Arrival vs Departure Terminals: TPE has T1 and T2. Most trans-Pacific flights use T2 (EVA Air, China Airlines). Check your boarding pass — the terminal is on it. A free shuttle bus runs between terminals (~5 min).
Express Line → Taipei Main in ~35 min Cost: NT$150 / person Frequency: Every 15–20 min Hours: 06:00 – 23:00 From Taipei Main: Transfer to Blue Line → Nangang ~20 min Tip: Buy single-journey ticket or use EasyCard
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Taxi
CONVENIENT
To Nangang area: ~NT$1,200–1,500 Time: ~60–90 min (traffic varies) Official taxi: Yellow cabs outside arrivals Avoid: Unlicensed touts inside terminal App: Line Taxi or Uber for price lock
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Bus 1819 / Kuo-Kuang
CHEAP
To Taipei Main: ~NT$125 / person Time: ~60–90 min (highway traffic) Pickup: Bus stop B1 outside arrivals Hours: 24h service (overnight buses) Tip: Luggage storage in compartment
🛫 Departing TPE (Sep 2 to Sapporo)
1
3 hours before departure
Arrive at Terminal 2
International flights from TPE T2 (most LCCs to Japan). Take MRT from Nangang → Taipei Main → Airport Express → T2 station. Allow 70 min total travel time from Nangang.
2
2h 30min before
Check-in + Baggage Drop
Check-in counters on Level 3. Online check-in usually opens 24h before. LCC carriers (Peach, Jetstar): check cabin bag dimensions — strictly enforced. Pay overweight fees here or at the gate.
3
2h 15min before
Departure Tax Refund (if applicable)
If you spent over NT$2,000 at a participating store, get a VAT refund before immigration — look for the red VAT refund counter before security. Requires original receipts.
4
1h 45min before
Immigration + Security
Can take 20–40 min with queues. Tip: Use e-gates if your passport has a chip (US passport qualifies). Remove liquids from bags. Belt/shoes can stay on at most Asian airports.
5
Last 30 min
Airside: Food + Duty Free
Airside T2 highlights: Din Tai Fung (get the XLB one last time), pineapple cake shops (Vigor Kobo), whisky duty free, and tons of Taiwanese snack gift boxes. Save NT$500+ cash for any airport Starbucks buys.
💡 TPE Tips
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Currency: Exchange rate at the airport is OK but not the best — change only enough for your first day (NT$2,000). Better rates at city banks or 7-Eleven ATMs.
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SIM cards: Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone kiosks right after customs. Open 24h. Physical SIM with 30 days data starts around NT$300.
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Luggage storage: Available B1 near MRT. ~NT$200/day per bag. Good option if you want to explore near the airport before hotel check-in.
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Airport hotel shower: Novotel is connected to T2 (underground walkway). Day-rate rooms or shower passes available — good after a long flight before heading to Nangang.
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New Chitose Airport (CTS) is Hokkaido's main international airport, about 40 km south of central Sapporo. It has domestic and international terminals connected by an indoor walkway (~5 min walk).
📍 Terminal Map
🏢 CTS International Terminal
🛬 Arrivals (Level 1)
🛂Immigration🧳Baggage Claim🛃Customs (Bring Visit Japan Web)💴Currency Exchange📱SIM / Pocket WiFi Rental🏦Seven Bank ATM (accepts foreign cards)
🚇 JR Railway (Level 1 / basement)
🚄JR New Chitose Airport Station🎫JR Hokkaido ticket windows💳Kitaca IC card machines
CTS → Sapporo Station: ~37 min Cost: ¥1,150 / person (or JR Pass) Frequency: Every 15–30 min Hours: 06:30 – 23:00 Tip: Take Rapid Airport (快速エアポート), not local. Reserved seats available for ¥840 extra (not needed).
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Airport Bus
ALTERNATIVE
To Sapporo Station: ~70–90 min Cost: ¥1,100 / person Benefit: Door-to-door stops at hotels Tip: Better if hotel isn't near Sapporo Station; slower but luggage-friendly
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Taxi
EXPENSIVE
To Central Sapporo: ~¥8,000–12,000 Time: ~40–50 min Only use: If very late at night or heavy luggage + group splitting cost App: GO タクシー (GO Taxi) works in Hokkaido
🛫 Departing CTS (Sep 17 — Return Home)
1
Day before
Online Check-in + Visit Japan Web
Complete Visit Japan Web customs/immigration pre-registration if you haven't. Most airlines let you check in 24h before. Confirm terminal (International or Domestic if connecting domestically first).
2
3 hours before
Arrive at CTS International
Take JR Rapid Airport from Sapporo (~37 min). Aim to arrive 3h before international departure. International check-in is in the International Terminal (connected to Domestic by walkway).
3
2h 30min before
Last Hokkaido Souvenirs
The domestic terminal has Hokkaido's best omiyage selection: Royce Chocolate (buy the raw choco — needs refrigeration on plane), Shiroi Koibito cookies, dairy products, Sapporo beer, and more. Get there before check-in queues build.
4
2h before
Check-in + Baggage Drop
International check-in counters in the International Terminal. Tax-free goods must be shown to customs — have receipts ready. Royce and chilled dairy: check with airline about carry-on temperature limits (usually fine in cooler bags).
5
Last meal
Ramen or Sushi Airside
Airside International has ramen and sushi options — last chance for Hokkaido flavors. Kani Honke (crab) and Raumen Yokocho options in the terminal. Have yen ready — some places don't take cards.
💡 CTS Tips
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Visit Japan Web: Register customs and immigration forms at vja.digital.go.jp before arrival. Shows a QR code at immigration — much faster than paper forms. Do it the day before.
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Pocket WiFi return: If you rented a pocket WiFi, most have drop-off boxes at CTS arrivals level and inside security airside.
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Yen to spend: Use remaining yen at the airport. Can also exchange back at the airport, but rate is bad. Better to spend it on omiyage or a good airport meal.
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Luggage forwarding (Takkyubin): Yamato Transport at the airport will ship bags to your hotel for ~¥1,500/bag — great if you're day-tripping on last day before flying out.
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Hakodate Airport (HKD) is small and easy — domestic only. No immigration or customs. Just 15 min from the city center by bus. We're using it to fly Sapporo → Hakodate (or taking JR, which is faster and more scenic).
📍 Airport Overview
Terminal
1 Terminal
Domestic only — very small
Distance to City
~8 km
15 min by bus
Airlines
ANA / JAL
Sapporo, Tokyo routes
Our route
CTS or JR
JR faster + more scenic
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JR is better than flying Sapporo → Hakodate: Hokuto Limited Express takes ~2h50min from Sapporo and drops you right at Hakodate Station (vs bus from HKD airport adding ~30 min each way, plus airport time). With JR Hokkaido Pass, it's free. Skip the flight.
🚌 Airport → City (if using HKD)
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Airport Shuttle Bus
EASIEST
To Hakodate Station: ~20 min Cost: ¥310 / person Runs: Timed to meet arriving flights Stops: JR Hakodate Station, Goryokaku
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Taxi
QUICK
To Central Hakodate: ~¥2,000–2,500 Time: ~10–15 min Use: If heavy luggage or 3+ people (split cost)
💡 Hakodate Tips
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Hakodate Tram: Once in the city, use the historic tram (streetcar) — ¥240 flat fare, or get a day pass for ¥840. Covers the waterfront, Goryokaku, and morning market.
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Squid season (September): Hakodate's famous squid (ika) is peak in September. The morning market will have live squid sashimi. You must try ika somen (squid noodles).
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JR strongly preferred: The Hokuto Limited Express from Sapporo to Hakodate is one of the most scenic train rides in Japan — coastal views, mountains, farmland. Cover it with the JR Hokkaido Pass.