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

Name: Airport Transfer (Haruka Express) from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Osaka
Brand: Japan Experience
SKU: RLT-KIX-OSA
Price: 2410 JPY
Availability: OnlineOnly

27 Number
of daily departures

0h45 Shortest
travel duration

$16 Our best
available price

07:37 / 21:44 Earliest / Latest
departure time

Getting from Kansai International Airport to Osaka by Train

Kansai International Airport (abbreviated to KIX) is located in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture. It services the greater Kansai area. From the airport, access to a number of destinations and major cities like Osaka and Kyoto is made easy thanks to the Haruka Express Train on the Kansai Airport Line! The train departs from Terminal 1 with a final destination of Kyoto Station. On the way, the train goes through the city of Osaka, and to the city center, the journey only takes around 45 minutes.

The Haruka Express stops at a number of different stations within the Osaka metropolitan area, and disembarking from the train at the namesake Osaka Station isn’t the only option for visitors going to the city. While this is a great stop to get off at for access to central Osaka, the Haruka Express Train also makes stops at other prominent stations in the city, such as Tennoji Station on the other end of the Osaka Loop Line, as well as Shin-Osaka Station. On this page, tickets for the Haruka Express Train airport transfer service can be booked to best fit your travel schedule. If you wish to stop at one of these other stations, please change the destination in the ticket selector above before clicking on “Search.”

More information about your transfer to Osaka

The Haruka Express Train from Kansai International Airport takes travelers right to the heart of Osaka, the largest city in the Kansai Region with a population of almost 3 million people. This is a city known for its eclectic environment,whicht is simultaneously rich in culture and history. For many, the iconic neighborhoods of Dotonbori and Shinsekai provide a scene that is distinctive to urban Japan: dense streets with shops and small eateries lining up and down and bright signs that illuminate the night. For some insight into the Japan of the past, Osaka Castle and the Mozu Tombs are must-visit attractions. Additionally, Taro Okamoto’s famous “Tower of the Sun” finds its home in Osaka, originally created in 1985 for the World’s Fair that took place in the city at that time. With the World’s Fair returning to Osaka in 2025, a commemorative visit is well worth your time!

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

The Haruka Limited Expres Train on the Kansai Airport Line is an essential line, not just for travelers, but fort residents of Kansai as well, as it serves as the main means of going to and from the airport for most locales in Kansai. The train itself departs from Terminal 1 in Kansai International Airport and goes out all the way to Kyoto, stopping at a number of stations within Osaka Prefecture and the Osaka City metropolitan area.

These stops include Tennoj Station, Osaka Station, and Shin-Osaka Station. Tennoji Station is surrounded by a retro environment and attractions that go back much farther into Japan’s history. On the other end of the Osaka Loop Line, Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station, only one stop away from each other, are in a commercial center of the city with large skyscrapers and shopping complexes all around.

More information about the Haruka Express, Osaka Station, and Kansai International Airport

Out to central Osaka takes around 45 minutes, depending on the stop, but to go all the way from KIX to Kyoto takes around one hour and 15 minutes. To get to other destinations in Kansai, such as Nara and Himeji, the Haruka Limited Express can be ridden to certain stations in order to make transfers.

Each train on the Haruka Express has six to nine cars, with the option of a higher-end Green Car with upgraded amenities, such as further reclining charis and more leg room as compared to ordinary train cars. There is often a mix of reserved and non-reserved seating. We strongly recommend booking tickets for reserved seats during peak travel times to assure a comfortable journey from the airport, especially after a long flight!

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 Osaka Station

Osaka Station is located in a central commercial area of Osaka known as Umeda, and in fact, both Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station (built in 1964 to service the newly built Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkasen) are nearby Umeda Station. Osaka Station is a major stop on the famous Osaka Loop Line, making it easily accessible by train. The Haruka Express stops at Osaka Station on the way to Kyotot from Kansai International Airport. Other trains that go to and from Osaka Station include the Thunderbird Limited Express Train and Super Hakuto Limited Express Train.

Reminder: you can also decide to stop at Tennoji Station or Shin-Osaka Station via the Haruka Express

Why book your airport transfer tickets with Japan Experience?

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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 the conditions

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.

Modification and Cancelation

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.

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 Osaka Station, Tennoji Station, or Shin-Osaka 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 Limited Express trains such as the Haruka Express, with different levels of accommodation. The Ordinary Car is the most general seating option, but Japanese trains are, by default, more luxurious than other types of trains you may be used to. 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 leg room. All seats in these cars need a reservation.

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.