Getting to Niseko (Hirafu) from Sapporo is easy! Here are a few options:

Sapporo Chitose Airport to Niseko Bus & Transfer Services:

The Bus from Sapporo New Chitose takes around 2.5-3 hours depending on road conditions and where your final destination is.

The Hokkaido Resort Liner provides the easiest options for Sapporo to Niseko transport with drop off points in and around Hirafu, Annupuri or Niseko Village. From the bus drop-off points you may be able to walk to your accommodation, some accommodations provide a free pick-up service, or you can get a taxi or shuttle bus. The Cost for the bus service is 4100 yen.

Remember these buses get booked up very quickly and so must be booked in advance. They are also usually only running from December 1^st until March 31^st. The Operating times and link to the booking page can be found here

You can also take the bus with:

White liner 

Big runs 

Niseko/Chuo Bus

Getting the train from either Sapporo city or the New Chitose Airport

Trains from Sapporo to Niseko

Although it can be a little complex, it’s possible to take a train from the New Chitose Airport or Sapporo City to Niseko. From New Chitose airport a fast train takes about 35 minutes to Sapporo. A train from Sapporo to Otaru takes from 32 to 50 minutes, and from there you can take a train to Kutchan takes between 1 hour and 1:20 hours. Niseko station is a further 15-20 minutes on from Kutchan. For train timetables and fares take a look at Hyperdia.

Kutchan station is located in a better position if you are travelling to Hirafu or Hanazono, whilst Niseko station is a touch easier for those staying in Niseko Village (Higashiyama) or Annupuri. Buses are available from Kutchan train station, and taxis available from both train stations, while some lodgings provide a pick-up service. A taxi between Kutchan station and Hirafu costs about ¥3500 and takes about 15 minutes.

Trains from Honshu to Niseko

A tunnel runs between Honshu, which is the main island of Japan, and Hokkaido. Trains between Shin-Aomori (at the northern tip of Honshu) and Kutchan take as little as 4.5 hours as the first part of the trip is a bullet train. It’s about 3 hours from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori by bullet train. However, from Tokyo it is more expensive to take the train than to simply fly to Sapporo and take either a train or the bus to Niseko. Once again see Hyperdia for train timetables and fares.