Getting There and Around in Hokkaido
Part of the Hokkaido travel guide — see every topic in All Hokkaido Guides.
Most visitors fly into New Chitose Airport (CTS), about 45 km south-east of Sapporo. Hokkaido is big: Sapporo to Hakodate is almost 4 hours by train. Plan two or three bases rather than moving every day.
New Chitose to Sapporo
The JR Rapid Airport train runs every 12–15 minutes to Sapporo Station in about 33–41 minutes. The fare is ¥1,230, or ¥2,070 with a reserved u-Seat; the same trains continue to Otaru. Airport buses go to hotels around Odori and Susukino in about 70–80 minutes. Flights from Tokyo take about 1.5 hours, and New Chitose also has direct flights from cities such as Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore.
Trains in Hokkaido
JR limited expresses link Sapporo with Asahikawa (about 85 minutes), Hakodate (about 3 hours 45 minutes) and Kushiro (about 4 hours). The Hokkaido Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto in about 4 hours; the line to Sapporo is still being built. The JR Hokkaido Rail Pass gives unlimited JR travel for 5, 7 or 10 days and pays off on long trips.
In Sapporo
Sapporo's three subway lines (Namboku, Tozai and Toho) and a streetcar loop cover the centre, and most rides cost about ¥210–380. Underground walkways join Sapporo Station, Odori and Susukino, which helps a lot in winter. Use Kitaca, Suica or any other Japanese IC card.
Driving
A car is the best way to see Furano, Biei, the lakes and the east. Rental cars cost about ¥6,000–12,000 a day and come with winter tyres from about November to April. You need an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention type). In winter, drive slowly, leave long gaps and plan to arrive before dark; in December the sun sets around 16:00.
Getting There and Around at a glance
| New Chitose → Sapporo | JR Rapid Airport 33–41 min, ¥1,230 |
|---|---|
| Tokyo → Sapporo | Flight about 1.5 hours |
| Sapporo → Hakodate | Limited express about 3 h 45 min |
| Sapporo → Asahikawa | About 85 min |
| Rail pass | JR Hokkaido Rail Pass: 5, 7 or 10 days |
| Subway | About ¥210–380 a ride |
| Car hire | About ¥6,000–12,000 a day; IDP needed |