New Chitose Airport access guide. How to get Sapporo, Otaru and other cities in Hokkaido.

Hokkaido Area
New Chitose airport station ticket gate (C) JP Rail
New Chitose airport station is located at the underground of the terminal building. (C) JP Rail

New Chitose airport (新千歳空港) is the biggest airport in Hokkaido and the primary gateway for the trip to Hokkaido by flights. Some of you start your trip from this airport.

In this post, I would like to share the guide of the access between this airport and Sapporo and Otaru. I will also show you how to take the trains to most of major cities in Hokkaido.

Access between the terminal building and the station

There are lots of signages between the terminal building and the station.

This station is directly connected to the terminal building. You can get the station from the terminal building easily just inside the building. You can move without any outer jacket even in the freezing weather.

As you have seen the picture above, the station is located at the underground level. You can simply take the stairs, escalators or elevators from the arrival level. There are lots of signage. You cannot miss it. Please see the following links to get the maps and more information.

Platform and ticket gate of New Chitose Airport station

New Chitose airport station ticket gate (C) JP Rail

New Chitose airport station is quite small. There is only one ticket gate and one platform. If you want to exchange Japan Rail Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass, and/or JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can do it at JR Hokkaido information desk. It is located by the ticket gate.

Rapid Airport which is the train between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo and Otaru

Rapid Airport at Sapporo station

Rapid Airport train runs between New Chitose airport and Sapporo, Otaru. Please see the link below to find more information:

Rapid Airport train for New Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo and Otaru

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in New Chitose Airport
Hotels in Otaru
Hotels in Sapporo

Please see the timetable at JR Hokkaido website to get the full timetable of Rapid Airport.

Transfer to the trains to other major cities in Hokkaido

All trains stop at Minami-Chitose station. It is very easy to transfer. (C) JP Rail

You can access to Sapporo and Otaru from New Chitose Airport directly. But if you go to other cities, you have to change trains. There are several transfer points.

First of all, Minami-Chitose station is the transfer point for the following places:

  • Hakodate
  • Noboribetsu
  • Toya (Lake Toya)
  • Hakodate
  • Tomamu
  • Obihiro
  • Kushiro
  • Nemuro (via Kushiro)

Sapporo station is the second transfer points if you visit these following cities:

  • Asahikawa
  • Furano(via Asahikawa or Takikawa)
  • Biei (via Asahikawa)
  • Abashiri
  • Wakkanai
  • Shiretoko-Shari(via Abashiri)

And Otaru station is the last transfer point for Niseko, Kutchan and Yoichi.

The airport shuttle bus

If you are looking for the direct access to your accommodation, airport buses may be better. You can find the detailed information at New Chitose Airport Buses information page.

I hope this airport guide make your trip planning be easier.

Comments

  1. Tong says:

    Please advise the itinerary from New Chitose Airport – Sapporo Station – Otaru – Noboribetsu

    We plan to go to Noboribetsu on the day of arrival from New Chitose, then proceed to Sapporo for 3 days and last stop at Otaru for another 3 days. We will return to New Chitose Airport directly from Otaru. Do you think it is the most convenient and smooth plan? Please advise.

  2. Tiong says:

    Hi Takeshi / JPRail.com,
    1. If I go from New Chitose Airport to Tomamu, which train(s) should I take? Is there any transit station involved, where I have to change ytrain?
    2. From Tomamu to Nakafurano, which train(2) should I take? Also, any transit transit involved where I have to change train?
    Your kind replies are appreciated.
    TQ
    Tiong, Malaysia

  3. Alvin Soh says:

    Hi. My family will arrive New Chitose Airport on 12 Dec 2016, around 12pm. We need to travel by train to Otaru Chikko.

    1) Is it recommended to buy the tickets online before we travel or can we get the tickets upon arrival?
    2) Where can we buy the tickets upon arrival?
    3) Is there a need to change change and if yes, where?
    4) Can we buy the return tickets from Otaru Chikko to New Chitose when buying the tickets to Otaru Chikko?

    Thank you.

  4. Olivia Bai says:

    Dear Takeshi San,

    I would appreciate if you could advise whether I have to change platforms or at the same platform at Minami Chitose Station when I ride train from New Chitose Airport to Hakodate.

    Cheers
    Olivia Bai

  5. Amy Cheah says:

    Dear Takeshi San,

    I would like to check the following with you:-

    JR Hokkaido Railway > Sapporo – Otaru Welcome Pass 1,700Y per person
    – Is this pass worth buying? We have 2 adults and 2 child
    – Is this for one way or return journey?

    Below is my itinerary while in Hokkaido. Do I activate my 3 Day Hokkaido Rail Pass on Day 3?
    Day1 Sapporo
    Day2 Sapporo
    Day3 Sapporo – Otaru
    Day4 Sapporo – Asahikawa (1 night)
    Day5 Asahikawa – Sapporo
    Day6 Sapporo – CTS

    Thank you

    Best regards
    Amy Cheah

    • Hi Amy san,

      Otaru Welcome Pass covers round trip but if you pay single fare for Sapporo to Otaru, regular return fare is around 1300 yen. But this deal includes subway in Sapporo. If you intend to take subway before/after trip to Otaru, this pass is recommended. Otherwise single fare is okay.

      Hokkaido Rail Pass does not work unfortunately. Because single fare + limited express fee for Sapporo to Asahikawa is less than 5000 yen. Even if you use the pass for trip to Otaru or trip to CTS, it’s not enough to use 3 days Hokkaido Rail Pass.

      You can find other deals in the link below:
      http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/pticket/pdf/direction03.pdf

      Single fare is your choice too for Sapporo-CTS.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. JIMMY LEE says:

    we will travel to sapporo and arrive cts on 02/04/2017 0830hrs.
    02/03/04-apr-2017 we already booked hotel nord otaru.then 05/06/07/08-apr-2017. 09/04 1030hrs travel back to singapore from CTS.we will stay at Sapporo park hotel. this is our’s first visit over here, do you mind give us some suggestion to utilise our time at this well known place

  7. Amy says:

    Dear Takeshi San,

    Noted, I will monitor the train operation status.
    Thank you very much for all your advises and help.

    Have a great day ahead!

    Best regards
    Amy

  8. anne says:

    Hi,

    We have 2 technicians joining the cruise ship Celebrity Millennium in Otaru on September 14.

    What is the cost for the train from CTS to Otaru? They will also need a ticket to return to CTS on Sept 18. Thank you!

  9. YJin says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be going Hokkaido with husband on coming 10th-15th November 2016, reach New Chitose airport at 8pm.

    (1) Any transport recommend that we can ride from airport to Sapporo at 8pm night? And the fare?
    (2) I Wish to go Sapporo, Otaru,Niseko, Furano. Should i purchase JR Hokkaido pass? As my knowledge, Sapporo very far with Furano. Appreciate if u could let me known the transport and charges and travel duration from Sapporo – Furano.

    Please check my itinerary too as following:-
    Day 1: Overnight at Sapporo
    Day 2: Sapporo sightseeing
    Day 3: Otaru & Niseko sightseeing day trip – overnight at Sapporo
    Day 4: Furano day trip – overnight at Sapporo
    Day5: Go to New Chitose Airport from Sapporo

    Thanks.

    • Hi YJin,

      I give you several links. You can find all info, like fare and trip time, what you need.

      New Chitose to Sapporo
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2435.html

      Niseko
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6720.html#/section_getThere

      Furano
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6829.html

      Hokkaido Rail Pass is too much in my opinion. Regular fare is cheaper. And also train is not a good idea to get Niseko as you have read the link above. If you take a bus, Hokkaido Rail Pass does not cover it anyway.

      By the way, if you expect snow, it may be hard. In these days, even Niseko does not have snow in late November. Furano and Biei may have snow but may be hard to see. November is transition period. Honestly I don’t recommend Niseko. That is ski resort and summer mountain resort. November is not a right season to visit there. Biei and Furano are good place. Especially Biei has very beautiful town. Even there is no snow, the scenery is very nice.

      If you can afford Hokkaido Rail Pass, Hakodate is recommended even though it’s far.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5355.html

      It take 3.5 hours from Sapporo. But in my opinion, Hakodate is most beautiful city in Hokkaido.

      You can find all train timetable in Hokkaido at the link below. But JR will revise timetable in October. You should check this link before you go.
      http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/index.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • YJin says:

        Dear Takeshi,

        Oopss too bad that unable to see snow at this Hokkaido trip. >< So i think i will skip Niseko and go for Furano, Biei & Hakodate. Thanks for your advice and useful tips! At least i knew that Hokkaido Rail Pass is not necessary in this trip hehe.

        Thank you very much Takeshi 🙂

  10. Amy Cheah says:

    Dear Takeshi-San,

    We need help here. I’ll be travelling with my family with young children in Jan 2017. Reaching New Chitose Airport via Haneda.

    We have 5-6 days in Sapporo before heading to Tokyo for another 4 days. In Sapporo we plan to visit Otaru, experience dog sleigh and onsen.

    Please advise on how should I plan my itinerary? We would like to visit Otaru, Furano/Biei (a night stay at Ningle Terrace Village), Noboribetsu (for onsen)

    Should we follow the following example?
    D1 – Arrive Sapporo > free and easy in Sapporo town
    D2 – Sapporo > Otaru >Sapporo
    D3 – Sapporo >Furano/Biei (visiting Ningle Terrace Village)
    D4 – Furano/Biei

    1. Is Noboribetsu too far to visit for onsen experience? How do we get there?
    2. Where can we experience dog sleigh?
    3. Is Asahikawa a must visit?

    Thank you.

    • Hi Amy san,

      Your four days plan is feasible.

      1. Please see the link below:
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6753.html

      2. Sorry, I have never done it in Hokkaido before. I found the link below. But I think there are some more places to provide dog sledding experience.
      http://www.asahikawa-tourism.com/asahikawa/asahikawa_winter/dog_sledding/dog_sledding.html

      3. If you intend to visit Asahiyama Zoo, it’s worth visiting.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6892.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Amy says:

        Dear Takeshi-San,

        Thank you for the links.
        I have amended the itinerary a little to add in more fun time for the kids. We will visit Tokyo for 5 days before arriving at Sapporo.

        – Is the below routing smooth – as in we don’t go back and forth from places
        – Any JR Passes required for this trip – for Tokyo & Sapporo?
        – Day 5 in Sapporo doable?

        Day 1: Arrive CTS by noon > free and easy in Sapporo
        Day 2: Day trip to Tomamu > Ice Village
        Day 3: Day trip to Asahikawa > Dog Sledding > Asahiyama Zoo
        Day 4: Day trip to Otaru
        Day 5: Advisable to visit Obihiro (Tokachigawa Onsen) or Furano (Ningle Terrace)?
        Day 6: After check-out, free and easy in Sapporo till 3.00pm before heading to CTS

        Thank you very much!

        • Hi Amy san,

          Basically your plan is okay. Actually I’m not sure day 3 is okay or not. I don’t know how much you will spend for dog sledding. Asahiyama zoo is very attractive for kids. They may want to stay all day.
          I’m not sure which pass is most suitable for your trips. I cannot see what you do in Tokyo. If you stay in Tokyo and visit the places in just downtown Tokyo, you don’t need to have a pass in Tokyo. Subway pass or single fare is okay. But if you want to visit some places outside Tokyo, you have to make sure where you go and how long you stay.

          If you think about the pass for Hokkaido only, you may use 3 days Hokkaido rail pass for day 2 to 4.
          https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/hokkaido-rail-pass-the-best-deal-for-rail-trip-in-hokkaido-for-oversea-visitors.html

          But in this case, you have to switch day 4 and 5. Otaru is very closed to Sapporo. You should use the pass for trip to Furano or Obihiro.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Amy says:

            Dear Takeshi San,

            I am sorry to be asking you so many questions. I am planning this alone and am very nervous. I have revised my itinerary.

            Day 1: Arrive Narita by 4.00pm > check-in hotel (not sure where yet) > free and easy in Tokyo
            Day 2: Chiba > Disneyland
            Day 3: Tokyo City > Shibuya/Shinjuku, Harajuku > Yokohama (by evening)
            Day 4: Tokyo > Kawaguchiko > Tokyo
            Day 5: Tokyo Haneda > Sapporo CTS (arrive by 10.35am) > free and easy in Sapporo
            Day 6: Day trip to Tomamu > Ice Village
            Day 7: Day trip to Otaru > Asharigawa Onsen and Canal walk
            Day 8: Day trip to Asahikawa > Asahiyama Zoo > free and easy around town
            Day 9: Sapporo > shopping, cafe hopping > Mount Moiwa to watch sunset and night scenery
            Day 10: After check-out, free and easy in Sapporo till 3.00pm before heading to CTS

            – Do I need any other passes besides the 3 Days Hokkaido Rail Pass?
            – Access to Kawaguchiko (is the below still valid)
            (From Tokyo station, take the JR Chuo line to Mitaka station and transfer to the Kaiji ltd. express train to Otsuki. It is also possible to take the Kaiji ltd. express directly from Shinjuku station. At Otsuki, transfer to the Fujikyu line. This is a privately held railway and the JR Pass is can’t be used on this line. The fare from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko is ¥ 1,440 by limited express or ¥ 1,140 by local service).

            Thank you for your patience.

            • Hi Amy san,

              – Do I need any other passes besides the 3 Days Hokkaido Rail Pass?

              No, you don’t.
              By the way, Hokkaido was hit by very severe storm in last week. At this point, Tomamu cannot be accessed by train. Even JR Hokkaido is not sure how long it take to recover.
              https://jprail.com/train-operation-status

              You still have lots of time. But please check the updated info before you go.

              – Access to Kawaguchiko (is the below still valid)
              (From Tokyo station, take the JR Chuo line to Mitaka station and transfer to the Kaiji ltd. express train to Otsuki. It is also possible to take the Kaiji ltd. express directly from Shinjuku station. At Otsuki, transfer to the Fujikyu line. This is a privately held railway and the JR Pass is can’t be used on this line. The fare from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko is ¥ 1,440 by limited express or ¥ 1,140 by local service)

              This route is correct. But if you want to make an easy trip, just take express bus from Shinjuku. You can get Lake Kawaguchi directly from Shinjuku.
              https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

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