Which is more economical from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo: JR train or bus? We'll teach you the smart way to choose! Hokkaido Lab ~A Hokkaido Travel Guide to Enjoy Gourmet Food, Nature, and Culture~

Which is more economical from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo: JR train or bus? We'll teach you the smart way to choose.

: Post

: Last updated: September 18, 2018

Table of contents

1. Travel time and fares for JR and bus.

　1-1. The JR Rapid Airport train takes 37 minutes one way and costs ¥1,070.

　1-2. The airport shuttle bus takes a little over an hour one way and costs ¥1,030.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of JR and buses

　2-1. Make the connecting bus, which is already a little cheaper than JR, even cheaper.

　2-2. The lesser-known disadvantages of JR

3. Conclusion

Arrived at New Chitose Airport, the gateway to the north! Now off to Sapporo!

Should we go to the hotel to drop off our luggage first? Or should we go sightseeing? They say the JR train is faster, but I wonder if the bus might actually be a better deal?

Many people probably think this way if it's their first time in Hokkaido.

This time, we'll compare the most common ways to get from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo: JR trains and buses! Let's quickly compare them and travel conveniently.

<Table of Contents>
1. Travel time and fares for JR and bus.
1-1. The JR Rapid Airport train takes 37 minutes one way and costs ¥1,070.
1-2. The airport shuttle bus takes approximately 1 hour one way and costs ¥1,030.
2. Advantages and disadvantages of JR and buses
2-1. Make buses, which are already a little cheaper than JR trains, even cheaper.
2-2. The lesser-known disadvantages of JR
3. Conclusion

1. Travel time and fares for JR and bus.

1-1. The JR Rapid Airport train takes 37 minutes one way and costs ¥1,070.

新千歳空港駅
The JR Shin-Chitose Airport Station is located on the first basement floor of Shin-Chitose Airport, which is great because you can access it smoothly regardless of rain, snow, or cold.
Once you reach the arrival lobby, take the nearest escalator down to the basement, and continue straight along the path to reach the station's ticket gates.
You can use IC cards such as Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, and manaca for travel between New Chitose and Sapporo.
*IC cards are generally not accepted in other areas of Hokkaido! Please check the details of the supported areas yourself.

Only local or Rapid Airport trains depart from and arrive at Shin-Chitose Airport Station. During the daytime, almost exclusively Rapid Airport trains operate, departing at 00, 15, 30, and 45 minutes past the hour.

All trains departing from New Chitose Airport pass through Sapporo, so as long as you board a train waiting at the platform, you're practically in Sapporo.

The one-way trip takes 37 minutes, avoids traffic jams, and costs ¥1,070, so many people use JR.

1-2. The airport shuttle bus takes a little over an hour one way and costs ¥1,030.

New Chitose Airport Bus Stop
Upon exiting the arrival lobby, you'll find a long row of bus stops. If you're heading to downtown Sapporo, go to either bus stop number 14 or 22, whichever is closest to you.

There are several types of shuttle buses between New Chitose Airport and Sapporo, some with many stops and others that are speedy and only stop at major spots in downtown Sapporo.

One of the good things about buses is that there are bus stops all over Sapporo.

Example of a bus stop for the airport shuttle bus in the city center.

★Direct flight to Sapporo city center
Sapporo Station → Odori Park → Susukino → Nakajima Park

★Sapporo city center (via Fukuzumi Station)
Premier Hotel TSUBAKI → Susukino → Odori Park → Hotel Monterey Edelhof → ANA Crowne Plaza → Sapporo Station → Hokkaido Government Office Main Gate → Sapporo Grand Hotel → Hotel Resol Trinity Sapporo → Sapporo View Hotel Odori Park → Sapporo Prince Hotel → Royton Sapporo (→ Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo)

[Reference Material] New Chitose Airport Shuttle Bus Timetable Pamphlet, April 1, 2018 Edition

While you can walk from Sapporo to Odori via an underground passage, most people will likely use the subway or a taxi to get from Sapporo to Susukino or Nakajima Park.
Chikaho
If your hotel is located near Susukino or Nakajima Park, you can take a direct bus from New Chitose Airport to the area around your hotel.

There are plenty of buses running, with four buses per hour in the morning and evening, and five to six buses per hour during the daytime.

However, the journey takes 23 minutes longer than by JR. Furthermore, delays are frequent, so locals say you should expect the journey to take at least an hour and a half!
It takes a little time, but if used effectively, it can take you directly to near your destination.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of JR and buses

Even though the bus is cheaper, the difference is only ¥40 one way. In that case, JR seems to have a slight advantage?! If you have some time to spare, read on and think about which one you'd prefer.

2-1. Make the connecting bus, which is already a little cheaper than JR, even cheaper.

There's a way to use the connecting bus, which is slightly cheaper than the JR train, even cheaper: a multi-ride ticket.
Bus ticket
A set of four tickets costs ¥3,710 (as of May 2018), which works out to ¥927.5 per one-way trip, under ¥1000, and about ¥142 cheaper than JR!
If your travel group consists of an even number of people, such as two or four, you can use up the tickets in one trip, and since the basic tickets have no expiration date, there's no harm in trying them out.

There are two companies operating connecting buses from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo: Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Hokuto Kotsu. However, you can use the same multi-ride tickets for both companies.
You can purchase tickets at the bus company counter inside New Chitose Airport.

One thing to be aware of is that trains and buses are often full due to the increase in inbound tourism. The strict passenger capacity is another difference between trains and buses.
As mentioned earlier, buses are prone to delays in the first place, and sometimes, even when they do stop at a bus stop, they're already full.

When buying a multi-ride ticket, the most important thing is to "allow plenty of time."

2-2. The lesser-known disadvantages of JR

U-sheet
One of the lesser-known downsides of JR trains is the extreme congestion during commuting hours!
The Rapid Airport train serves as a vital mode of transportation for local residents, both in the morning and evening.

Standing for 37 minutes with travel luggage is tough...

If you absolutely want a seat, there are reserved seats called "U-seats".
The Rapid Airport train usually consists of six cars, but one of those cars is a U-seat car, which requires a reserved seat ticket.
For a one-way trip between New Chitose and Sapporo, the fare is ¥1,590, which is ¥520 added to the regular fare.
For commuting hours, such as between 8-9 am and 17-18 pm, the bus might be a good option.

3. Conclusion

To summarize, if time is your top priority, take the JR train. If you have a lot of luggage, want to be guaranteed a seat, or want to save money, the bus is a good option.
Make your trip more enjoyable from start to finish, and make the most of these features to make your Hokkaido experience even more fun.
Even repeat visitors might want to try a different route the next time they fly from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo.

Please also check out these related articles.