Sapporo-New Chitose Airport consists of two terminals. The two buildings are within the same complex and you can walk between them through the inner corridor in 5 minutes.

In both terminals, arrivals are always on the ground floor and departures on the 1st floor.

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Which terminal?

The larger one is the domestic building in the shape of a semicircle, connected by a covered corridor to the small domestic terminal.

• This building is divided into two halves, each of which handles a different airline (clearly marked)
• there are several security checkpoints - all leading to one common transit area
• it takes 10-15 minutes to walk from one end of the terminal to the other
• the train station is directly below this terminal
• after security there are very few shops and restaurants

Queues for security check are mainly in the morning and can be up to 15 minutes long.

The international terminal is a bit smaller but very clear and spacious.

• It takes 5-10 minutes to walk from one end of the terminal to the other.
• after security there are plenty of shops and restaurants
• the train station is about 15 minutes walk below the domestic terminal

Queues for security check are mainly in the morning and can be up to 20 minutes long.

Passport control on arrival and before departure tends to be very efficient and quick and there are rarely queues of more than 20 minutes.

Airport overnight stays - opening times and hotels

The public part of the terminals are open 24/7, but there are virtually no comfortable places or seats for overnight stays.

We recommend staying at an airport hotel in the following cases:

• you are only changing planes at Sapporo airport and do not want to visit the cities
• you have a very early morning departure (before 7:00 am)
• you arrive late in the evening (after 23:00)

Hotels at the airport

There are 2 hotels right at the airport, but the prices are quite high and usually exceed 250 usd per night:

• Portom International Hokkaido 5* - hotel in the international terminal (landside access only)
• Air Terminal Hotel 3* - hotel in the domestic terminal (access from both landside and airside)

Hotels in the area

If you want to save a bit of money and also if the train connection works out, you can stay in cheaper hotels near the airport. None of the hotels in the area offer a free airport transfer.

• Minn Chitose - near Minami-Chitose train station
• JR Inn Chitose - near Chitose train station

Transfer between flights

Sapporo is more of a minor transfer hub, and you'll mainly be changing flights here on your way to the smaller Hokkaido airport.

Domestic <-> Domestic

Transferring between flights is very simple.

Upon exiting the plane, you'll find yourself right in the departure gate area.

• 🚨 Security check - no
• 🛂 Passport control - no
• 🛄 Transfer baggage - will be transferred automatically
• 🕖 Average transfer time - 5 to 10 minutes

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International -> Domestic

These transfers are more on your own in Sapporo, however some airlines may offer guaranteed transfers.

In this case, you always have to go through immigration control already in Sapporo and walk yourself through the public area to the domestic terminal.

• 🚨 Security check - yes
• 🛂 Passport control - yes
• 🛄 Transfer baggage - you must collect and re-check in at the domestic terminal
• 🕖 Average transfer time - 70 to 90 minutes

Domestic -> International

Again, you have to leave the transit area completely, go outside and move on foot between terminals by yourself through the public area.

• 🚨 Security check - yes
• 🛂 Passport control - yes
• 🛄 Baggage on transfer - you must collect and re-check in at the international terminal
• 🕖 Average transfer time - 60 to 80 minutes

International <-> International

This type of transfer at Sapporo Airport is not very common and usually only takes place if you plan it on your own.

In that case, you have to go through the entire check-in process, including going through immigration.

However, if you're travelling with hand luggage only, you can use the transit corridor, where you don't have to go through passport control.