EDITORIALS
What's the best way to get from Sapporo to Hakodate? Learn more about travel time, fares, and how to purchase a discount ticket.
Hakodate is a port city in southern Hokkaido and a popular exotic tourist destination. After visiting Sapporo on a trip to Hokkaido, Hakodate can be reached by JR, bus, plane, or rental car. Details on travel times and fees for each are provided below.
JR" is the standard method of travel between Sapporo and Hakodate
JR is the standard method of travel from Sapporo to Hakodate. 3 hours and 50 minutes are required to travel between Sapporo and Hakodate by "Limited Express Hokuto". All "Limited Express Hokuto" trains have reserved seats, and the fare is 9,440 yen, with green seats costing 13,100 yen.
30% discount on "Tokyu Tokudate Value" if you make a reservation in advance via the Internet.
If you make a reservation for a JR ticket through the website "Ekinet", you can purchase a reserved-seat ticket at a discount of up to 30% of the regular fare. If you know the time you will board the train in advance, it is recommended to make a reservation through Ekinet.
The set price of "Tokkyu Tokudate" on Ekinet (set price of one-way "boarding ticket + reserved seat express ticket"/unit: yen) is as follows.
Application deadline: 23:50 14 days prior to boarding date
Limited Express Tokyu Tokuda Value 1: Up to 15% off
Application deadline: 23:50 on the day before boarding date
*Prices may vary within the set price range depending on the projected boarding rate and timing of application.
Intercity Express Bus" with low fares
Inter-city express buses from Sapporo to Hakodate are "Kosoku Hakodate-go" and "Hakodate Express New Star-go. Choose the one that best suits your travel schedule and destination.
Highway Hakodate-go" operated by Hokuto Kotsu, Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Hakodate Bus
The "Kosoku Hakodate-go" operated by Hokuto Kotsu, Hokkaido Chuo Bus, and Hakodate Bus runs from the temporary bus stop No. 4 on the west side of Nippon Seimei Building Sapporo, about 5 minutes walk from JR Sapporo Station. The trip takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes, including a break at the Usuyama Service Area (daytime service only).
(*A, B, and C fares are available depending on the boarding date.)
Early-bird one-way: 3,820 - 4,490 yen
(*A, B, and C fares are available depending on the boarding date. Early-bird fares must be reserved and paid for 30 days in advance for A- and B-fares, and 21 days in advance for C-fares).
Hokkaido Bus Company Transportation "Hakodate Express New Star
The "Hakodate Express New Star" service is operated by Hokkaido Bus Company Transportation from Bus Stop No. 33 (Kita 4 Nishi 3) in front of Sapporo Station. The journey time is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes, including at least a 30-minute break at parking areas.
(The location of Bus Stop No. 33 will be moved to Kita 3 West 3 from Thursday, August 1, 2024.
Net Discount: 3,920 yen *Service change is not available for the Net Discount.
Advance payment 4,350 yen
Payment for boarding: 4,800 yen
Enjoy a leisurely drive while taking side trips "Car/Rent-a-car
To travel from central Sapporo to Hakodate by car or rental car on the expressway, enter the Hokkaido Expressway at the Hokugo IC, pass through Tomakomai, Noboribetsu, Muroran, etc., and exit at the Onuma Koen IC. After exiting the expressway, the route follows National Route 5 and Hakodate New Road, covering a distance of about 310 km and taking about 4 hours and 10 minutes. The expressway toll is 6,540 yen.
The Usuyama Service Area is recommended for a rest stop along the way. At the Usuyama Service Area, you can enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Usu and Eruption Bay, especially on a clear day when you can see the scenery for a long distance and take pictures. Visitors can also enjoy delicious Hokkaido foods such as a ginger-yaki set meal made with "Koganeton" (golden pork), the local pride of Date City, and soy sauce ramen noodles made with 100% Hokkaido wheat and chinkareen noodles. It is also one of the few places in the city where you can refuel and supply electricity.
To Hakodate Airport by Airplane
If you just want to get there quickly, flying from Sapporo Okadama Airport to Hakodate Airport is very convenient. Travel time is about 40 minutes. Hakodate is also attractive for its proximity to the center of Hakodate, which is only about 20 minutes from the airport. Incidentally, you can also fly directly to Hakodate Airport from Haneda Airport or other airports.
In Hakodate, visitors can stroll through the Motomachi area with its historic buildings and view the beautiful star shape of Goryokaku Park from Goryokaku Tower. At night, you can enjoy the night view from Mt. Hakodate and enjoy fresh local seafood! Find your ideal trip according to your own budget and time allocation.
All prices include tax.
