How to Get to Sapporo From New Chitose Airport and Other Cities

Get to Sapporo City From New Chitose Airport Smoothly!

New Chitose Airport is served by many domestic and international flights. About 22 million passengers annually use the airport which is known as the gateway to Sapporo.

It's possible to get to Sapporo's main stations by train, bus, and other public transport, as well as by rental car and taxi.

This article explains in detail how to get from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo by train, bus, rental car, and taxi.

We'll also mention how to get to Sapporo by shinkansen (via Hakodate City) from other cities in Japan, so please read until the end.

How to Travel to Sapporo

1. Sapporo City's Main Stations
2. How to Get to Sapporo From New Chitose Airport
3. How to Get to Sapporo From Other Cities by Shinkansen

Sapporo City's Main Stations

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*Access from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station (as of October 2024).

Sapporo City's two main stations are Sapporo Station (JR Hokkaido Line) and Odori Station (Sapporo Municipal Subway Line). They are just a 15-minute walk apart from each other.

Also, Susukino Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway's Nanboku Line, is the closest station to Susukino, which is one of Japan's Top Three Entertainment Districts.

Susukino Station is just ten minutes on foot from Odori Station. So when the weather is good you can enjoy the cityscape as you walk towards Susukino. Then on bad weather days or during the cold winter, it's handy using the station's underground passageway.

Taking the bus is a good option when heading to Sapporo Station or Odori Station from New Chitose Airport. You'll most likely get a seat and be able to sit down, and you can also go directly to other places besides Sapporo Station.

However, for those in a rush, it's best choosing the train to avoid potential traffic delays.

How to Get to Sapporo From New Chitose Airport

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Upon arrival at New Chitose Airport, you can get to Sapporo by train, bus, rental car, and taxi. Please refer to the above chart when you're not sure which transportation to use.

By Train

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We'll use the JR Special Rapid Airport when going to Sapporo by train.

New Chitose Airport (JR Special Rapid Airport)→Sapporo Station
Required Time: About 33 minutes
Fare: 1,150 yen
*Information as of October 2024.

The JR Special Rapid Airport is the fastest way of getting to Sapporo Station.

It departs from New Chitose Airport Station (JR Hokkaido). The station is easy to find because it's directly connected to the airport's Terminal Building basement first floor.

Trains run frequently and there's minimal waiting time, so the train is the best choice for those who want to travel according to schedule.

During the winter season, snowfall can affect train operations so we recommend checking for the latest updates beforehand.

By Bus

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If you'd like to enjoy the scenery as you head for Sapporo, how about using the bus?

Both the Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Hokuto Kotsu Bus depart from the airport.

New Chitose Airport (going to central Sapporo)→Sapporo Station
Required Time: One hour and 14 minutes
Fare: 1,300 yen
*Information as of October 2024 (In the case of Hokkaido Chuo Bus).

The domestic bus counter is on the first floor of the Domestic Terminal Building.

The Chuo Bus Counter is located in the Japan Air Lines (JAL) Arrival Lobby, opposite Arrival Gate 4. The Hokuto Kotsu Bus Counter is located in front of the All Nippon Airways (ANA) Arrival Lobby, opposite Arrival Gate 2.

During the winter, delays caused by snowfall can sometimes occur, so please allow yourself plenty of time when traveling.

By Rental Car

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For travelers who want to enjoy a family vacation and those who have plans to visit places in addition to Sapporo, we recommend renting a car.

It's about 45 kilometers from the airport to the heart of Sapporo City, so it takes about one hour via the expressway.

The various rental car agencies at the airport are situated on the first floor of the Domestic Terminal Building. For rent-a-car fares, reservations and other information, please check with each of the rent-a-car agencies.

At the Domestic and International Terminal Information Counters, airport staff provide transportation and sightseeing information for Hokkaido. The counters operate in conjunction with the takeoffs and landings of both domestic and international flights.

So if you have any questions about public transportation or sighteeing please feel free to ask one of the helpful staff at the counter.

By Taxi

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It's convenient using a taxi when you have lots of luggage or when you want to go directly to Sapporo from the airport.

New Chitose Airport→Sapporo Station
Required Time: About 60 minutes
Fare: About 10,000-13,000 yen (additional expressway fare is required).

There are two taxi stands in front of the entrance to the Domestic Terminal Building, and one taxi stand in front of the entrance to the International Terminal Building.

The various taxi companies, including MK Taxi, also offer a plan where you can go to Sapporo for a flat fee (by reservation only, a separate expressway fee is required).

On a flat fee plan, even if the taxi takes a detour to avoid traffic congestion, extra charges won't be added. So passengers can have a worry-free trip.

Getting to Sapporo From Other Cities by Shinkansen

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Another travel option is to come to Hokkaido by shinkansen via Hakodate, instead of taking the plane and arriving at New Chitose Airport.

As an example, let's take a look at the fare and required time when coming to Sapporo Station from Tokyo Station by shinkansen.

Tokyo Station to Sapporo Station by Shinkansen
Depart from Tokyo Station→Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (about four hours)→transfer to express train (about three hours 30 minutes)→arrive at Sapporo Station.
Required Time: About eight hours
Fare: Regular fare is 23,430 yen after tax (if you make a reservation in advance the fare is about 17,500 yen).
*Information as of October 2024.

Though this does take longer than the airplane, you can save on time normally spent at the airport check-in counter, baggage inspection, and so on.

Enjoy Your Trip to Sapporo

There are several different ways of getting to Sapporo from New Chitose Airport including train, bus, rental car, and taxi. Please choose the option that's best for you.

In addition to this, when you're coming to Hokkaido from such places as Shizuoka, Nagano, and Niigata, you can also use Sapporo Okadama Airport.

Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA), which connects Shizuoka and Nagano with Sapporo, and TOKI AIR which connects Niigata with Sapporo, both currently have routes in service.

It only takes about 20 minutes by car from Sapporo Okadama Airport to central Sapporo, so how about taking a taxi or renting a car?

To get to Sapporo smoothly from the airport, please check the available options beforehand, then enjoy your Hokkaido excursion to your heart's content!