When you think of classic Hokkaido tourist destinations, Sapporo and Otaru immediately come to mind. The distance between Sapporo and Otaru is surprisingly short, only about 40 kilometers, making it easy for many travelers to include both cities in their itinerary. You can travel between Sapporo and Otaru by JR train, bus, or rental car. Here’s a detailed look at the travel times, fares, and specifics for each option.

The Standard Choice: JR Train

The JR train is the most popular way to travel from Sapporo to Otaru. The journey takes about 30 minutes on the "Rapid Airport" train and about 46 minutes on a local train. A non-reserved seat costs 800 yen. The "Rapid Airport" train connects New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, and Otaru, so you can also travel directly from New Chitose Airport to Otaru via Sapporo. This trip takes as little as 73 minutes, and a non-reserved seat costs 2,040 yen. A reserved "U-Seat" is available for an additional 1,000 yen. If you purchase your U-Seat ticket through the "Ekinet" online reservation service, you'll receive a 200 yen discount, making the upgrade only 800 yen.

The Budget-Friendly Option with More Stops: Bus

To travel from Sapporo to Otaru by bus, you can take the Chuo Bus "Kosoku Otaru-go" from Bus Stop No. 1, located on the west side of the Nippon Life Insurance Building, about a 5-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station. The ride takes about 1 hour and generally does not include rest stops (though it may stop at the Kanayama Parking Area if a passenger requests it). A one-way ticket costs 730 yen, and a round-trip ticket is 1,360 yen.

The "Kosoku Otaru-go" has three routes: via Hokkaido University, via Maruyama, and via Boyodai. The Hokkaido University and Maruyama routes go to Otaru Station, but please be aware that the Boyodai route terminates at Otaru Chikko Station and does not stop at Otaru Station.

A Relaxing Drive with Long Straight Roads: Car/Rental Car

If you're driving from central Sapporo using the expressway, take the Sasson Expressway from the Sapporo-Kita IC and get off at the Otaru IC. From the Otaru IC, it's about a 10-minute drive to the city center, where Otaru Station and the Otaru Canal are located. The total travel time is about 42 minutes, and the expressway toll from Sapporo-Kita IC to Otaru IC is 1,240 yen. Alternatively, if you take the local roads, you can use National Route 5, and the journey will take about 1 hour and 10 minutes. When parking near the Otaru Canal, using a paid parking lot is recommended.

A Round Trip is Easy, Even for a 2 or 3-Day Trip!

Even in vast Hokkaido, the proximity of Sapporo and Otaru makes it easy to travel back and forth. This allows you to easily add a side trip to Otaru during your Sapporo sightseeing, or vice versa. In Otaru, you can enjoy the nostalgic, historic townscape of the Otaru Canal, savor sushi and seafood bowls unique to a port town, or try local gourmet dishes like Ankake Yakisoba (fried noodles with a thick, starchy sauce). We hope you'll plan a wonderful stay!

*All information is current as of April 2026.
*All information is subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest details.