Overview
Chitose Airport is the main gateway for passengers coming in and out of Hokkaido from within Japan and internationally.
The transfer time from Chitose Airport to Niseko is between 2.5 and 3 hours depending on your choice of transfer.
Train, bus, private taxi transfer and self-drive are all possible options for transport from Chitose Airport to Niseko.
Flights to Chitose Airport
Sapporo Chitose Airport (CTS) is Hokkaido’s largest airport and handles both regional international flights from China, Hong Kong, South Korea & Taiwan as well as domestic flights from airports across Japan.
The Tokyo <-> Chitose route actually offers the most flight departures of any route in Japan!
If you plan to arrive at Chitose Airport later than 20:00 and wish to take the train, bus or hire a car and drive yourself to Niseko, you will need to stay at an airport hotel and travel the next morning.
Private taxi transfers are available to book in advance for all flights arriving at Chitose Airport.
The most convenient Chitose Airport hotel options are Air Terminal Hotel and Portem International Hokkaido both of which are located within the terminal building. Nearby Chitose Town also has a number of good hotel options close to Chitose Train Station.
Chitose Airport to Niseko Bus
- Price: ¥4,500 per adult / ¥3,000 per child
- Transfer Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
Taking the bus from Chitose Airport to Niseko is the most popular method of travel.
The service is fairly convenient with meeting locations in the Domestic and International terminal buildings and buses picking up on site.
The Chitose Airport to Niseko bus is direct with no changes of vehicle required and a comfort break provided along the way.
The transfer time varies between 2.5 and 3 hours depending on road and weather conditions.
The last bus from Chitose Airport to Niseko is not late enough for the latest scheduled flight arrivals. Similarly, the earliest bus from Niseko to Chitose Airport is not early enough to service early flight departures from Chitose Airport. So, if you want to take the Chitose Airport to the Niseko bus in the evening or the Niseko to Chitose Airport bus in the morning, please check the bus timetable before booking your flights.
Buses pick up and drop off all over the Niseko area, so whether you are staying in Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, Annpuri or Moiwa, bus services are an option open to you.
If you let your accommodation provider know which bus you have booked, most will meet you at your drop-off location and take you to your accommodation for check-in.
Similarly for departure, if you let your accommodation provider know which bus you have booked with sufficient notice, most will pick you up from your accommodation and drop you off at the bus pick-up location in plenty of time.
Bus transfers can be arranged at Chitose Airport upon arrival but advanced booking is highly recommended as bus services can fill up, especially over peak times as most passengers book well in advance.
Pros
- Well priced
- Reasonably convenient
- Reasonably fast
Cons
- Not suitable for all flights – check the bus timetable before booking your flights
Chitose Airport to Niseko Taxi
- Price: ¥3,000 to ¥30,000 per person - depending on vehicle type and number of passengers
- Transfer Time: 2.5 hours
Private Taxi Transfers are the most convenient and fastest option for transfer from Chitose Airport to Niseko with a variety of vehicle sizes offered.
On arrival at the airport, the driver will meet you in the arrival lobby of the Domestic or International terminals, carry your bags to the vehicle and drop you off at your check-in location in Niseko.
Private taxi transfers must be booked in advance and cannot be arranged at the airport.
Tip
You can book a stop-off at a supermarket to buy groceries for an additional charge. If you are staying in self-catering accommodation in Niseko and plan to cook some of your own meals, this can be really useful. Hirafu has a couple of grocery stores but none of Niseko’s villages have any large supermarkets. So, a trip to the supermarket requires visiting nearby Kutchan town.
Taking a taxi from Niseko to Chitose Airport is a great stress-free option if you are worried about being late for your flight(s) home.
On departure, the driver will collect you from your accommodation and drop you off at the correct location for check-in for your flight. This means minimal pushing of trollies stacked with ski bags!
Pros
- Available 24 hours a day - ideal for flights arriving late
- Most convenient
- Faster than bus services
Cons
- More expensive than other options
Train from Chitose Airport to Niseko
- Price: Approximately ¥3,000 per person
- Transfer Time: 2.5 hours
Japan has a world-class network of trains that famously run on time to the second!
Chitose Airport Train Station is located on the basement level of the Domestic Terminal. Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel from ticket machines or a sales counter.
The train route from Chitose Airport to Niseko takes place in three stages:
- Stage 1: JR Rapid Airport Line: Chitose Airport Station -> Sapporo Station (40 minutes)
- Stage 2: JR Rapid Airport Line: Sapporo Station -> Otaru Station (30 minutes)
- Stage 3: JR Hakodate Line: Otaru Station -> Kutchan Station (75 minutes) OR Otaru Station -> Niseko Station (90 minutes)
Some Train Services will allow you to complete all three stages without changing trains. More commonly a change of trains at Otaru Station or Sapporo Station is required. This change is pretty straightforward at Otaru Station, which is a small station with just a few platforms. Most often this entails disembarking from your train, crossing the platform to the opposite track and boarding the train shortly after arriving at that platform.
If you are staying in Hirafu & Hanazono villages, Kutchan Station is the closest station and is a 15 minutes drive away.
If you are staying in Niseko Village or the Annupuri area, Niseko Station is the closest station and is 10 minutes drive away.
If you plan which train you plan to get in advance, most accommodations in Niseko will provide a pick up and drop off service between Kutchan Station or Niseko Station and your accommodation, if you book it with them in advance with a couple of weeks notice.
Alternatively, you can take a local taxi for approximately ¥2,500 for the 15 minutes’ drive. Please ensure you have your destination written out in Japanese as most taxi drivers in Japan do not speak conversational level English.
Tip
- If travelling during daylight, try and get a window seat on the right-hand side of the train for the section of the journey around Otaru as there are fantastic views out of the Sea of Japan to be had.
Japan Rail Pass: For guests visiting Niseko as part of a longer itinerary of travel elsewhere in Japan, either side of their ski experience, a Japan Rail Pass can be a fantastic investment, allowing unlimited train travel on most Japan Rail trains, for periods of 7, 14 or 21 days to suit your travel schedule.
- Look up winter season train timetables on JR Hokkaido
- Search Japan's train schedules using the Japan Transit Planner.
Note: Chitose Airport train station is listed as “NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT” in this system (not to be confused with “CHITOSE”, which is nearby Chitose Town’s train station).
Pros
- Free if you hold a JR Rail Pass
- Least expensive option
Cons
- A little complex if not familiar with trains in Japan
- Not ideal for passengers with ski / snowboard bags
Drive from Chitose Airport to Niseko
- Price: Varies by vehicle type and hire duration
- Transfer Time: 2.5 hours
Chitose Airport has lots of car hire options for those wanting to drive themselves the 2.5 hours drive from Chitose Airport to Niseko.
The route is pretty straightforward with road signs in English but driving in January and February can be a little tricky for those without experience in driving in challenging winter conditions. Snow & ice-covered roads are commonplace and visibility can be poor when snow is falling, which is not uncommon in Hokkaido!
If you are comfortable driving in these conditions, having a vehicle opens up the possibility of day tripping to Rusutsu or Kiroro ski resorts, off-the-beaten path Onsen (hot springs) in the area or authentic dining in Kutchan Town.
If you like the sound of this but prefer not to drive yourself from Chitose Airport to Niseko, you can hire a car in Niseko. This is becoming increasingly popular, so book as early as you can and check that your accommodation has sufficient parking.
Larger 7 or 8-seater vehicles, such as Toyota Hi-Ace or Mistubishi Delica, are commonly available to book in advance and can easily transport ski and snowboard bags.
Hire vehicles are four-wheel drive, come with winter tyres already fitted (so no snow chains are required) and English language GPS can be booked.
All drivers must bring their own national driver's license and a valid International Drivers Permit to legally drive in Japan. Car hire companies will not hand over the keys without these documents.
Pros
- Flexibility to get around in the Niseko area
Cons
- Challenging driving conditions – snowy / icy roads & poor visibility
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Niseko Transfers
Whether you are coming from Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate or one of the other Hokkaido Ski Resorts, there are numerous options for the transfer to Niseko.
Book now through our Pre-Trip Concierge Service.
Available for guests that have booked accommodation with us.
Getting Around Niseko
Whether you prefer to jump on a shuttle bus, book a taxi or hire a car and drive yourself, there are plenty of options to get around the Niseko area.
Niseko Accommodation
With the healthy mix of visitors from East and West, there is a variety of styles to suit everyone.
All information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.