Airport Osaka is accessible internationally from Kansai International Airport and domestically from Osaka International Airport (Itami). The former is located approximately 40kms from the centre and Itami is roughly 15kms away.

Taxis At both Kansai International Airport and Itami directions to taxis are well marked in English. From Kansai to the centre of Osaka costs approximately [00a3]120. From Itami it costs roughly [00a3]18.

Airport limousine bus There are regular airport limousine buses to and from Kansai and Itami that run from the Umeda area in the northern part of the city, as well as from selected points near major hotels in central and southern parts of Osaka. The cost is [00a3]4.50 from Kansai, [00a3]3 from Itami.

Car You will need a valid international driver’s licence to rent a car. Kansai and Itami airports have rent-a-car counters. However, renting a car is most definitely not recommended as the roads are usually jammed and the highway tolls are the most expensive in the world.

Trains Japan’s trains are world famous for being clean and punctual. From Kansai to Osaka there are two lines: the Nankai Rapit and the Japan Railways (JR) lines.

The Nankai Rapit brings you into the southern part of the city, to Namba station, in about 30 minutes and costs about [00a3]7. To get to Osaka terminal in the northern part of the city, take the JR Express train, which arrives in just over an hour and costs [00a3]6. Trains depart Kansai for Osaka about once every 10 minutes.

From Itami, there are no trains but there is the Osaka Monorail. To get to Osaka terminal, you have to change midway. Total time to northern Osaka is about 30 minutes and the cost is €2.