How to get a limousine bus at Kansai Airport (KIX)
Are you looking for information regarding limousine bus Kansai Airport (KIX)? As of March 1, 2022, the Japanese government has finally eased coronavirus immigration restrictions. Therefore, those who arrive at Kansai Airport can take public transportation such as train, limousine bus, and taxi now.
Having said that travelers are permitted to use public transportation, some of the bus routes have been suspended under the influence of coronavirus (COVID-19). In this article, I will introduce how to take limousine bus at Kansai International Airport (Terminal1) and bus availability for each lines
Location of limousine bus terminals at Kansai airport
If you fly from abroad, you will arrive at terminal 1 at Kansai airport, except for Peach Aviation. (Peach Aviation is a Japanese LCC flight company).
After finishing immiguration, baggage claim and customs, you will come out to the international arrival lobby on the first floor. There is a North arrival floor and South arrival floor at Kansai International airport.
As of April 7th, 2022, the south gate is closed due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Therefore, all passengers are taking the North gate.
This is the map that shows where the limousine bus stop at Kansai Airport is.
After arriving at international arrival floor, get out of terminal building through either of exit from 1F/A to 1F/G
Once getting out of the building, there is the limousine bus stop.
How to buy a ticket for limousine bus at Kansai airport
There are vending ticket machines at the bus terminal. You can buy a ticket for the bus here. There are ticket counter booths with staff and you also can buy tickets.
Important: There are 4 ticket counters, and you can buy tickets only at a specific ticket booth. For example, you need to buy tickets at No.C booth if you wish to travel to Osaka Station(大阪駅前) , Nankai Namba Station(南海なんば駅)
Details of limousine bus stand
Limousine bus terminal at Kansai International Airport is divided into 12 bus stands depending on the destination and purpose. Here I show you bus stops for main destinations one by one.
Kansai Airport limousine bus for Osaka
As of April 1, 2022, limousine bus to Osaka downtown area is in service
Fare
The fare from Kansai airport to Osaka by limousine bus is 1,600JPY flat. (Only Senri New Town (Momoyamadai) is 2,000JPY.)
Stops and timetable
This is limousine bus stop are as below:
Kansai Airport Terminal2 -> Kansai Airport Terminal1 -> Nankai Namba Station -> Hotel New Hankyu -> Herbis Osaka -> Hilton Osaka -> Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA(Yodobashi Umeda Tower) -> Chayamachi (Hotel Hankyu International) -> Shin-Umeda City (Westin Hotel Osaka) -> Shin-Osaka(Hankyu highway bus terminal) -> Senri New Town (Momoyamadai) -> Senri Chuo
You can check timetable from here:
Limousine bus timetable for Umeda, Namba, Shin-Osaka, Senrichuo
Kansai Airport limousine bus for Kyoto
As of April 1, 2022, limousine bus to Kyoto city area is in service
Fare
The fare from Kansai airport to Kyoto by limousine bus is 2,600JPY flat. (Only Highway Kyotanabe is 2,300JPY.)
Stops and timetable
This is limousine bus stop are as below:
Kansai Airport Terminal2 -> Kansai Airport Terminal1 -> Highway Kyotanabe -> Kyoto Sta. -> Horikawa Gojo -> Shijo Omiya -> Nijo Sta. -> Shijo Karasuma -> Karasuma oike -> Kyoto City Hall -> Sanjo Keihan -> Demachi Yanagi Sta.
You can check timetable from here:
Limousine bus timetable for Kyoto Station/Kyoto city/Highway Kyotanabe. Senrichuo
Kansai Airport limousine bus for Kobe
As of April 1, 2022, limousine bus to Kobe city is in service
Fare
The fare from Kansai airport to Kobe by limousine bus is 2,000JPY. (Only Rokko Island (Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel) is 1,850JPY.)
Stops and timetable
This is limousine bus stop are as below:
Kansai Airport Terminal2 -> Kansai Airport Terminal1 -> Rokko Island (Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel) -> Kobe Sannomiya
You can check timetable from here:
Limousine bus timetable for Kobe Sannomiya/Rokko Island. Senrichuo
Kansai Airport limousine bus for Nara
As of April 1, 2022, limousine buses to Nara are NOT in service. Here I will show you the bus stops and timetable link, but If your destination is Nara, please take the train, taxi or private transfer service.
Fare
The fare from Kansai airport to Nara by limousine bus is 2,100JPY flat.
Stops and timetable
This is limousine bus stop are as below:
Kansai Airport Terminal2 -> Kansai Airport Terminal1 -> Tenri (Ichinomoto) -> Nara Hotel -> Kintetsu Nara Sta. -> JR Nara Sta. -> Nara Prefectural Convention Center
You can check timetable from here:
Limousine bus timetable for Kobe Sannomiya/Rokko Island. Senrichuo
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my credit card to buy a limousine bus ticket?
Yes, you can. But you need to be noted that the vending ticket machine accepts only cash. If you wish to buy a limousine bus ticket with credit, go to the ticket counter booth and buy a ticket from staff there.
How much luggages can I carry on to the limousine bus?
You are allowed to bring 2 suitcases per person, and the total weight needs to be less than 30kg. Total volume must be less than 0.25m³, nor less than 2m in length.
3 Pros
Bus stand is close and easy to find
The limousine bus stand at Kansai Airport is just out of the terminal building, unlike the train station. It is always a worry not to get lost especially when you arrive in a country you have never been to before.
You do not have to carry suitcase
Unlike the train, the limousine bus staff will look after your suitcases. You can be free from heavy luggages and can spend relaxing time on the bus.
Relatively reasonable
Although it is more expensive than the train, the limousine bus is a lot cheaper than taking a taxi or private transfer/chauffeur service. For example, you can travel to Umeda(梅田) with 1,600JPY and Kyoto(京都) with 2,600JPY.
2 Cons
Need to carry luggages by yourself after arriving
The limousine bus only takes you to the bus stop at main spots or train stations. I think the accommodation of most travelers is not walking distance from the bus stop where they are dropped off. This means you need to take a taxi, bus etc after limousine bus. This would be really painful, especially if you are carrying heavy luggages.
Need to spend time in the same space as other people
In the current situation that coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading so fast, we wish not to spend time in closed spaces as much as possible. Although the buses are ventilated and let in fresh air all the time, you cannot avoid the possibility of spending time with an asymptomatic carrier.
Summery
In conclusion, although there are some cons such as you need to carry luggages after arriving at the bus stop, limousine buses are comfortable and relatively reasonable. If your destination is not far from the bus stop, taking a limousine bus can be the first choice of how to get from Kansai airport to the city!
However, if it is too hassle to travel by yourself after getting off from limousine bus stop, you can take taxi, or private transfer service including us, Kens Osaka Taxi
Thanks for reading and I hope this article helps you.
