kyoto. Another option is to rent a car at the airport, although this option may take longer due to traffic and requires an international driver's license.
Kansai International Airport is well-connected to Kyoto by train and bus services. The fastest and most comfortable way to travel between Kansai Airport and Kyoto is the Limited Express Haruka train, operated by JR West. This train takes approximately 75 minutes to reach Kyoto Station and offers a seamless travel experience. Tickets for the Haruka train can be booked on the day of travel, and there are around 30 daily services. Additionally, travellers can take a bus from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, which takes around 90 minutes and provides a more economical option.
Another airport accessible from Kyoto is Central Japan International Airport (Centrair), which is less than 90 minutes away by airport express and shinkansen. Although not as close as the Osaka or Kansai airports, Centrair offers an alternative option for travellers depending on their specific circumstances. In certain cases, flying into Tokyo's Narita or Haneda airports and then travelling to Osaka Airport may be a more convenient choice.
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Osaka International Airport is the closest airport
Kyoto does not have its own airport, despite being Japan's second most visited city. This is mainly due to a lack of space in the city to build an airport. The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport. This airport is located about 36 kilometres from Kyoto and can be reached by train or bus. The train journey takes around 45 to 80 minutes, depending on traffic conditions, while the bus ride takes approximately 55 minutes. Osaka International Airport, however, only operates domestic flights, so international travellers usually arrive at Kansai International Airport, located about 77 kilometres from Kyoto. Kansai International Airport is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area and offers both domestic and international flights. It serves as a hub for several major airlines and provides connections to various destinations worldwide.
Osaka International Airport is easily accessible from Kyoto, making it a convenient option for travellers. The airport limousine bus is a popular choice, with tickets costing just 1,310 yen for a direct service that takes around 55 minutes. This bus departs from outside the airport's Central Block and arrives at the Hachijoguchi Exit on the south side of Kyoto Station. Additionally, MK Taxi offers an affordable shuttle service for 2,900 yen per person, but reservations must be made at least three days in advance. This service provides direct transportation from the airport to your accommodation in Kyoto.
Travelling by train is another option, with a fare of 980 yen. The JR Haruka Airport Express, operated by JR West, is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between Osaka International Airport and Kyoto. This train service offers a direct connection to Kyoto Station, with a journey time of around 75 minutes. Tickets for the JR Haruka can be purchased on the day of travel, and the Japan Rail Pass is also valid for this route.
While Osaka International Airport is the closest airport to Kyoto, it might not always be the most suitable option for your trip. Kansai International Airport, with its broader range of international flights, may be a better choice for those travelling from outside Japan. Additionally, in certain circumstances, flying into Tokyo's Narita or Haneda airports and then connecting to Osaka Airport could be a more convenient option.
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Kansai International Airport is the most convenient
Kyoto is a beautiful city, but it does not have its own airport. However, there is no need to fret as the city is well-connected to several nearby airports, making your journey seamless and convenient. The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport, but it might not be the most convenient option for your trip. Kansai International Airport, located about 75 minutes away by train, serves as the main international gateway for travellers heading to Kyoto. It is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka area of Japan and is the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Kansai International Airport is easily accessible from Kyoto and is, therefore, the most convenient option.
Kansai International Airport, commonly known as Kankū, is located 77 km away from Kyoto in Osaka Bay. The airport serves as a hub for several airlines such as All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Nippon Cargo Airlines. It is the international gateway for Japan's Kansai region, which contains the major cities of Kyoto, Kobe, and Osaka. The airport opened on 4 September 1994, and in fiscal year 2013, the airport authority was allotted four billion yen in government support.
Travellers can easily access Kyoto from Kansai International Airport by train, limousine bus, or taxi. The JR Haruka Airport Express is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between Kansai International Airport and Kyoto. The train journey takes around 75 minutes. Travellers can also take a Meitetsu Line train followed by a Shinkansen train, with a combined travel time of a little over an hour. For those on a budget, the bus is a good option, with a journey time of around 3 hours and 15 minutes.
While Osaka International Airport is the closest airport to Kyoto, it only serves domestic flights. Therefore, Kansai International Airport is a more convenient option for most international travellers. Additionally, Osaka Airport can still be easily accessed from Kyoto by limousine bus or via Kansai Airport. For domestic travellers, there are also flights to and from all the major cities in Japan.
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Centrair Airport is an option, but it's the furthest
Kyoto is Japan's second most visited city and does not have its own airport. This is mainly because there is nowhere to build an airport in the city. However, the city is conveniently connected to several nearby airports, such as Kansai International Airport, Itami Airport, and Centrair Airport.
Centrair Airport is the furthest airport from Kyoto, located in Nagoya. Travellers can reach Kyoto from Centrair Airport by train or bus. The most time-efficient option is to take the Meitetsu Line train to Nagoya Station, which takes half an hour, and then transfer to the Shinkansen train to Kyoto, which takes around 36 minutes. The total travel time for this option is slightly over an hour. Travellers can also opt for a bus, but this option is much slower, taking around 3 hours and 15 minutes, as travellers will need to take two different buses.
While Centrair Airport is the furthest of the three airports, it still offers a relatively quick transfer to Kyoto, with a train journey of around 90 minutes. This option may be preferable for travellers who are already within Japan, as it provides a seamless connection to Kyoto without the need for a long-distance journey.
In conclusion, Centrair Airport may be the furthest option for travellers heading to Kyoto, but it still offers a convenient and efficient connection to the city. With a combination of trains or buses, travellers can reach Kyoto in a timely manner, making it a viable choice for those seeking alternative travel arrangements or already within Japan.
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There's no space in the city to build an airport
Kyoto is a beautiful city, but it does not have its own airport. This is mainly because there is no space in the city to build an airport. The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport, which is located at least an hour away. This airport only caters to domestic flights, so international travelers often find Kansai International Airport, located 77km away in Osaka Bay, more convenient. This airport is about 75 minutes away from Kyoto by limited express train.
Kyoto is Japan's second most toured city, and while it may be surprising that it does not have its own airport, the country's excellent rail network makes up for this. For example, the JR Haruka Airport Express provides a fast and convenient way to get from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto. There is also the option of traveling via limousine bus or taxi, with the former being the fastest and most convenient option, taking about an hour.
Centrair Airport is another option for those traveling within Japan, although it is the furthest airport from Kyoto. Trains from this airport can still get you to the city within 90 minutes. To get to Kyoto from Centrair Airport, you can take the Meitetsu Line train to Nagoya Station, and from there, it is an easy 36-minute Shinkansen trip to Kyoto.
Kyoto's lack of an airport has not hindered its accessibility, as the city is well-connected to several nearby airports. The excellent transportation options from these airports make traveling to Kyoto seamless and convenient.
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Frequently asked questions
Kyoto does not have its own airport due to a lack of space in the city.
Travellers can access Kyoto via the nearby Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Centrair Airport.
Kansai International Airport is approximately 77km away from Kyoto and is a 75-minute journey by limited express train.
Osaka International Airport is at least an hour away from Kyoto.
Centrair Airport is the furthest airport from Kyoto out of the three, with a travel time of 90 minutes by train.
