What is the expected cost for a taxi from Internat'l airport to hotel area? Seniors with 3 suitcases - what are the other options? Anyone have experience?
Thanks.

Without knowing which hotel you will be staying at, it's difficult to estimate the cost of a taxi. That said, unless you are on an unlimited budget and money to burn, a taxi is not the best way to get into Osaka. From Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Osaka station, for example, will cost upwards of 15,000 yen (that's about $140.00 US), if there is not traffic.

There are 2 other ways to make that trip that just about everybody uses. One is the train. The other is the limousine bus.

For you, the limousine bus may be the best option. There are quite a few of them, and they go to many of the larger hotels as well as the station. Your suitcases will go under the bus in the baggage compartment.

http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/english/ you might find helpful.

What hotel are you staying at?

I will be going from Kansai Airport to a hotel near Namba, should I take the train or bus?

Limousine buses will go directly to Namba from KIX.

KimJapan - thank you for the information on the limousine - I will check it out. (Think we will stay at the Ramada with free shuttle then head to Kyoto next day, but nothing is set yet. Does the limo bus drop off at the cruise ship pier? We could take the shuttle back to airport and get it, real easy.)
Thanks again. daryleann

The airport is about an hour from Namba. The port is about 20 minutes from Namba. No point in going all the way to the airport to turn around and go back to the port. Easiest way will be taxi from your hotel to the port. Subway is also possible, but with suitcases will be a struggle. There was a lot of talk this spring about a cruise and getting to the port and so on. If you search "osaka port" you'll find them.

Free shuttle? There is a Ramada near Namba station with a free shuttle to/fro Kansai Airport? Or is it a Ramada at the airport?

I came over to this post to note that the direct train to Nanba is 890 yen and is a Nankai Rail train, not JR.

Got me thinking...

So, I checked Ramada. It seems there is only one Ramada, located 6 km from the airport. It does have a free shuttle to the airport.

And now I paid more attention and noticed 2 people asked about airport transportation.

So, to daryleann who is going on the cruise...unless you have some compelling reason to stay at the Ramada other than it is nearby, I think it's better to go right to a hotel in Kyoto if that's what you want to see before your cruise. You can take the train or the bus from the aiport to Kyoto. Then you'll be in Kyoto when you wake up in the morning, rather than having to spend the time getting there.

KimJapan: My "plan" was to arrive, go to Ramada, then next morning go to Kyoto for the day. Map shows Kyoto is north, so I thought it would be shorter. Then check in at eve and spend nite on board cruise ship, so could explore Osaka from there the next 2 days.
Now I see it takes longer from Airport to get to Kyoto... only 15 min, but WHERE is the airport??? Frommers and Fodor's book only show the main part of town.
AARRGGHH!
Thanks for the help!
DA