Practical tips
- If you are flying to Osaka from abroad, you will most likely land at its main international airport—Kansai International Airport
KIX, the main international hub for the region, located 45 km (28 miles) south of the city of Osaka.
The second Osaka airport — Itami AirportITMis closer to the city center, just 20 km (12 miles) north. It is also known as Osaka International Airport; however, despite the name, it currently only serves domestic destinations.
KIX, located 45 km (28 miles) south of the city of Osaka, or Itami Airport ITM (also known as Osaka International Airport), which is much closer to the city center, just 20 km or 12 miles north.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, Scoot, Tigerair Taiwan, and VietJet Air.
Flights to Osaka
from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Osaka. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Osaka, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Direct flights from the US (Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco) to Osaka are operated by Air Canada, Japan Airlines, ANA, Hawaiian Airlines, and United Airlines.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Canada to Osaka. - Osaka is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Osaka with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL, DallasDFW, DenverDEN, ChicagoORD, Los AngelesLAX, Las VegasDFW, MiamiMIA, SeattleSEA, HoustonIAH, New YorkJFK, and San FranciscoSFOin the United States and TorontoYYZ, VancouverYVR, CalgaryLAS, and MontrealYULin Canada. - The best airlines to fly to Osaka from the US and Canada are: ANA, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, and Singapore Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
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What is the best time to book flights to Osaka?
The best time to book flights to Osaka is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Osaka flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Airfare prices for Osaka flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales.
Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats.
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays including holidays in Japan. If you must travel during peak times, book your flight well in advance.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to Osaka less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up.
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to Osaka, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. This is the “Prime Booking Window.” After some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 a.m.) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand—most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Flights to Osaka from Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Osaka — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Osaka are about 11-15 hours long. Only some of the largest European hubs have a nonstop connection to Osaka (arriving at Kansai International Airport
KIX) - among them are Amsterdam, Munich, Frankfurt, Helsinki, and Paris. Those flights are operated by ANA, Japan Airlines, Air France, Finnair, KLM, and Lufthansa - Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Osaka include ANA, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Osaka from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
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The cheapest time to fly to Osaka
During the peak summer months, all of Osaka’s top attractions get rather busy. If you plan to do some sightseeing, aim for the quieter “shoulder” months between the seasons – from March to May and from September to November. It is an ideal time to visit the country to avoid peak-season flight prices and tourist crowds. You’ll also be rewarded with the things other visitors will miss out on: amazing warm fall colors and shorter queues at entrances to museums and temples.
However, if you are looking for the cheapest flights, fly to Osaka in the low season – December, January and February. You will have the chance to see the city in a whole new light, often under a layer of snow. A special event – hanami (the flowering of plum trees) – bloom as early as February in Osaka. In addition, you will see low prices everywhere, namely the accommodation and flights.
Osaka Kansai or Itami airport?
Osaka is served by the airports of Kansai KIX and Itami ITM.
Kansai International Airport is the main international hub for the region, serving over 30 airlines and 17 international destinations. It is located 45 km (28 miles) south of the city of Osaka, situated on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, purpose-built for the airport. Getting to Kansai by car will take at least 40 minutes. KIX is an ideal choice for travelers coming from overseas, as it offers more flights and destinations, including long-haul international flights. In fact, if you are flying internationally, then Kansai is the only option.
Itami Airport is closer to the city center, just 20 km (12 miles) north, and it primarily caters to domestic flights by Japan Airlines and ANA. While Itami is also known by the name Osaka International Airport, it currently only serves domestic destinations, with a strong network of routes to Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Sapporo, Sendai, Fukuoka, and many more. Itami is also less crowded and easier to navigate than KIX. If you are flying domestically or looking at the distance from Osaka’s city center alone, then Itami would be the winning airport.
Avoid Osaka during the Golden Week
Prices skyrocket during holidays in Osaka – consider adjusting your travel dates to avoid high ticket prices. Golden Week, a cluster of public holidays in April and May that often fall on weekends, is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Japan. Many establishments, including cafes and restaurants, shut down during Golden Week as locals travel to be with their families. Be prepared for crowded flights, trains and fully booked hotels as the demand is high and reservations fill up quickly.
In addition to Golden Week, it is also wise to avoid other high-traffic holidays such as New Year (January 1-3), Obon (August 11-19), and Silver Week (September 16-23). If you must travel to Osaka during these times, booking your flights as early as possible is advisable.
Ship your extra baggage via Kuroneko Yamato
Yamato Transport (aka “kuroneko” – literally “black cat”) is the largest door-to-door delivery company in Japan. Conveniently located at the Osaka airport and many other places in Japanese cities, Kuroneko Yamato will ship your extra baggage to your next destination – at a very reasonable cost.
Enjoy hands-free travel, shopping, and sightseeing!
Shinkansen, Japanese bullet train
Japan’s famous train lines are some of the best ways to see the country on a budget. Trains are punctual, comfortable, safe, and clean. The best of these is the Shinkansen Bullet Train: with a front car that resembles a space rocket, it can travel at a maximum speed of 320kmph making a trip such as Osaka to Tokyo – 515 km (320 miles) away – in just 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Be sure to pick up your Japan Rail Pass – which allows unlimited travel – before departure to ensure savings (you can’t purchase a JRP inside of Japan).
Save on local fares with JAL and ANA passes
ANA and Japan Airlines have an interesting “special fares” option for foreign tourists visiting Japan.
JAL Japan Explorer Pass is a fare that can be used to access over 30 cities across JAL’s domestic network. The pass provides an easy solution to traveling beyond Osaka and the well-trodden tourist routes. You must already have a return ticket (out of Japan) to be eligible for JAL Explorer Pass three price points: JPY 5500 ($40/A$60), JPY 7700 ($58/A$85), and JPY 11000 (~$82/A$120).
ANA Discover Japan Fare is a discounted fare explicitly aimed at foreign visitors. It can be used across ANA’s entire domestic flight network; however, the pricing has been structured to encourage the exploration of Japan’s diverse islands. With different fare rules, you can choose between two fare types – Value and Super Value.
Know your time zone
When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket and boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.
Japan has only one time zone, despite being a large country that stretches almost 2400 kilometers through the western North Pacific Ocean and over 30 degrees longitude. It observes Japan Standard Time (JST) all year, which is UTC/GMT+09 time zone. As a result, clocks in Osaka are 9 hours ahead of London and 14 hours ahead of New York. JST does not have an associated daylight saving time.
Use coin lockers for your luggage
Nearly every train station and department store in Japan is equipped with wall coin lockers that offer temporary storage. Costing around ¥500 ($3.8/A$5.5) they are ideal for day trips. However, be careful as they usually have 24-hour limits and will charge you extra for overtime.
Domestic flights from Osaka
Most domestic routes in Japan are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Tokyo, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Naha, Kagoshima, Nagoya from Osaka Kansai and Osaka Itami, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: ANA, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, Skymark Airlines, Spring Airlines Japan, and StarFlyer.
This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Japanese destinations.
Flights to Osaka
from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Osaka. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australasia to Asia are operated by large international carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Osaka. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
Direct flights from Australia (Cairns) to Osaka take 7-8 hours of flight time. Currently there are no direct flights from New Zealand to Osaka. While choosing a flight with connections can save money, it will also add from 2 to 10 hours (sometimes more) of travel time. If you opt for an indirect route, some of the best options include routing through Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi. - Airfare costs can vary widely depending on the route and the airline’s pricing strategy. To find the cheapest flight to Osaka, compare ticket prices from various international airports in Australia – Sydney
SYD, BrisbaneBNE, MelbourneMEL, PerthPER, AdelaideADL, CairnsCNS, Gold CoastOOL, CanberraCBR, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL, WellingtonWLG, ChristchurchCHC, QueenstownZQN, and DunedinDUD. - For optimal savings, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a key Asian hub, then connect to Osaka via a regional low-cost carrier. Among budget airlines that fly to Osaka are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, Scoot, Tigerair Taiwan, and VietJet Air.
For the first leg, use the budget carriers that fly out of Australian airports, leveraging sales and promotions they run frequently: AirAsia (connects with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore), Cebu Pacific (Manila), Jetstar (Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo), Scoot (Singapore), VietJet Air (Ho Chi Minh City), Bamboo Airways (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing), and Batik Air (Jakarta, Singapore).
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Flights to Osaka
from major hubs in Asia
- Osaka is well-connected with other large hubs in the Asia Pacific. There are direct flights to Kansai International Airport
KIXairport from BangkokBKK, BeijingPEK, DubaiDXB, HanoiHAN, Ho Chi Minh CitySGN, Hong KongHKG, Kuala LumpurKUL, ManilaMN, ShanghaiPVG, SeoulICN, SingaporeSIN, and TaipeiTPE - Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Osaka look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Osaka will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Japan and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
Flights to Osaka dataset
