The Cheapest Way to Travel Around Hokkaido

Hokkaido Chuo Bus company in cooperation with other bus companies in Hokkaido will officially launch a new bus pass for foreign visitors to Hokkaido from April.

The pass is called “Inter City Bus Pass”. The holders of “Inter City Bus Pass” are allowed to take unlimited rides to travel to more than 100 spots in Hokkaido by bus. It is a great deal for budget travelers.

Actually, this pass had been sold since last autumn as a trial. As it was highly rated by foreign visitors who traveled using this pass, the bus companies decided to officially launch this bus pass.

A total of 30 lines of buses are covered by this pass. Travelers using this pass can take intercity buses between Sapporo and Asahikawa, Furano, Rumoi, Otaru, Niseko, Noboribetsu and etc., as well as the buses in Sapporo city and Otaru city. The popular tourist sites such as Blue Pond in Biei, Shiroi Koibito Park, Otaru Canal, Furano Lavender Field, Takikawa Canola Flowers Field are also reachable by these buses.

Prices:

Prices are different depending on seasons.

・Autumn Winter Season (November 1st, 2016 – March 27th, 2017):

    3 Days: Adult: 4500 JPY; Child: 2250 JPY.
5 Days: Adult: 7500 JPY; Child: 3750 JPY:

Sales Period: October 29th, 2016 – March 27th, 2017

・Spring Summer Season (April 1st, 2017 – October 27th, 2017):

    3 Days: Adult: 5000 JPY; Child: 2500 JPY.
5 Days: Adult: 8000 JPY; Child: 4000 JPY.

Sales Period: February 1st, 2017 – October 27th, 2017

*Child ticket applies to children from one to eleven years old.

How to buy:

You can make a reservation from below website and pay at the ticket counters (You need to show your passport and the reservation email at the window). Or you can just purchase one at the ticket counters without reservation.

http://www.hokkaidox.com/en/hokkaido-bus-pass/

Ticket Counters:

1. New Chitose Airport, Domestic Terminal Building 1F, Chuo Bus Counter

2. New Chitose Airport, Domestic Terminal Building 1F, Donan Bus Counter

3. New Chitose Airport, Domestic Terminal Building 1F, Hokuto Kotsu Counter

Please click the “Bus Counter” icon at the bottom right of below page for detailed location of the three counters above.

http://www.new-chitose-airport.jp/en/tmap/floor/?floor=1f&area=domestic

4. JR Sapporo Station, Chuo Bus Sapporo (Station) Terminal
Address: ESTA 1F, 2-1, Kita5JoNishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

5. Sapporo Odori, Chuo Bus Sapporo (Odori) Terminal
Address: 1-3, OdoriHigashi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

Route Map and Bus Schedules:

Available on below website.

http://www.hokkaidox.com/en/hokkaido-bus-pass/

Cherry blossoms in Hokkaido this year is later than usual and is from early May to late May. If you plan to see cherry blossoms in Hokkaido, this pass is a highly recommended choice.