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
Good afternoon Takeshi san
I will be arriving on December 22 1950hours at New Chitose airport and plan to take JR express train to Sapporo from the basement of New Chitose JR. I understand the timings suitable for me are from 2033 hours, 2048 hours and 2103 hours. I prefer the fastest way to get to Sapporo. I see online the estimated cost is about 1380yen. Do I need to prebook this through JR Hokkaido for 3 pax or can I just go to the station and buy it?
If I can prebook this through JR Hokkaido, from what date can I start? I tried it just now, but it says ‘Reservations for trains cannot be made before they are made available for sale.’ Will it be more expensive if I prebook through JR Hokkaido? Thank you
Hi C,
You don’t need to prebook. All you have to do is purchasing a ticket at the vending machine. I don’t think JR Hokkaido accept to book a ticket for just New Chitose to Sapporo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you so much for your prompt reply! Have a great week!
No problem, C san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi. I can I ask if I should buy the icoca and Haruka package if I am planning to travel from kix to Kyoto station and from this hotel 🙁 1-3-25 Edobori Nishi-Ku, Umeda, Osaka, Japan 550-0002) from Osaka? Is this a good location to stay if I would like to stay in Osaka? As I am not sure how to travel from this acc to kix. Or is there any location that is recommended to stay in Osaka? Thanks 🙂
Hi HK,
You can use this deal but when you go to KIX on departure day, you have to take subway from Higobashi to Umeda to change JR trains. Subway is not covered by this deal. If you want to have subway coverage, you can use Kanku Chikatoku ticket and use one way ICOCA and Haruka for just arrival day.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html#Kanku_Chikatoku_Ticket
The location is not bad to stay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
I will be travelling to Hokkaido in Dec this year. I need your advise on the following questions:
1) If I purchase exchange order online, I understand that that I need exchange for JR pass at the JR office. But I will reach Chitose ard 8pm and the office already close at 7pm. In this case, how do I go about to exchange for my JR pass?
2) I want to go to Asahiyama Zoo. I read that I can purhase the zoo tickets plus train tickets at JR station. If I am to purchase a 5 days Hokkaido Rail pass, is the package of Asashiyama Zoo tickets included in this 5 days pass?
3) What is the difference between subway line and JR line?
Thank you very much.
Fiona
Thanks
Hi Fiona,
1. Unfortunately you cannot exchange it on arrival day. You cannot use the pass on arrival day and need to purchase single ticket. You have to exchange it next day.
2. No. Train ticket is included but you have to purchase admission ticket of Asahiyama zoo separately.
3. In Hokkaido, only Sapporo has subway.
http://gosapporo.com/living/getting-around/subway/
This is not covered by pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your reply.
I understand that JR rail pass can be used in certain bus right? Can it be use in Chuo bus? What are the other bus that I can use?
Is there a link where I can check the time table of the JR train in this coming December? And is there a website where I can check the fare of the subway in Sapporo?
Thank you.
Regards
Fiona
Hi Fiona,
Chuo bus is not included. Please see the chapter 3 at the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/rail01.pdf
Timetable is not available still. I believe it’s coming soon.
All trains timetable and fare can be found at Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your advise.
Can i check when will the time table be out and what link can I check?
I am confused between Hokkaido rail pass and Japan rail pass. Please advise what is the difference between these 2?
Thank you!
Regards
Fiona
Hi Fiona,
I don’t know when timetable will be released. But I don’t think it will be much different. You can make your plan by current timetable.
Hokkaido Rail Pass covers Hokkaido only and Japan Rail Pass covers throughout Japan.
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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I will be arriving at New Chitose Airport on 4 Dec at 21:40 PM.
I have booked the hotel in Sapporo on the same day.
I check the schedule for the Rapid Airport but it seems like the last service to Sapporo end at 20:03. Could you help to advise which option I could consider to get to Sapporo as earlier as possible?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Esther san,
Actually there are some more rapid train from New Chitose to Sapporo. It departs from New Chitose at 22:00, 22:14, 22:35 and 22:53. JR Hokkaido will revise the timetable in mid October. So those may be changed, but not so much. I’m pretty sure rapid train runs after you arrive there.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
My flight arrives on a Sunday evening, 6pm in Chitose and I need to get to Furano as soon as possible. What is the best way for me to do this? Having read your articles it seems that I take a train to Sapporo and then a direct train that goes North to Furano? Is this correct? If there is a better way, maybe bus, please let me know!
Thank you very much,
Jack Brooks
Hi Jack,
As fare as I know, there is no direct bus to Furano. So as you think, the best way is taking train from New Chitose airport to Sapporo or Takikawa. Many trains go directly to Takikawa from New Chitose airport. Please find the timetable at the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/01.pdf
You will take 19:18 or 20:18 departure.
At Takikawa, you have to transfer to local train.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/05.pdf
As you see, you will take the last train to Furano at Takikawa. Even if you will take 19:18 departure at new Chitose, you cannot catch the earlier one, 20:37 departure at Takikawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I have many questions regarding using JR lines.
I have plan going to Hokkaido on next October.
And i’ve checked schedule ofJR Train from Sapporo to Noboribetsu.
We have to pass 2 stations if we get Noboribetsu from Sapporo Station, these are Chitose Station and Tamakomai Station.
And we have to switched to other trains.
My questions are :
1. How much fare if i use JR Pass Hokkaido for 5 days?
2. Are there any signs that we are knowing the name of train Example JR Rapid airport to JR Chitose Line(Chitose Airport) and JR Muroran Line (Tamakomai)?
3. We just have 4-6 minutes time to switch and search other trains. If we left this time, is difficult to get other train?
Need your advice 🙂
Thank you very much for your explanation.
BR,
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
1. Please find the info 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
2. Yes. All trains has sign beside the entrance door. It’s shown in both Japanese and English.
3. It’s easy if you transfer trains in local station, like Tomakomai. There are one or two platfroms. In most cases, you don’t need to change the platform.
If you do it in major station, like Sapporo, it’s not impossible but may be tight. For example, Sapporo station has four platforms and you have to make sure which platform and track you need to go.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi,
I got my Hokkaido JR voucher now. Where do I change the voucher to Hokkaido Rail pass at New Chitose airport?
Thanks again,
Li
Hi Li,
It’s next to the ticket gate. New Chitose is very small station. You can’t miss it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
When is my hokaiddo rail pass expired If I start using on July 7 ? Thanks
Hi Li,
It gives you unlimited ride. If you start to use 5 days pass on July 7, it expires on July 11.
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
Yes, hokaiddo JR rail pass. 4 days and 5 days are the same price. I assume Hokaiddo JR rail pass is for unlimited rides, right?
Thanks,
Li
Hi,
I am going to stay in Hokaiddo for 4 days. I bought the JR Rail pass for 5 days. I am planning to visit East, South, North and Central Hokaiddo. Do you think the 5 days JR pass is good?
Thanks,
Li
Hi Li,
Do you mean Hokkaido rail pass 5 days?
If so, it’s a right choice. You can travel almost anywhere in Hokkaido by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail