Haruka (train)

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Franchise(s): Not subject to franchising;
service began 1994
Main route(s): Maibara Station - Kusatsu Station - Kyoto Station - Kansai International Airport
Other route(s): None
Fleet size: 12 281 series sets
(6-car: 9 sets and 3-car: 3 sets)
Stations: 16
Parent company: West Japan Railway Company
Web site: www.westjr.co.jp/english/global.html

Haruka, Airport Express (関空特急はるか Kankū tokkyū haruka?), is a limited express train service, connecting Maibara through Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. It is operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West).

There are 60 Haruka train services per day, numbered 1 through 60: odd-numbered trains run south (toward the airport) and even-numbered trains run north (away from the airport). They operate every half hour between 6 AM and 8:30 PM. A standard travel time between Kyoto Station and the airport is 75 minutes for southbound trains and 73 minutes for northbound trains.

Stations

Haruka's primary service is between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport Station, with stops at Shin-Osaka Station and Tennoji Station in Osaka City. Some trains have additional stops.

The train passes through the Umeda Freight Line which bypasses Osaka Station when it moves from Tokaido Main Line to Osaka Loop Line and vice versa. Therefore it does not stop at Osaka Station.

The 281 series trains are used for Haruka train services.

Station Line Trains that stop Transfers
Maibara Station Tokaido Main Line 9, 13, 50, 54 Tokaido Shinkansen, Hokuriku Main Line
Hikone Station Tokaido Main Line 9, 13, 50, 54
Omi-hachiman Station Tokaido Main Line 9, 13, 50, 54
Yasu Station Tokaido Main Line 9, 13, 50, 54
Moriyama Station Tokaido Main Line 9, 13, 50, 54
Kusatsu Station Tokaido Main Line 3, 9, 13, 50, 54
Ishiyama Station Tokaido Main Line 3, 9, 13, 50, 54
Otsu Station Tokaido Main Line 3, 9, 13, 50, 54
Yamashina Station Tokaido Main Line 3, 9, 13, 50, 54
Kyoto Station Tokaido Main Line all trains Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanin Main Line
Shin-Osaka Station Tokaido Main Line all trains Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, Midosuji Line
Nishi-Kujo Station Osaka Loop Line all trains except
1-11 southbound
Yumesaki Line, Hanshin Railway
Tennoji Station Osaka Loop Line all trains Kansai Main Line, Hanwa Line, Midosuji Line, Tanimachi Line
Izumi-Fuchu Station Hanwa Line 2-6 northbound
45-59 southbound
Hineno Station Hanwa Line 2-6 northbound
45-59 southbound
Kansai Airport Station Kansai Airport Line all trains

Fares

The following fares (JPY) apply to travel to and from Kansai Airport. For reserved seat fares, a 200-yen surcharge or a 200-yen discount may apply for travels on some designated days. Japan Rail Pass holders can ride Haruka free of charge.

Station Green car Reserved seat Non-reserved seat
Kyoto 4,220 3,490 2,980
Shin-Osaka 3,710 2,980 2,470