Getting to Lake Toya from New Chitose Airport | Car, JR & Bus

“Once I land at New Chitose Airport, what’s the best way to get to Lake Toya?”—this is one of the questions Kamonoya, which runs 11 whole-house rentals around Lake Toya, is asked most often. In this article we compare the three options—rental car, JR train, and bus—from a local operator’s point of view.

Evening view of Lake Toya and Nakajima from a lookout

In short: three types of transport—choose by travel style

The main ways from New Chitose Airport to Lake Toya Onsen are these three.

In our experience, a rental car is easiest for groups and families with small children, while the JR route is convenient for a light, adults-only trip.

Please note that the travel times, fares, and service frequencies given below are all approximate figures as of July 2026. They can change with timetable revisions and seasonal operation, so be sure to check each operator’s official website for the latest information before you set out.

Rental car: about 2 hours via expressway, with room to stop along the way

From New Chitose Airport to Lake Toya is about 2 hours by car via the expressway. Complete the paperwork at the airport rental counter and head straight toward Lake Toya.

The biggest appeal of a rental car is the freedom to stop along the way. Around Lake Toya there are spots easy to reach by car, such as the Silo Observatory and Lake Hill Farm, so sightseeing can begin on the very day you arrive. A loop of the lake is about 40 km and roughly an hour by car—just right for a drive the next day, too.

In winter (roughly December to March), frozen and snow-covered roads are an everyday reality, and rental cars come fitted with winter (studless) tires as standard. Even so, conditions differ greatly from winter roads on Honshu: sudden loss of visibility in a blizzard (whiteout) and patches of ice on bridges, in shade, and on the approach to intersections are all common. If you are not used to driving on winter roads, avoid driving after dark, allow plenty of extra time, or simply take the JR train instead of pushing on. When you reserve a rental car, it is also worth confirming that winter tires are fitted.

JR + bus: limited express “Hokuto” from Minami-Chitose, then about 20 minutes by Donan Bus from Toya Station

The basic route by public transport is as follows.

The limited express “Hokuto” is a trunk-line express linking Sapporo and Hakodate, running roughly once an hour on the Minami-Chitose–Toya section. The one-way fare, combining the basic fare and the unreserved limited-express charge, is around ¥5,580 as a guide (as of July 2026). Advance booking via “Ekinet” can sometimes bring a discount, and a reserved seat is reassuring on busy days or in peak season. Allow roughly 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours in total from New Chitose Airport to Toya Station, including the transfer.

From Toya Station to the onsen town, Donan Bus (Lake Toya Onsen–Toya Station line) provides the connection: about 20 minutes (roughly 15–25 minutes depending on the service), with a fare of around ¥400 as a guide. As services are limited, however, it is best to look up in advance a bus that meets your train. For detailed, practical information on the stops, times, and fares, see our dedicated article, bus access from Toya Station to Lake Toya Onsen.

The frequency of limited expresses and bus departure times can change with the season, so please check the latest timetables on each operator’s official website. Allow some buffer for the transfer between train and bus.

A train journey watching the Hokkaido scenery through the window has the big advantage of no driving fatigue. After arrival you can enjoy the onsen town on foot, so if your lodging is in the center of the onsen town you can manage perfectly well without a car.

Highway bus: please check service in advance

Bus routes from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo toward Lake Toya can change in operation by season and year. If you are considering them, be sure to check the latest service and booking methods on each bus company’s official website beforehand.

A lodging in the center of the onsen town is convenient on arrival

If you come by public transport, choosing a lodging in the center of the onsen town within walking distance of the bus stop makes getting around much easier. In the town center, Kamonoya offers the whole-house Toya House (sleeps 8, from ¥24,000/night), the couple- and small-group-friendly Lake Toya Building 1R (sleeps 3, from ¥7,000/night), and the family-friendly Lake Toya Building 2LDK (sleeps 6, from ¥11,000/night). All properties have full kitchens and are whole-house or whole-unit rentals, so you never share space with other guests.

We also suggest a model route after arrival in our Lake Toya model course article. For the full list, see the list of properties.

Booking directly through our official site is the best-value official rate, with no agency commission (best-rate guarantee). Check availability here.

FAQ

Q1. How long does it take from New Chitose Airport to Lake Toya by car?

About 2 hours via the expressway. In winter it can take longer depending on road conditions, so we recommend planning with extra time.

Q2. Can I get to Lake Toya without a car?

Yes. The basic route is New Chitose Airport Station → Minami-Chitose → (limited express “Hokuto,” about 1 hour 20 minutes) → Toya Station → (about 20 minutes by Donan Bus) → Lake Toya Onsen. Choose a lodging in the town center and you can enjoy the onsen town on foot after arrival.

Q3. How do I get from Toya Station to the onsen town?

About 20 minutes by Donan Bus (fare around ¥400 as a guide). Bus times can change with the season, so check the latest timetable and leave buffer for the transfer from the limited express. For details, see our bus access from Toya Station article.