KIX to Osaka Station / IC Osaka
Feb 2, 2014, 6:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NUE
Programs: Skywards Gold, IC Ambassador, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 495
KIX to Osaka Station / IC Osaka
Will be arriving at Kix on a Sunday afternoon at 3.50 pm.
Was thinking about taking the JR Airport Express directly to Osaka station and then walk to the Intercontinental which is in the Grand Front Complex next to the station.
I will be taking a larger suitcase (with wheels) with me. Could it be a problem on the train with the luggage? Are there any spaces to store luggage? And will the train be busy and crowded?
Should I perhaps consider other options and if so which ones?
Was thinking about taking the JR Airport Express directly to Osaka station and then walk to the Intercontinental which is in the Grand Front Complex next to the station.
I will be taking a larger suitcase (with wheels) with me. Could it be a problem on the train with the luggage? Are there any spaces to store luggage? And will the train be busy and crowded?
Should I perhaps consider other options and if so which ones?
Feb 2, 2014, 6:56 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,437
If you are thinking limited express train Haruka when you mentioned JR Airport Express, then Haruka does not stop at Osaka station, Haruka stops at Shin-Osaka station which is a station for Bullet train (Shin-kansen).
JR has rapid commuter train running between KIX and Osaka station. This is a commuter train, no reserved seating, stops at more stations. You can carry large luggage, but there is no dedicated space for large luggage storage. Rapid train will get crowded as get close to Osaka. I think navigating through Osaka station with large luggage will be more of challenge than riding a rapid train with large luggage.
JR has rapid commuter train running between KIX and Osaka station. This is a commuter train, no reserved seating, stops at more stations. You can carry large luggage, but there is no dedicated space for large luggage storage. Rapid train will get crowded as get close to Osaka. I think navigating through Osaka station with large luggage will be more of challenge than riding a rapid train with large luggage.
Feb 2, 2014, 7:05 am
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,934
There is a limousine bus service from KIX to Hotel Hankyu International which is only a few minutes walk from the IC. It departs from bus stop #5 just outside the terminal building, and costs 1500yen. The luggage space is quite roomy so I don't think you will have problems there.
You can find the timetable here:
http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/e_time_tabl...a_tt.html#from
You can find the timetable here:
http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/e_time_tabl...a_tt.html#from
Feb 2, 2014, 7:36 am
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
I'll be arriving on a friday morning and heading to the IC as well. Looks like the New Hankyu Hotel is only about 400 meters away from the IC (according to googlemaps). I see the bus also travels from Westin Osaka to KIX which I'll be departing from.
Still looking at the various options of transport when in Osaka. Any recommendations? Will be there for 6 nights, may or may not head to Kobe or Kyoto. First time to Japan for me.
Still looking at the various options of transport when in Osaka. Any recommendations? Will be there for 6 nights, may or may not head to Kobe or Kyoto. First time to Japan for me.
Last edited by lcpteck; Feb 2, 2014 at 8:01 am
Feb 2, 2014, 10:45 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
I would highly recommend going to Kyoto, as it has a different vibe and look from Osaka.
Like most of the largest Japanese cities, Osaka has an extensive and efficient public transport system of subways and surface trains, with signs marked in Japanese and English, as well as buses, which are usable mostly if you can either read Japanese or have someone tell you which number bus you need to take to get to a certain destination. Nearly everyone in Japan takes public transit, and it's safe and clean.
If you need to take a cab, there are an amazing number of them always cruising the main streets. It's helpful to have someone write down your destination in Japanese or, if you venture out of your hotel, to take the hotel's business card with you, since cab drivers rarely speak much English. However, cabs are by far the most expensive way to travel.
The situation with transit passes has evidently changed since I was last there, so maybe someone with more current knowledge can help you out.
Like most of the largest Japanese cities, Osaka has an extensive and efficient public transport system of subways and surface trains, with signs marked in Japanese and English, as well as buses, which are usable mostly if you can either read Japanese or have someone tell you which number bus you need to take to get to a certain destination. Nearly everyone in Japan takes public transit, and it's safe and clean.
If you need to take a cab, there are an amazing number of them always cruising the main streets. It's helpful to have someone write down your destination in Japanese or, if you venture out of your hotel, to take the hotel's business card with you, since cab drivers rarely speak much English. However, cabs are by far the most expensive way to travel.
The situation with transit passes has evidently changed since I was last there, so maybe someone with more current knowledge can help you out.
Feb 2, 2014, 11:23 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NUE
Programs: Skywards Gold, IC Ambassador, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 495
There is a limousine bus service from KIX to Hotel Hankyu International which is only a few minutes walk from the IC. It departs from bus stop #5 just outside the terminal building, and costs 1500yen. The luggage space is quite roomy so I don't think you will have problems there.
You can find the timetable here:
http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/e_time_tabl...a_tt.html#from
You can find the timetable here:
http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/e_time_tabl...a_tt.html#from
Last edited by Mr. LAU; Feb 2, 2014 at 11:46 am
Feb 10, 2014, 10:26 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
Feb 26, 2014, 8:11 am
#9
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Reaching KIX on Friday morning, gonna try the limousine bus as mentioned earlier and walk from there. Looks like googlemaps is updated as well to see the hotel grounds.
Mar 20, 2014, 8:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SIN and wandering.
Posts: 1,549
Am arriving on a Monday morning and heading to the IC Osaka. I noted that the recommended route is to take the AIrport Limousine to Hotel Hankyu International and then walk to IC Osaka. However, the last bus to Hotel Hankyu International leaves before my flight touches down.
How far is the distance from Hotel New Hankyu to IC Osaka? Would Airport Limousine still be a viable option, or should I consider the commuter train instead?
How far is the distance from Hotel New Hankyu to IC Osaka? Would Airport Limousine still be a viable option, or should I consider the commuter train instead?
Mar 20, 2014, 10:19 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Am arriving on a Monday morning and heading to the IC Osaka. I noted that the recommended route is to take the AIrport Limousine to Hotel Hankyu International and then walk to IC Osaka. However, the last bus to Hotel Hankyu International leaves before my flight touches down.
How far is the distance from Hotel New Hankyu to IC Osaka? Would Airport Limousine still be a viable option, or should I consider the commuter train instead?
How far is the distance from Hotel New Hankyu to IC Osaka? Would Airport Limousine still be a viable option, or should I consider the commuter train instead?
Apr 21, 2014, 5:46 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SIN and wandering.
Posts: 1,549
Since I just returned from my trip, thought I'll post my 2 cents worth. I was going to take the Airport Limousine, however seeing JR West have this bundle deal, I took the train instead.
I took the commuter train from KIX to Osaka station (approx 70 minutes) and walked approx 10 minutes through the Grand Front Complex to the IC Osaka. The commuter train was not crowded at all but that could be due to the timing (I took the train at approx 9.30pm and checked in at 11pm). Very easy walk you essentially walk through the entire complex to the hotel entrance which is located at the north of the complex. Luggage was not an issue as the JR KIX/Umeda station have many escalators/elevators throughout the station.
The Haruka+ICOCA deal is pretty worth it as it includes a preloaded ICOCA card (1500Yen Value + 500 Card Deposit), which means the KIX-Umeda journey is 1030Yen, cheaper than the Limousine bus.
I took the commuter train from KIX to Osaka station (approx 70 minutes) and walked approx 10 minutes through the Grand Front Complex to the IC Osaka. The commuter train was not crowded at all but that could be due to the timing (I took the train at approx 9.30pm and checked in at 11pm). Very easy walk you essentially walk through the entire complex to the hotel entrance which is located at the north of the complex. Luggage was not an issue as the JR KIX/Umeda station have many escalators/elevators throughout the station.
The Haruka+ICOCA deal is pretty worth it as it includes a preloaded ICOCA card (1500Yen Value + 500 Card Deposit), which means the KIX-Umeda journey is 1030Yen, cheaper than the Limousine bus.
Apr 25, 2014, 8:40 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Since I just returned from my trip, thought I'll post my 2 cents worth. I was going to take the Airport Limousine, however seeing JR West have this bundle deal, I took the train instead.
I took the commuter train from KIX to Osaka station (approx 70 minutes) and walked approx 10 minutes through the Grand Front Complex to the IC Osaka. The commuter train was not crowded at all but that could be due to the timing (I took the train at approx 9.30pm and checked in at 11pm). Very easy walk you essentially walk through the entire complex to the hotel entrance which is located at the north of the complex. Luggage was not an issue as the JR KIX/Umeda station have many escalators/elevators throughout the station.
The Haruka+ICOCA deal is pretty worth it as it includes a preloaded ICOCA card (1500Yen Value + 500 Card Deposit), which means the KIX-Umeda journey is 1030Yen, cheaper than the Limousine bus.
I took the commuter train from KIX to Osaka station (approx 70 minutes) and walked approx 10 minutes through the Grand Front Complex to the IC Osaka. The commuter train was not crowded at all but that could be due to the timing (I took the train at approx 9.30pm and checked in at 11pm). Very easy walk you essentially walk through the entire complex to the hotel entrance which is located at the north of the complex. Luggage was not an issue as the JR KIX/Umeda station have many escalators/elevators throughout the station.
The Haruka+ICOCA deal is pretty worth it as it includes a preloaded ICOCA card (1500Yen Value + 500 Card Deposit), which means the KIX-Umeda journey is 1030Yen, cheaper than the Limousine bus.
Apr 26, 2014, 1:37 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SIN and wandering.
Posts: 1,549
There is also the regular Airport Rapid Express from KIX to Osaka, this was what I took.
The bundle deal is valid for almost all stations within the larger Osaka area. You can even use it to Kyoto and Kobe which makes it super worth it.
Whichever option you choose, the traveling time is about the same (approx 70min). I had two large suitcases but no issues with them on the train or navigating at JR Osaka station. Osaka station, after its redevelopment, is so much easier to navigate now compared to years ago. ^^
I keep all my transit cards from all the countries I travelled to. You can also use your ICOCA in other regions around Japan so good idea to keep it with you.
Last edited by SQ319; Apr 26, 2014 at 9:17 am Reason: Error in station name
Apr 26, 2014, 6:08 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,632
FYI - Umeda station(s) and Osaka station are essentially in the same location. Osaka is the name of the JR station and Umeda for Hankyu line, Hanshin line, and the subway.
So ... The subway (Midosuji line) goes from Shin-Osaka to Umeda station
The JR train (Kansai Airport Rapid Service) goes from KIX to Osaka station
I thought it worth mentioning in case the OP tries to find "Umeda" on a JR line map.
So ... The subway (Midosuji line) goes from Shin-Osaka to Umeda station
The JR train (Kansai Airport Rapid Service) goes from KIX to Osaka station
I thought it worth mentioning in case the OP tries to find "Umeda" on a JR line map.