"Suddenly, I had a craving for delicious ramen."... On a whim, on a Friday night, I decided to take a trip to Sapporo.
This kind of thing used to be something only the wealthy could do, but now it seems to be becoming common among ordinary people as well.

What made this possible was the existence of LCCs (Low-Cost Carriers).
LCCs are low-cost carriers that have lowered their regular fares by implementing thorough efficiency measures, such as eliminating or charging for free services and simplifying in-flight amenities.

The key to enjoying Hokkaido on a budget is to first check out the low-cost carriers (LCCs) that operate flights to and from New Chitose Airport!
Let's take a look at which flights are the cheapest and by how much.

<Table of Contents>

1. Where are they flying from and to?
2. Take a low-cost carrier (LCC) from Tokyo to New Chitose Airport.
3. Travel from Kansai to New Chitose Airport by LCC.
4. Take a low-cost carrier (LCC) from Chubu to New Chitose.
5. Take a low-cost carrier (LCC) from Fukuoka to New Chitose Airport.
6. Things to be aware of when using LCCs

Summary

1. First, check the flight status of each airline.

Almost all major domestic low-cost carriers (LCCs), including Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, and Vanilla Air, operate from New Chitose Airport.

Jetstar has a wide network of routes to New Chitose Airport, including Narita, Kansai, Chubu, and Fukuoka (with a layover at Narita).
Peach Aviation operates routes from Narita/Kansai, and Vanilla Air operates routes from Narita.

Jetstar has announced that it will increase the number of flights on its Narita-New Chitose route to up to seven from September 3rd to October 24th, showing its strong performance.

2. Take a low-cost carrier (LCC) from Tokyo to New Chitose Airport.

2-1. What kinds of airlines are there?

Narita Airport, the face of Tokyo, used to be primarily an international airport, but recently it has been focusing on domestic flights as well, and all LCCs (low-cost carriers) now depart from and arrive at Narita Airport.
Jetstar, Peach, and Vanilla Air are the three major airlines that operate routes to New Chitose Airport.

In April 2015, Narita Airport opened Terminal 3, which is exclusively for low-cost carriers (LCCs).
The nearest station is Airport Terminal 2 Station, and it's a bit of a distance of about 730m from the ticket gates, but there are very clear landmarks along the way, so you shouldn't get lost.

Also, there are plenty of convenience stores, bookstores, and souvenir shops, so it seems very convenient.
They've even installed nursing rooms to accommodate families with young children using low-cost carriers. There's also a food court at the very back.

Please note that Peach Airlines flights will continue to depart from Terminal 1 as before.

2-2. How much does it cost?

Let's take a look at the prices offered by the three major companies.

*Click to enlarge

Jetstar offers the lowest prices, while Peach offers the most affordable options.
It's hard to say which is better, but Peach's advantage is that you can board from Terminal 1.

Since the nearest station, Narita Airport Station, and Terminal 1 are in the same building, it might be quite convenient.

2-3. What is the price difference compared to existing airlines?

We will compare fares for different dates (7 days, 21 days, and 60 days later), including existing airlines, to see how much the fares actually differ at different times.

*Click to enlarge.

It goes without saying that LCCs are cheap.
I compared SkyMark flights departing from Ibaraki Airport, but they didn't have their cheapest "Ima-Toku" fare, so their low prices weren't particularly appealing.
Conversely, you'll find that ANA and JAL tickets are quite cheap if you purchase them 60 days in advance.

In the case of low-cost carriers (LCCs), they occasionally hold special sales.
For example, Jetstar is currently holding various sales throughout the year with the theme "I'm coming to see you."
They've even managed to offer fares starting from just 1,990 yen one way on all routes. Amazing, isn't it?

3. Travel from Kansai to New Chitose Airport by LCC.

3-1. What kinds of airlines are there?

Peach Aviation is the most familiar airline at Kansai Airport.
Peach was the first airline in Japan to launch a full-fledged low-cost carrier (LCC), and it continues to expand its routes from its base at Kansai International Airport.

Peach and Jetstar operate the Kansai Airport-New Chitose Airport route, and they certainly have a strong presence.
Jetstar operates three flights a day, while Peach operates five.

3-2. How much does it cost?

Let's take a look at the prices offered by Peach and Jetstar.

The prices are roughly the same. Considering convenience, at Kansai Airport, Terminal 2 is exclusively for low-cost carriers (LCCs).
Peach flights depart from here, but Jetstar flights depart from Terminal 1, the same terminal as ANA and JAL.

To reach Terminal 2, you'll need to take a free shuttle bus from the nearest Kansai Airport Station, so it's advisable to allow plenty of time.

3-3. What is the price difference compared to existing airlines?

We will compare prices with existing airlines for different booking dates (7 days, 21 days, and 60 days prior) to see how much the prices actually differ at different times.

There isn't much difference between the two LCCs, but I found that if you book 60 days in advance, you can get cheaper tickets with ANA than with Skymark.
Ultimately, with existing airlines, you can travel cheaply if you plan ahead and book well in advance...
It might be difficult to use in a business setting, but it's definitely something I'd like to use for personal purposes.

4. Take a low-cost carrier (LCC) from Chubu to New Chitose.

4-1. What kinds of airlines are there?

Currently, Jetstar is the only major low-cost carrier (LCC) that operates a route between Chubu Centrair International Airport and New Chitose Airport.
We operate a maximum of two round trips, with four flights daily.

Peach has listed Naha, Narita, and Sendai as its next major hubs after Kansai International Airport, so it seems unlikely that they have any plans to launch flights from Chubu Centrair International Airport at the moment.

4-2. How much does it cost?

Unfortunately, we can't make a comparison because there are no other LCCs operating this route, but let's take a look at Jetstar's prices.

This time, I checked the fares on Jetstar Japan's website.
During weekdays in winter, airfares are so low they hardly seem like airfares anymore.

4-3. What is the price difference compared to existing airlines?

We will compare prices with existing airlines for different booking dates (7 days, 21 days, and 60 days prior) to see how much the prices actually differ at different times.

Seven days before my flight, I found a SkyMark ticket that was cheaper than a low-cost carrier.
The price of "Ima Toku" (Now Special) varies depending on the number of remaining seats and the number of days remaining, so be sure to check carefully.

In addition, while low-cost carriers (LCCs) are strong, established airlines are also doing quite well when bookings are made 60 days in advance of a flight.
Since all airlines have late flight times, it seems like you can book whichever you prefer.

5. Take a low-cost carrier (LCC) from Fukuoka to New Chitose Airport.

5-1. What kinds of airlines are there?

Provided by: Fukuoka City

Fukuoka Airport, as Kyushu's main terminal airport, has numerous routes to and from both domestic and international destinations.
In Japan, low-cost carriers (LCCs) Jetstar and Peach also operate flights to domestic destinations.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights between Fukuoka Airport and New Chitose Airport.
To get to New Chitose Airport, you will need to transfer at Narita or Kansai International Airport.

Since its launch in 2012, Jetstar has opened new routes every year, and as of 2016, it operates 17 domestic routes.

Another welcome feature is the significant increase in flights to popular cities like Okinawa and Sapporo during peak travel seasons such as summer vacation and the New Year holidays.

5-2. How much does it cost?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights by low-cost carriers, so we can't make a direct comparison, but let's look at Jetstar's connecting flight prices.

Narita is a large international airport, and some people may feel anxious about connecting flights, but don't worry!
As you proceed through the arrival exit, you will immediately see the check-in counters and domestic departure gates.

5-3. What is the price difference compared to existing airlines?

We will compare prices with existing airlines for different booking dates (7 days, 21 days, and 60 days prior) to see how much the prices actually differ at different times.

Jetstar flights are routed via Tokyo (Narita), which is why the prices are higher.
When it comes to direct flights, Skymark still has a monopoly.
If you get the "Now Deal" offer, it's so cheap you'll wonder, "Can I really fly to Hokkaido for this price?"

Also, there's one thing to be aware of with Jetstar connecting flights. The cheapest flights booked 7 or 21 days in advance won't get you to New Chitose Airport on the same day!

For example, flight ① departing Fukuoka at 20:20 arrives at Narita Airport at 22:10.
After that, there will be an 8-hour and 5-minute layover before the flight departs Narita Airport at 6:15 AM and arrives at New Chitose Airport at 7:55 AM.
The difference between ① and ② is the difference in departure times from Narita after the waiting period. What exactly do you do during this waiting time?

Please note that there are also same-day connecting flights available, although they will cost slightly more. It is recommended to compare these options, especially if your departure date is very close to the departure date.

6. Things to be aware of when using LCCs

The biggest advantage of LCCs is, without a doubt, their low fares.
You could say it's 2-5% cheaper than existing major airlines.

One of its features is that the fare is determined on a one-way basis, so you can feel the affordability even if you're only traveling one way, rather than round trip, which is a great advantage.
What are some points to be aware of when taking advantage of these benefits? I've summarized them below.

6-1. In-flight meals and checked baggage incur additional charges.

On almost all low-cost carriers (LCCs), in-flight meals, drinks, blankets, and in-flight entertainment such as movies are all extra charges.
Furthermore, LCCs' basic fares are set without checked baggage, so additional charges will apply if you need to check in suitcases or other luggage.

If you declare your checked baggage on the day of arrival, the fee will be considerably higher than if you declare it in advance, so we strongly recommend declaring it beforehand.

6-2. I can't accumulate mileage points.

Most low-cost carriers (LCCs) do not operate their own frequent flyer programs.
Furthermore, you cannot earn ANA miles even if you use Peach, which is part of the ANA group; you cannot add mileage points from the same alliance.

As mentioned in section 6-1, all services have been simplified, and this simplification includes the mileage program.

6-3. Frequent flight cancellations and delays.

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) try to keep the weight of their aircraft as light as possible to improve fuel efficiency, so they don't carry much extra fuel.
Especially in bad weather, flights may be quickly diverted to a nearby airport, returned to the departure point, or, if no improvement in weather is expected, cancelled altogether.
In this regard, they are far more ruthless than existing major airlines.

Furthermore, in order to keep as many planes as possible on the go each day without taking a break, delays could lead to further flight cancellations!

6-4. In the event of a flight cancellation, you are generally responsible for resolving the issue yourself.

In the case of low-cost carriers (LCCs), even if a flight cancellation is clearly the airline's responsibility, such as due to equipment failure, they will only rebook you on an available flight on the following day or later.

Therefore, not only the hotel expenses, but all other costs are the responsibility of the individual.
While established major airlines may cover not only hotel expenses but also dinner and breakfast, it's unrealistic to expect that much from low-cost carriers (LCCs) that prioritize affordability.

Unexpected expenses may arise...

6-5. Children aged 2 and over are charged the same fare as adults.

Existing major airlines charge a fee for children aged 3 and older, and the cost is mainly about 50% of the adult fare.
However, LCCs charge the same fare for children as young as two years old as adults. Remember this when planning your trip.

6-6. Package tours can sometimes be cheaper...

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) are convenient when you want to travel cheaply.
But did you know that sometimes package tours offered by travel agencies are actually cheaper?
Round-trip flights and one night's hotel stay at your destination are available from Tokyo to Chitose starting from around 10,000 yen (prices vary greatly depending on the season).
It's also a good idea to compare it with tour packages.

~An example of a travel and flight comparison website~
・トラベルコちゃん
・Yahoo! Travel

・Travel.jp

Summary

The biggest advantage of LCCs is, of course, their low prices.
Some people may feel anxious after hearing stories of delays and cancellations, but even so, the affordability will offer us a new style of travel.
Before using LCCs, be sure to fully understand their characteristics and enjoy your trip!

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  Let's go to Lake Tofutsu to see the swans! Rare wild birds & the cafe closest to the Sea of ​​Okhotsk

• 

  I participated in a guided tour of the Shiretoko Five Lakes! [Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage Site]

• 

  For those who want to enjoy the nature of Niseko! 5 Popular Cottages in Niseko

• 

  [Takinoue, a famous spot for moss phlox] The mountain is covered in pink! The moss phlox festival in Takinoue Town heralds the arrival of spring.

• 

  Enjoy lunch in Hakodate with the "Lunch Passport 2017"!

• 

  Want to enjoy sightseeing and staying in Otaru? Here's a roundup of Otaru's relaxing hot springs!

• 

  Perfect to enjoy with your meal! 7 recommended sakes to drink in Hokkaido

• 

  Enjoy strawberry picking in Hokkaido! 5 recommended strawberry picking spots near Sapporo!

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)