From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo
New Chitose (CTS) is Hokkaido's main gateway, about 45 km from downtown Sapporo. Here is how to get into the city - and how to sort out your yen on the way.
JR Rapid Airport train
Fastest and most reliable - about every 10 minutes to Sapporo Station.
Airport bus
No transfers - stops at Sapporo Station and major downtown hotels.
Taxi
Door to door. Fixed-fare airport taxis can be booked in advance.
By train - JR Rapid Airport
- Follow the "JR Trains" signs. The station sits under the domestic terminal and is connected indoors from the international terminal (about a 10-minute walk).
- Buy a ticket at the machines (English menus available) or simply tap an IC card - Kitaca, Suica, PASMO and other Japanese IC cards all work.
- Board any "Rapid Airport" train - every one of them stops at Sapporo Station, including those bound for Otaru.
- Want a guaranteed seat? Car 4 is the all-reserved "uSeat": ¥800 via the Eki-net app or site, ¥1,000 as a paper ticket at the station.
At peak times the unreserved cars can be standing room only, with ski bags everywhere - in winter the uSeat is well worth it.
JR Hokkaido official siteBy bus - airport shuttle
- Buy a ticket at the machines or counters near arrivals, or pay on board - cash, IC cards and contactless credit cards are all accepted.
- Buses leave from the stops directly outside both terminals - no stairs, no transfers.
- Routes serve Sapporo Station and major downtown and Susukino hotels - if yours is on the list, you can ride straight to the door.
Slower than the train but easiest with big suitcases. In heavy snow, allow extra time - buses are affected before trains are.
New Chitose Airport access (official)By taxi
About 60 minutes to downtown, typically ¥15,000-20,000. Fixed-fare airport taxis and app dispatch (GO app) are available. Practical for groups of 3-4 with luggage, or after the last train (trains run until around 23:00).
Money - exchange & ATMs at the airport
Currency exchange counters
Located in the international terminal, with more near domestic arrivals. Convenient, but rates include a margin - exchange only what you need right away.
ATMs - usually the better deal
Seven Bank and Japan Post ATMs in the terminals accept foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay and more, with English menus. Withdrawing yen here usually beats the counter rates.
How much cash do you need?
In Sapporo, cards and contactless payment work at hotels, department stores and most restaurants. Keep ¥10,000-20,000 in cash for ramen shops, markets, shrines and small izakaya.
Good to know
- IC card: buy a Kitaca at the JR station - it works on trains, subways, buses and at convenience stores across Japan.
- Winter (December-March): snow can delay everything - build in buffer time, especially on your departure day.
- Free Wi-Fi covers the whole airport, and SIM/eSIM counters are in the arrival lobbies.
Planning your shoot around arrival day?
Tell us your flight and hotel - we plan the meeting point around them.
Fares and times are as of April 2026. Please check the official sites for the latest information before you travel.