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
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 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 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
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
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
Hi Takeshi-san,
Your blog were most helpful last year when I was planning a trip to Tokyo- Osaka – Kobe – Nara. Thank you!
This year, I am planning a trip to Hokkaido, in July,
My itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 – arrive New Chitose airport (evening time), go to hotel, take rest after long flight from Italy to Tokyo to Sapporo
Day 2 – stay in Sapporo city for sightseeing & shopping
Day 3 – go to Otaru
Day 4-5 – stay in Hakodate
Day 6-7 – return to Sapporo
Day 8 – go to New Chitose airport for depart (morning time)
Should I buy Hokkaido 7 days rail pass.
What pass would be the best in this case? Single tickets or Hokkaido pass?
Thank you so much for your reply!
Hi Franco,
Welcome back!
I’m happy to hear that you go back to Japan.
At this point, 7 days pass is too much. 3 days pass for Sapporo-Hakodate will be your choice. You can find the rate comparison at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/hokkaido-rail-pass-the-best-deal-for-rail-trip-in-hokkaido-for-oversea-visitors.html
If you intend to visit somewhere outside Sapporo other than Otaru, Flex 4 days pass may be considerable.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Your article is very helpful, thank you!
My itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 – New Chitose – Asahikawa
Day 4 – Asahikawa – Hakodate
Day 6 – Hakodate – Sapporo
Day 11 – Sapporo – New Chitose
What pass would be the best in this case? Single tickets or Flexi 4 day pass?
Thank you so much for your reply!
Hi Xuan,
Flex 4 days pass will work for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi -san
i planning to go to Hokkaido in October 2015 , 2 persons. my itinerary is
Day 1: arrive NEw Chitose airport (evening time), go to sapporo, find hotel, take rest after long flight from usa to tokyo to sapporo
Day 2: stay in sapporo
Day 3: go to otaru
Day 4: go to noboribetsu
Day 5: stay in noboribetsu
Day 6: from noboribetsu go to new chitose airport
can you give me advises about transportation, should i buy hokkaido 3 days rail pass, or just buy single tickets. thank you very much
Hi Vy Le,
Hokkaido Rail Pass is way more expensive than single fare. Bus service is available between New Chitose and Noboribetu.
http://www.noboribetsu-spa.jp/?page_id=94&lang=en
Bus service is available between Sapporo and Noboribetsu too. But there is only one trip a day.
Sapporo 14:00 – Noboribetsu Onsen 15:40 @ 1950 yen
If this is not suitable for you, you can take a train and bus.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I will arrive to Sapporo January8th spend 2 nights and visit two days Hakodate. Should i book a one way train to Hakodate before arriving or is it better to take the tickets at Sapporo Station one day before?
Thanks for your help
Gerard
Hi Gerard,
You can purchase it on the spot after arrival. It will be the slowest season and easy to book.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi
This is my train itinerary.
Day 1: New Chitose Airport to Sapporo
Day 4: Sapporo to Hakodate
Day 7: Hakodate to Otaru
Day 8: return trip from Otaru to Kiroro
Day 10: Otaru to New Chitose Airport
Is it advisable to get the 4 day flexi pass or would I be better off with single trip tickets?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Lydia,
You can go for Flex 4 days. It is cheaper than single fares, but it does not give you a big savings. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/hokkaido-rail-pass-the-best-deal-for-rail-trip-in-hokkaido-for-oversea-visitors.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for an excellent blog, it has provided us a great deal of help.
This year we are planning to travel from New Chitose airport to Asahikawa using Rapid Airport train. However, we have two snowboard bags (length about 160 cm each) with us, so we would like to know if that’s going to be a problem? Based on the “U seat” images above, it seems that there is some kind of overhead compartment, but is there some additional space for storing those big bags?
I really appreciate any help you can provide.
Hi Henry,
Yes. There are extra luggage space near passengers deck. I’m not sure exact size of that space. But I’m sure full size suitcase can be fit there. I think snow board will be okay too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
May I ask question should we buy the 3 days Travel JR Pass? Because I know we have to purchase advance before we land in Chitoese Airport.
day 1 -day 3: stay in Noboribetsu for hot spring. hotel shuttle will pick up from airport.
Day 3: morning from Noboribetsu to Sapporo by hotel shuttle.
Day 4: Sapporo to Otaru
Day 5: Sapporo city sightseeing & shopping.
Day 6: from Sapporo to Chitoes Airport.
That means we need transportation from day 3 afternoon – day 6 to airport.
Miuky
Hi Miuky,
Do you mean Hokkaido Rail Pass 3 days?
It’s too much for your trip. If you have return trip to Otaru from Sapporo and have some time in Sapppor, Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass will be suitable.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/welcome.html
But remember that single fare to Otaru from Sapporo is only 640 yen. This pass is sold at 1530 yen. You must have return trip to Otaru from Sapporo and take a subway several times. Otherwise single ticket is cheaper.
Most of your trip is not long transfer for the pass. Single fare is way cheaper.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
Your blog and your answers to my questions were most helpful last year when I was planning a trip to Osaka.
This year, I am planning a trip to Sapporo and I hope you can help me with the following question:
I plan to buy the train ticket to Kutchan at New Chitose Airport Station. To buy a ticket with reserved seat, do I have to queue at the JR Travel Service Centre (at the station) or is it also available at the vending machines? As it is a 3-hour train ride, I would prefer to have a reserved seat to make sure I don’t have to stand during the journey!
Appreciate your advice.
Hi Yvonne,
You can purchase a reserved ticket at the vending machine too. But I’m not sure English is available at the vending machine. If not, just step in Travel center.
As probably you know, there is no direct train to Kucchan from New Chitose airport. So you have to transfer at Otaru. Rapid Airport takes you to Otaru from New Chitose. If you have enough time to get this train, you can get a seat easily without reservation.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Mr Takeshi,
Thank you for this post as well. With the help of your advices then, I have finally visited Japan during CNY 2014. It was fabulous.
This round, in July, I am planning a few days to Sapporo.
For above, my query is “how to buy the train ticket from chitose airport to Sapporo”? My flight from Haneda to Chitose is at 1850hr. So should reach Chitose about 2030hr. Are there vending machines for tickets to Sapporo? The JR station will be closed by then.
Also, any idea how to purchase ticket from Sapporo to Furano to see the lavender fields? I am planning to go on the day after arrival and travel by the 7am train. The JR station is not open at that time.
Appreciate your kind advice.
Hi Steven,
Please see the following timetable:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/04.pdf
Lots of trains still run around that time.
You can purchase a ticket at the vending machine or ticket window.
You also can purchase a ticket to Furano at Chitose if you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I wanted to ask is it crutual to know Japanese language properly to travel by such trains or there are also writings in English inside it and do stewards also speak English?
Hi Vlad,
They don’t speak English very fluently. But they always try to communicate.
You will see lots of sign in the train and at the station too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail