If you are traveling directly between Kobe and Kansai International Airport the easiest and most convenient way is by taking the Bay Shuttle. This is a high-speed ferry boat service between Kobe Airport and Kansai International Airport that takes just 30 minutes to cross Osaka Bay.
The Bay Shuttle for Kobe Airport & Kansai Airport
The Bay Shuttle is definitely the fastest and most scenic way to travel to and from Kobe! But if you are visiting Japan from abroad you can also get a discount ticket, which makes it excellent value too.
Regular fares for a one-way ticket on the Bay Shuttle are 1,880 yen for adults and 940 yen for children. For a round-trip ticket the regular fare is 3,060 yen for adults and 1,530 yen for children.
But if you are a foreigner visiting Japan then you can get a discount one-way ticket which is just 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children. Discount tickets can be bought online in advance, but to use the discount ticket you will need to show your passport.
If the Bay Shuttle service is cancelled because of bad weather conditions, then an alternative bus service will be supplied. However, if there is a typhoon, then a bus service won’t be supplied for safety reasons.
The ticket counter at Kobe Airport’s Bay Shuttle pier
Traveling from Kobe Airport
Kobe Airport is located on an island just off the coast of Kobe and has two terminals. The airport is directly connected to central Kobe by the Port Liner rail service. The Port Liner takes 18 minutes to run between the airport and the Sannomiya area in central Kobe. However, you can also travel between the airport and the city center by bus, taxi or rental car.
At the airport a free shuttle bus takes about 3 minutes to run between the airport terminals and the Bay Shuttle pier, but you can also walk between the terminals and the pier in around 6 minutes. Tickets can be bought at the pier.
There are sixteen Bay Shuttle services from Kobe Airport, which run from 5:30 in the morning to 22:45 at night.
After arriving at Kansai International Airport a free shuttle bus service will take you to your terminal. This takes 10 minutes to reach Terminal 1 and 20 minutes to reach Terminal 2.
The waiting room at Kobe Airport’s Bay Shuttle pier
Traveling from Kansai International Airport
Kansai International Airport is located on an island in Osaka Bay and has two terminals.
There are ticket counters for the Bay Shuttle service at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and there is a free shuttle bus service that takes around 10 minutes to run from either terminal to the Bay Shuttle pier. At this airport only shuttle buses are allowed to access the pier so you have to take this bus service.
At Terminal 1 the ticket counter is on the 1st floor and the shuttle bus runs from Bus Stop 12, which is a few steps away from the ticket counter.
At Terminal 2 the ticket counter is outside of the international arrivals lobby and the Bay Shuttle bus stop is just a few steps away from the counter.
There are sixteen Bay Shuttle services from Kansai International Airport, which run from 6:30 in the morning to 24:00 at night.
A ferry boat docked at Kobe Airport’s Bay Shuttle pier
Buying Tickets
Tickets for the Bay Shuttle can be bought on the day of travel from a ticket machine or ticket counter at your departure point, or you can book your tickets online in advance and receive a digital ticket. Online bookings can be made from 90 days in advance up to one hour before your departure.
To reserve your ticket in advance, please visit the official online booking site.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 29-Jan-2026.
