What is the main airport called?
New Chitose Airport (CTS). It is an international airport located 4.3 km (2.7 miles) south-southeast of Chitose and Tomakomai, Hokkaidō, Japan, serving the Sapporo metropolitan area. The airport is located 45 km from Sapporo.
Arriving in Sapporo
The helpful staff at Sapporo Airport will greet you when you land and assist with your travel needs. Once you collect your bags from the arrivals area, there are various transport options available to get you on your way.
Getting into Sapporo from New Chitose Airport
Getting into Sapporo city from New Chitose Airport is easy, with many transport options available. There is parking available at the airport, along with multiple car rentals with counters located outside the domestic terminal building on the first floor. Take the JR rapid train from New Chitose Airport Station at the domestic terminal building on on the basement floor to Sapporo city centre with services every 15 minutes. It’s the quickest way to get to town, taking 35 minutes and tickets can be purchased from the ticket machines at the station. The intercity bus runs from the airport to downtown Sapporo from both the domestic and international terminals. There are also local buses, charter buses and airport shuttles from both terminals to various destinations and hotels in the downtown area. By bus, it takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes to the city. If travelling by taxi, there are two taxi pick-up points, both at the domestic and international terminal buildings. Taxi fares are more expensive than taking the train because of the distance. Tourist taxis and large taxis are available at the information desk in the arrivals hall. Uber is also a convenient way to get to the city.
Getting around Sapporo
Getting around Sapporo and surrounding areas is easy once you arrive with a range of trains, subways, bus companies and a tram line available. No major city in Japan is easier to navigate than Sapporo with its rectangular street layout and simple addressing system. City blocks are named and numbered according to the point of a compass. Three subway lines, a tram line and many bus companies (JR Hokkaido Bus, Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus) provide Sapporo with an efficient network of public transport. The Japan Rail Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass and Hokkaido Free Pass are valid on local buses operated by JR Hokkaido Bus and is the best way to see the sights. It is possible to hire a bike with the city’s bike-share system, which has 30 kiosks around downtown. You can hire a car, though parking is tricky, though worthwhile to explore further afield. Taxis are easy to hail, along with Uber.