Kansai International Airport (KIX) is a major airport located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, approximately 75 kilometers from Kyoto.
As the busiest and largest airport in Western Japan, Kansai International Airport is a hub for the Kansai region, including major cities like Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, and Kobe.
Opened in 1994, the airport sits on an artificial island, 5 kilometers offshore from the mainland. The airport’s planners chose its location to meet the increasing air traffic demands of the Kansai region and reduce congestion at Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport.
Kansai International Airport has two terminals. Domestic and international airlines operate from Terminal 1, while low-cost carriers use Terminal 2. A free shuttle bus connects the terminals.
Airlines at Terminal 1 include Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), Jetstar Japan, and international carriers such as Air France, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. Terminal 2 airlines include Peach Aviation, Spring Airlines, Jeju Air, Jetstar, and Cebu Pacific.
The airport offers a many amenities, including shopping and dining, ATMs and currency exchange, luggage services, lounges, shower and bathing facilities, on-site hotels, and more.
The airport offers several transportation options to Kyoto, including JR (Japan Railways) trains from Kansai Airport Station, located near Terminal 1. While there are many train options to Osaka, only a few are practical for reaching Kyoto.
The JR Haruka Limited Express provides direct service to Kyoto with brief stops at Shin-Osaka and Osaka Station. Another option is the Kansai Airport Rapid Service, which goes to Osaka, where you’ll need to transfer to a JR Special Rapid Service or another train to reach Kyoto.
In addition to trains, passengers can find buses and taxis at the airport to reach Kyoto.