Hakodate is a popular port city in southern Hokkaido, known for its unique, exotic atmosphere. If you're visiting Sapporo and planning a trip to Hakodate, you have several transportation options: JR train, bus, plane, or rental car. Here's a detailed breakdown of each, including travel times and costs.

The Classic Choice for Sapporo-Hakodate Travel: JR Train

The JR train is the classic way to travel from Sapporo to Hakodate. The "Limited Express Hokuto" takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes. All seats on the Limited Express Hokuto are reserved. A standard seat costs 9,770 yen, while a Green Car (first-class) seat is 13,430 yen.

Get 30% Off with "Tokkyu Toku-da-ne" Online Advance Booking

By booking your JR tickets through the "Ekinet" website, you can get up to a 30% discount on reserved seat tickets. If you know your travel time in advance, booking through Ekinet is highly recommended.

Here are the "Tokkyu Toku-da-ne" discounted prices on Ekinet (one-way set price for a basic fare ticket + reserved seat limited express ticket / unit: yen):

The Budget-Friendly Option: Intercity Highway Bus

Two intercity highway bus services run from Sapporo to Hakodate: the "Highway Hakodate-go" and the "Hakodate Express New Star Go." Choose the one that best fits your schedule and destination for a great value trip.

"Highway Hakodate-go" Operated by Hokuto Kotsu, Hokkaido Chuo Bus, and Hakodate Bus

The "Highway Hakodate-go," operated by Hokuto Kotsu, Hokkaido Chuo Bus, and Hakodate Bus, departs from "Sapporo Ekimae Stop 4," located on the west side of the Nippon Life Sapporo Building, about a 5-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station. The journey takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes, including a break at the Usuzan Service Area (daytime services only).

Hokkaido Bus Co., Ltd.'s "Hakodate Express New Star Go"

The "Hakodate Express New Star Go" by Hokkaido Bus Co., Ltd. departs from the Sapporo Ekimae stop "No. 33" (Kita 3, Nishi 3). The trip takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes, including a break of over 30 minutes at a parking area.

Enjoy a Leisurely Drive with a Car or Rental Car

If you're driving from central Sapporo to Hakodate via the expressway, you'll take the Hokkaido Expressway from the Sapporo-minami IC, pass through Tomakomai, Noboribetsu, and Muroran, and exit at the Onuma Koen IC. After exiting the expressway, follow National Route 5 and the Hakodate Shindo bypass. The distance is about 310 kilometers, and the drive takes approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. The expressway toll is 6,120 yen.

A great place to take a break along the way is the Usuzan Service Area. Here, you can enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Usu and Uchiura Bay. On a clear day, the panoramic scenery is perfect for photos. You can also savor delicious Hokkaido cuisine, such as a ginger pork set meal made with local "Kogane Pork" from Date City, or soy sauce ramen made with 100% Hokkaido wheat noodles. It's also one of the few service areas with gas and EV charging stations.

Fly to Hakodate Airport

If speed is your priority, flying from Sapporo Okadama Airport to Hakodate Airport is incredibly convenient. It takes about 40 minutes to get from central Sapporo to Okadama Airport. Another advantage of Hakodate is the airport's proximity to the city center, which is only about a 20-minute ride. You can also fly directly to Hakodate Airport from other airports like Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

In Hakodate, you can stroll through the Motomachi area with its historic buildings and gaze at the beautiful star-shaped Goryokaku Park from the Goryokaku Tower. At night, enjoy the spectacular view from Mt. Hakodate and indulge in fresh local seafood! Why not find the perfect trip that fits your budget and schedule?

*All prices include tax.

*All information is current as of September 2025.
*All information is subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest details.