JR Haruka! Kyoto to Kansai airport train that I took + COST 🚊 JR Haruka to KIX ✈ Japan travel blog

Hi there!

The Osaka / Kansai region can serve as a nice base with a good number of things to do…

Including many things to do with a few days in Kyoto! (See how to spend 1 day, 2 days, and 5 days in Kyoto.)

The other major city near this airport is Osaka, and you can take the JR Haruka train from Osaka to Kansai Airport too.

Osaka is slightly closer to the airport than Kyoto.

Is it easy to get to Kansai Airport from Kyoto by train?!

Yes, it can be pretty easy to get from Kyoto to Kansai Airport by train!

There is the JR Haruka train that you can get on at Kyoto Station, and then get off at Kansai Airport.

So it can make for a pretty simple last leg of journey before flying out.

This is one of the most convenient ways to get to the airport by train from Kyoto.

The one part that might be confusing is in buying the train ticket (because you need 2 tickets, actually), but more on that below.

👆 There are JR Haruka Hello Kitty trains that go from Kyoto to Kansai Airport!

How frequent are the train timings?

The JR Haruka limited express train generally departs from Kyoto Station every half hour, so the train timings can be pretty convenient too.

More below about what you can expect on a train ride to Kansai airport from Kyoto Station!

🗾

Now…

Here’s a bit of what your train journey from Kyoto to KIX airport might be like!

Arrive at Kyoto Station

Head on over to the ticket machines

You’ll be able to buy JR Haruka train tickets at the normal ticket machines.

Buy your train ticket!

You’ll basically just follow the prompts on the screen.

You can switch over to the English language option.

If you are buying a ticket for more than one person, you can select how many adults and children you are buying tickets for.

The default is 1 person, so if you’re only buying a ticket for yourself, you don’t need to bother with this part.

So at the main screen, you will look for the “limited express” option and continue to follow the prompts.

You’ll first click for a train bound for Kansai Airport, and then you’ll be asked which train station on this line you want to get off at.

So in both cases, you’ll choose the airport.

And then…

Here is where you need to buy 2 tickets!

You want to choose the option to buy BOTH the limited express ticket AND the fare ticket.

And then you’ll be provided with the train ticket fare.

And then you’ll pay that amount below!

If you don’t have exact change, change will be provided.

And out comes your tickets!

There will be 2 tickets that come out.

If you do this wrong and you don’t buy the limited express ticket, do not stress.

If you have at least one ticket to get you through the ticket gate, then you will be able to get through the gate and board the JR Haruka train.

Then, when someone comes around and checks your ticket, if they see you have not paid enough, you can pay at that time. It is not a big deal at all!

How much is a train ticket from Kyoto to Kansai Airport?

So the total cost of a train ticket from Kyoto Station to Kansai airport on the JR Haruka limited express train is 2,850 yen (US$25). (Or this is how much I paid in April 2019 anyway.)

Other notes…

You can only buy non-reserved seating tickets on the ticket machine

The JR Haruka has both reserved seats and non-reserved seats.

The tickets you buy at the ticket machine will provide you with non-reserved tickets.

If you’re not traveling during peak times, you will likely be okay with non-reserved seating.

The bonus is that Kyoto Station is where this train originates, so there’s an even better chance that you’re likely to end up with a seat.

But, if it makes you feel better to have reserved seating and you know the train time you want to take based on your flight time, you can get reserved tickets at the Kyoto Station JR office.

This is located right next to the ticket machines.

Sometimes, there is a long line at the JR office, so you may not want to wait until the last minute.

It is possible to buy reserved seating tickets days in advance.

If you buy non-reserved tickets at the ticket machine, that is for DAY OF travel. So don’t buy in advance!

Can you use a JR pass to take the Haruka train?

Yes, the JR pass is good for the Haruka airport train which means you can completely skip buying any tickets at all!

Okay, so you have your JR Haruka train ticket in hand (or your JR pass)…

Head over to the platform that the Haruka train departs from!

If you have train tickets, you’ll insert the 2 tickets together that you just bought at the same time.

And then they will come out of the other end, and you need to grab them.

Once you’re through the gate (or you could do this before you go through the gate), you can confirm the train timings, and what platform you need to go to.

Although for figuring out which direction the JR Haruka platform is can be as simple as following the signs!

And maybe you’ll want one last meal in Japan – a train station bento box?!

You’ll see this on your way to the train.

Food and drinks no problem on the train.

Or you’ll see a 7-eleven convenience store kiosk too right before you get on the train for some quick snacks and drinks.

So now you’ve arrived at the platform…

You can do a quick check to confirm this is the airport train!

And then board the train according to which seating your ticket is!

Green car…

Reserved seating…

Seats in reserved cars and non-reserved cars are the same.

Non-reserved seating…

Luggage storage in the JR Haruka train?

As an airport train, there are dedicated sections to store your suitcase or big backpack.

There’s also a luggage rack above your seat that you can use for smaller items too.

Toilet

There is a toilet on the train.

And then soon…

Off you go to Kansai Airport!

aka a man-made island!

At some point, someone will come around to check tickets, so be sure to have them handy!

Arrival at Kansai Airport KIX!

And once again…

Follow the signs!

First to leave the train area…

There are stairs, escalators, and elevators.

Then you’ll come to exit the airport train station…

And then either show your JR pass over to the side, or place your 2 tickets into the machine.

This time, no tickets will come out at the other end – you’re done!

And then next, follow the signs to catch your flight!

HAPPY TRAIN RIDE FROM KYOTO TO KANSAI AIRPORT!

Traveling around Japan and can't read Japanese? No problem! Just use the camera on the google translate app!

Is a JR pass worth it?!

• Google maps can make it easy to figure out whether or not you should get a JR pass!
• In google maps, type in your departure and arrival city, and choose the transit icon. The route will come up, and so will the estimated cost at the bottom!
• Here is an example of a train route with cost on google maps.
• So do that for all of your long distance routes to figure out how much it might cost.
• Next, go here to see how much a JR pass costs from an official JR pass vendor (and partner of this website).
• And compare!
• Not all forms of public transportation are JR, but long distance shinkansen bullet trains are, and that's where the most cost savings will come.

Best of Kyoto (and Japan!)

• Best temples to visit in Kyoto
• Japanese gardens in Kyoto

👇 Explore the best places to visit in Japan!




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