Originally Posted by IncyWincy
1. How long is the train ride from KIX to Kyoto (Westin Hotel Kyoto)? How do we get from KIX airport to train station? And then from station to Westin?
2. Would it be a better idea to first go to Tokyo (which would be 2nd leg of our journey any way) and then take a train to Kyoto and back? HOw long is that journey?
1. Perhaps the most convenient way from KIX to Kyoto is via the deluxe express train called the JR Haruka. It starts from the airport train station, which is just across the elevated walkway from the arrivals lobby, and takes about 70 minutes to Kyoto, with only 3 other stops in between. It is nearly $30.00 for reserved seating, but faster and more comfortable than other, less expensive methods. There are also limosine buses and local trains. Once at Kyoto station, bear right as you exit the north side and you will come to the cab stands. Cabbies probably won't speak much English, but will understand "Westin Hotel."
2. If you can work out arriving at either KIX or NRT and departing from the other one, you would only need to ride the shinkansen one way, rather than doing the roundtrip. The shinkansen takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours one way, depending on class of train. One of my better trips involved arriving KIX, spending several days in the Kansai (around Kyoto/Osaka), followed by the train to Tokyo for a few more days there and leaving for home from NRT.
JR