Many people wonder about the best way to get to Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport). There are several public transportation options available, so rather than comparing fares alone, please choose based on the pros and cons of each.

This article introduces ways to get to Itami Airport using public transportation. We’ve researched approximate fares and travel times, so please use this as a reference.

Four public transportation options for getting to Itami Airport

Here are four ways to get to Itami Airport using public transportation.

1. Train

2. Bus

3. Taxi

4. NearMe

To compare options departing from the same location, we’ve researched fares and travel times using Kyoto Station as the reference point. We’ve also summarized the arrival points at Itami Airport and the pros and cons of each option, so please check them below.

1. Train

If traveling by train, get off at Osaka Airport Station, which connects directly to the 2nd floor of Itami Airport’s Central Terminal Building. From Osaka Airport Station, it’s about 200m to the North Terminal Building and about 290m to the South Terminal Building.

Train travel is recommended for those who want to keep costs down, but you’ll need to transfer to the Osaka Monorail to reach Osaka Airport Station. During busy times, you may not be able to get a seat, making this option somewhat less suitable for travelers with a lot of luggage.

Routes you can use

You can travel from Kyoto Station to Osaka Airport Station using the following routes:

・Kyoto (JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid) → Osaka (on foot) → Osaka-Umeda (Hankyu Takarazuka Main Line Express) → Hotarugaike (Osaka Monorail) → Osaka Airport

・Kyoto (JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid) → Takatsuki (on foot) → Takatsukishi (Hankyu Kyoto Main Line) → Minami-Ibaraki (on foot) → Minami-Ibaraki (Osaka Monorail) → Osaka Airport

・Kyoto (Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line) → Shijo (on foot) → Karasuma (Hankyu Kyoto Main Line Rapid Express) → Ibarakishi (Hankyu Kyoto Main Line) → Minami-Ibaraki (on foot) → Minami-Ibaraki (Osaka Monorail) → Osaka Airport

These routes involve a fair amount of walking between transfers, so allow yourself plenty of time.

Approximate fare

Fares vary depending on the route taken.

・Via Osaka-Umeda: ¥1,000

・Via Takatsukishi: ¥1,030

・Via Karasuma: ¥980

Approximate travel time

There’s no significant difference in travel time regardless of which route you choose.

・Via Osaka-Umeda: about 1 hour 7 minutes

・Via Takatsukishi: about 1 hour 7 minutes

・Via Karasuma: about 1 hour 18 minutes

2. Bus

The following types of buses are available to Itami Airport:

・Long-distance buses

・Airport limousine buses

・Short-distance local buses

Regardless of which bus you take, you can travel right up to the front of Itami Airport. If departing from Kyoto Station, the direct bus operated by Osaka Airport Transport Co. (official website) is convenient.

The advantage of taking the bus is that you can sit down for the journey, but you’ll need to be considerate of other passengers. On longer routes, families with small children may find it a bit cramped.

Approximate fare

The fare from Kyoto Station to Itami Airport is ¥1,340.

Approximate travel time

The travel time is about 50 minutes to the South Terminal and about 55 minutes to the North Terminal. Since this depends on traffic conditions, be sure to allow plenty of time to arrive at Itami Airport.

3. Taxi

Itami Airport has taxi drop-off points in front of both the North Terminal and South Terminal. Make sure to get off in front of the terminal you’re using.

The major advantage of taking a taxi is that you can be picked up from a location of your choosing, and unlike trains or buses, you don’t need to worry about other passengers. However, if you’re traveling alone, the fare can be quite high, making it less suitable for those looking to keep costs down.

Approximate fare

Taking a taxi from Kyoto Station to Itami Airport costs approximately ¥14,500, including highway tolls. The distance is about 42.8km.

Approximate travel time

The travel time from Kyoto Station to Itami Airport is approximately 44 minutes.

4. NearMe

NearMe (official website) is a flat-rate service provided by us, NearMe Inc. We offer transport to Itami Airport primarily from areas within Kyoto City.

Just like a taxi, we pick you up from your specified location, so families with large luggage or small children can travel with peace of mind. You can enjoy a comfortable ride at a lower price than a taxi.

Fare

NearMe is a flat-rate service, and the fare to Itami Airport is as follows:

Age	Base Fare
Adult (12 and older)	¥2,980/person
Child (11 and younger)	¥1,490/person

*Children age 5 and under riding on a lap are free of charge.

Approximate travel time

NearMe operates in small groups of up to 6 passengers. If you have no fellow passengers, the travel time is about the same as a bus or taxi (approximately 44–50 minutes). Please note that if you’re sharing the ride with other passengers, travel time may be longer depending on the route.

Comparing each mode of transportation

Let’s compare the public transportation options from Kyoto Station to Itami Airport. Rather than judging based on fare and travel time alone, please choose the method that lets you travel with peace of mind based on your circumstances on the day.

	Fare	Travel Time
Train	¥980	About 1 hour 7 minutes
Bus	¥1,340	About 50 minutes
Taxi	About ¥14,500	About 44 minutes
NearMe	¥2,980	About 44–50 minutes (depending on fellow passengers)

The train is the cheapest option, but it requires multiple transfers and takes longer, making it a burden if you’re traveling with large luggage. If you’d like a comfortable trip to Itami Airport in a small group, please consider NearMe.

NearMe is recommended for getting to Itami Airport

NearMe (official website) has been recognized as the “No. 1 domestic airport transfer service” in brand image surveys, and has also received high marks as a service people would recommend to friends and acquaintances.

Please check out the service’s features and the areas where it’s available below.

Service features

NearMe’s biggest feature is door-to-airport service — we pick you up from your specified location and take you all the way to Itami Airport. Unlike trains or buses, there’s no need to wait for a departure time.

You can use it with confidence even during times when public transportation is infrequent, or for business travel.

Available areas

The following areas are available for use when traveling to Itami Airport:

・Takao area, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City

・Shizuichi Ichiharacho, Nonakacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City / Kurama Ninose / Kurama Honmachi / Kibune / Yase / Ohara

・Okitayama, Kita Ward, Kyoto City

・Uji City

・Joyo City

・Kyotanabe City

・Ide Town

・Seika Town

・Ujitawara Town

・Kizugawa City

There are some excluded areas, but the following areas are also available:

・Ukyo, Sakyo, Kita, Kamigyo, Nakagyo, Shimogyo, Nishikyo, Minami, Higashiyama, Yamashina, and Fushimi Wards, Kyoto City

・Nagaokakyo City

・Muko City

・Oyamazaki Town, Otokuni District

・Kumiyama Town, Kuse District

・Yawata City

・Uji City

・Joyo City

For details on excluded areas, please check NearMe (official website).

Payment method

Payment is by credit card only. Since you pay online in advance, boarding and drop-off on the day of travel are smooth and hassle-free.

Receipts are also available, so business travelers can use the service with peace of mind.

5 benefits of using NearMe

Here are the benefits of using NearMe (official website).

1. Flat-rate pricing

2. Smooth payment via online settlement

3. Check your heavy luggage and travel seated

4. You can specify your pickup location

5. Small groups of up to 6 people

This service offers many recommendable benefits, so please take a look.

1. Flat-rate pricing

NearMe offers transport from areas primarily within Kyoto City to Itami Airport at a flat rate of ¥2,980. Unlike a taxi, there’s no anxiety about not knowing the final fare until you arrive.

2. Smooth payment via online settlement

NearMe can be paid for via online payment in advance. This makes boarding and drop-off smooth and hassle-free on the day of travel.

Travelers with large luggage and families with small children can use the service with peace of mind.

3. Check your heavy luggage and travel seated

NearMe offers a more spacious ride than a taxi, letting you travel seated. Unlike a train, there’s no need to carry heavy luggage with you at all times.

4. You can specify your pickup location

When using the service, you can specify your pickup location within the coverage area and travel to Itami Airport. Since this is a door-to-airport service, please specify your preferred location, such as your home or hotel.

5. Small groups of up to 6 people

NearMe operates on a fully reservation-based system with a maximum of 6 passengers. This is recommended for those who want to travel in a small group or those planning to travel with multiple people.

If you’ll be sharing the ride with other passengers, we’ll notify you in the final confirmation email sent the day before your ride.

Summary

When traveling to Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport) via public transportation, we recommend a method that lets you check your luggage and travel seated. The train is the cheapest option, but it requires more transfers and takes longer than the bus or taxi. For those who want to travel in as relaxed and comfortable a space as possible, we recommend NearMe. Please check the available areas and consider giving it a try.