Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto and Nara: Train, Bus or via Osaka

Kyoto and Nara have no airport: you start at Kansai Airport (KIX)

Neither Kyoto nor Nara has an airport, so you reach both by train or bus from Kansai Airport (KIX). When you book, check which airport is on your ticket and make sure it says Kansai Airport (KIX).

According to our guides, you can reach Kyoto Station from Kansai Airport with no change on a limited express train (about 1 hr 20 min) or by airport limousine bus (about 1 hr 30 min). For Nara, the airport limousine bus run by Nara Kotsu goes to JR Nara Station with no change (about 100–120 min).

You can also travel via central Osaka. It means more changes, but it suits you if you are visiting Osaka too, or if you want to arrive at Kintetsu-Nara Station, close to Nara Park. Below are the times and fares for each option and when going via Osaka makes sense. Always recheck fares and timetables with official transport information.

• Full Kyoto travel guide →
• Full Nara travel guide →

Kansai Airport to Kyoto: limited express or limousine bus

The easiest way is the limited express train from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station with no change. It takes about 1 hr 20 min and costs about 2,000-3,600 yen, depending on the ticket. Check official information for discount tickets for visitors. Our Osaka guide notes that the JR Limited Express Haruka runs to Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto.

With a lot of luggage, the airport limousine bus is another option: about 1 hr 30 min to Kyoto Station for about 2,500-3,000 yen. It is handy with bags, but traffic can cause delays.

Both options arrive at Kyoto Station, where airport trains, buses and railways all meet, making it the easiest base for getting around. If you are staying around Shijo or Karasuma Oike, continue on the subway Karasuma Line; for outer sights such as Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama and Uji, JR and private railways are faster than buses.

Kansai Airport to Nara: the limousine bus with no change

To go straight to Nara, take the airport limousine bus run by Nara Kotsu. It reaches JR Nara Station with no change in about 100–120 min. The one-way fare is JPY 2,400 for adults and JPY 1,200 for children.

Tickets from Kansai Airport to Nara are sold at the airport. Check the timetable on Nara Kotsu's official page.

The Nara City Tourist Information Center in front of JR Nara Station's East Exit offers temporary baggage storage. Nara Park is about 20 minutes' walk from JR Nara Station, and the Nara Kotsu Loop Bus runs frequently from JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara stations to Nara Park and the main sights. The Bus 1-Day Pass is JPY 600 for adults and JPY 300 for children, per Nara Kotsu's English page.

When going via Osaka makes sense

Kyoto: ride from Kansai Airport into central Osaka, then change to a private railway for Kyoto. It takes about 1 hr 40 min-2 hr, and fares vary by route, so check official fares. There are more changes, but it is convenient if you are also visiting Osaka. Lines to Kyoto leave from different Osaka stations (Umeda, Namba, etc.), so check yours in advance.

Nara by Kintetsu: the Nankai Airport Line takes about 35-50 min from Kansai Airport to Namba. The Rapi:t limited express has reserved seats and adds a limited express charge; the Airport Express is cheaper. From Osaka Namba, a Kintetsu train runs through to Kintetsu-Nara in about 40 min. Kintetsu-Nara Station is about 8 minutes on foot from Nara Park and about 15 minutes from Todai-ji and Isuien, so you can start sightseeing on foot right away.

Nara by JR: go from Kansai Airport to Tennoji on the JR Limited Express Haruka (about 30-50 min to Tennoji or Shin-Osaka, about 1,800-2,500 yen for non-reserved seats) or the JR Kansai Airport Rapid with no surcharge (about 50-70 min). Then change to the JR Yamatoji Rapid: about 36 minutes to JR Nara Station, or about 50 minutes if you board at Osaka Station. Check JR West's official information for the airport-to-Tennoji leg.

Visiting both Kyoto and Nara

Kyoto and Nara are linked by train: about 35 minutes from Kintetsu Kyoto Station to Kintetsu-Nara by limited express (surcharge needed), or about 45 minutes from JR Kyoto Station on the JR Miyakoji Rapid. There is no bus running straight between Nara and Osaka or Kyoto.

So the simplest plan is to enter one city from the airport and move to the second by train. Starting with Kyoto, take the limited express or the limousine bus to Kyoto Station; starting with Nara, take the limousine bus to JR Nara Station.

On your departure day, Kansai Airport's international departure halls get busy, so arrive 2-3 hours before your flight. Check official transport information for travel times and timetables from Kyoto or Nara to the airport.

At a glance

All times are approximate, as given in our guides. Where the fare says 'check official fares', look it up with the railway company.

• Kyoto, limited express: Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station, no change, about 1 hr 20 min, about 2,000-3,600 yen depending on the ticket
• Kyoto, airport limousine bus: Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station, about 1 hr 30 min, about 2,500-3,000 yen, traffic can cause delays
• Kyoto, trains via Osaka: change to a private railway in central Osaka, about 1 hr 40 min-2 hr, check official fares
• Nara, airport limousine bus (Nara Kotsu): Kansai Airport to JR Nara Station, no change, about 100–120 min, JPY 2,400 adult / JPY 1,200 child one way
• Nara, Kintetsu via Osaka: Nankai Airport Line to Namba (about 35-50 min), then Osaka Namba to Kintetsu-Nara about 40 min, check official fares, about 8 minutes' walk to Nara Park
• Nara, JR via Osaka: Haruka or Kansai Airport Rapid to Tennoji, then Yamatoji Rapid about 36 min, check official fares, about 20 minutes' walk to Nara Park
• Kyoto to Nara: Kintetsu limited express about 35 min (surcharge needed) or JR Miyakoji Rapid about 45 min; no bus between them

Arrival-day checklist

Sort out these few things and your first day from Kansai Airport to Kyoto or Nara goes smoothly.

• Check that the arrival airport on your ticket is Kansai Airport (KIX)
• Get an IC card (ICOCA and others): it works on trains, subways, buses and at convenience stores, and most Japanese IC cards can be used
• Carry some yen in cash: some small shops and temple ticket counters are cash only, and Kofuku-ji in Nara takes cash only
• Buy the Nara limousine bus ticket at the airport and check the timetable on Nara Kotsu's official page
• If you stay in Kyoto, a separate accommodation tax applies; check your booking and official information for the amount
• Check official Japanese government information on entry procedures before you travel

• Full Kyoto travel guide →
• Full Nara travel guide →
• Incheon → Osaka (Kansai) flights →

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