Getting Around

How to get to and from New Chitose Airport — taxis, public transport, shuttles and car rental.

Transport Options at CTS

New Chitose Airport is connected to Sapporo and the wider Japan transport network by multiple ground transport options.

Rail & Metro

JR's Rapid Airport / Special Rapid Airport trains run directly from New Chitose Airport Station to Sapporo Station in about 33-37 minutes, with departures roughly every 15-20 minutes; a non-reserved fare is around ¥1,150 (about ¥1,680 with a reserved seat), and IC cards like Suica work for tap-in boarding.

Bus & Shuttle

Limousine (airport) buses run to central Sapporo and downtown hotels for around ¥1,100, but take noticeably longer than the train — roughly 60-100 minutes depending on the stop and traffic.

Taxi

Fixed-rate taxis to central Sapporo start from around ¥11,000 per car and take about 1-1.5 hours; a 20% surcharge typically applies after 10pm.

Rideshare

Uber operates in Sapporo, but functions mainly as a taxi-hailing app (dispatching licensed taxis) rather than true private-driver rideshare, as is standard across most of Japan outside Tokyo/Osaka trial zones.

Car Rental

Multiple rental agencies operate at both the domestic and international terminals; useful for exploring Hokkaido beyond Sapporo, though note that parking in central Sapporo can be costly.

Insider tip

The train is almost always the best choice into Sapporo — it's faster and cheaper than the bus — but confirm you're boarding a Rapid Airport service and not a slower local train, since both use the same platform and the fare difference is real (the reserved 'uSeat' cars cost more but guarantee a seat during peak ski season and Sapporo Snow Festival crowds).

Transport routes, fares and operators change frequently. Verify current options on the official New Chitose Airport website before travel.

Pre-Book Your Transfer

Skip the taxi queue. Book a private transfer from CTS to Sapporo in advance and have a driver waiting when you land.

Recommended · Airport Transfer

CTS → Sapporo Transfer

Private and shared airport transfers — fixed price, no meter surprises. Driver meets you in arrivals.

Book transfer →

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Car Rental at CTS

Exploring Japan beyond Sapporo? Renting a car at the airport gives you maximum flexibility from the moment you land.

Recommended · Car Rental

Rent a Car at CTS

Compare rates from major and local car rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.

Compare cars →

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Ground Transport Tips for CTS

Only use official taxi ranks or pre-booked apps at New Chitose Airport. Avoid unofficial drivers approaching you in arrivals.

If a rail or metro connection exists, it is usually the fastest and most reliable option during rush hour.

Allow extra time for ground transport during peak hours. Sapporo city traffic can significantly extend journey times.

Download offline maps for Sapporo before landing — useful if your data connection is slow on arrival.

If travelling with heavy luggage, a private transfer or taxi is often more practical than public transport.

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