Osaka’s “Bay Shuttle” High-Speed Ferry Service to Kobe Airport

As part of our list of resources for visitors to Osaka City, we provide some details about Bay Shuttle, the high-speed ferry service between Osaka’s Kansai Airport and the Kobe Airport. The Bay Shuttle is the fastest way to travel between Osaka Airport and Kobe Airport.

Osaka Kansai Airport Ferry to Kobe

— Bay Shuttle Ferry Service Between Kansai International Airport and Kobe Airport
— There are No Direct Flights from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kobe Airport
— How Long Does it Take to Go from Osaka Airport to Kobe Airport by Ferry Boat Service?
— How Much Does it Cost to Take the Bay Shuttle Ferry Service to Kobe?
— How to Buy a ticket for the Bay Shuttle Ferry Service from Osaka Kansai?
— Bay Shuttle Ferry Service is Handicap Accessible

 

Bay Shuttle Ferry Service Between Kansai International Airport and Kobe Airport?

Most people traveling between Osaka City and Kobe City take Osaka trains systems such as JR Line, Hanshin Line, and Hankyu Line. If you’re traveling from the center of Osaka, trains are faster.

However, you can travel by boat between Osaka Kansai Airport and Kobe Airport, with the high-speed ferry service called Bay Shuttle. This service is the fastest way to travel between the two airports. The time on the ferry boat is about 30 minutes one way, with an extra 20 to 30 minutes to get to downtown Kobe locations – about one hour for the full trip (slightly faster than taking trains).

The high-speed boat runs both ways, to and from Kansai International Airport and Kobe Airport.

There are No Direct Flights from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kobe Airport

The Bay Shuttle ferry in Osaka is useful primarily to visitors that arrive at Osaka Kansai International Airport and want to go directly to Kobe. There are no direct flights from Osaka Kanasi to Kobe Airport. For those visitors that arrive at Kansai, the Bay Shuttle provides the fastest direct route Kobe.

For visitors that are already in Osaka City (which is closer to Kobe than Osaka Kansai Airport), Osaka train service is faster and less expensive.

How Long Does it Take to Go from Osaka Airport to Kobe Airport by Ferry Boat Service?

Taking the Bay Shuttle Ferry from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kobe Airport takes about 30 to 40 minutes, with an addition 20 to 30 minutes to reach central Kobe locations.

Most visitors to Kobe will want to go to Sannomiya Station, or other locations in downtown Kobe (not the airport itself). It takes an addition 20 to 30 minutes from Kobe Airport to downtown Kobe. The total trip via Bay Shuttle ferry from Osaka Kansai Airport to downtown Sannomiya takes about 1 hr 12 minutes. If you take a train from Osaka Kansai to Kobe Sannomiya Station, it takes about 1 hr 30 mins. It is slightly faster to take the ferry from Kansai Airport to downtown Kobe.

Depending on where you are going in Kobe, it may still be faster to take a train instead of the Bay Shuttle.

How Much Does it Cost to Take the Bay Shuttle Ferry Service to from Osaka to Kobe?

A one-way ticket on the Bay Shuttle starts at 1,880 JPY for adults (including the cost to take the separate Portliner train to downtown Kobe).

Round-trip: 3,060 JPY (adults), 1,530 JPY (children)
Round-trip (valid for one day): 2,510 JPY (adults), 1,260 JPY (children)
One-way: 1,880 JPY (adults), 940 JPY (children)
Disability discount tickets: 950 JPY (adults), 480 JPY (children)

If you’re continuing on to downtown Kobe, from Kobe Airport you will also need to pay the fare on the Portliner train from Kobe Airport to Sannomiya (and other downtown destinations). There is a Bay Shuttle ticket that includes the Portliner train ride for the same price.

Make sure to buy a ticket that includes the free Portliner ride.

For comparison, taking trains from Osaka Kansai Airport can be less expensive, but takes longer. Taking the Kansaikuko Line (plus a transfer to Hanshin Line) only costs ~1500 JPY, but takes almost two hours (and will be more uncomfortable if you’re bring luggage). The Nankai Limited Express costs ~1900 JPY, and takes about 1 hr 30 minutes. The JR Haruka Line is the fastest train option, but using JR to go from Osaka Kansai to to Sannomiya will cost about 3500 JPY (both slower and more expensive than using Bay Shuttle).

How to Buy a Ticket for the Bay Shuttle Ferry Service from Osaka Kansai

You can purchase the tickets on the day of travel at the ticket counter or from a ticket machine. At Osaka’s KIX Kansai Airport, there is a Bay Shuttle counter inside Terminal 1.

Buy tickets online for the Bay Shuttle Ferry: https://www.kobe-access.jp/eng/reserve

It is highly recommended to book your ticket for the Bay Shuttle ferry service in advance, online, through the website.

You can make a reservation using your device in advance. After booking, you will receive a QR code that serves as your ticket. If you make a reservation by phone call, you can book from five to 90 days in advance. In this case, payment must be completed at a convenience store.

Bay Shuttle recommends that you register your face ID through your mobile device, saying it will be easier to check in for the Bay Shuttle without showing a ticket. In practice, showing your ticket via QR code is also very easy to do.

From Kobe Airport to Downtown Kobe City

From Kobe Airport to downtown locations such as the Sannomiya Station, it takes an additional 20 minutes on the Portliner train line to reach central Kobe/Sannomiya station and other stops in central Kobe.

Travelling Between Osaka City and Kobe City

While from some locations between Osaka to Kobe the train is a better option, there are specific reasons why some passengers choose to take the Bay Shuttle Ferry service.

If you live in Osaka City such as Chuo-ku near Namba station and around Umeda station in Kita-ku, the train is usually faster.

But if you live on the south side of Osaka, near Kansai International Airport, Osaka the Bay Shuttle Ferry can be faster than the train.

Also, most of the tourists arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX) and if you want to go directly to Kobe, the ferry service is the fastest route (there are no flights between Kobe Airport and Kansai International Airport).

Passengers choose this service because it is fast (only takes 30 minutes) because seats can be reserved in advance, because the seats are wider, and more comfortable than other transportation options.

Bay Shuttle Ferry Service is Handicap Accessible

The Bay Shuttle high-speed ferry service from Osaka Kansai Airport is handicap and wheelchair friendly. They provide barrier-free seating and spaces where wheelchairs can be secured and restrooms accessible to wheelchair users. (However, passengers are not allowed to remain seated in their wheelchairs during the voyage.) There is ticket discount service for people with disabilities.

See Also

— Guide to shopping in Osaka
— List of Osaka Department Stores
— Shopping in the Shinsaibashi and Namba area of Chuo-Ku, Osaka
— Shopping in the Umeda/Osaka Station area of Kita-Ku, Osaka
— Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan
— Osaka Itami Airport in Osaka, Japan
— Shinkansen, Subway, Train Lines, and Monorail in Osaka, Japan
— The Most Popular Train Stations in Osaka, Japan
— Major Train Stations Along the JR Osaka Loop Line in Osaka, Japan
— Major Train Stations in the Osaka Metro Subway System
— Hanshin Tigers and Baseball in Osaka, Japan
— Orix Buffaloes and Baseball in Osaka, Japan
— The Best Parks and Gardens in Osaka, Japan
— List of Museums in Osaka, Japan
— Shrines and Temples in Osaka, Japan
— Language Schools in Osaka, Japan
— Festivals in Osaka, Japan
— Discount “All Day” Tickets for the Subway in Japan
— Guide to the Osaka Marathon, Japan
— List of Marathon Events in Osaka, Japan
— List of Annual Events in Osaka, Japan
— The neighborhoods in Osaka, Japan

And also:
— KobeCity.com‘s article about the Bay Shuttle Ferry from Kobe Airport