How to get to Kyoto

Kyoto does not have an airport, but is served by the Kansai International Airport. To reach Kyoto from the airport there are various means of transport.
If you are in Tokyo, the most convenient means of transport is the Shinkansen, the high-speed train that connects Tokyo and Kyoto stations in 2 hours and 15 minutes. If you have a Japan Rail Pass you can use this train (except for the NOZOMI Shinkansen), otherwise a single ticket costs more than 13000 Yen. An alternative way to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto is by night bus. Below I will list the means of getting to Kyoto from Kansai International Airport.

Sui-setz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

JR Haruka Limited Express

(from 2200 Yen – 85 minutes)

This train connects the airport with Kyoto Station in about 85 minutes. The cost of the Haruka One-way Ticket with a reserved seat is 2200 Yen.

To save some money you can buy the Kansai Area Pass which costs from 2800 Yen (1 day) to 7000 Yen (4 days) and includes this train (non-reserved seats only).
The train leaves from the airport station every 30 minutes and stops at Tennoji, Osaka, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto stations.

Haruka One-way Ticket
Informazioni sul “Kansai Area Pass”

JRW 281 Haruka 201200913

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JR Kansai Airport Rapid

(1910 Yen – 115 minutes)

The train connects the airport to Tennoji or Osaka Station (depending on the timetable). If the train arrives at Tennoji you will have to take the Osaka circular line and get off at Osaka Station and then take the train to Kyoto.
The ticket costs 1910 Yen to Kyoto.

JRW223-0

Kawaguchi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nankai Rap:t + Metro + JR Kyoto Line

(2310 Yen)

The train connects the airport to Namba (Osaka) station. The cost of the ticket is 1490 Yen. From here you will have to take the underground to Umeda (240 Yen) and then take the train to Kyoto (580 Yen).

This solution is not very convenient for getting to Kyoto.

Nankai Rapit at Namba

挪威 企鵝, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nankai Airport Express + Metro + Hankyu Railways

(1820 Yen – 120 minutes)

Prendete il treno fino a Tengachaya Station (970 Yen) e poi prendete la metropolitana (linea Sikaisuji – 460 Yen) fino ad Awaji. Da qui prendete il treno della Hankyu fino alla stazione Kawaramachi a Kyoto, nel quartiere Gion (390 Yen).

Hankyu 2313 IMG 0004 20121202

Ogiyoshisan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nankai Airport Express + Metropolitana + Keihan Railways

(1640 Yen – 120 minutes)

Take the train to Tengachaya Station (970 Yen) and then take the underground (Sikaisuji line – 240 Yen) to Kitahama. From here take the Keihan train to Gion-Shijo in Kyoto (430 Yen).

Keihan Electric Railway - Series 6000 - 01

JKT-c, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Limousine Bus

(2800 Yen – 100 minutes)

The limousine bus connects the airport with Kyoto in about 100 minutes and costs 2800 yen.

Osaka Airport Limousine

Osaka Airport Transport Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Ace 3380

KishujiRapid, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Taxi

(from 20000 Yen – from 90 minutes)

Definitely not recommended given the high price of the ride.

MK Taxi

Taxis driving by

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