Arriving in Kyoto

Closest International Airport
Other International Airports
Kansai International Airport
Osaka Itami Airport
Tokyo Narita Airport
Central Japan Airport (Centrair)
Fukuoka Airport
Shuttle Taxi
JR Haruka Airport Express Train
Airport Limousine Bus
Shinkansen

Kyoto is located near the centre of Japan and the legendary transport network makes it easily accessible from all international gateways. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is just over one hour away from Kyoto. Flight times to US West Coast and European destinations take just eleven hours, while Australia and Asia are even closer. Click on the table below to plan your route.



Closest International Airport

Kansai International Airport (KIX)
JR Haruka Airport Express Train
to Kyoto Station
75 min JPY 2980
Shuttle Taxi
to your hotel
95 min JPY 3500
Limousine Bus
to Kyoto Station
95 min JPY 2300


Other airports

Osaka Itami Airport (ITM)
Shuttle Taxi
to your hotel
55 min JPY 2300
Limousine Bus
to Kyoto Station
55 min JPY 1280
Tokyo (Narita International Airport) (NRT)
NEX &
Shinkansen
60 min &
2 hr 15 min
JPY 2,940
JPY 13,220
Nagoya (Central Japan International Airport) (NGO)
Meitetsu &
Shinkansen
28 min &
36 min
JPY 850 &
JPY 5,640
Fukuoka (Fukuoka Airport) (FUK)
Shinkansen 2 hr 44 min JPY 15,410
Correct as of January 2008

From other cities

JNTO gives useful advice on travel in Japan including an online route finder for the railways at this page:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/transportation/index.html
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Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Kansai International Airport, located slightly over an hour away from Kyoto, is the most-used international airport in Japan after Tokyo. Transfer from here to Kyoto station on the JR Haruka express train, direct to your hotel in a shuttle taxi, or take a limousine bus to the centre of the city.

Further information:
Kansai International Airport
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/index.asp
JR Haruka Airport Express Train
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/kix/index.html
MK Taxi Skygate Shuttle
http://www.mk-group.co.jp/english/index.html
Yasaka Airport Shuttle
http://www.yasaka.jp/taxi/shuttle-e/index.html
Kansai International Airport Limousine Bus
http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/english/english.html
Osaka Airport Transport Company Limited (Kansai & Itami Airports)
http://www.okkbus.co.jp/eng/index.html
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Osaka Itami Airport (ITM)

Flights from airports in the Tokyo area, including Narita and Haneda, arrive at Itami airport about once an hour. From Itami airport, relax in a shuttle taxi to your hotel or a limousine bus to Kyoto station

Further information:
Osaka Itami Airport (Japanese Only)
http://www.osaka-airport.co.jp/
MK Taxi Skygate Shuttle
http://www.mk-group.co.jp/english/index.html
Osaka Airport Transport Company Limited (Kansai & Itami Airports)
http://www.okkbus.co.jp/eng/index.html
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New Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)

If you arrive at New Tokyo International Airport (Narita) you have the option of travelling over land or by air to the Kyoto area. The Narita Express (NEX) train from Narita Airport takes about one hour to arrive at Tokyo station, where the famous Shinkansen (bullet train) departs. The Shinkansen ride to Kyoto Station is just 2 hours and 15 minutes. Flights from Narita to Itami airport are approximately one hour long.

Narita International Airport
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/
Narita Express
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/index.html
Shinkansen
http://www.japanrail.com/JR_hyperdia.html
Haneda Airport
http://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/fl/english/
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Central Japan International Airport (Centrair) (NGO)

Centrair is the newest international airport in Japan that opened in 2005. It is a swift 28 minutes to central Nagoya. Access onwards from Nagoya to Kyoto is 36 minutes, just one stop on the Shinkansen bullet train.

Centrair
http://www.centrair.jp/en/
Shinkansen
http://www.japanrail.com/JR_hyperdia.html
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Fukuoka Airport (FUK)

Take the subway to Hakata Station (11 minutes), and transfer to the famous Shinkansen (bullet train). The Shinkansen arrives at Kyoto Station in less than three hours.

Fukuoka Airport
http://www.fuk-ab.co.jp/english/frame_index.html
Shinkansen
http://www.japanrail.com/JR_hyperdia.html
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Shuttle Taxi

Travellers arriving off long-haul flights with heavy baggage are always happy to see the uniformed shuttle taxi driver who will take the weight from your back and guide you to your hotel door. The taxi takes you to any address in Kyoto that you request be it hotel, meeting venue or anywhere. You share the taxi with up to nine passengers to similar destinations. Your Japan bound journey can be booked with a credit card via the company website. Homeward bound journeys can be booked from your hotel room. The taxi journey takes a little over an hour depending upon traffic conditions and the location of your hotel. Services run between Kansai International Airport & Itami Airport, and Kyoto.

Further information:

MK Taxi Skygate Shuttle (Kansai + Itami)
http://www.mk-group.co.jp/english/index.html
Yasaka Airport Shuttle (Kansai only)
http://www.yasaka.jp/taxi/shuttle-e/index.html
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JR Haruka Airport Express Train

The JR Haruka express train takes just a little over an hour to arrive at Kyoto Station from the Kansai International Airport. The train is speedy and quiet, features wide and comfortable seats, and provides plenty of luggage stowage space. Destinations are announced in both Japanese and English.

Further information:

JR Haruka Airport Express Train
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/kix/index.html
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Airport Limousine Bus

There are excellent limousine express bus services from both Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Itami Airport to Kyoto Station. The journey to Kyoto Station from KIX takes about 105 minutes, and from Itami about 55 minutes depending on traffic. The buses have ample luggage space, all announcements are made in English, and you can reserve a seat or just take the next departure.

Further information:

Kansai International Airport Limousine Bus
http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/english/english.html
Osaka Airport Transport Company Limited (Kansai & Itami Airports)
http://www.okkbus.co.jp/eng/index.html
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Shinkansen

Riding the Shinkansen bullet train is more than travel, it is part of the Japan experience. The 510km (320 mile) route from Tokyo to Kyoto is covered in a breathtaking two and quarter hours. The journey shows you excellent views of Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, and the Pacific coastline. Nagoya is even closer, just one stop 36 minutes from Kyoto. Arrivals from the Fukuoka Airport reach Kyoto via Hakata station in less than three hours.

Further information:

JR Shinkansen Timetable
http://www.japanrail.com/JR_hyperdia.html
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