Hi,
I went to Niseko once before but took a bus straight (either the White Liner or HRL) from the airport to Niseko. However, my group and I will be spending 1.5 days in Sapporo to see the snow festival before heading to Niseko this time, so the train seems like the best option to get from Sapporo Station to Kutchan (where our lodging company has a free private transfer). The 1x daily [Rapid Niseko Liner](https://www.sapporostation.com/rapid-niseko-liner-otaru-kutchan-niseko-sapporo/) doesn’t require a transfer in Kutchan and leaves in the afternoon/evening instead of the morning (like the buses), so we’ll get to maximize time in Sapporo.
From what I’ve read, I can only buy commuter rail tickets in person. Since this train only runs 1x/da, do tickets usually sell out? Should we buy them when we get to Sapporo Station the day before? Is there usually enough room for luggage? We have a group of 12 people, so we’d like to make sure we can all fit.
Thanks for any info.
1 comment
It’s a normal rapid commuter train without seat reservation, so tickets will not run out.
It’s the same EMU that is used on Airport Express (Shin-Chitose to Otaru) trains. It can get packed, does not have any special arrangements for luggage, so in the worst scenario, you may be standing in a packed train for two hours.