Getting from New Chitose Airport to Niseko via resort bus is a popular and reasonably priced option. During the peak season, buses run daily from New Chitose Airport to Niseko Grand Hotel, stopping at major resorts and hotels along the way.

There are three main bus services available: the Hokkaido Chūō Bus, the White Liner, and the Hokkaido Resort Liner. Together, they operate about eight buses departing New Chitose Airport each day during the winter peak season.

Reservations are required and can be made by phone or online. Boarding areas are available at both the international and domestic terminals, making it convenient to navigate the airport with your luggage. For example, the Hokkaido Resort Liner has gathering areas on the first floor of the domestic terminal and the second floor of the international terminal. From 9:45 AM to 5:50 PM, buses depart with a frequency of once every one to two hours.

Each bus company offers website-exclusive discounts, including bundled deals with ski lift tickets, so be sure to check the websites in advance to find the bus that best fits your arrival time.

・Estimated time required: About 4 hours (highway bus – from New Chitose Airport to Hirafu First Carpark, as well as ski slopes and other resort hotels in the Niseko area)
・Estimated cost: About 5,000 yen one way

Planning a trip to Niseko offers more than just skiing. Visitors can enjoy relaxing in hot springs, savoring meals at excellent restaurants, and exploring a range of other attractions.

For those traveling with young children or wanting to explore areas beyond Niseko, renting a car provides a convenient solution. Many rental car companies are located around New Chitose Airport, making it advisable to book in advance for a smoother travel experience.

The shortest route to Niseko from New Chitose Airport involves a mountain pass. During winter, roads are often subject to closures or changing conditions due to weather. Drivers unfamiliar with winter conditions should allow extra travel time. Slippery roads and poor visibility are common, so prioritizing safety and driving carefully is essential.

・Estimated travel time: Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes (via Route 36, Route 16, Route 276, and Bifue Pass from New Chitose Airport)
・Estimated cost: Around 10,000 yen for a standard rental car for 12 hours

Traveling by train from New Chitose Airport to Niseko offers a leisurely and scenic journey. You can admire expansive views of Hokkaido's snowy landscapes from the train windows, and enjoy local delicacies like snacks and bento boxes purchased at the airport or interchange stations. The trip to Kutchan Station, closest to the Niseko ski area, takes just over three hours, with transfers in Sapporo and Otaru. Keep in mind the limited train frequency and check schedules in advance.

Once at Kutchan Station, a 20-minute bus ride will take you to the ski slopes. This mode of transport is ideal for travelers with a flexible itinerary who have extra time to explore.

For cost savings, consider the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass for unlimited travel within Hokkaido, or the JR Pass if you're visiting multiple regions in Japan. Both passes offer unrestricted access to JR trains, including the Shinkansen bullet trains, for the duration of the pass.

・Estimated travel time: Approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes (JR Rapid Airport Line: about 1 hour and 20 minutes from New Chitose Airport Station to Otaru Station + JR Hakodate Main Line: about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Otaru Station to Kutchan Station, totaling about 2 hours and 56 minutes) + approximately 20 minutes by bus.
・Estimated cost: 2,880 yen (excluding bus fare).

Opting for a taxi from New Chitose Airport to Niseko, though slightly more expensive, is ideal for those who value privacy and convenience. The journey takes about two hours, offering direct transportation to hotels or ski slopes without the hassle of handling luggage. Costs range between 30,000 to 40,000 yen, and while this may be higher than other modes, the ease of travel and minimal luggage handling are significant benefits.

Taxi drivers are adept at navigating snowy roads, ensuring a safe trip. Reservations are necessary to use a fixed-rate taxi. Upon arrival, passengers can find taxis at four designated locations in the arrival lobby, including a stand specifically for those with pre-booked taxis.

・Estimated time required: About 2 hours and 10 minutes
・Estimated cost: From 36,800 yen

Airport transfers are an economical way of getting from the airport to Niseko. These are especially convenient for family trips or for larger traveling parties with plenty of luggage.

The most commonly used method of transportation to reach Niseko is by plane. There are two to three flights every hour from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. from Haneda or Narita Airport to New Chitose Airport, and the duration of the flight is only one and a half hours.

Once you reach New Chitose Airport, you can choose from a variety of transportation methods to get to Niseko, including bus, rental car, train, and taxi. We have introduced all these methods earlier.

・Estimated time required: About 3 hours and ten minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes by plane from Haneda or Narita Airport to New Chitose Airport), and another 2 hours and 10 minutes by bus)
・Estimated cost: About 12,000 yen (the price of the plane ticket only, if an early bird discount is used)

Take the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station for a 4.5-hour journey. Switch to the Hakodate Main Line to travel for another 3.5 hours to Kutchan Station via Oshamambe. From there, take a 15-minute bus or taxi ride to the ski slopes of Niseko.

・Estimated travel time: Approximately 12 hours (including about 8 hours and 36 minutes of travel time). Shinkansen: About 4 hours (Tokyo Station → Shin-Aomori Station → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station); JR Hakodate Line: About 6 hours and 50 minutes (Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station → Oshamambe Station → Kutchan Station); Bus: About 20 minutes
・Estimated cost: 23,430 yen (Shinkansen fare from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, including ticket and reserved seat fee)

Though it may result in a longer journey, the option of hopping on a ferry from Ōarai Port in Ibaraki Prefecture to Tomakomai Port is also available. Though it takes eighteen hours to get there, its draw is that it has great access to Niseko, taking a little less than two hours to get there from Tomakomai Port.

・Estimated time required: About 19 hours and forty-five minutes (17 hours and 45 minutes by ferry from Ōarai to Tomakomai, and another 2-hour drive)
・Estimated cost: 9,500 yen (Includes the cost of ferry ride only, price depends on the rank and period)

Besides this, though it takes at least two days, it is also possible to drive from Tokyo as well. Though you’ll have to take a ferry across the Tsugaru Straits, you can maintain a private space while traveling.

・Estimated time required: About 15 hours and 35 minutes (Shuto Expressway Bayshore Route to Hachinohe Expressway via Tohoku Expressway, followed by a ferry from Ōma to Hakodate for 1 hour and 50 minutes, then continue from National Highway 227 to National Highway 5 via the Hokkaido Expressway)
・Estimated cost: Depends on the rental car used

Before departing, depending on the situation of your trip, it’s best to check the most appropriate ways to get to your destination beforehand, for a more relaxing trip.

Be it comparing cost or time taken, it’s best to search for the method that suits you best. As many travel companies offer discounted tickets as well, you can make good use of them to enjoy your vacation conveniently at a reasonable cost.

(This article was originally published in March 2021 and updated in December 2024. Please check official websites for more details.)