Kansai International Airport (KIX) is one of Japan's largest and busiest airports. It is located on a man-made island which is about 40 kilometers south of Osaka, Japan's historical second city. There are multiple ways of traveling between Kansai International Airport and Osaka including by train, bus or taxi.

Osaka is served by two major airports, and their distances from the city center vary significantly. Kansai International Airport (KIX), the primary international hub, is located on an artificial island about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of central Osaka. In 2026, the fastest way to bridge this gap is the Nankai Rapi:t train, which takes about 38 minutes to reach the Namba district, or the JR Haruka Express, which reaches Osaka Station in roughly 45–50 minutes. Conversely, Osaka International Airport (Itami, ITM) is the domestic hub and is much closer, situated only 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of the city center. A taxi from Itami to the Umeda/Osaka Station area typically takes just 25–35 minutes depending on traffic. Travelers in 2026 should be careful when booking "Osaka" flights, as a "cheap" flight into KIX might be offset by the higher transportation costs (roughly ¥1,200–¥2,500) and longer travel time compared to the more convenient, though often more expensive, domestic flights into the centrally located Itami Airport.