Rapid train service to Kansai Airport and Wakayama from Osaka. Kansai Airport Rapid Service and Kishuji Rapid Service

Kansai (KIX)
2011.04.25
Typical Rapid Service trains (JR West 223 and 225 series)
Kansai Airport Rapid Service trains (JR West 223 and 225 series)

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

Kishuji Rapid Service (above), Kansai Airport Rapid Service (below)
Kishuji Rapid Service (above), Kansai Airport Rapid Service (below)

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.

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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

223 series interior
225 series interior
225 series seat
225 series wheelchair accessible bathroom
225 series digital signage

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

  1. Justin says:
    November 11, 2019 at 7:08 am

    Hello,

    We have an upcoming trip on November 17 2019, we will arrive around 7:00PM and we will be staying at Ibis Budget Hotel Umeda. What would you recommended, bus or train?

    Thank you so much.

    • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
      November 11, 2019 at 10:30 am

      Hi Justin,

      This rapid train is most affordable choice. The regular fare is 1,210 yen. You can buy a ticket at the vending machine and you don’t need to wait on the line to the ticket window. But the train may be busy and you may not be able to sit down.

      The other choice is the limousine bus. You can get Osaka (Umeda) direclty as well. But the fare is slightly higher than the train which is 1,600 yen.
      http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/UM

      But you can take a seat on the bus.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. TAN DEK YAM says:
    September 30, 2019 at 10:32 pm

    Hi

    I plan to stay at Hotel Monterey Le Frere near the OSAKA station.

    I am planning my return home via OSAKA station to Kansai International Airport.
    I have a plane to catch on 10 Dec 2019, Tuesday at 11:00am which means I need to check in by 9:00am.

    Could you advise what time should I be at OSAKA station to catch the JR Rapid Service going to KANSAI international Airport ? and whether this will be during the OFFICE RUSH hours.

    Alternatively, I could go to the Airport by Airport Limousine Bus. Could you advise where can I catch a BUS near the Hotel Monterey Le Frere and what be the recommended time to be at the BUS stop ? Wil the BUS option face traffic congestion given that I have to be at the Airport by 9:00am ?

    Thanking you in advance

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 1, 2019 at 6:24 am

      Hi Tan Dek Yam,

      I don’t recommend you to take the train because it’s very crowded in this time. I recommend you to catch the bus at Hilton Osaka. Please see the timetable in the link below:
      http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/UM

      You could find 6:59 departure at Hilton Osaka and it arrives in KIX at 8:10. There are some bus after this but all buses leave from Herbis Osaka or Hotel New Hankyu or other hotels. These hotels are further than Hilton. You can find the location in the link below:
      http://www.kate.co.jp/en/busstop/

      It seems to be too early but you have to think about the traffic and it may delay. I think this is the best option, but you can take later bus at other bus stops if you like.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Lesley says:
    January 9, 2019 at 7:57 pm

    Hi Do any JR trains go directly from Kansai airport to Osaka?
    Thank you

  4. Hazel says:
    September 11, 2018 at 7:47 pm

    Hi,

    I’ll have to reach Kansai Airport at 7am. I’m staying at Hotel Olfea Residence Namba, 3 Chome-1-2 Daikoku, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 556-0014, Japan. Which train should I take? What time does the train start?

  5. IloveJapan says:
    July 24, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    Hi,
    Our family of 7 with 3 kids arriving at Kansai airport at 9:50pm and needs to go to go to Namba station area in Osaka. What is my best option for us? Taxi? Kansai Airport Rapid Service?

    We have 8 days in Osaka so we are planning lots day trips. After reading on various sites, we decided to buy the 2 Kansai Thru Pass (3 days and 2 days) as we are planning day trips to the possible cities/places of Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Nara,Mt Koya, Himeji Castle, Kurashiki and maybe a few more places around Kansai area. Is the Kansai Thru pass really the best option for us??? I am so confused with so many train pass offers. Also, it is best to order this pass online in advance from such sites as Klook?
    Thanks

  6. Sarah says:
    August 29, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Hello Takeshi!

    I’m planning to take the Kansai Airport Rapid Service to get into Osaka. Where do I buy the tickets? Do I need to reserve online?

    Thank you!
    Sarah

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      August 30, 2017 at 6:32 am

      Hi Sarah,

      This is a sort of commute train. So you don’t need to reserve a ticket and even if you want, you can’t. Just buy a single ticket at the vending machine in the station.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Sarah says:
        November 9, 2017 at 12:45 am

        Thank you! One more quick question, is the fare the same for the Kansai Rapid Service if I just use my Suica card instead of buying a ticket??

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          November 9, 2017 at 6:33 am

          Hi Sarah,

          Actually it’s a bit different. Because if you purchase a regular ticket, the fare is rounded off to the nearest 10. If you use Suica, the exact fare is deducted.

          e.g.
          Regular fare 160 yen
          Suica 161 yen

          Regular fare 1160 yen
          Suica 1158 yen

          Basically it’s same.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Sudeep Periwal says:
    August 3, 2017 at 9:12 am

    Hello Takeshi

    I reach Osaka KIX airport (from Tokyo so i guess immigration should not be a hurdle) at 21:25 on 23rd August, I need to go to 1 Chome-13-1 Kemacho, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 5340001.
    Could you kindly help me with the trains and price

    Many many thanks

  8. Kristine says:
    April 23, 2017 at 2:54 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Good day!

    I’m a little confuse on which pass should we avail during our stay in Japan. We’ll arrive at Kansai Airport and needs to reach Tanimachi Yonchome Station (for the hotel). In addition, our itinerary covers the entire Osaka (3days) and Kyoto (2days). What could be the best deal for us?

    Thank you.

    Kristine

  9. Erika Sze says:
    March 14, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’ll be leaving to Kansai Airport from JR Teradacho. I do not have a JR Pass. Which train route would be the best option? Should I take the Kansai Airport Rapid Service rather than the limited express?

    Thanks
    Erika

  10. Linda says:
    March 12, 2017 at 7:08 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I need to go Nippombashi St from Kansai Airport, which are the trains that I should take and what is the cost of it.

    Thanks

    Linda

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