The number of foreign visitors entering Japan via Osaka is smaller than Tokyo, but many people often use the airports in Osaka when traveling within Japan. What is confusing for international travelers is that Osaka has two airports: Kansai International Airport (Kansai International Airport / KIX) and Osaka International Airport (commonly called Itami Airport / Osaka Itami Airport / ITM). The names are confusing, and especially on the day you return home or when you have a connection, mistakes like “I went to the wrong airport…” can happen.
In this article, we summarize how to get to these two airports reliably from Osaka Station (Osaka Station / the Umeda area), focusing on travel time and important cautions.
1) Key differences to know first
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
- The main hub for international flights. Arrivals and departures from overseas are usually from KIX.
- Because it is on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, it is far from Osaka Station (travel time is longer).
- There is information for late-night and early-morning use, and while the airport provides information assuming 24-hour usage, note that the number of trains and buses decreases depending on the time of day.
Itami Airport (ITM)
- The official information clearly states “domestic flights only” (so if you are taking an international flight, it is basically KIX).
- The biggest advantage is that it is close to Osaka city, and the trip from Osaka Station (Umeda) is short.
2) Osaka Station (Umeda) → Kansai Airport (KIX): recommended options
A. JR Limited Express “Haruka” | Fast and reliable (easy to estimate time)
- Osaka Station → Kansai Airport: the fastest estimate is 45 minutes.
- Relatively easy even with large luggage (many trains have reserved seats and luggage storage space).
- Recommended for: tight flight schedules / you don’t want to be late / you are nervous because it’s your first time.
B. JR “Kanku Rapid Service” | Cheaper, but takes longer
- Osaka Station → Kansai Airport: estimate 1 hour 5 minutes.
- Recommended for: cost priority / you have plenty of time.
C. Limousine bus (KATE) | No transfers (traffic caution)
- Osaka Station (Hotel New Hankyu) → KIX Terminal 1: estimate 50 minutes.
- Fare: 1,800 yen one-way (listed on the route table).
- Note: delays happen depending on road conditions. Especially in rain, evenings, and holidays, “+30 minutes” can also happen, so allow a large time buffer.
Most important points at KIX
- KIX has terminals, and with buses, the “T1 → T2 travel time” occurs separately (for example, there is an estimate display of about 11 minutes from T1 to T2).
- If you are using an LCC, make sure to confirm which terminal you depart from.
In route/transfer search apps, please search by setting your departure point to “Osaka” and your destination to “Kansai-Airport”.
3) Osaka Station (Umeda) → Itami Airport (ITM): recommended options
A. Limousine bus | The fastest and easiest (direct from Umeda)
- Osaka (Umeda) → Itami: standard 25–30 minutes (display based on Osaka Marubiru).
- Recommended for: you don’t want to get lost / you have large luggage / you want to get there quickly.
B. Train (Hankyu + Osaka Monorail) | No traffic, but transfers are required
- Route example: Osaka-Umeda (Hankyu) → Hotarugaike → (Osaka Monorail) → Osaka Airport
- Estimate: about 50 minutes with two transfers (reference).
- Take the monorail to “Osaka Airport Station (Osaka Airport Station).” As a fare example, there is a displayed fare of 200 yen from Hotarugaike to Osaka Airport.
Most important points at ITM
- The official English name is Osaka Itami Airport. In route/search apps, “Itami” or “ITM” is reliable.
- It may also be shown as “Osaka International Airport,” but even if it says “International,” it is mainly for domestic flights (officially “domestic flights only”), so do not get confused.
In route/transfer search apps, please search by setting your departure point to “Osaka” and your destination to “Itami-Airport”.
4) Quick travel time table from Osaka Station (estimated)
This is a quick reference table of travel times from Osaka Station. Please note that this is different from Shin-Osaka Station where the Shinkansen stops.
| Destination | Method | Estimated travel time | Strength | Caution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansai Airport (KIX) | JR Haruka | About 45 minutes | Fast / easy to estimate time | Check tickets / schedule |
| Kansai Airport (KIX) | JR Kanku Rapid | About 1 hour 5 minutes | Cheaper | Longer travel time |
| Kansai Airport (KIX) | Bus (from Osaka Station) | About 50 minutes | No transfers | Traffic / moving to T2 |
| Itami (ITM) | Bus (from Umeda) | About 25–30 minutes | Fastest / easiest | Road conditions |
| Itami (ITM) | Train + Monorail | About 50 minutes | No traffic delays | Many transfers |
5) Checklist to avoid going to the wrong airport (super important)
① Check the “airport code” on your booking screen
- Is it KIX (Kansai) or ITM (Itami)? This is the top priority.
② Fix your input in route/search apps (this reduces mistakes)
- Kansai Airport: Departure “Osaka Station” → Destination “Kansai International Airport (KIX)”
- Itami Airport: Departure “Osaka Station / Umeda” → Destination “Osaka Itami Airport (ITM)”
③ Do not confuse “Osaka Station” and “Shin-Osaka”
- The Shinkansen station is Shin-Osaka.
- The starting point in this article is Osaka Station (Umeda). There are multiple bus stops around Umeda, so confirm with signs and maps.
④ If using buses, allow a big buffer time for your flight
- Kansai Airport is especially far, and delays due to traffic jams and accidents are more likely.
- International flights have check-in deadlines, so if you are unsure, rail (Haruka) is safer.
Summary: Which airport should you choose?
- If you are taking an international flight / going overseas → basically Kansai Airport (KIX).
- If you are traveling domestically within Japan → the closer and faster Itami (ITM) is convenient.
- Most importantly, KIX and ITM are different airports. If you confirm the airport code (KIX/ITM) before departure, you can avoid an irreversible mistake.
These two airports are 44 km apart in a straight line. If you go to the wrong airport, it is certain that you will miss your flight. When planning your itinerary, be sure to confirm which airport you will use, and carefully check your transportation method to the airport.
