These trains connect downtown Osaka (=大阪) with Kansai airport (=関西空港) and Wakayama (=和歌山). Both Kansai Airport and Kishuji Rapid Services are combined to operate between Tennoji (=天王寺) and Hineno (=日根野). Those trains are uncoupled at Hineno, then each trains go to Kansai Airport or Wakayama. If you arrive at Kansai airport, you can take Kansai Airport Rapid Service instead of airport access express “Haruka“. Of course both Limited Express Haruka and this rapid train are fully covered by Japan Rail Pass. But if you buy a single ticket, you may consider to take this train.
Route, schedule and trip time
View Kansai Airport Rapid Service / Kishuji Rapid Service in a larger map
Route
Most of Kansai Airport Rapid Service and Kishuji Rapid Service trains are operated between Kyobashi (=京橋) and Kansai Airport or Wakayama. As you mentioned, these trains are combined to operate. But some of these trains are operated as uncombined. These trains depart from Kyobashi station and go through Osaka Kanjo line (=大阪環状線) to Osaka. And then the trains still go on Osaka Kanjo line via Nishikujo (=西九条) and Bentencho (=弁天町) to Tennoji. Some of these trains depart from Tennoji and go through Osaka Kanjo line via Tsuruhashi (=鶴橋) and Kyobashi. thi types of trains stop at Tennoji station twice. After stopping at Tennoji station, these trains head to south on Hanwa line to Hineno. Hineno is the junction of Kansai airport and Wakayama. These two trains are coupled or uncoupled at this station.
Most of Kishuju Rapid ServiceThis train is operated every 15-20 minutes between Kyobashi-Osaka-Tennoji-Hineno-Kansai airport/Wakayama most of time. In peak hours, more trains are operated.
Hotels in Kansai International Airport
Hotels in Kyoto
Hotels in Wakayama
Hotels in Nara
Hotels in Kobe
Hotels in Osaka
Stations
Kansai Airport Rapid Service stop at these following stations:
Tennoji-(stop at all stations in this setion)-Osaka-Nishikujo-bentencho-Taisho-Shinimamiya-Tennoji-Sakaishi-Mikunigaoka-Otori-Izumifuchu-Higashikishiwada-Kumatori-Hineno-Rinku Town-Kansai Airport
Kishuji Rapid Service stop at these following stations:
Tennoji-(same as Kansai Airport Rapid Service)-Hineno-Nagataki-Shinge-Izumisunagawa-Izumitottori-Yamanakadani-Kii-Musota-Kiinakanoshima-Wakayama
*A few trains skip at Nagataki, Shinge, Izumitottori, Yamanakadani and Kiinakanoshima.
Travel time
Travel time among the major sections are as follows:
Kyobashi – Kansai airport 72-74 minutes
Osaka – Kansai airport 65-67 minutes (*Limited express Haruka 47-50 minutes from Shin-Osaka)
Tennoji – Kansai airport 49-51 minutes (*Limited express Haruka 35 minutes)
Kyobashi – Wakayama 85-92 minutes
Osaka – Wakayama 81-89 minutes (*Limited express Ocean Arrow/Super Kuroshio/Kuroshio 58-62 minutes from Shin-Osaka)
Tennoji – Wakayama 64-70 minutes (*Limited express Ocean Arrow/Super Kuroshio/Kuroshio 42-44 minutes)
Kansai Airport Rapid Service can be used as airport access train instead of Limited Express “Haruka”. The differences between Haruka and Rapid service are cost, speed and route. Japan Rail Pass and JR West pass users do not need to think about the cost. Because the fare and surcharge of Limited express Haruka are included. But if you pay single fare, you need to pay surcharge to take Haruka. It is 1660yen to Shin-Osaka or Kyoto, 1240yen to Tennoji. If you save your budget, Rapid Service may be your choice. Of course Haruka is faster than Rapid Service. I put the time required of Haruka above too. You can find the difference. But Haruka take special route. It does not stop at Osaka. If you go to Osaka by Haruka, change to local train to Osaka at Shin-Osaka. You may spend 5 minutes to change the train and another 5 minutes to get Osaka. So total time is very close in case of going to Osaka station.
If you go to Wakayama, Limited express Ocean Arrow/Kuroshio are much faster. You face same situation about the cost and “Going to Osaka station”. If you want to save your budget, take Rapid Service. If you go to Osaka, Limited express Ocean Arrow/Kuroshio do not stop at Osaka station. You need to expect to spend another 10 minutes to get Osaka from Shin-Osaka.
Accommodation
Both Rapid Services are operated by 223 or 225 series. 225 is newer. But the seat configuration is same and it is not much difference. These Rapid Service trains are operated 8 cars formation. The first 4 cars go to Kansai airport and another 4 cars to Wakayama. The standard seat configuration of Rapid Service trains in Kansai is 2+2. But Kansai Airport and Kishuji Rapid Service give you 2+1. This seat configuration makes the extra space for isle. The passengers who go to Kansai airport can bring the luggage easily.
Images
Photo credit
223 series images by R3’s web site
Logo image by Daigo35 (日本語 / 利用者:Daigo35) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons
225 series Interior image1 by w0746203-1 (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
225 series display image by W0746203-1 (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Wheelchair accessible washroom image by 32602Fand3060F (Own work) [see page for license], via Wikimedia Commons
Comments
Dear Sir,
I am planning for a 6D/5N holiday to Osaka in November with 2 adults and 1 child (age 8).
We will be staying at Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport for all the 5 nights. We are planning to visit some of the major attractions in Osaka (e.g. Osaka Castle, Universal Studio, Museums, Minami, etc). I read from the website and noticed that travel by JR Kansai Airport Rapid is the inexpensive choice for rail traveling as we will be making 2-way travel every day (from Hotel Nikko to Osaka station, and Osaka Station back to Hotel Nikko). May I know the fare stated in the JR website is for one-way or two-way? Is there any alternate source for economy way of travel? Are those major attractions located nearby Osaka Station? Or we need to take another transport to reach the location?
Thank you for your advise and looking forward to hear from you soon.
Have a nice day!
Hi Andrew,
You also can use Nankai Railway trains. Especially when you go to Namba (Manami area), Nankai train goes there directly. Please see the map in the link below.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
If you use Nankai to get Namba and use subway several times per day, Kansai Thru Pass is a good choice. As per I explained which train you can take by Kansai Thru Pass at the link above, you can’t take JR train. But you can get anywhere in Osaka by subway other than USJ. You can add single fare for this trip. You can get more info about Kansai Thru Pass at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
You have to take a train to get most of attractions from JR Osaka. So I think Kansai Thru Pass is better choice for you. You can purchase it at Kansai Airport.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi takeshi,
if we depart from shin-osaka station to KIX, what train should we take?
and how much does it cost?
if possible, we prefer the affordable one, thank you
Hi Elvira,
The best one is Haruka. You can take this train by Kansai area pass 1 day at 2060 yen.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
But if you want to save the cost, use Kanku Chikatoku ticket at 1000 yen.
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/chikatoku.html
But you have to transfer from Subway to Nankai at Namba.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I will be staying at Awaza. My flight is at 10.30am via Kansai Airport. What train is available at 7.00am to go to the airport?Where can I take JR Airport Rapid from Town? Thanks.
Hi Bee,
At 7:00am, all trains are available. If you want to take Airport rapid, take subway to Tamagawa station. Taagasa is located at same place as JR Noda station. Take local train on Osaka Kanjo line to next station, Nishikujo. Because Rapid does not stop at Noda. And you can take Rapid to KIX.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Could you please help with my itinerary?
Arriving KIX 29 March 06:10 am and staying in Japan till 8th April. On arrival want to go to Koyasan for one night. After stay in Osaka, April 1st reach Tokyo, April 4th Kyoto, April 8th have flight back from KIX
1) Can I go directly from airport to Koyasan without going to Osaka train station? Can I change somewhere in between? Tengachaya?
2) I’m planning to get JRP for 7 days. Does it make sense to validate for trip to Koyasan? Or better keep it later and use if from Kyoto to Osaka and from Osaka to return to KIX?
Many thanks in advance!
Ruta
Hi Ruta,
1) You need to change the trains at Tengachaya. There is no direct trains from KIX to Koyasan.
2) Don’t use the pass for Koyasan. It does not a make sense. I recommend you to use Koyasan World Heritage ticket.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-get-mt-koya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
First time to Japan. Arriving in Kix on May 12 2013. Staying in hotel next to JR Osaka stn. Tell
me please must I change line if I take a JR rapid line to osaka stn.
Hi goh francis,
You don’t need to change a train. Kansai Airport Rapid go straight to Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi there,
I chanced upon your website by chance and found the information which you have provided very useful. and I shall be grateful if you could let me know how best to travel as follows:
Date of travel: 15th Feb 2013
Destination: From Namba (Osaka) to Kada (Wakayama City)
Type of pass: Kansai Thru Pass
Type of trip: Day trip to Kada-Awashima Hiina Onsen and exploring some parts of Wakayama city if time permits
_________________________
Would you be able to provide details on how to get about there? My guess is there are some stations which we must alight at and do transfers?
Thank you so much for your kind help and I look fforward to hearing from you.
Regards
Juliana
Hi Juliana,
Thanks for your comment about my site.
Nankai Railway depart from Namba to Wakayamashi. Kada is several stations away from Wakayamashi station. Please see the following map to get the details:
http://www.nankai.co.jp/global/english/traffic/railmap/index.html
Kinokawa station is the junction. But most of express trains do not stop at Kinokawa station and straight to Wakayamashi. So change the train to Kada at Wakayamashi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I am traveling to Osaka for 8 days and will be visiting Wakayama and Kyoto. Could you please let me know what kind of train ticket I should be purchasing to save cost?
Thank you.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Kansai Thru Pass or JR West Kansai Area Pass may be suitable for your trip. But it depends on how many you take a train. Please see the following posts to learn more:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
I plan to arrive KIX at 9.20pm from Singapore and then travel by JR train to Wakayama City. Please advise what time is the last train from KIX to Wakayama City.
Thank you
Hi Wong Fan,
23:32 is the last one. But you need to transfer at Hineno. Please see the details at the following post:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-get-kansai-airport-and-wakayama-kansai-airport-rapid-service-and-kishuji-rapid-service.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Sir,
We need to travel from Kansai Airport to get down at Midoribashi station. Please advise if we take the Kansai Airport Rapid Service train, are we required to get down at Tennoji station and change train from Tennoji to Morinomiya station. Then change train again to Chuo line from Morinomiya to Midoribashi station?
If it cost 1240 yen from Kansai Airport to Tennoji station, how much will be the cost from Tennoji to Morinomiya station and from Morinomiya station to Midoribashi station? If we are a fairly large group travelling together (18 person), is it advisable to travel by train to our accomodation at Midoribashi?
We will be visiting Kyoto too. Is it better for us to purchase a JR pass. Our trip to Japan is only for 4 days.
Thank you for your patience and advice.
Sow Mei
Hi Sow Mei
From Tennoji to Morinomiya is also JR lines. You can purchase the ticket at the airport to Morinomiya. The fare is 1160 yen for this section. I don’t know where you got the fare, 1240 yen. But you can get the exact fare at Hyperdia easily.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
You need to take subway only from Morinomiya to Midoribashi. It is 200 yen.
You can get the fare for subway at Hyperdia too.
All trains that you will take are sort of commute trains. So you might not get a seat. And both station and train are very crowded.
Regarding pass, please see the following post:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
Japan Rail Pass is too much for your travel.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hes got a lota other neat things on his website. The electronic stamp is pretty cool.