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If you’re traveling from Osaka to Kansai International Airport, the airport limousine bus is highly recommended for travelers with a lot of luggage.
・No transfers required
・Guaranteed seating
・Luggage storage available
・Arrives right in front of the terminal
・Runs 5–6 times per hour during the day

We’ve compiled a list of tips to help you board smoothly, from information on the boarding area to things to keep in mind when boarding.

The airport limousine bus is the best way to travel from Umeda, Osaka to Kansai International Airport!
The reasons for this are that compared to traveling by express train, there are more buses, the fares are cheaper, you will always be able to sit down, and you can easily get to the lobby of Kansai International Airport.

Number of operations : 5-6 per hour during the day
Fares : Adults 1,800 yen, children 900 yen
Travel time : Approx. 60 minutes from Hankyu Sanbangai to Terminal 1, 71 minutes to Terminal 2
Operation Time : Between 4:00 to 5:00～Between 21:00 to 22:00

The airport limousine bus uses GPS to track locations in real time and adjusts its route in the event of traffic congestion. That said, if you’re traveling by airport limousine bus, it’s best to allow plenty of time to be on the safe side.

There are two stops for the airport limousine bus from Umeda, Osaka to Kansai International Airport.

The information sign that says “Airport Bus” is,
Airport Bus (Herbis Osaka)
Airport Bus (Hankyu Sanbangai)
Airport Bus (Osaka Maru Building)
However, all of them are not bus stops bound for Kansai International Airport. However, not all of them are for Kansai International Airport.
The bus stops for Kansai International Airport are “Hankyu Sanbangai” and “Herbis Osaka”.

Please note that the “Airport Bus (Osaka Marubiru)” stop is for buses bound for the domestic terminal only; these buses do not go to Kansai International Airport.

Airport limousine buses are
Harbis Osaka ⇒ Hankyu Sanbangai ⇒ Terminal 1 ⇒ Terminal 2
The fare is the same whether departing from “Herbis Osaka” or “Hankyu Sanbangai”. Just board the bus from the bus stop closest to you.

The area around the “Herbis Osaka” bus stop is close to hotels such as the Hotel Hankyu Grand Respire Osaka, The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, Hilton Osaka, Harton Hotel Nishi-Umeda, and Hotel Montre Osaka. The area is conveniently served by the JR Line, the Yotsubashi Subway Line, the Midosuji Subway Line, and the Tanimachi Subway Line.
Check with Google Map

The area around the “Hankyu Sanbangai” bus stop is close to hotels such as Hotel Hankyu Respia Osaka and Hotel Hankyu International, as well as Yodobashi Camera and the Hankyu Umeda Main Store. It’s conveniently located near the Hankyu Line, the Midosuji Subway Line, and the Tanimachi Subway Line.
Check with Google Map

Let us introduce each bus stop.

The airport limousine bus stop is located on the first basement floor of the commercial facility “Herbis PLAZA ENT”. The pink sign is a landmark.

This is also the departure and arrival point for domestic long-distance buses and airport limousine buses bound for Itami Airport.
The waiting area has coin lockers, restrooms, and vending machines.
You can leave your luggage in the coin lockers and go shopping or sightseeing at the end of the day.

The ticket vending machine at the “Herbis Osaka” terminal provides information in five languages: Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese (traditional and simplified).

The ticket vending machine at the “Herbis Osaka” stop accepts only cash. If you wish to pay with a credit card, please use the information counter (during staffed hours only) or Hankyu Sanbangai boarding gate, which is introduced next.

Exit the Chayamachi ticket gate at Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station. The bus boarding area is located directly below the ticket gates.

If you are coming from a railway line other than Hankyu, walk toward the Hankyu train platforms.

From Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station, follow the signs for “Airport Bus (Hankyu Sanbangai)” and enter the corridor to the left of the bookstore.

After passing through the corridor, cross the pedestrian crossing in front of you. You will see the bus terminal on your right.

This is the Hankyu Highway Bus Osaka-Umeda Terminal, where you can board airport limousine buses to Kansai International Airport as well as highway buses mainly bound for Shikoku. For the airport limousine bus, proceed to the right.

You will arrive at Bus Stop No. 0, the boarding point for buses to Kansai International Airport.

The waiting room has vending machines, a shop where you can buy souvenirs and snacks, and restrooms. Coin-operated lockers are available both inside and outside the waiting room.

There are two ways to board the bus: contactless payment and purchasing a ticket from a ticket machine.

<Tap-to-Pay>
On buses bound for Kansai International Airport, you can board using your contactless payment card. Simply tap your contactless-enabled card (credit, debit, or prepaid) or a smartphone with a registered card against the dedicated terminal installed on the bus to board. There’s no need to worry about purchasing a ticket.

<Buying Tickets at a Ticket Vending Machine>

Ticket vending machines at Hankyu Sanbangai support five languages: Japanese, English, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.

They accept cash, credit cards, and QR code payments.

Please note that the ticket vending machine for the Kansai Airport route is located right in front of Bus Stop 0. You cannot purchase tickets for the Kansai Airport limousine bus at the ticket vending machines inside the waiting room.

You may be thinking, “I want to buy my ticket before my return date so that I won’t be in a rush on the day of my return”.
However, tickets are not available for advance purchase and are valid only on the day of purchase. If you plan to purchase a ticket from a ticket machine, please do so on the day of departure.

Please be sure to confirm the terminal you will be getting off at in advance.

Terminal 2 is used by LCC companies.
If you get off at the wrong terminal, you will need to take a connecting bus that runs between terminals 1 and 2 at Kansai International Airport. Be sure to confirm which terminal you will be using at the time you purchase your ticket.

When the bus arrives, leave large luggage in the trunk. At that time, you will be asked which terminal you are getting off at, so please tell the staff whether you are getting off at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.

Both the “Herbis Osaka” and “Hankyu Sanbangai” bus stops are served by buses bound for destinations other than Kansai International Airport.
At the “Herbis Osaka” bus stop, buses of various destinations arrive at any available stop from 1 to 3 at any given time, so please check the information provided by the staff or the bus destination signs.
At Hankyu Sanbangai, there are two separate bus stops, one is Expressway Bus Terminal and the other is bound for Kansai International Airport. Please line up at the bus stop for the buses bound for Kansai International Airport, using the information board as a guide.

Click here for airport limousine bus timetable from Osaka Umeda Station to Kansai International Airport.

Once on board, sit in the seat of your choice. Since the capacity is fixed, you will always be able to sit in your seat.
Inside the bus, audio guidance and an LCD screen at the front of the train inform you of your next stop, so be sure not to miss anything.

All you have to do is sit back and relax, and you will arrive at Kansai International Airport!

If you take the limousine bus from Hankyu Sanbangai, you can enjoy shopping at nearby spots—such as the department store, Sanbangai, and HEP FIVE—right up until your departure.

We especially recommend Sanbangai, where the bus terminal is located. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the area, from shopping to dining. If you have a lot of luggage, we recommend storing it in the coin-operated lockers at the bus terminal.

▼About Hankyu Sanbangai▼
A Complete Guide to HANKYU SANBAN GAI: Access, Shopping, Tax-free and More

Q. How long does it take to get from Osaka to Kansai International Airport by limousine bus?
A. It takes about 60 minutes to Terminal 1 and about 71 minutes to Terminal 2. Travel time may vary depending on traffic conditions, so we recommend boarding the bus early.

Q. How early should I arrive at Kansai International Airport?
A. To avoid crowds and allow plenty of time for your trip, we recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight departure time.

Q. Can I use a credit card?
A. You can board the bus simply by tapping your contactless-enabled card (credit, debit, or prepaid) or a smartphone with a registered card against the dedicated terminal installed on the bus. This allows you to board without purchasing a ticket or waiting in line.
Ticket vending machines support five languages—Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified)—and accept credit cards from major issuers.

Q. How many pieces of luggage can I check on the limousine bus?
A. You may check up to two pieces per person.

Q. What are the size restrictions for luggage on the limousine bus?
A. Luggage must be within the following limits: total weight of 30 kg, total volume of 0.25 m³, and length of 2 m. You may also bring ski boards, golf bags, surfboards, wheelchairs (folding type), and fishing gear.

Q. Are there any recommended spots to visit after arriving at Kansai Airport?
A. Kansai Airport has been renovated and now offers a variety of dining and shopping options. Check out this article for more details!

The airport limousine bus is a great option for traveling between Osaka Umeda and Kansai International Airport because, compared to taking the limited-express train, it runs more frequently, offers lower fares, guarantees a seat, and allows you to travel comfortably without having to carry heavy luggage. It’s especially recommended for your return trip, when your luggage tends to pile up with souvenirs!

I hope this article will help you all get home safely.
Please come visit Japan again!