Getting To Hirafu Village
Getting to Hirafu Village (the main Niseko ski village) from New Chitose Airport is easy. See below more information on the bus and train options.
CATCHING THE BUS
This is the recommended method of getting to Niseko from the airport. The bus leaves directly from the airport and drops you in the middle of Niseko Grand Hirafu village (Hirafu Welcome Centre) where you can call us to come and pick you up.
Buses must be pre-booked more than 9 days before your stay to ensure a spot on the bus and lodge transfer on arrival. Please view our Bus – How to Book page for more details.
The bus check-in counters are just 20 metres away from the JAL arrivals area and have English speaking staff. For a return trip it costs around ¥9,000 ($100 AUD) and ¥4,500 ($50 AUD) for a one-way trip.
The trip is around 2.5 hours, stopping for a refreshments and toilet break along the way. The buses are large coaches, easily fitting all of your ski gear while also being very comfortable.
Please be aware that when booking flights to New Chitose Airport, the last bus transfer leaves the airport at about 7.55pm, therefore, ensure your flight arrives no later than 7.10pm (domestic) or 6.25pm (International) so you have ample time to collect your baggage and go to the bus station. Also, on your departure, the earliest bus arrives at New Chitose airport at 10.40am, so please book flights that depart after 11.40am (domestic) or 12:40pm (International).
If your flight times don’t align with the above times there are two options, 1) Catch a Train (see Train – How To Catch) or 2) Book a Private Transfer (email us at info@ramatniseko.com for more information).
CATCHING THE TRAIN
Train is the second best, but not our recommended method of getting to Niseko. Kutchan Station is the closest train station to Ramat Niseko. One downside of catching the train, is that you usually have to change trains in Otaru, which can have a wait time anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes, plus storing ski gear on the train can be difficult.
Another drawback is Ramat Niseko does not offer lodge transfers from Kutchan Station. You will need to independently arrange transport, such as a taxi or bus to the lodge from the train station. To see more information, see our Train – How to Catch page.
The standard train usually costs around ¥3,500 ($40 AUD) one way to or from Kutchan.
Train Journey Planner (New Chitose – Kutchan)
Train Route Map