How to Get from Kansai Airport to Himeji by Limousine Bus or Trains

There are many ways to travel from Osaka (KIX) Kansai Airport to Himeji. The easiest and cheapest way is to take a limousine bus directly from Kansai Airport to Himeji Station. You can also take a combination of bus, JR trains, metro and Shinkansen to reach Himeji, but you will have to change trains. Therefore, the second option is not advisable when it comes to convenience and cost.

I stayed with Maya, my Japanese friend near Himeji Castle for a few days at Hyogo. She was the one who proposed taking a direct bus from KIX Airport and not train. As a local, she knows best about airport transfer from Kansai to Himeji Station since she is living there. If you are going to Himeji from Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, refer to the article for a comprehensive guide.

I will be providing you with information along the way as it can be a challenge to look at some websites when the language is only in Japanese. You have to do an on-page translation in your browser. Without the translation extension installed on the browser, it will not be easy to navigate and obtain the information on Japanese sites compared to those from other countries.

1.Direct Kansai Airport Limousine Bus to Himeji

The best way to get from Kansai Airport to Himeji is by Kansai Airport Limousine Bus which is a direct bus with only one stop. There are two websites you can refer to for the bus ticket and schedule from Kansai Airport to Himeji Station – KATE and Shinki Bus. Both companies sell the same type of bus ticket and have the same telephone number (+81) 078-231-4892 for making a reservation.

KATE stands for Kansai Airport Transportation Enterprise. From the website, you can see two tabs of bus schedules departing from Kansai Airport Terminal 1 and 2, and also from Kakogawa Station (HM1) and Himeji Station (HM2). The endpoint will be either one of these four stations. The alighting point for Himeji is at bus stop no. 11, located at Himeji Terminal Square, opposite Himeji Station.

The adult and children bus fares in Yen from Kansai Airport to Himeji Station below have been converted to USD, EURO and SGD. The bus fare may differ with dates from 1 October onwards being ¥100 more expensive at ¥3,400.

You can also refer to the Quick Yen Conversion Table by filtering the Yen amount in every ¥500 to give you a quick estimation in USD, EURO or SGD. It can provide you with a more convenient travel trip on your mobile, with or without an internet connection.

The problem is that both KATE and Shinki Bus does not allow you to book online if you are not in Japan. In other words, the payment system is blocked for other countries out of Japan. Maya told me she could see the booking system on her end but not for me.

According to both websites, you have to reserve the ticket to go to Kakogawa or Himeji Station by calling either one company. Without reservation, you can only depend on the seat availability on that day of arrival and buy one ticket on the spot. Don’t you find it risky if there is no more bus ticket from Kansai Airport to Himeji without reserving?

Maya offered to reserve for me by calling the company. The next day, she had my seat reserved and also paid for it. I was lucky to have a friend in Japan who could help me book online. So, what about you? You may not have a friend residing in Japan like Maya who can do the same.

» Enquiry to Shinki Bus

At the same time, I also sent an inquiry to Shinki Bus the day before prior to Maya’s reservation. On the other hand, I could not find an email address or a feedback form on KATE so I only enquired from Shinki Bus.

Below is the reply from Shinki Bus who replied to me promptly the next day:-

» Bus Stop Locations @ Kansai Airport Terminal 1 and 2

Here are the addresses of both Kansai Airport Terminal 1 and 2 to locate the bus stop departing to Kakogawa/Himeji Station. For Kansai Airport transfer between Terminal 1 and 2, click on any of the links below and scroll to the end.

*The Ticket Window Counters are the only places where you can pay with credit cards at the airport.

Kansai Airport Terminal 1 @ Bus Stop 6

The profile image pic is where you will queue up and wait for the Shinki Bus. You can also buy a ticket to Himeji at the window counter, but the limo bus that goes to Himeji is not the same as the online purchase from Shinki Bus. I watched one bus to Himeji leave as my ticket did not allow me to board. You will still go to Bus Stop 6. The bus attendants will guide you where to queue.

KATE: Bus Stops @ Kansai Airport Terminal 1

Kansai Airport Terminal 2 @ Bus Stop 4

KATE: Bus Stops @ Kansai Airport Terminal 2

» Drop-Off Bus Stop Location @ Himeji Eki Mae

The precise drop-off point for buses departing from Kansai Airport and (also for Itami Airport) is at Himeji Eki Mae bus stop (Show Streetview)

which is 120 m away from Himeji Train Station as per the image below. Oh yes, there is a toilet inside the bus for the 2h 20 min journey. The duration taken is exactly the ETA stated on the KATE website.

Shinki Bus Drop-off Bus Stop @ Himeji Eki Mae Bus Stop Beside Himeji Station

2.KIX to Himeji Station by Various Airport Transfers » Limo Bus + JR Trains + Shinkansen

Although Option 1 above is the most preferred and convenient method, one must always have a contingency plan in case the bus ticket for that day is sold out. Then, you will not feel lost or helpless if that happens. So now, here is the second way to go from Kansai Airport to Himeji by train or a combination of a limo bus, JR Trains, subway/metro and Shinkansen.

» Get an ICOCA Transport Card or Japan Rail (JR) Pass

» Limousine Bus + Train Combo from Kansai Airport to Himeji Station

Here is a combination of options (and more) to go from Kansai Airport to Himeji Station. Among all Kansai Airport Transport combo, Method 1 is the fastest and Method 3 is the cheapest and most practical if you do not want to buy a JR Pass. You can get the Kansai Airport Limousine Bus ticket online or at the counter (refer to the images of Airport Terminal 1 and 2 above).

3.Conclusion

You can see the complication of changing a few means of transport to Himeji Station if you are not taking a direct bus. The few methods quoted above are just some of the results with fewer transfers found on Google Maps (Show Map).

There are many more if you click on “More Options” on the map. As the results are dynamic and live, the maps will show different results each time.

Some are not feasible and require changing the trains 5 or 6 times while you manoeuvre around with luggage. Additionally, the duration taken to walk with a suitcase will be longer. It is best to avoid it if possible. Next, follow me to Himeji Castle, Engyoji Temple and the things to do in Himeji city.