Going to Kyoto--fly into KIX or NRT?
 

I'm planning on going to a conference in Kyoto, and I had thought that I would fly into Osaka (KIX). Looking at this map from the conference center, however, seems to suggest it is better to fly into NRT. Can someone who has done this tell me which airport it is better to fly into including:

* Ease of transportation (i.e. not a million transfers)

* Cost

* Sightseeing while on the transportation

* Anything else important that I'm missing

Thanks.

KIX. No brainer. 75 minutes by Haruka limited express from KIX for about Y3000 vs. 4+ hours and Y15,000+ by limited express and shinkansen from Narita.

NGO is another option: UA flies SFO - NGO.

You might be reading the map incorrectly.

The Map says from NRT to Tokyo Station is 60/80 (more like 90+ minutes by bus) minutes with a connection to the Shinkansen at Tokyo to Kyoto for a 2hr 15minute ride.

Whist, KIX is a 75minute direct train ride, or a 95 or so minute bus ride.

I agree with KIX, its the closest international airport, and has direct rail and bus connections to Kyoto. It is the easiest and cheapest option as well.

International Airports in order of closeness:

1. KIX
2. NGO (Nagoya)
3. NRT would be my last option.

That's a horrible map. If you didn't know better, you might think that the center is a short subway ride from Hokkaido. (It isn't).

RailroadTycoon has hit the nail on the head -
(1) KIX - closest & easiest
(2) NGO - not a bad option
(3) NRT - last choice

I'll pile on here, too.

The map is misleading. It also shows "Osaka Airport" as being the closest to Kyoto, which is true, but it is referring to Itami (ITM). ITM might be a good option if you were flying from within Japan, but is not an international portal.

Choices:

1. KIX. Easy access, board the train right at the airport, one fast and easy connection to Kyoto. Use the "Haruka" deluxe train. It is worth every penny.

2. NGO. New, wonderful airport, one connection to Nagoya then one short shinkansen link to Kyoto. More time and expense in train travel.

3. NRT. Oldest, least enjoyable airport. Unpleasant hour+ link to Tokyo Station, difficult train connection for first-timers, expensive 2.5 to 3+ hour shinkansen ride to Kyoto.

I agree with Richard. No brainer. ;)

JR

That's a terrible map. Especially if you're staying in Kyoto, the only way to get there after a long international flight is through KIX. Everything else is just that much more travel instead of enjoying your destination.

As seen from the Moon, it may appear that the center is a short subway ride from Hokkaido. I could probably even crush all of Japan between my thumb and forefinger from that distance.

In principle I agree with everybody here, but taking into account

I would actually recommend NGO. Even more sightseeing if one takes the local train from NGO to the main station instead of the fast airport train. :D

Maybe I'm missing something, but the Airport trains and the local trains use the same line. The faster trains just skip stations that the locals stop at. I've ridden this line before and I don't recall any must sees along the way.

Since sightseeing was his final point and flying into KIX meets the two primary points of ease (no transfers) and price, KIX would be the more logical choice.

Don't think you get to many locals sleeping on your shoulder on the airport train. ;) I admit I was thinking more about the local feeling you get in the train instead of what you see outside. Besides changing trains once should be part of the experience anyway. And you get to ride on the shinkansen for a while.

Actually it depends on what part of the airport train you ride on. Along with reserved section some of the trains have unreserved sections attached that locals ride on as well. I was riding with standing room only a few stops after the airport. I was cheap not to pay for a seat reservation in the next car...

Since he'll be in Kyoto for abit I'm sure he'll have a few opportunities to ride trains, do transfers etc.

After a XX hr international flight, someone might want to get to their meeting place/hotel whatever with the least amount of hassles.
Most importantly its cheaper to go to/from KIX to Kyoto than it is from NGO to Kyoto.

And if the bridge from KIX to Kansai proper doesn´t cover the sightseeing aspect then nothing will. I still find the views incredible every time when using the Haruka.

Thanks for all the replies. I ended up booking into KIX. I did look into NGO, just for completeness sake, and it added many hundreds of dollars to my airfare. I'll hit that region of the country after my conference during my sightseeing times.

Good to hear you found your best way to one of the places on earth I like most. I couldn't agree more that airfare and convenience of air travel count the most. That is the reason why I will be using NGO again in October on my way to Kyoto and Kobe, as LH only offers C to KIX from FRA, while they offer F to NGO.