How to access from Fukuoka airport to downtown Hakata and Tenjin.

Airport Access
Fukuoka subway train (C) JP Rail
Fukuoka subway train (C) JP Rail

Fukuoka subway train (C) JP Rail

Some of you may arrive at Fukuoka International Airport (FUK) from your countries directly. You may transit at Haneda and take domestic flight to Fukuoka. I have received questions about Fukuoka airport and Hakata (博多) station. I have just visited Fukuoka airport by subway. I would like to share what I got with you.

Fukuoka Subway

There are lots of sign both Hakata station and Fukuoka airport. You cannot miss it. (C) JP Rail

I think Fukuoka airport (FUK) is most convenient and accessible airport in Japan. Most of airports in Japan are away from downtown core for more than 30 minutes. But Fukuoka airport is only 5 minutes and 2 stations away from Hakata. Another downtown core in Fukuoka, Tenjin (天神) is away for 11 minutes and 5 stations. As of March 2012, the fare is 250 yen from Fukuoka airport to Hakata or Tenjin.

If you need more information about Fukuoka Subway, please check the website.

Photo Gallery

Time required

I estimate the actual required time from the time of flight arrival time to the time of Hakata station arrival time is 30 minutes. I usually spend 20 minutes to get off the flight and pick up the baggage. Language barrier is not big issue at the airport. So it takes another 10 minutes to buy ticket and take train. Subway trains are operated every 5 to 10 minutes.

Free shuttle bus looks like commute city bus. (C) JP Rail

However this time required is for the case of domestic flight arrival. If you arrive by the international flight, you need to spend at least another 15 minutes because the international terminal is located at different from domestic terminal. Free shuttle bus connect both terminal in 15 minutes. This shuttle is operated every 6 to 10 minutes. And also you need to clear custom and immigration. I estimate to do this for 45 minutes at least. So you may spend more than 1.5 hour to get Hakata station in case of international flight arrival.

If you think about exchange Japan Rail Pass at Hakata station after arrival at Fukuoka.

Travel Center and ticket office at Hakata station

There are several ticket gate at Subway Hakata station. Hakata station is the biggest station in Kyushu. So you need to know which direction you need to go. both Travel Center and JR Kyushu ticket office (pass exchange office) are located at central ticket gate. So you need to go through Central ticket gate after you get off subway train. After go through subway’s Central ticket gate, you will see the stairs to JR Kyushu’s Hakata station Central ticket gate. Go up the stairs, you will see both Travel Center and ticket office on your left side.

All ticket gates are connected each other. But if you go through other ticket gate, you might waste lots of time.

Bus and taxi

There is no shuttle bus service between airport and downtown because it is very close. If you will stay in Hakata and look for the direct transfer to the accommodation, you need to take taxi. The fare is 1500 yen to 2000 yen. You can take city bus also to get downtown Fukuoka. But subway is faster and easier.

And also there are many express bus service to many places in Northern Kyushu. Most of buses are operated by Nishitetsu Bus. If you need more information, please refer Nishitetsu bus website.

Comments

  1. Nhkh says:

    Good day! My flight arrival Fukuoka international terminal 20.40 lt 12/5/15. I need go to Moji in same day. Please guide me the best way to reach there and how to buy bus/train tickets, is it enough time to get ticket as i do not know what time ticket store closes.
    Thanks

  2. Kate says:

    I’ll be from Fukuoka airport, is the airport train station easy to identify? And if I’m from my hotel (nearest Tenjin) and I’ll be using the airport line to other places, how do I know if it is the airport train line I am using?
    Thanks!

    • Hi Kate,

      There are lots of signage in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese. It’s very very easy to find it. The sign says ‘Subway Kuko Line”. You cannot miss it.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  3. Victoria says:

    Hi,

    I will be arriving Fukuoka on Tuesday and will use my Japanese Rail Pass on Thursday.

    It is to my understanding that it might be school holidays towards the end of March and there might be more people. Is it possible to book the reserved seat trains first as soon as I arrive Fukuoka on Tuesday even though I will redeem my pass on Thursday?

    If I don’t manage to get on my intended trains such as Yufuin no Mori and trains with limited departures each day, I might end up rendering my whole trip useless.

    Any help will be appreciated!

    • Hi Victoria,

      If you travel on weekdays, it will be fine. Even though it’s in spring break, most of them have to work. It will be busier than usual but not much different. Weekend is busy but you will be fine because you will travel on weekday.

      You can exchange the pass right after you arrive in Hakata. I know you will start to use it on Thursday but you can exchange and you will be asked when yo want to start to use it. Once you get an actual pass, you can book even if you don’t start to use it yet. As long as you have a pass in your hand, you can book.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  4. Sheryl says:

    I arrive at Fukuoka airport at 9pm. Do I catch the subway to Hakata and exchange my JR rail pass then? is the exchange office open or do i need to wait for the morning? Thanks

    • Hi Sheryl,

      Yes. You have to go to Hakata station to exchange JR pass. Office is open until 23:00 at Hakata station.
      vhttp://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html

      If you arrive by domestic flight, you will be in time. But it you arrive by international flight, it may be tight.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  5. Claudia Castillo says:

    Hi,

    I will be flying out of Fukuoka at 2:45pm on Saturday, I will be arriving to Fukuoka from Sasebo at 10am. I would like to go to the malls that are near by in Tenjin. How would I go about taking the train? Your response is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

  6. miyustar says:

    Hi may I know if the jr pass can be used for the journey from airport to hakata station via either bus or subway (airport line)?

  7. Lou says:

    I arrive in Hakata station @ 7:37am. How long will it take me to get to
    Fukuoka Airport?

    Thank you,

    Lou

  8. Pui says:

    Hi,
    My only question is if I traveled by subway from Fuk airport to Hakata Station, after get off from the train to direct to Chiguchi exit east 5 I would have to go upstairs to JR level, right ? if yes, are there any escalator or elevator for my 2 luggages ?

    Your kind recommendations would be much appreciated.

  9. Skylark says:

    I am in sasebo and my flight is at 9pm to seoul what time should I leave?

    • Hi Skylark,

      I recommend you to be check in counter two hours prior to departure time. If you take subway from Hakata, subway station is located at domestic flight terminal. You have to take free shuttle bus and it takes 10 minutes to get there. So you have to arrive at Hakata by 16:30.

      If you intend to take a train, Midori 44 depart from Sasebo at 14:44 and arrive at Hakata at 16:36. But if I were you, I take one earlier Midori 42 at 13:44 at Sasebo.
      You can get timetable at the below:
      http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/time_table/time_table.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Janet Martin says:

    Takeshi-san,

    We will be staying one night in a hotel near Hakata station. On Saturday, April 19 we have a flight from Fukuoka domestic airport to Ishigaki. The flight departure is at 7:30 a.m. At what time would you suggest we depart Hakata subway station to be at the airport in time for our flight? Is our Japan Rail pass good for the subway fare?

    Arigatoo gozaimasu!
    Janet

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