Kansai consists of two main buildings - Terminal 1 and the low-cost Terminal 2.
Terminal 1 is modern, spacious and equipped with a wide range of services, while Terminal 2 is significantly smaller and also less well equipped with services.
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Which terminal?
Both terminals handle both domestic and international flights and are split by airline.
- Terminal 1 - all airlines except those that check in at Terminal 2
- Terminal 2 - Peach, Jeju Air, Spring Airlines
Shuttle bus between terminals
Only some Limousine buses run from downtown to Terminal 2, while trains only stop at Terminal 1.
A free airport shuttle bus runs between the two buildings 24/7.
- Travel time - 7 minutes
- Frequency - during the day 3-6 minutes / at night 60 minutes
- Detailed timetable: kansai-airport.or.jp/t2bus_timetable
Transfer between flights
With many international flights here, some airlines also offer guaranteed transfers from international routes.
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The procedures described below apply to passengers with a guaranteed transfer (both flights are purchased under one booking) or passengers with two separate flights without checked baggage with an online boarding pass for the connecting flight.
If you have both flights purchased as one booking, you never have to change terminals.
Domestic <-> Domestic
After exiting the aircraft, follow the "Transfer" signs and without leaving the transit area, just take the escalator up one level to where the departure gates are already located.
You do not go through any security check.
- Average transfer time - 10 to 20 minutes
- Baggage on transfer - will be transferred automatically
International -> Domestic
After exiting the plane, head towards the gate and immigration control.
After you must collect your baggage, exit the transit area, take the escalator to the departure level at the special counter for connecting flights to re-check your baggage.
You then go through security to the departure gate.
- Average transfer time - 40 to 65 minutes
- Transfer baggage - you must collect and re-check in
Domestic -> International
Before your first flight departs, always make sure your baggage will be checked through to your final destination or you will have to collect it in Osaka.
You must exit the transit area, take the escalator to the departure level and go through security and passport control to the international transit area.
- Average transfer time - 30 to 55 minutes
- Baggage on transfer - you usually have to collect and re-check in your baggage, but on some airlines it may be automatically rechecked
International <-> International
This type of transfer is quite rare at Osaka Airport, but is still possible without leaving the transit area.
When you get off the plane, follow the "Connecting Flights" signs, which will lead you to the transit security checkpoint. After that, you will be in the departure gate area.
There is no immigration control.
- Average transfer time - 15 to 25 minutes
- Baggage on transfer - will be transferred automatically
For a detailed description of transit procedures, please visit the airport's website at kansai-airport.or.jp/flight/route.
What to do if I have a long layover?
Kansai Airport is about 40 minutes by train from Namba, Shin-Imamiya or Tennoji stations, so it's worth visiting the city if you have a layover longer than 7 hours.
