Heian Shrine from Kansai Airport: Kyoto Station Is Not the Finish
On an EX100 day, stop D1 to Okazaki Koen/Bijutsukan B, about 23 minutes plus a five-minute walk. Otherwise the subway to Higashiyama Exit 1 and ten minutes.
Archive List for Kyoto
To-ji Temple from Kansai Airport: Kyoto Station Is Only the Handoff
HARUKA to Kyoto Station, about 75 minutes. From the Hachijo Exit it is a 15-minute walk, or one Kintetsu stop to Toji Station and about 10 minutes on foot.
Sanjusangen-do from Kansai Airport: Why Kyoto Station Beats Chasing Shichijo
Keihan Shichijo looks like the neat answer but earns its place after the temple, not before. From KIX, reach Kyoto Station first and decide the last leg there.
Philosopher’s Path from Kansai Airport: Ginkaku-ji or Keage After Kyoto Station?
The path is a 2 km walk, not one entrance. After Kyoto Station, choose the Ginkaku-ji end or the Keage and Nanzen-ji end so you do not cross Higashiyama twice.
Gion from Kansai Airport: Choose Gion-Shijo Unless Your Bags Need a Taxi
Haruka to Kyoto Station, Nara Line to Tofukuji, then Keihan to Gion-shijo for the Shijo side. With heavy bags a taxi from Kyoto Station is the better trade.