Kansai International Airport, located just outside of Osaka, is the main airport that serves the region that includes Kyoto. Once you have arrived at the airport, there are a number of options to get you the rest of the way to Kyoto. One of the quickest ways is to take the JR Haruka Super Express train, which departs every 30 minutes from the airport directly to Kyoto Station. The train ride take about 75 minutes. A reserved seat (recommended in the high season) costs 3490 Yen ($29), an unreserved seat is 2980 Yen ($25), and if you're in the mood to splurge, a first class seat costs 4220 Yen ($37). A slower, but less expensive, option is to take JR Kanku Kaisoku on Hanwa Line, which offers departures every 30 minutes from the airport. After switching to Shin Kaisoku (another rapid express train) in Osaka Station, taking Tokaido Line from here drops you in Kyoto. The total time to be spent after leaving JR Kansai Airport Station is about 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours.

If traveling to Kyoto from another location within Japan, you will probably want to take advantage of Japan's reliable and efficient (extremely efficient) rail service. The Shinkansen bullet train offers service from Tokyo to Kyoto. This 2.5 hour trip with a one-way fare will cost about 13,220 Yen ($115). There are also a number of commuter trains that provide service into Kyoto as well.

Bus service is also another travel option to Kyoto. Two bus lines that provide service from Tokyo to Kyoto include JR Bus Kanto and Nishinihon JR Bus. Bus lines provide both daytime and overnight service. A one-way fare fpr this 7-8 hour trip costs between 5000 and 8180 Yen ($44-$71).

More info in the Osaka arriving/departing page: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29...