Haruka Express Guide: Transfer from Kansai Airport to Osaka/Kyoto/Nara from $4.16

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by Riley H.

Title Page JR Haruka

Kansai International Airport (KIX), as the main gateway for travelers visiting the Kansai region of Japan, always needs rapid and convenient transfers across Japan. LIMITED JR HARUKA Express (Kansai Airport Express) covered with hello kitty theme fulfills these requirements excellently at an affordable price! HARUKA Express takes only 30 minutes to reach Osaka and 75 minutes to Kyoto, and Trip.com provides great deals for buying tickets! In this guide, you will find all details about ticket discounts, timetable, and easy ways to buy tickets to enjoy your wonderful journey!

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Haruka Express | About

The Haruka Express, also known as the Kansai-Airport Express "Haruka," is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Japan. With the speed of 130 km/h (80 mph), it takes only

  • 30 minutes to travel from Kansai Airport to Osaka Tennoji
  • 45 minutes to Osaka Umeda (Osaka Station)
  • 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station
  • 75 minutes to Kyoto.

By offering spacious seating and facilities to accommodate passengers with luggage, Haruka Express become popular choice for visitors.

Haruka Express | Route Map

Haruka Express Applicable Areas

Here are the main stations where the Haruka Express typically stops:

Haruka Express Main Stations
Kansai Airport (KIX)Osaka TennojiOsaka (Umeda)Shin-OsakaKyoto

Haruka Express | Timetable

Haruka Express operates one train every 30 to 40 minutes from 9 AM to 8 PM daily, and one train per hour outside of these hours.
From Kansai Airport (KIX)
WeekdaysSaturdays-Sundays & Public Holidays
First TrainLast TrainFirst TrainLast Train
Kansai Airport Station06:3122:1606:4022:16
Osaka Tennoji Station (Arrival)07:2022:4907:1822:49
Osaka (Umeda) Station (Arrival)07:3723:0307:3223:03
Shin-Osaka Station (Arrival)07:4223:0807:3823:08
Kyoto Station (Arrival)8:1123:3208:0223:32
To Kansai Airport (KIX)
WeekdaysSaturdays-Sundays & Public Holidays
First TrainLast TrainFirst TrainLast Train
Kyoto Station05:4520:3005:4520:30
Shin-Osaka Station 06:1620:5806:1620:58
Osaka (Umeda) Station06:2221:0306:2221:03
Osaka Tennoji Station 06:3721:2106:3821:18
Kansai Airport Station (Arrival)07:1021:5907:1021:55
Transport Method Routes Travel Time
Haruka Express Kansai airport to Tennoji 35 minutes
Kansai airport to Osaka 45 minutes
Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka 50 minutes
Kansai airport to Kyoto 1 hour 15 minutes

*Required times are approximations.

After passing through the ticket barrier, passengers should pay attention to the timetable display to confirm their departure time, destination, and platform number.
How to view timetable

Image source: @ West JR official website

Haruka Express | Ticket Price & Deals

Trip.com offers 3% off on any Haruka Express tickets untill Nov 1, 2024. Additionally, Trip.com provides multiple Haruka ticket options, including 'Haruka one-way tickets,' 'Haruka tickets + Umeda Sky Building observatory entrance tickets,' 'Haruka tickets + Kansai Thru Pass,' 'Haruka tickets + Kyoto Railway Museum entrance tickets,' etc. Explore your customized combo tickets from Trip.com now!
Departure Destinations Adult Price (12+) Child Price (6-11) Special Note
Kansai-airport Tennoji $8.31 $4.16 For designated seat or the seat of the first class of HARUKA, extra express fee is required.
Osaka &Shin-Osaka $11.51 $5.76
Kyoto $14.06 $7.03
Kobe $12.78 $6.39 This package includes the transfer ticket.
Nara $11.51 $5.76
Ticket Office

Image source: Anonymous user @ Trip.com

Haruka Express | Ticket Collection

Tickets Collection

Image source: Anonymous user @ Trip.com

Haruka Express | Redemption Locations & Business Hours

LocationsBusiness Hours
Kansai Airport Station05:30 - 23:00
Osaka Tennoji Station05:30 - 23:30
Osaka (Umeda) Station06:00 - 22:00
Shin-Osaka Station06:00 - 22:00
Kyoto Station06:30 - 21:00

Haruka Express | 3 Ways to Collect Tickets

1. Haruka e-Ticket Machine

After successful reservation, the platform will automatically send a reservation success email to the reserved customer's mailbox. Please present the received information verification code or QR code, and exchange it for a "ride ticket" at the manual ticket counter set up next to the ticket gate at Kansai Airport Station.

Step 1: Please scan the QR code on the machine.
Step 2: Select the train for boarding. You can choose a train within 5 minutes before departure.
Step 3: Please collect the ride ticket issued by the exchange machine and enter through the ticket gate with station staff.
Step-to-Step Guide to Exchange Haruka Express Tickets

2. Green ticket-vending Machine

The green vending machine is the JR electronic ticket machine, with the screen offering language options such as Chinese, English, and Japanese. By following the steps below, you can easily redeem the Haruka non-reserved seat tickets purchased via Trip.com. It’s very simple. The Haruka tickets bought through Trip.com can redeem reserved seat tickets for FREE, making it very cost-effective. So, after collecting your non-reserved seat ticket, you can proceed to exchange your reserved seat ticket.

Please check out the following photo guide to exchange your Haruka Express tickets:

Step 1: Select the language you wish to use at the top right section. *The initial display is in Japanese.
Step 2: Select "Receive reserved ticket" to enter the detail page. *The screen may be different.
Step 3: Select "JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION" to proceed. *The screen may be different.
Select "Receive reserved ticket" to enter the detail page

Source: from West JR official website

Step 4: Payment was completed on credit: Insert the credit card you used when making reservations; Payment at the station: Press "QR code or reservation number" and swipe the QR code you were issued when you made your reservation, or enter the reservation number.
Step 5: Enter the four-digit identification number issued when you made your reservation.
Enter the four-digit identification number issued when you made your reservation.

Source: from West JR official website

Step 6: Press "Confirm" to confirm the conditions of use (passport, entry visa, etc.). *Only applicable for special discount tickets
Step 7: Confirm and tap "Agree" that you accept the purpose for which your personal information will be used. *Only applicable for special discount tickets
Step 8: Swipe the passport page with your photograph on it. *A passport with an IC chip is required for this. If your passport does not have an IC chip,please go to the ticket office.
Step-to-step Guide to Exchange Haruka Express Tickets on Green Vending Machine

Source: from West JR official website

Special Note: Payment at a "green" ticket vending machine can only be made in cash (Japanese yen). Green ticket vending machines may be used between 4:30 a.m. and 11:20 p.m. (Japan Standard Time)

3. White ticket-vending Machine

At Kansai Airport, there is a special white ticket machine. To travel to Tennoji Station, Osaka (Umeda) Station, Shin-Osaka Station, and Kyoto Station, simply scan the QR code on your Trip.com voucher, and you can instantly collect your Haruka non-reserved seat ticket.

Haruka Express | Select Seats

There are two types of Haruka Express seats available, which are First Class (Green) Car and Ordinary Car. During off-peak seasons, you can choose Non-Reserved Seats; however, if you’re traveling during peak times such as summer, Christmas, or New Year’s, or heading to longer destinations like Kyoto, it’s recommended to exchange for Reserved Seats. The Haruka tickets purchased through Trip.com also include the fee for exchanging to Reserved Seats, making it very cost-effective.
Haruka Express Seats Information
Haruka Express Seat Types Need Additional separate tickets?9-Car Train6-Car Train
First Class (Green) Car Yes1st Car1st Car
Ordinary Car (Reserved Seating) /2th-4th & 8th-9th Car2th-4th Car
Ordinary Car (Non-reserved Seating) /5th-7th Car5th-6th Car

Haruka Express | Seat Reservation Tips:

  • If the reserved-seat car (car No. 4) of your train is crowded, you can use the unreserved seats.
  • If the reserved seat tickets are sold out or if you haven't exchanged for reserved seat tickets in advance, you can use the ticket to directly board the non-reserved seats.
  • If you have exchanged for a physical train ticket and the train you intended to board is cancelled before departure, you could use the unreserved seats on another "HARUKA" train or the Kansai-Airport RapidService.

Haruka Express | Reserving Seats Guide

Seat Step1
Seat Step 2
Seat Step 3
Seat Step 4
Seat Step 5
Seat Step 6
Seat Step 7
Seat Step 8

Haruka Express | Carriage Introduction

Haruka Express | Hello Kitty Themed Carriage

The Hello Kitty Haruka Express offers a unique experience for fans of the iconic character, with Hello Kitty designs adorning both the exterior and interior of the train. By making the journey even more enjoyable, many visitors or Hello Kitty fans will take photos to commemorate

Hello Kitty theme

Image source: Anonymous user @ Trip.com

Haruka Express | Luggage Storage

Luggage Storage

Image source: Guest user @ Trip.com

Hello Kitty Interior

Source: from Hello Kitty Haruka website

Haruka Express | Hotel Deals around Major Stops & Popular Attrarions

Haruka Express | Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan's ancient capital, having served as the capital for over 1,000 years. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, including famous sites such as Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Arashiyama etc.
Kyoto
One-Day tour to Kiyomizu Temple, Nara Park and Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan
Mandarin / English
Duration:10 - 11hrs
From $55
Book Now!
Kyoto
One-day tour of Amanohashidate and Ine in Japan
Mandarin / English / Korean
Duration:7 - 8hrs
From $44.28
Book Now!

Haruka Express | Osaka

Osaka Tennoji

Tennoji is home to many popular attractions in Osaka, such as Tennoji Park, Tennoji Zoo, Abeno Harukas Art Museum, and Harukas 300, making it an ideal destination for family travelers.

Osaka Umeda

Umeda is not only a transportation hub in Osaka but also a shopping hotspot. Shopping highlights include: Grand Front Osaka, LUCUA, Daimaru Umeda, Hankyu Department Store, Hanshin Department Store, Hankyu Mans, Herbis, Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street, Shin Umeda Food Street, Kitashinchi, and Hankyu Sanbangai.

Shin-Osaka

Osaka Attraction Tickets from Trip.com

Universal
Universal Studios Japan
No.1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Osaka
"Jurassic Park,""Hollywood" and "Waterworld"
A very happy experience, you must go to a lot of people early, you need to queue up to enter the park, it is recommended to go to the Harry Potter park early in the morning, there are relatively few people, waiting for us to come out, the queue is very serious, Mario Park must go to the leg.
From $64.7
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Osaka
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Encounter approximately 620 species of living creatures
The world’s largest aquarium
The spiral trail and multi-layered pool are hard to imagine 34 years ago and still look amazing. Although it is difficult to compare the size of Chimelong, the animals are also quite rich and active.
From $18.77
Book Now!

Haruka Express | Kansai Airport (KIX)

KIX
KIX Observation Hall Sky View
360-degree panoramic view
watch airplanes take off while tasting airplane meals prepared by foreign chefs
Kansai
Kansai (KIX) Layover tour Sightseeing & tasting in Osaka
entirely personalized to offer you the best and unique tour
Hotels and Airports pickup
From $400
Book Now

FAQs about Haruka Express

  • What facilities are available on the Haruka Express?

    Each train contains restroom facilities, a vending machine, luggage racks, and free Wi-Fi service.
  • Is Haruka express covered by JR Pass?

    Yes, the Haruka Expressis covered by JR Pass. If you have an active JR Pass, you can use it to board the Haruka express without any additional cost.
  • Where can I buy the Haruka Express tickets?

    You can buy tickets on Trip.com, Kansai Airport train station, other JR ticket offices, vending machines at train stations, etc
  • Do I need to reserve a seat on the Haruka Express?

    Seat reservations are not mandatory, but they are recommended, especially during peak travel times. Reserved seats ensure you have a seat on the train.
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