[From Sapporo to Hakodate] A comparison of JR, express bus, airplane, and car! - Part 4 Hokkaido Lab ~A comprehensive Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture~

[From Sapporo to Hakodate] We compared JR trains, express buses, airplanes, and cars!

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: Last updated: September 21, 2018

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4. Travel between Sapporo and Hakodate by plane.

　Benefits

　Drawbacks

4. Travel between Sapporo and Hakodate by plane.

Airplane image

Benefits

While JR trains and express buses tend to dominate the Hakodate-Sapporo route, air travel is also a very attractive option. Its speed is its biggest advantage.

Arriving at your destination in 40 to 45 minutes gives you more flexibility in your itinerary. Since the travel time is reduced by about a quarter, it's hard to argue that this is a better option.

Furthermore, the fact that Hokkaido Air System lands at Okadama Airport in Sapporo city rather than New Chitose Airport doubles its appeal.

It takes about 5 minutes by taxi to reach Sakaemachi Station on the Toho Subway Line, and even if you head straight to the city center from there, it's only about 20 minutes. This is a great route for those who value their time above all else.

Air travel is often perceived as expensive. Regular fares start from 18,800 yen (for both airlines), but with early booking, the prices can be reduced to the following amounts.
New Chitose to Hakodate (ANA): From 9,400 yen with Tabiwari 55
Okadama to Hakodate (Hokkaido Air System) 9,800 yen with HAC28 discount
At this price, the difference compared to JR isn't that significant.
By the way, Hokkaido Air SystemNew Year's Day Limited DiscountWe also have a price of 5,000 yen (reservations made 28 days in advance), so please keep that in mind.

Hakodate Airport image

Drawbacks

However, there are still two major drawbacks. One is the limited number of flights. There are only four round trips a day to and from Okadama Airport, so you have to plan your trip around the flight schedule.

The first flight departs Sapporo Okadama at 9:00 and Hakodate at 10:15. The last flight departs Sapporo Okadama at 17:15 and Hakodate at 18:25. For flights to New Chitose, there are only two round trips per day, at 10:50 and 15:05. From Hakodate, the departures are at 12:00 and 16:20.

Another point is that the airport is located further from the city center compared to train stations and bus terminals. Also, boarding and alighting, including handling luggage, is not as convenient as with JR trains or buses.
If I were to add anything to these points, it would be that it is still vulnerable to severe weather.

However, precisely because travel across the vast expanse of Hokkaido involves speed and minimal travel time, the fact that it takes a little time to get to the airport makes it quite appealing.