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

Airport Access
Fukuoka subway train (C) JP Rail
2012.03.18
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

Hotels in Hakata, Tenjin, Fukuoka airport
Hotels in Kurume

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. Sophia Min says:
    May 31, 2016 at 7:15 am

    Dear Takeshi-San
    I have 10days in Fukuoka from the 14th of June arrival. I am planning on renting a car and going around Saga area one full loop.
    Is staying in a Ryokan the best way around? Do I need an international driver’s license? Am coming in from Singapore. further to that which are recommended Onsen places to go to.
    thanks heaps and your advice is most appreciated.
    also the final stop for 4 days in Fukuoka is that suffix to sight and eat? is Hakata the area to stay and which in particular for easy access. I understand that driving in Fukuoka isn’t recommended?

  2. Claire says:
    May 26, 2016 at 11:15 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I will be arriving at Fukuoka International Airport after 9.00 pm. Can I still take the train to Tenjin from Terminal 2 Domestic? What time is the last train? I’ll be staying in Fukuoka for 7 days and plan to visit either Beppu or Yufuin and Oita or maybe even Nagasaki. Will I have the time? May I know which is the best train to take to these places?

    Thank you so much,
    Claire

  3. daphne chia says:
    March 13, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    If I buy the north kyushu pass, can I take the Shinkansen from Hakata to Kumamoto?

    I am arriving into Fukuoka Internationa airport on 30 Apr 16, so was thinking of going straight to Kumamoto?
    Do you think it is possible?
    Didn’t realize I have planned into Japan’s Golden Week, so is getting seat on the Shinkansen difficult?

    Thanks in advance.

  4. Aubree says:
    March 6, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I’ll be traveling to Kyushu in a few weeks and am thinking about getting the JR Kyushu Pass. I would like to ask if this pass can also be used at Fukuoka’s Nishitetsu and Subway systems?

    Thanks
    Aubree

  5. CHARLENE
    Charlene says:
    January 26, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    I will fly into Fukuoka Airport on 4 April. I will spend 11 days in Kyushu. It will be my first time in Kyushu. Here is my tentative itinerary:

    – Mount Aso + Takachiho Gorge
    – Kusasenrigahama (Horseback riding)
    – Nakasu
    – Nagasaki Peace Park (Nagasaki)
    – Canal City Hakata (Fukuoka)
    – Sakurajima (Kagoshima)
    – Beppu Beach Sand Bath
    – Gunkanjima

    I am also looking to go to Hiroshima and Okinawa. Would you think this is doable? If so, how long would be good for each place? Thank you!

  6. Marc says:
    January 25, 2016 at 12:45 am

    Hi,

    I will be arriving at Hakata station on a ticket from HUis Ten Bosch which includes the ticket to Fukuoka airport.

    Do I have to exit Hakata station to connect with the subway? I will be pushing my wife in a wheelchair and I am trying to find the best route for us.

    Thank you in advance

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      January 25, 2016 at 6:45 am

      Hi Marc,

      You have to exit JR station and move to subway station. If you exit from central ticket gate, you will find the elevator to get subway ticket gate.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Daryll says:
    January 19, 2016 at 4:42 am

    Hi..i would just like to ask when i landed at fukuoka airport can i use the free shuttle going to hakata station and is it connected to Shin-Osaka Station? thanks for the response

  8. alicew
    Alice says:
    November 5, 2015 at 1:48 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    I will be going to Kyushu in mid Dec 2015. I plan to travel from Beppu to Kurokawa Onsen via Kyushu Odan Bus. I tried to make a reservation online via their website but it seems their email is having some problem.
    Where can I buy the tickets for the bus ride ? can I buy in Hakata station or Beppu Station? Thank you.

    Also thank you for sharing information about all the JR train rides. It is very informative and useful.

  9. Billy Wong says:
    October 12, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I will be travelling to Kyushu in early November and will be living near Beppu Station.
    For one day I am planning to go to the Kukonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge in the morning and then to Yufuin in the afternoon.
    I am thinking of taking JR Nichirin No.3 to Oita and change to Yufu No.2 to Bungo Nakumura and take the Hitabus.
    There is only 3 minutes between the train exchange so do you think there is a high chance I might miss the train as I am not familiar with the different train platforms?

  10. Patricia says:
    August 26, 2015 at 8:16 am

    Hi Takashi san,

    I will be ariving Fukuoka International Airport on 12 Sep morning and will be taking subway to Hakata Station. Does the Fukuoka Subway Station located at the International Airport? Or do I need to some transfer transport.

    Thanks
    Patricia

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      August 26, 2015 at 6:53 pm

      Hi Patricia san,

      Subway station is located under domestic terminal. You need to take free shuttle to get domestic terminal.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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