Abashiri, a town in the Okhotsk area of eastern Hokkaido, is famous for its winter drift ice, but it's also packed with other fascinating spots and delicious local cuisine! There are several ways to get from Sapporo to Abashiri, including JR trains, buses, rental cars, and airplanes. Here's a detailed look at the travel times and fares for each option.

The JR train is the standard way to travel from Sapporo to Abashiri. The journey on the "Limited Express Okhotsk" takes about 5 hours and 20 minutes. The fare is 10,340 yen for a non-reserved seat and 10,870 yen for a reserved seat.

Alternatively, you can take the "Limited Express Lilac," "Limited Express Kamui," or "Limited Express Soya" from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station, and then transfer to a train bound for Abashiri Station. This route takes about 5 hours and 35 minutes, though it can vary depending on the transfer wait time. The fare is 10,060 yen.

Get 30% to 50% Off with "Tokkyu Toku-da-ne" Discount Tickets by Booking Online

By booking your JR tickets on the "Ekinet" website, you can purchase reserved seat tickets for up to 50% off the regular price. If you know your travel time in advance, booking through Ekinet is highly recommended.

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

The "Dreamint Okhotsk-go" bus operates between Sapporo and Abashiri. Choose the best option to save money based on your travel schedule and destination.

Reservations Required: The "Dreamint Okhotsk-go"

The "Dreamint Okhotsk-go" is a highway bus service jointly operated by Hokkaido Chuo Bus, Hokkaido Kitami Bus, and Abashiri Bus, and requires reservations. From "Bus Stop No. 3" located on the west side of the Nippon Life Insurance Building (Kita 3 Nishi 4), about a 5-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station, the journey takes approximately 6 to 6.5 hours. You can also board from the Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal (Odorihigashi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo).

If speed is your priority, you can fly from Sapporo Okadama Airport or New Chitose Airport to the nearest airport, Memanbetsu Airport. The flight time is about 45 minutes. From Memanbetsu Airport, you can take the "Memanbetsu Airport Line" bus operated by Kitami Bus to reach Abashiri city in about 50 minutes. It's also possible to fly directly to Memanbetsu Airport from Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

To drive from central Sapporo to Abashiri using the expressway, enter the Do-o Expressway from Sapporo IC and head towards Asahikawa. Take the Asahikawa-Monbetsu Expressway and exit at Engaru IC. From there, follow Route 333 towards Abashiri. The distance is about 340 km, the travel time is approximately 5 hours, and the expressway toll is 3,770 yen.

Enjoy Your Trip with the Best Transportation for You!