All aboard! How to get from Kansai International Airport to Namba

Maido! Kim here!
Finally, Japan’s borders are open to international travelers. Even from my home country, South Korea, people are really excited to visit Japan. I’ve already had a few groups of friends say they’re making the trip to visit me and of course—Osaka!
Unsurprisingly, a lot of my friends want to stay in the Namba area to get a real Osaka experience. It’s a great central location and has lots of the shops, restaurants, bars, and cultural facilities that people are craving. As soon as you arrive, you’ll probably want to check-in at your hotel and head straight out into the city.
So how do you get to Namba from the airport? It’s pretty easy, but here are some tips on how to get here stress-free.

ps-Taking a taxi from the airport to the city center will easily run well over ¥10,000, so unless this is in your budget, have a look at these amazing public transportation options.

■Namba—The heart of Osaka’s Minami District

The Minami District got its name, meaning south because it’s in the southern part of the city (As opposed to the Kita District located in the North).
Minami’s busy bustling streets are lined with restaurants and it is the heart of Osaka’s food scene, which is of course known throughout Japan as the place to go for good food.

Minami is big and includes Namba, Shinsaibashi, and Dotonbori areas. It is also traditionally an entertainment district so there are old theaters, as well as the epicenter of Otaku culture—Nipponbashi, and the America-mura aka Ame-mura neighborhood that is known for street fashion and youth culture. Essentially, it’s huge! There’s something for everyone and plenty of neon.

▶Main Attractions

Dotonbori Canal, Glico Sign, Ebisu Bridge, Daimaru Department Store, Takashimaya Department Store, Namba Grand Kagetsu, Shochikuza Theatre, Ichiran Ramen’s Dotonbori location, etc.

▶Major Stations

JR—Namba Station
Hanshin Railway—Osaka-Namba Station
Kintetsu Railway—Osaka-Namba Station, Kintetsu Nippombashi Station
Nankai Railway—Namba Station
Osaka Metro—Namba Station, Shinsaibashi Station, Nippombashi Station…

■Top 3 ways to get from Kansai International Airport to Namba

And now for the most important part—how to get from the airport to the Minami District, whether that means Namba, Shinsaibashi, or Nippombashi. There are 3 main ways I can recommend. When you choose your route, you’ll want to look at travel time, price, and of course, your final destination.

■Nankai Railway route (Cost: from ¥930/Travel time: 38–44 min./Train transfers: none)

The entrance to the Nankai station is linked directly to Kansai International Airport via a pedestrian bridge on the second floor. Simply follow the airport railway signs marked with an image of a train and you’ll see this giant station. Can’t miss it, I promise!

Since there are actually two different train stations here, you’ll want to look for the Nankai signature colors—red and orange. The ticket gates are different and color coded, but they are right next to each other, so make sure you’re paying attention.

Many of the Nankai Trains go to Namba, but for the quickest ride, board either the limited express Rapi:t train or the Airport Express.

・Fast & Cool, the Limited Express Rapi:t (Cost: ¥1,450/Travel time: approximately 38 min/Train transfer: none)

The limited express connects Osaka Namba and Kansai International Airport in as little as 34 minutes. This is the fastest way to get to Namba on the Nankai Railway, but it does come with an additional cost.
And the train just looks so cool inside and out. I recommend this train to anyone who wants to travel in style. The cars are spacious and you get a reserved seat, so your ride will be comfortable too.
The only thing to be wary of is that the trains only run every 30 minutes, so don’t miss your train.

・Save money with the Airport Express (Cost: ¥930/Travel time: 44 min/Train transfer: none)

The express is cheaper than the Rapi:t and it only takes 6 more minutes to get to the airport, so you can save a little money, especially if you’re buying more than one ticket. Plus the trains run much more frequently than the Rapi:t.
The only thing you need to worry about is rush hour. This train can get pretty crowded so please keep this in mind if you are traveling in the morning or evening hours.
Oh, and one more thing, this train looks like your standard Nankai train. It’s not as obvious as the Rapi:t so make sure you check which train you board and that it says Airport Express on it.

[What are the advantages of taking the Nankai?]

The Nankai Namba Station is directly connected to Takashimaya Department Store, Namba Parks, Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Arcade, and other shopping establishments. This is a great choice if you want to go out to eat or start shopping soon after you arrive. 
The station is also near Den Den Town, Nipponbashi, and Kuromon Market.

■JR route (Cost: ¥ from 1,080/Travel time: approximately 50–60 minutes/Train transfer: 1 time)

The JR station is also located on the other side of the pedestrian bridge at Kansai International Airport. Look for the blue JR sign. The JR gates are right next to the Nankai gates, so make sure you go through the correct gate.

There are 2 good ways to get to Namba on the JR, by using the Airport Express HARUKA or the Kansai Airport Rapid Service.
Be aware that you will have to change trains at JR Tennoji Station to the Yamatoji Line. Neither train will take you directly to Namba.

・Say hello to Hello Kitty on the JR Airport Express HARUKA (Cost: ¥1,740/Travel time: approximately 50 min/Train transfer: 1 time)

The Airport Express HARUKA is an express train that goes through Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, and eventually to Kyoto Station.
This stylish modern train is known as the Hello Kitty HARUKA and is well-loved by passengers. There are 4 different designs for the train in 4 color schemes and each one is impressively cute.
It is a little pricey for a trip to Namba and you need to change trains once. Plus the Hello Kitty HARUKA only runs about once an hour.
However, true Kitty fans and lovers of kawaii will want to ride it anyway. Just look how cute the interior is!

・Head to Ame-mura or Shinsaibashi areas with the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service (Cost: ¥1,080/Travel time: approximately 59 min/Train transfer: 1 time)

Compared to the HARUKA, this train runs much more frequently with trains coming almost every 20 minutes.
Similarly though, you will need to transfer trains in order to get to Namba.
Overseas visitors who have purchased a special Japan Rail Pass from JR can base themselves in Osaka and travel all over the Kansai region without paying extra train fare. Keep in mind there are lots of local trains (futsū ressha) that will take you where you’re going, but they also take a long time. Make sure you get on the train marked “Kansai Airport Rapid Service” (kankū kaisoku).

【Why ride the JR?】

If you purchase a Japan Rail Pass, you can ride trains and busses in the JR network without an additional cost—and this includes the Shinkansen (Bullet Train)!
JR Namba is the closest JR station to America-mura, Horie, and Shinsaibashi neighborhoods.

■ Going by bus (Cost: ¥1,100/Travel time for Terminal 1: approximately 50 min Terminal 2: approximately 63 min)

The bus is another great option to get to Namba. The limousine bus stops at Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT), which is located near JR Namba Station and the night bus stops near the Nankai Namba Station.
Personally, this is my favorite way to get to and from the airport. Some people are not as familiar with the bus route, so they opt for the train, but I promise you this is a very comfortable ride. You get a seat and ride all the way from the airport to Namba without stopping.
Compared to the train, buses do not run as often and the bus travel time is subject to traffic conditions so please check the schedule before you choose this option.
Please also keep in mind that you have to buy a ticket, at the appropriate vending machine, before boarding the bus at the designated bus stop number for your destination. Then you hand your ticket to the driver when you get on.

・Terminal 1 Bus Stop

The bus stop is right outside the first floor arrival lobby. There are signs and pictographs of a bus symbol so you won’t get lost. It’s easy to find!

The OCAT bus stops at stop number 11. And the ticket vending machines are located just outside the exit doors to the right.
If you’re taking the night bus to Nankai Namba Station, head to stop number 5.

・Terminal 2 Bus Stop

Head to bus stop number 6 to catch the Namba OCAT bus. For the night bus to Nankai Namba Station, board at number 3.

So what did you think? I hope I something about transportation to Namba from Kansai International Airport. If you’re a budget traveler, prioritize the train/bus fare. If you want to get where you’re going quickly, consider the timing. It’s also a good idea to choose based on exactly where your headed in the city. And it’s fun to ride Japan’s many trains. 
I will also mention that there are some discount tickets through the various railway companies or set tickets that pair special deals with train tickets. I can’t go into all those detail here, but I hope you got a general idea for which transportation is best for your trip. 
Good luck! And have fun in Osaka!