Getting Here & Around → Airport to Lodge
BEFORE YOU BOOK FLIGHTS
Airport to Lodge
Four ways to get from New Chitose Airport to the lodge. Pick your transfer first, then book flights that fit it.
When you are ready to book, everything happens on the Transfer Planner.
Compare your options
Most guests take the bus.
| Option | Journey time | Cost, one way |
|---|---|---|
| 🚌 Bus Recommended | 2 hr 45 to Hirafu, then our free van | ¥6,000 adult ¥5,000 child |
| 🚐 Private transfer | About 2 hr 15, door to door | ¥50,000 to ¥70,000 per vehicle |
| 🚗 Hire car | About 2 hr 15 drive, plus 30 to 60 min to collect the car | ¥10,000 to ¥17,000
per day, ski-ready car, plus fuel and tolls |
| 🚅 Train Not recommended | About 3 hr to Kutchan, then a taxi | ¥3,100 plus about ¥2,500 taxi |
Which one suits you
🚌 Bus Recommended
Best for
Almost everyone.
Good to know
Drops at the Hirafu Welcome Centre, and we collect you from there for free.
Watch for
Your flights need to fit the bus times →
Our bus booking portal closes 9 days before travel, and buses do sell out in peak season.
Book via
🚐 Private transfer
Best for
Groups of four to eight, or anyone paying for convenience. Not economical for one or two.
Good to know
Drops you at the lodge door.
Split across six, about ¥10,000 a head.
Watch for
Availability is limited. Book early.
🚗 Hire car
Best for
Freedom during your stay. Winter driving comes with it.
Good to know
About ¥10,000 to ¥17,000 a day for a ski-ready car on a week’s hire.
Allow 30 to 60 min to collect it: counter, then a shuttle to the depot.
Watch for
Book 4WD and winter tyres.
Airport counters close between 7pm and 10pm.
Check what licence you need to drive in Japan.
Book via
🚅 Train Not recommended
Best for
Only when no bus fits your flight, or you are already travelling Japan by rail.
Good to know
Trains run earlier than the first bus and later than the last one.
Watch for
A change at Otaru with bags and skis.
No lodge transfer from Kutchan Station.
Get off at Kutchan Station, not Hirafu Station.
Book via
No booking needed, buy on the day. Train Guide →
Check the bus times before you book your flights.
Book flights the bus can actually meet
The operator sets a minimum gap between your flight and the bus. Anything tighter is not accepted, and neither we nor the operator check your flight times for you.
Flying in
| Coming in on | Minimum gap |
|---|---|
| Domestic flight | 45 min |
| International flight | 90 min |
Land by 6:45pm domestic or 6:10pm international to catch the last bus of the day.
Flying out
| Flying out on | Minimum gap |
|---|---|
| Domestic flight | 60 min |
| International flight | 120 min |
The earliest flight you can catch is 11:40am domestic or 12:45pm international, on the first bus of the day.
Flight doesn't fit the bus?
🌙
Landing after the last bus
A private transfer runs at any hour, or take a later train.
🌅
Flying out before the first bus
A private transfer runs at any hour, or catch an early train.
2026/27 Resort Liner timetable
Be at the counter 15 minutes before departure. The bus does not wait.
New Chitose Airport to Hirafu Welcome Centre
| The bus | Your flight: land before | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves domestic | Leaves international | Reaches Hirafu | Domestic | International |
| 10:00am | From domestic | 12:45pm | 9:15am | 8:30am |
| 11:00am | From domestic | 1:45pm | 10:15am | 9:30am |
| 12:00pm | From domestic | 2:45pm | 11:15am | 10:30am |
| 1:50pm | 2:00pm | 4:45pm | 1:05pm | 12:30pm |
| 3:50pm | 4:00pm | 6:45pm | 3:05pm | 2:30pm |
| 5:50pm | 6:00pm | 8:45pm | 5:05pm | 4:30pm |
| 7:30pm | 7:40pm | 10:25pm | 6:45pm | 6:10pm |
Domestic only: the first three buses leave the domestic terminal. From international, walk over, 10 to 15 minutes, or take the free shuttle.
Land before times allow 45 minutes between landing and the bus on a domestic flight, 90 minutes on an international one. Check your own flight.
Hirafu Welcome Centre to New Chitose Airport
| The bus | Your flight: fly out after | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves Hirafu | Reaches domestic | Reaches international | Domestic | International |
| 7:50am | 10:40am | 10:45am | 11:40am | 12:45pm |
| 9:50am | 12:40pm | 12:45pm | 1:40pm | 2:45pm |
| 11:40am | 2:30pm | 2:35pm | 3:30pm | 4:35pm |
| 1:50pm | 4:40pm | 4:45pm | 5:40pm | 6:45pm |
| 2:40pm | 5:30pm | 5:35pm | 6:30pm | 7:35pm |
| 3:50pm | 6:40pm | 6:45pm | 7:40pm | 8:45pm |
Fly out after times allow 60 minutes at the airport for a domestic flight, 120 minutes for an international one. Check your own flight.
Ready to book?
Everything from here happens on the Transfer Planner: booking, sending us your details, and what to do if your plans change.
Got questions?
Each answer lives on the page that deals with it.
🗓️
Before you travel
Changing or cancelling, the airline moving your flight, paying, bags, children and groups.
🧳
On the day
Finding the bus counter, our Welcome Centre pickup, a delayed flight or a missed bus.
🚅
Coming by train
Kutchan Station, taxis, arriving late and early flights home.
🎿
Once you're in Niseko
The lifts, the village, other resorts and taxis.
🏠
Going home
Still stuck? Email or WhatsApp us, details below.
Questions? info@ramatniseko.com · WhatsApp +61 493 077 917