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! Please help me for I am a bit confused. We will be going to Asahikawa via Chitose Airport on August 1, 2016. Is there a direct train from the Chitose Airport to Asahikawa Station? We will arrive after 7PM, is there still a train going to Asahikawa Station by that time? Is there a express train to Asahikawa Station?
Thank you very much in advance Takeshi!
Hi Alvin,
Unfortunately the direct train service was discontinued in this past March. Now you need to change the train at Sapporo. You can get Asahikawa after you arrive there at 7:00. Express train runs between Sapporo and Asahikawa only. You may find the timetable at the links below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/04.pdf
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/01.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks a lot Takeshi
No problem, Alvin.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear takeshi San, I will be reaching otaru on 14 May, than 15 May going to Sapporo city and going to Tokyo by plane on 18 May, plan to go Kyoto by bullet train from there For a day than go back to Tokyo by train also n sightseeing at Tokyo for few days. Do you suggest I purchase a JR. pass for my itinerary? Please advise, thank you.
Anne
Hi Anne san,
JR Pass is 7 days is recommended. It’s cheaper than single fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi San, can I buy the JR pass when I arrive at new chitose airport only or I got to buy before I arrive in Japan.
Please advise, thank you
Hi Anne san,
JR Pass cannot be purchased in Japan. You MUST purchase it before you leave.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Sir, can you please advise how can I go to Kyoto from haneda airport using my JR. pass. And how long will the journey take. Thank you
Hi Anne,
You have two choices to get Tokyo from Haneda. If don’t want to pay any extra, take Monorail from Haneda to Hamamatsucho and take Yamaonote line to get Shinagawa station. If you are okay with paying extra around 500 yen, you can take Keihin Kyuko railway to get Shinagawa directly. Please see the link below to find more info about access to Shinagawa from Haneda.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/haneda/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
After Shinagawa, you can take Shinkansen to get Kyoto. Trip time is around 2.5 hours. Please see the link below to find more info about Shinkanansen and Shinagawa station.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shinagawa-station-guide-transfer-among-shinkansen-keihin-kyuko-to-haneda-narita-express.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
My returning flight is at 9am. Thus, I don’t want to rush to buy the rapid airport ticket on the day of departure . My question is, can I purchase a return ticket in advance when I reach chitose airport on the day of arrival. Is a return ticket available?
Hi Elaine,
No, you can’t. Because this is short distance ticket and can be purchased at the vending machine.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi San,
So that will mean that I will have to purchase the ticket to airport from the vending machine at Sapporo station right? Any English instructions to buy from the machines? If I were to be there by 5.30 am, will there be any staff there just in case I need some assistance? (I’m traveling solo, so I need to check everything in advance so I won’t miss my flight) . Sorry for asking too many questions 😛 Thank you so much !
Hi Elaine san,
Most of machines can show you in English. Station staff is always there when station is open.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Domo arigatou gozaimasu 🙂
No problem, Elaine.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
My wife and I are planning to travel from Sapporo to Sendai [Miyagi] on 13th April. I understand that the new Hokkaido Shinkansen from Hakodate to Aomori will be in service from 26th March which, hopefully, will shorten our journey. Do you know when the timetable for the new train will be published?
With Greetings from the UK and thanks for any advice – Les Stevens.
Hi Les,
Please see the link below to find the info about timetable:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-hokkaido/hakodate-shin-hakodate-hokuto/direct-access-to-hokkaido-from-tokyo-hokkaido-shinkansen-bullet-train.html#Timetable
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Aloha from Hawaii!
I am confused with the difference between the Hokkaido rail pass and the Japan rail pass. We will be in Sapporo for one week in February (Nest Hotel) and will like to explore not only Sapporo but venture farther out. What pass should we get and are there any one week passes?
Mahalo Takeshi!
Hi Les,
If you travel in Hokkaido only, Hokkaido Rail Pass is okay.
But if you want to go outside Hokkaido, you need to think about another pass. But I cannot say JR Pass is the best deal at this point. You have to build the detailed plan and make sure how many times you will take a train. And then you can compare JR Pass, Hokkaido Rail pass + Extra, or just single ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP
Thank you Takeshi! Would you know off hand how much it cost by rail from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station? We will probably utilize this mode of transportation.
Thank you again!
Hi Les,
All train fares 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
I would like to make sure I have the correct information. I will need to get from JR Inn Asahikawa to Shin-Chitose airport on February 10, 2016. Can I take Super Kamui from JR Asahikawa all the way to Chitose airport? Or is there a limousine bus that I can take because I have a suitcase? Thank you for your information
Hi Joy,
As far as I know, there is no direct bus between New Chitose and Asahikawa. Super Kamui is only direct access. Some of Super Kamui do not go to New Chitose but only Sapporo. Check the timetable at the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/01.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for this informative article in English.
I am traveling from Niseko to New Chitose Airport. I noticed there is a 6:43am train from Niseko putting me in to New Chitose slightly before 10am. My questions are as follow
1) time table on your link doesn’t indicate whether the schedule applies all seven days of the week. I travel Saturday
2) is it possible to buy the tickets beforehand? Is it advisable to do so?
3) lastly, separate from the above question, is the last train from New Chitose airport at 10:53pm for the Rapid? Does JR offer any other option?
Thank you in advance for your help
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
1) This timetable applies to all seven days.
2) Yes, you can purchase it on the spot.
3) Yes. It’s rapid. This is only way to get Sapporo.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/04.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
thank you. This is great, Takeshi san. One suggestion, while you originated the post back in 2012, I’d suggest putting up by that date that the lastest update may be as recent as 2016. It was only in viewing the comments that i realized this is still an active site. Great job. どうもありがとうございます。
Thanks for your suggestions, Lisa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, thank you for the train information.
I will arrived at Sapporo 14th of April and depart from Sapporo by 20th April.
My flight is on 8:55am (AirAsia). I like to check with you, what is the early train depart from the Sapporo? I need to reach the air port 2 hours before the flight if not mistaken.
This is my first time travel to Sapporo. Hope you can give me some guides.
Thank you.
Hi Leong,
Train starts running at 6:00 am. You may find the timetable at the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/04.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you for the wonderful and helpful article. I would am travelling to Hokkaido next January and i would like to check with you, if we were to take the train from new chitsose airport to sapporo station, is the Rapid airport recommended? And if the Rapid airport is recommended, is it a must to get the U seat so as to put our baggage?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Hi Shiina san,
In my opinion, it’s worth paying 300 yen to get U seat. It’s much more comfortable.
Rapid airport is the easiest way to get Sapporo and very solid way.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Your article is very helpful. I am going to sapporo this month and I need to know whether I can use the Hokkaido rail pass for subway?
Hi Zara san,
No, you cannot. It covers JR trains only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I want to know whether I should take the bus or train from New Chitose airport to Sapporo?
Hi Zaza san,
I have never taken bus for this segment before. So I cannot compare. Timetable for trains can be found at the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/04.pdf
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/01.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com