New Chitose Airport to Sapporo: JR Rapid Train Guide 2026

From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station

Your guide to taking the JR Rapid Airport Express (Unreserved Seating)

When you land at New Chitose Airport (CTS) and need to get to Sapporo city center, you essentially have two main options:

the JR Rapid Airport Express train and the airport limousine bus.

The JR Rapid Airport Express is your fastest bet, whisking you away to Sapporo Station in approximately 37 minutes. An unreserved seat on this train will cost you around ~$8.

While the airport limousine bus takes a bit longer, roughly an hour, it offers a wider range of drop-off points beyond just Sapporo Station, including popular areas like Odori Park and Susukino. The fare for the bus is around ~$9.

Sapporo Airport to City Center: Susukino, Sapporo Station, Airport Bus, Credit Card, Timetable Guideblog.naver.com

If your hotel is closer to Susukino rather than Sapporo Station, the limousine bus might actually be more convenient than the JR Rapid Express. You can find detailed instructions on how to catch the bus in the article linked above :)

Finding the JR Rapid Airport Express Platform

Navigating your way to the JR train is straightforward. Just follow the signs pointing towards the Domestic Terminal and JR trains. It's a bit of a walk, taking about 10-15 minutes, but the signage is clear.

Once you reach a central plaza-like area, you can either take the elevator directly down to the B1 floor or head right and use the escalator to descend to the B1 floor.

Upon arrival, you'll see a row of ticket vending machines.

Booking Your Ticket: Online Reservations & On-Site Purchase

The vending machines on the right are for issuing IC cards or cash payments only, so they typically have shorter lines. Keep in mind that IC card issuance also requires cash.

If you prefer to pay by credit card, you'll need to use the colored machines on the left. These are also where you can pick up pre-booked tickets!

Don't worry about language barriers; you can switch the language to English (and other options) to make purchasing your ticket a breeze.

If you've already booked your ticket online in advance, simply select 'Ticket Pickup' and scan your QR code at the scanner below, and your physical ticket will be printed instantly.

Book JR Rapid Airport Express Tickets Here

*For a quick and easy booking experience, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance!

For on-site purchases, select 'Ticket Purchase' and then 'Airport Express.'

Next, you'll choose between an unreserved or reserved seat and your preferred departure time.

(*Unreserved seats are similar to a subway, while reserved seats are more like an intercity train with assigned seating.)

Trains typically depart every 12-15 minutes, so you have plenty of options. We recommend choosing a slightly later train if you want to ensure a comfortable seat.

You can choose to purchase a one-way or round-trip ticket. Be aware that round-trip tickets often have an expiration date, so if your return plans aren't set in stone, a one-way ticket might be a safer bet.

The price for an unreserved seat was recently ~$8 per person, up from ~$8. It's always good to check the latest fares!

When you're ready to board, insert your ticket into the designated slot at the gate (marked with a circle in the image) and be sure to retrieve it from the front. You'll need this ticket to exit at your destination, so keep it safe!

*If you're using an IC card, you can simply tap it on the reader and board directly, no need for ticket vending. However, IC cards are only valid for unreserved seats.

Unreserved vs. Reserved Seating

Car 4 is exclusively for reserved seating, so if you've purchased an unreserved ticket, make sure to board any other car.

I was a bit worried about finding a seat with an unreserved ticket, but by purchasing a ticket for the train departing 15 minutes later, I found plenty of empty seats and had a very comfortable ride.

The unreserved seats are pretty similar to what you'd find on a typical subway train. There isn't much dedicated space for larger luggage or suitcases, so be prepared to keep it close.

About 5 minutes before departure, the unreserved cars tend to fill up quickly. If you want to guarantee a seat, always opt for a slightly later train!

The reserved cars, on the other hand, offer a more comfortable experience with seating similar to high-speed trains and dedicated luggage areas in the aisles. If you value comfort or are traveling with family, it's definitely worth paying a little extra for a reserved seat.

If your Hokkaido itinerary includes exploring nearby cities like Otaru or Biei, we highly recommend considering a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, which offers unlimited travel on all JR Hokkaido trains for a set number of days.

Explore JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Details Here

[Instant Confirmation] JR Hokkaido Rail Pass 5 / 7 / 10 Day Pass - MyRealTrip3ha.in