Car hire at Chitose Airport - The Best of Northern Japan

Located approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Sapporo, the beautiful capital of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, Chitose Airport is a modern and highly functional air transportation hub serving around 25 million passengers a year, including a fast-growing number of international travellers. Inaugurated on the 20th of July 1988, New Chitose Airport (as it is officially known) is operated by Hokkaido Airports which also manages the domestic airports of Wakkanai, Kushiro, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Obihiro and and Memanbetsu.

Famed for its diverse landscape and unparalleled natural beauty, Hokkaido is a truly captivating island perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers looking to discover this unique destination with a car hire from Chitose Airport. This part of Japan is a renowned culinary paradise based on its locally-produced high-quality dairy products, fresh fish and seafood specialities, plus some amazing local delicacies such as miso ramen (a traditional Japanese soup made with noodles) and a wonderful grilled lamb dish curiously dubbed by the locals as 'Genghis Khan'!

There's much to see and do with a car hire from Chitose Airport, offering visitors the chance to see a different part of Japan beyond the tourist meccas of Tokyo and Mount Fuji. Sapporo (the largest city on the island of Hokkaido) is a hub of cultural activity with a large number of annual festivals and other interesting events, as well as several fascinating museums, parks, art galleries and a rich theatrical tradition. Hokkaido is a top destination for winter skiing and snowboarding in world-class resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano. Travellers can also learn all about the indigenous Ainu people at Lake Akan and visit the Shiretoko Peninsula to see the many free-roaming brown bears that inhabit the area.

When you book an affordable car rental at Chitose Airport with Auto Europe you are guaranteed the widest choice of vehicles and cheapest prices on the market. By working with all the world’s leading car rental suppliers, we can always find you the right car for your trip, whether it's a few days' city sightseeing in Sapporo or an extended road-trip around the Hokkaido, one of the most scenic places in the Far East. For help planning your trip to northern Japan or assistance making your booking, please feel free to contact our rental specialists for assistance anytime because they are always more than happy to find you the best deal and/or answer any car hire questions you might have.

Airport Information

Located close to Sapporo in the south-west of Hokkaido Island, New Chitose Airport (CTS) is within easy reach of the popular ski resorts of Niseko and Rusutsu and is the main connection between Hokkaido and the rest of Japan with daily flights to and from most major cities. You can also fly direct from Shanghai, Seoul and many other important Asian cities from this compact, modern airport. As Hokkaido’s largest airport, it ranks second in domestic passenger traffic and offers passengers great connections with Sapporo and a good range of on-site facilities.

Chitose Airport (CTS)
Address: New Chitose Airport, 987-22 Bibi, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0012
Telephone: +81-123-23-0111
Airlines operating at Chitose Airport: The list of the most important airlines currently operating at Chitose Airport includes Aero K, AirAsia X, Air Busan, Air China, Air Do, Air Seoul, All Nippon Airways, ANA Wings, Asiana Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Eastar Jet, EVA Air, Fuji Dream Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Ibex Airlines, J-Air, Japan Airlines, Jeju Air, Jetstar Japan, Jin Air Busan, Juneyao Air, Korean Air, Peach, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Scoot, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Skymark Airlines, Spring Airlines, Starlux Airlines, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Airways International, Thai VietJet Air, Tianjin Airlines, Tigerair, Kaohsiung and T'way Air..

Where to pick up my car hire at Chitose Airport

It couldn't be easier to collect your Auto Europe car rental at Chitose Airport because all the suppliers' check-in desks are conveniently locate on the first floor of the domestic terminal building. The airport offers a good mix of major international brands (such as Europcar) along with some of the best local vehicle providers, most notably NicoNico and Nissan. In order to make sure that the pick-up process goes as smoothly as possible, please make sure that you have all the necessary documents ready when you arrive at the welcome desk, including your passport, driving licence, International Driving Permit (IDP), credit card (in the main driver's name), your Auto Europe car hire voucher and any insurance you might have purchased beforehand, like our popular Full Damage & Theft Protection coverage.

Car hire operating hours

	Europcar at Chitose Airport 2 Chrome 1-4 Kashiwadaiminami, Chitose, Japan 066-0009 +81 123 45 8756	Opening Hours: Daily 9am-7pm
	Nissan at Chitose Airport 2 Chrome 2-5 Kashiwadaiminami, Chitose, Japan066-0013 +81 123 27 4123	Opening Hours: Daily 8am-8pm
	NicoNico at Chitose Airport 2 Chrome 1-6 Kashiwadaiminami Chitose, Japan 066-0009 +81 123 24 2525	Opening Hours: Daily 8am-7pm

Terminals

New Chitose has two large terminals - one of the domestic flights and the other for international services - which are connected by a walkway which takes about ten minutes to pass through. On the way passengers will find a series of shopping and dining opportunities, as well as a selection of other facilities and amenities. The international terminal connects CTS with a number of major cities around Asia (most notably Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Seoul and Busan) as well as several destinations in China and beyond.

Airport Facilities

The domestic terminal features a good range of dining options, particularly in the food court where travellers can enjoy all sorts of specialty ramen restaurants and the less traditional Streetcar Dining District that offers restaurants dedicated to the local Hokkaido cuisine. There's a wide variety of shops located in both terminals, from convenience stores to boutiques selling souvenirs and clothing. There are large Duty-free stores in the international terminal, plus outlets offering products from Royce, Rokkatei, Ishiya (Shiroi Koibito) and LeTAO. If you need to change pounds into the local currency, there are Travelex Currency Exchange shops in each terminal, both before and after passing through passport control. Passengers with time on their hands can pamper themselves in the soothing waters of the New Chitose Airport Onsen situated on the airport's fourth floor where they can also get a massage, enjoy a rock sauna, take a nap and enjoy a hearty meal all under the same roof. Travellers with kids should take them to the Hello Kitty Happy Flight area on the third floor where they can play games and get some refreshments.

How to get to and from Chitose Airport

It's an easy journey from New Chitose Airport to Chitose (the closest city to CTS) as well as Sapporo which can take around 1 hour depending on the traffic and the time of day (ie it's always best to avoid the morning and evening rush-hours). There's a plethora of direct transport services that can get you to Sapporo in around 40 minutes (by train) and about 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus. There are also dedicated ski bus services to some of the nearby snow resorts, many of which are world-renowned due to the high quality of the snow. Japan Rail (operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company） has direct services departing several times an hour between the airport's on-site railway station and Sapporo Train Station in the heart of the city centre. The Hokkaido Chuo Bus route runs regular services for downtown Sapporo from its convenient departure point right outside the arrivals area of the domestic terminal. A number of other buses serve several popular destinations, including Obihiro, Asahikawa and Noboribetsu Onsen.

Parking Tips

Visitors will find plenty of choice when it comes to parking their car hire at Chitose Airport. Three large car parks (A, B and C) cater for many of the airport's visitors with capacities for 1,800, 2,416 and 1,011 cars, respectively. Pre-payment machines are located at the car park A and B bridges that connect the airport terminal building with the parking areas, with payment possible by credit card. In Sapporo, there are plenty of car parks, especially around Sapporo Train Station and underneath Odori Park, one of the city's main attractions. Some hotels offer parking, potentially with a discount for guests.

Useful links

Chitose Airport