Airport Transfer (Haruka Express) from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Kyoto

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Adults (+12yo)

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*the price displayed is for dedicated seats; children under 6 and babies can be seated on adults'lap free of charge.

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30 Number
of daily departures

1h15 Shortest
travel duration

$21 Our best
available price

06:31 / 22:16 Earliest / Latest
departure time

Getting from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto by Train

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is situated in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture and serves the greater Kansai region. The Kansai Airport Line's Haruka Express Train makes it simple to travel from the airport to a variety of locations and large cities like Osaka and Kyoto! The train leaves from Terminal 1, travels through the central metropolitan region and Osaka Prefecture before arriving at Kyoto Station. From Kyoto Station, transfers to other notable destinations in Kyoto Prefecture, such as Uji and Saga-Arashiyama can be made using the city's conventional lines.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TRANSFER TO KYOTO

The Haruka Express Train from Kansai International Airport takes travelers right to the heart of Kyoto, the ancient city that served as the capital of Japan up until the Meiji Period. This is the second most-visited city in all of Japan, home to some of the most noteworthy UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. Alongside these historic sites, a modern approach and appreciation for art and culture also live in Kyoto.

Note: Kansai International Airport is a major international gateway to Japan, serving as the primary airport for travelers arriving in Kansai. As such, booking your Haruka Express transfer in advance is recommended to secure your seats, especially during peak travel periods, and save time at the airport.

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Train information

Since it is the primary route for most Kansai residents to get to and from the airport, the Haruka Limited Express Train on the Kansai Airport Line is crucial not only for tourists but also for locals. Starting from Kansai International Airport's Terminal 1, the train travels all the way to Kyoto, making stops at various stations in Osaka Prefecture and the Osaka City metropolitan area.

Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station, and Tennoj Station are some of these stops. The surroundings of Tennoji Station are vintage, with landmarks dating considerably further back in Japanese history. Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station, located on opposite ends of the Osaka Loop Line and just a single stop apart, are situated in the city's business district, surrounded by massive buildings and retail centers.

Depending on the stop, the ride to central Osaka takes about 45 minutes, but the entire trip from KIX to Kyoto takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Ride the Haruka Limited Express to specific stations and make connections to other Kansai destinations, like Himeji and Nara. Local lines from Kyoto Station go to other noteworthy places in the larger Kyoto Prefecture, such as Arashiyama and Uji.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HARUKA EXPRESS, KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND OSAKA STATION

The Haruka Express offers trains with six to nine cars each, with the option of upgrading to a higher-end Green Car, which has more legroom and more reclining seats than other train cars. A combination of reserved and open seating is common. Especially after a lengthy flight, we highly advise purchasing tickets for reserved seats during busy travel periods to ensure a comfortable trip from the airport!

How to get to Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport is located in Osaka Prefecture, a bit outside of Osaka City. The Haruka Express departs from Terminal 1, the main terminal for international departures and arrivals. The same train can be ridden from parts of Osaka and Kyoto to return to the airport.

Where to go from Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station is the main transportation hub in Kyoto, a crosspoint for a number of different train lines to other parts of the prefecture as well as buses that go to varying locations throughout the city. Local JR train lines include the Biwako Main Line, JR Kyoto Line, Sagano Line, and Nara Line. Kyoto Station is also a major stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Kintetsu Railways and the Kyoto Munipal Subway also operate out of Kyoto Station.

Why book your airport transfer tickets with Japan Experience?

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Our train tickets are issued through an official partnership with the National Japan Railways Group (JR).

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How to Book and Exchange Haruka Express Train Tickets?

When you buy your train tickets through Japan Experience, you'll receive a QR code via email. This QR code can be easily accessed and scanned at the machines located at JR Stations in Japan. Once you scan the QR code, your tickets will be issued to you, and you'll also have the option to get a receipt. Whether you're arriving at the airport or a major station in the city, you can find more information below about ticket fares and how to exchange your train tickets. Along with your QR code, you'll also receive a detailed user guide that will help you navigate the simple and efficient process of obtaining your physical train tickets in Japan.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AIRPORT TRANSFER TICKETS CONDITIONS

You can find the conditions of modification and cancellation of our train tickets in our “Frequently Asked Questions” section at the bottom of the page.

Is there a special airport transfer service ticket fare for children?

Yes, there are special fares applicable for children to board the Haruka Express Ttrain. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced child fare (except for Green Class). Children under the age of 6 travel for free (except for Green Class). This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare to ride aboard the Haruka Express airport transfer.

Eligibility

All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions of residence status or nationality, are eligible to buy individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply.

Validity of Haruka Express train tickets

Haruka Express airport transfer service tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking, from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto Station.

Frequently Asked Questions about Airport Transfers

Modification and Cancellation

Order cancellation

Customers have up to 3 working days prior to their departure date to cancel their train ticket orders as long as they have not scanned the corresponding QR code and exchanged for their physical train tickets. A 15% cancellation fee will be charged, and the QR code will be instantly deactivated upon order cancellation. Cancellation of only a portion of the booking is not possible.

For train ticket orders that have already had the corresponding QR code scanned and where the tickets have been received, or orders in less than 3 working days before departure, orders may be canceled at JR Station offices in the departure city up to 10 minutes before your train departure.

JR staff will refund you, in cash, in yen (¥):

Up to 2 days before departure: the price of the ticket minus 560¥ as cancellation fees.

From 1 day before to 10 min before departure: the price of the "normal fare" ticket minus 220¥ and 70% of the "limited express" ticket. To sum up, in that case, you will receive a cancellation refund of around 70% of your initial order, given that Japan Experience service fee and currency exchange rate difference cannot be refunded.

Past the day and time of departure, refunds cannot be issued, regardless if the corresponding QR code has been used or not, and regardless if customers have received their physical tickets or not. Note that, however, if you missed the departure train of the time, you can still board the next trains within the next hour, in non-reserved seats.

- If your train is delayed more than 2 hours, then:

If you decide not to use your train tickets to travel to your destination, you can claim a full refund for them by contacting us here or by email at contact@japanexperience.com with your order number and photos of all your tickets (if you have already used your QR code to print your tickets at the machine, if not, no photos are required)

If you were able to take your delayed train to your destination, you can go to the JR counter at your destination with your tickets and request a partial refund (around 85% of the initial ticket price, depending on the current exchange rate). The refund will be made in cash.

If you still plan to travel to your destination, you can go to a JR desk to modify your tickets free of charge. You can change your tickets to a train at a later time or date, but cannot claim for any compensation

- If your train is canceled, then:

These cancellation conditions still apply after one modification, according to the modification conditions below.

Order modification

If you want to modify:

Departure time on the same day OR seat for another seat except luggage seat:

Japan Experience can modify one time, free of charge, your booking if the corresponding QR code has not been used AND if it is NOT within 3 working days of the departure date.

You will then be sent a new QR code to use at JR stations to exchange for your new tickets.

Otherwise, you will need to go to JR station machines to exchange your QR code to receive your tickets and then change the departure time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to your train departure.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information.

Departure date, route, seat for luggage seat, number of seats in the booking:

Japan Experience cannot modify your booking. You will need to go to JR station machines to exchange QR code to receive your tickets and change time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to departure. There may be a difference in fare to be paid on the spot.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information.

If you have made a mistake in your departure date or number of seats, you have to make a new booking online. Japan Experience will allow you to cancel your previous order free of charge. Kindly note that modifications for the new issued tickets won't be possible.

There are different types of carriages on the Shinkansen, with different levels of accommodation. The Ordinary Car is the most general seating option, but Shinkansen bullet trains are, by default, more luxurious than other types of trains due to them being built for long-distance travel. These accommodations include reclinable chairs, overhead storage, hooks for outerwear, deployable trays, and electrical outlets.
The Green Car is the next step up in luxury from the ordinary car, featuring even deeper reclining chairs and more legroom. All seats in these cars need a reservation. The oversized luggage area is also included with a seat on the Green Car.
The Gran Class Car is much like the Green Car but with even more elevated accommodations. Seats are formatted 2x1, optimizing room, and often, snacks and refreshments are included. Gran Class cars exist only on JR East lines, such as Tokyo <-> Nagano and Tokyo <-> Kanazawa.

With over 40 years of dedicated experience dealing specifically with Japan travel and tourism, you can rest assured that we will have the best knowledge and familiarity with getting around the country. Our train tickets are acquired through an official partnership with JR West. We also offer reliable and expert assistance thanks to our onsite team in Japan, flexible modification options, and a fully digital booking experience with no hidden fees.