Flight time from London
11 hrs 30 mins
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Flights toOsaka
Cross over for the wonders of Japan
Distance from London
5,909 miles
The Far East is closer than you think. You can now fly direct to Osaka, Japan from London with British Airways. It’s time to pay a visit to Japan’s second city – a buzzing, extroverted metropolis that gets busier and better every year.
With its neon signs and ancient shrines, Osaka is a city of contrasts. Spend the day strolling around Osaka Castle, strapped into high-tech rides at Universal Studios – or stroking strange creatures in the city’s many oddball animal cafes. At sunset, take your place at the railings of the Umeda Sky Building, where superlative city views await. When night falls, the city lights up as fast as a struck match. Visit the glowing streets of Umeda to make the most of the evening – and try a locally-brewed sake.
It’s easy to reach Osaka with British Airways – and once you’re here it’s even easier to make your way around southern Honshu to visit the nearby cities of Nara and Hiroshima. Osaka is roughly an hour’s train ride from Kyoto and two and a half hours from Tokyo via the Shinkansen bullet train. If you want to swap metropolis for mountains, head to the pleasant hiking trails of the Kumano Kodo region. Book flights to Osaka – and embark on your eastern odyssey now.
Flights to Osaka
You can now fly direct to Osaka with British Airways. Our service departs from London Heathrow (LHR) on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays, arriving into Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Our flights will depart four times a week throughout the year, starting in April 2019. Why not book soon and be one of the first to fly direct? You’ll arrive just in time for hanami – cherry blossom season – in this beautiful city.
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Free entry to HARUKAS 300 when you fly with British Airways
Celebrate our new flight to Osaka with free entry into HARUKAS 300, the amazing observatory at the top of Osaka’s tallest building. Enjoy fantastic 360-degree views from the top three floors of Abeno Harukas, and let the city give you a big welcome from 300 metres up. British Airways customers can enjoy the view for free when they travel from London Heathrow to Osaka between 29 March and 30 April. Simply present your British Airways boarding pass at the HARUKAS 300 Ticket Office.
A flyer’s guide: Osaka flight tips
Everything you need to know about flying to Osaka with British Airways
When is the best time to fly to Osaka?
Osaka is a great city to visit all year around, but is most appealing during spring and autumn, when the weather is temperate and pleasant. Arrive in time for cherry blossom season, which typically peaks for one week in April – or arrive in time for the Rugby World Cup in autumn 2019. If you’re planning to leave the city and hike, steer clear of June and July, when the rainy season hits. Summers are very hot and humid, whilst winter sees ice, but rarely snow.
How long does the flight take?
Our direct flights from London take 11 hours and 30 minutes.
How do I get from Kansai International Airport to the city centre?
Kansai International Airport is set on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, 20 miles from the centre of the city. It connects to the mainland via Sky Gate Bridge R. Japan’s fantastic public transport system comes into play as soon as you leave the airport. Choose between two different rail services or the shuttle bus to reach the centre of town. Your journey will take between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on whether or not you take the express train service – otherwise, if you take the bus, your journey will depend on the traffic.
Do I need a visa for Japan?
If you hold a British Citizen or British National (Overseas) passport then you don’t need a visa to visit Japan. You’ll be able to stay up to 90 days in the country as a tourist. If you’re travelling on another passport, check at the IATA travel centre before you travel.
Find out more about visa requirements
How many bags can I take to Osaka?
We have a generous baggage allowance so you can bring everything you need for Osaka. If you're travelling in economy (World Traveller) and premium economy (World Traveller Plus) - you can check in 2 X 23kg bags.
Business (Club World) travellers can take along two pieces of luggage weighing up to 32kg each. That’s plenty of room to pack for all eventualities, whether you’re on a city break in Osaka or a multi-centre tour of Japan. Read our baggage guide to find out more.
Which cabins can I book when I fly to Osaka?
Which cabins can I book when I fly to Osaka?
Our economy (World Traveller) cabins are great value for those looking for cheap flights to Osaka. You can select your seats in advance for an extra fee – the quieter seats are towards the front of the plane, while those directly above the wings reduce the intensity of turbulence. Choose to fly with hand baggage only or pick a price that includes a 23kg checked baggage allowance and free seat selection 24 hours before you fly.
Premium economy (World Traveller Plus) gives you more legroom and a smaller, more private cabin.
Our business (Club World) cabin has fully flat beds for total comfort.
Need a little help from our travel advisors?
Make sure your trip to Osaka is truly unforgettable by talking to one of our travel advisors.
Travelling can be very tiring, but there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you arrive feeling as well as possible.
- Drink plenty of water to keep yourself fully hydrated throughout the flight and beforehand. Limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake before and during the flight will help.
- You can beat jet lag by adjusting to your new time zone as soon as you board the plane. Osaka is nine hours ahead of GMT. Use our jet lag calculator to find out more.
- Move around regularly during the flight and do some simple stretching exercises to keep up your body's circulation.
Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, has been chosen as No.1 Amusement Parks in Japan by The Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2018 for the second consecutive year.
Park offers world-class entertainment such as authentic attractions and shows, based not only on Hollywood blockbusters, such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Flying Dinosaur and Minion Park and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Ride but also popular entertainment brands, and a variety of seasonal events entertaining its guests to the fullest. Universal recently broke ground for Super Nintendo World in 2020 – what will become a Nintendo-themed, expansive entertainment areas featuring Nintendo's legendary worlds and characters.
Osaka tips
Our Osaka hints and tips will have you feeling like a local in no time
Getting around Osaka
You don’t need a car to navigate Osaka. In fact, you’d be better off without one. The city has a fantastic transport network. Ride the subway network between sights using a ICOCA card pre-loaded with funds. You can also use the same card in Tokyo.
Weather in Osaka
Osaka has a mild climate all year. In winter it tends to be dry, and the average daily high is 11°C, in spring this rises to 19°C, and the city gets busy with visitors. Summer can feel hot and humid, especially in August, and the daily high in summer averages around 31°C. Autumn is another popular time to visit, as temperatures eventually fall to a relieving 23°C.
Free things to do
The cherry blossom festival isn’t the only festival in Osaka. On 25 July, you can catch massive, free-to-watch street parades for the Tenjin Festival. At any other time of year, Osaka’s streets are still festively festooned with lanterns and lights, plus wandering and people-watching in the Dotombori district is always free.
Plan your perfect Osaka trip
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English-speaking staff, free useof a smart phone or familiar menus.Find your little pocket of home.
Eloise Barker,
for British Airways
