How to Reach Kobe from Kansai Airport

Jul 29, 2024

How to Reach Kobe from Kansai Airport

Although Kobe has its own airport, it is just for domestic flights. If you’re flying in from abroad, your closest option is Kansai International Airport. Luckily, you have a variety of options to get to Kobe, with journey times ranging from less than one hour to just over two hours. Since none stand out as the obvious top choice, you’ll need to choose whatever best fits with your travel plans.

Train Routes

There are several possible train routes from Kansai Airport to Kobe.

One option is to take the regular train: first the Nankai Airport Express, then the Hanshin Line. This is the cheapest option at 1,340 yen and takes 90 minutes. However, neither train has reserved seating or luggage storage, meaning it may be uncomfortable during rush hour. Plus, the transfer is a five-minute walk from Nankai Namba Station to Osaka Namba Station.

The fastest option (taking 80 minutes) is the Nankai Limited Express Rapi:t followed by a transfer to the Hanshin Line. This costs 1,450 yen, but you can purchase a discounted ticket for 1,110 yen if you book online in advance.

However, fastest doesn’t necessarily mean most convenient. Taking the Haruka Express and then the JR Kobe Line Special Rapid at Shin-Osaka Station will only add an extra five minutes to your journey. The disadvantage is it costs 3,270 yen. However, foreign passport holders who are temporary visitors to Japan can take advantage of a discounted rate of 1,700 yen.

You’ll need to find out which train station in Kobe is closest to your destination. The main station in the city is not Kobe Station (despite the name) but Sannomiya Station. A third possibility is Shin-Kobe Station.

High-Speed Ferry

To make your trip to Kobe from the airport a fun part of your trip, consider taking a high-speed ferry. You’ll need to take a shuttle bus to the pier (passengers are not allowed to reach the ferry terminal by taxi or on foot). This shuttle bus leaves from both terminals.

The ferry costs 1,880 yen and takes 30 minutes. You’ll arrive at the small island where Kobe Airport is located and need to take a train to Sannomiya Station (the journey lasts 20 minutes). This may be the fastest option, provided your flight lines up well with the ferry schedule — as departures are only every three hours. Bear in mind, there is a risk of cancellations in bad weather.

Airport Bus

To avoid needing to make any changes (which may be inconvenient if you have a large amount of luggage), a good option is to take the airport bus. This takes around the same amount of time as a train and departs from Terminal 1 around once or twice every hour. The downside is, at 2,000 yen, it’s more expensive than most other options.

Taxi

Your last option is to take a taxi. Although this will take you directly to your final destination, it may take between 65 and 75 minutes (depending on traffic) and will likely cost around 25,000 yen.

Once you reach Kobe, you’ll be in one of the top destinations in Kansai for food, including the famous Kobe beef. Make sure you also check out all the sites on the harbor and head to Mount Rokko for some panoramic views.

Cheng-en Cheng from Taichung City, Taiwan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons