How to get from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Centre

Osaka is Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area and Kansai International airport is a very important airport to the Kansai region, as it serves Osaka, and the neighbouring cities of Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. Osaka, nicknamed ‘Venice of the East’ due to its numerous watercourses, canals and bridges, has become an important travel destination in Japan. It is a modern city with contemporary architecture, combining many cultural institutions from museums and theatres to art galleries. It is also known for having some of the most exciting cuisines in all of Japan and is an absolute, shopper’s paradise.

Osaka is a huge city and has a well-developed transportation system, so there are several options available for getting from Kansai airport to Osaka city centre. There is a train service called the ‘Kansai Airport Rapid Service’ that is run by Japan Railways and travels to Osaka station. Alternatively, numerous bus companies offer a regular bus service that directly connects Kansai airport to the city of Osaka, specifically stopping in the hotel district, close to Osaka station. The final option and most convenient method of transport is an Osaka airport taxi or private transfer, offering fixed rate fares and 24/7 availability.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Osaka at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€114	45min	–
Taxi	€120	45min	24/7
Train	€17.70	70min	05:50–22:00
Bus	€23.40	60min	06:50–23:17

How to get from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Centre by taxi

Getting from Kansai airport to Osaka city centre by taxi is an easy process as these locations are connected by an expressway (motorway). Taxis are readily available at the airport 24/7, unlike public transport options which stop running late at night. Osaka is a huge city, even the city centre itself is very big, so depending on your travel circumstances (large family, a lot of baggage, etc.) a taxi would be the most convenient travel option to get you from the terminal to the door of your accommodation. Furthermore, Kansai Osaka airport to the city centre of Osaka is 50 km away so a taxi would also be the fastest and most comfortable travel option.

How much is the taxi fare from Kansai Osaka airport to the city centre?

The taxi fare from Kansai Osaka airport to the city of Osaka will be about €120 (JPY 16,000). Osaka taxi fares are calculated by a taximeter, which is fitted in all taxis, and the final cost will be determined by a base fee, a per km charge and a waiting time fee per hour, where applicable, as well as the time of day of the transfer. Fixed-rate fares to popular destinations are available by most taxi companies, but for a guaranteed, competitive set rate, you can pre-book your Kansai airport transfer with Welcome.

Cost

€120

Trip Duration

45 minutes

There is 20% increase in the regular taxi charges between 22:00 and 5:00.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis at Kansai airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Kansai airport is divided into Terminals 1 and 2. Taxis are located in designated taxi stands directly outside these terminal buildings.

Convenience

Taxis in Japan are less affordable than in some other countries. However, the distance to get from Kansai airport to the city of Osaka (50 km), makes the option of a taxi the most convenient method of travel. This is even more apparent if you are travelling as a family with young children or with a lot of luggage. You should also take into account that Osaka is a very large city and your final destination may be directly connected and easily accessible only by taxi.

Editor’s Note

When travelling from Kansai airport to the city centre of Osaka by taxi, you will have to use the expressway (motorway) and a bridge which involves tolls. These extra costs will either be added to the final cost of the transfer or may already be included in the final cost if you've agreed upon a fixed rate fare with your driver.

Useful Tips

Tipping is not common practice in Japan and may even confuse your driver, so you should simply pay for the amount indicated on the taximeter.

The rear doors on all taxis open and close automatically by the driver, so you don't have to do it yourself.

Many taxi drivers do not speak English, so it would be very helpful if you had your destination written in Japanese to show your driver at the start of your transfer.

How to get from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Centre by train

There is an elaborate train transportation system that connects Kansai airport to the city of Osaka, with a number of different destinations in order to cover the needs of such a large city. The most frequent and direct train service that serves the city centre of Osaka (Osaka Station – Umeda district) is the Kansai Airport Rapid Service which is run by Japan Railways – West (JP-West). The service runs every 20-25 minutes from 5:50 to 22:00, with an average travel time of 70 minutes.

How much does the train cost from Kansai airport to Osaka Central station?

An adult ticket from Kansai Osaka airport to Osaka central station on the Kansai Airport Rapid Service will be €8.85 (JPY 1210) per traveller. Child tickets are also available at €4.40 (JPY 600).

Cost

€8.85

Trip Duration

70 minutes

Tickets are available from the Japan Railway (JP) ticket office in the airport or from the vending machines next to the ticket office.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The Kansai Airport Rapid Service runs about every 20 mins from 5:50 to 22:00

Where do I get the train from?

The train station at Kansai airport is located adjacent to the Terminal 1 building of the airport. As you exit the arrivals hall, take the elevator to the 2nd floor and follow the sign for the station that will take you over a bridge that connects the airport to the JR Kansai airport station.

Convenience

The Kansai Airport Rapid Train Service is an affordable, convenient travel option that will take you directly to Osaka station and the heart of the city without having to navigate any connecting train routes. It is however a very busy train route (during peak hours) whereby you won’t be able to guarantee a seat and with multiple stops. This should therefore be kept in mind, especially if travelling with young children or a lot of baggage.

Editor’s Note

It should be noted that there are a number of different train routes that leave from Kansai airport to a number of different destinations in Osaka, as it is such a large city. The Kansai Airport Rapid Service is the most direct route that will take you to Osaka central station (Umeda district), located in the city’s most commercial area.

Useful Tips

The JR-West train ticket office has staff dedicated to helping foreign travellers acquire their tickets and provide relevant travel information.

The train ticket office may get especially busy during peak travel times, so travellers wanting to purchase basic train tickets are advised to do so using the available vending machines.

How to get from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Centre by bus

There is also a bus option to get from Kansai airport to Osaka city centre. This service is known as the ‘Limousine Bus Service’ and involves three different bus companies (Hankyu Kanko Bus, Hanshin Bus and the Kansai Airport Transportation Enterprise) working in conjunction and offering regular bus routes to the city centre of Osaka. Buses leave every 30-40 minutes from the airport starting from 6:50 to 23:17 and there is also a late-night bus service that runs every hour from 00:00 to 5:00. Travel time is approximately 60 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

How much does the bus cost from Kansai airport to Osaka city centre?

The cost of an adult (ages 12+) bus ticket from Kansai airport to Osaka city centre is €11.70 (JPY 1,600). A children’s ticket (ages 6-11) costs €5.85 (JPY 800) and infants (ages 1-5) can travel free if they don’t occupy a seat. Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel (cannot be reserved) either from a vending machine by the airport bus stop or the bus ticket counter, found at both Terminals 1 and 2.

Cost

€11.70

Trip Duration

60 minutes

A child ticket is available for children aged between 6 and 11 for €5.85 (JPY 800).

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The Limousine Bus service runs regularly (every 30-40 mins) from 6:50 to 23:17 and then every hour between 00:00 and 5:00.

Where do I get the bus from?

The Limousine bus service departs from both Terminals and the bus stops and ticket counters are on the 1st floor as you exit the arrivals hall. The Terminal 1 bus stop for the Osaka central route departs from bus stop 5 and the Terminal 2 bus stop for the Osaka central route departs from bus stop 1.

Convenience

The Limousine bus service is a convenient and affordable travel option to get from Kansai Osaka airport to Osaka city centre with regular service throughout the day. However depending on the time of day you may experience traffic as you approach the city during peak travel hours, potentially affecting your overall travel time.

Timetables

Kansai Airport Limousine bus service timetable

Kansai Airport Transportation Enterprise bus timetable

Editor’s Note

It should be noted that the Limousine bus service is run in conjunction with three different bus companies (Hankyu Kanko Bus, Hanshin Bus and the Kansai Airport Transportation Enterprise) which may be confusing. All three companies, however, serve the same route to central Osaka and offer the same ticket price.

Useful Tips

The Limousine bus service to central Osaka functions on a first come first serve basis (no ticket reservations are available on this route), so keep that in mind as you may discover that the bus you had planned to take is full and have to wait for the next bus.

The bus tickets for this route are only valid for the same day of purchase.

Each bus passenger is allowed 2 pieces of checked luggage, with a total weight of up to 30kg and not exceeding 2 metres in length.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Osaka. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€120.0

NIGHTTIME

€144.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Osaka airport to the city centre of Osaka?

Osaka has a developed transport system and there are a number of different travel options to get from Kansai airport to the city centre of Osaka. The most convenient and fastest way is to take a Kansai airport taxi, available 24/7. Alternatively, you could also choose a train service (Kansai Airport Rapid Service) that will take you to Osaka station or one of the regular limousine bus services that serve both airport terminals and can transport you to the city centre of Osaka.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Kansai Airport to Osaka?

The average cost of a taxi from Kansai airport to Osaka is about €120 (JPY 16,000). Many taxi companies also offer fixed rate fares but, as that may vary from one provider to the other, if you’re after reliable service every time and guaranteed fixed rate fares, you can book your Kansai airport taxi transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups.

What’s the distance from Kansai airport to the city centre?

Kansai airport has been built on a man made island off the coast of the mainland, and is 50 km from the city centre of Osaka. It is well connected to the city via an expressway (motorway), and the average travel time by taxi is 45 minutes.

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How to get from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Centre by taxi

How much is the taxi fare from Kansai Osaka airport to the city centre?

Cost

€120

Trip Duration

45 minutes

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis at Kansai airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Centre by train

How much does the train cost from Kansai airport to Osaka Central station?

Cost

€8.85

Trip Duration

70 minutes

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The Kansai Airport Rapid Service runs about every 20 mins from 5:50 to 22:00

Where do I get the train from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Centre by bus

How much does the bus cost from Kansai airport to Osaka city centre?

Cost

€11.70

Trip Duration

60 minutes

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The Limousine Bus service runs regularly (every 30-40 mins) from 6:50 to 23:17 and then every hour between 00:00 and 5:00.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

Kansai Airport Limousine bus service timetable

Kansai Airport Transportation Enterprise bus timetable

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Osaka airport to the city centre of Osaka?

What’s the cost of a taxi from Kansai Airport to Osaka?

What’s the distance from Kansai airport to the city centre?

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The best way to arrive in Osaka

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