How to get to Niigata city from Niigata Airport

Actual location map and travel route concept map

Blue is a limousine that goes directly to the station, green is a regular E22, tan is a city transfer, pink is a mini-liner that goes directly to the port, and purple is a walk after getting off. Dotted lines and arrows are conceptual diagrams showing the direction of movement between points and are not actual road, walking, or route alignments. It is not a route map that shows all intermediate stops for regular buses.

1. City bus stop outside the first floor of the airport (37.95048, 139.11906)
2. Drop-off area under the Niigata Station overpass (37.91258, 139.06142)
3. Get off at No. 14 or E22 toward Bandai City Station (37.9178233, 139.0570098)
4. B1 No. 10 toward Bandai City Furumachi (37.9176805, 139.0567864)
5. Transfer No. 6 inside Bandai City Bus Centre building (37.9163588, 139.0556451)
6. Miyaurachugakumae (towards station) (37.9215651, 139.0601145)
7. Furumachi B1 Aoyama direction No. 5 (37.9221002, 139.0433387)
8. Toki Messe city bus stop (37.9260978, 139.0607245)
9. Toki Messe Convention Centre entrance area (37.9264345, 139.0604268)
10. Get off at Sado Kisen city bus (37.9295378, 139.0621014)
11. Sado Kisen Terminal Entrance/Miniliner (37.92933, 139.0621)

‘Station Bus Terminal Expansion’ shows the current station drop-off area, and ‘City centre/Last Section Expansion’ shows the station, lodging area, and building entrance in large size, excluding the airport. Station pins indicate the current drop-off area below the overpass, please follow on-site guidance for exact stopping locations for each vehicle.

Please see the official floor plan for individual stops inside the bus terminal. Bandai has separately indicated the locations of the airport general E22 station-bound drop-off point 14, B1 10 bound for Furumachi, and the bus centre building location.

The number 6 inside the bus centre must be found inside the building and is different from the number 6 on the road. Take a look at the official Bandai stop map. The Furumachi pin is number 5 on the B1 toward Aoyama, and the opposite direction back to the station is a different location. Official Bandai stop map See also

Background map: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) · Location data: OpenStreetMap contributor (ODbL), compared with official maps of airports, buses, JR, and facilities. The station's old South Limousine stop coordinates were not used. We created our own maps and guidance without duplicating official photos or floor plans. Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · OpenStreetMap Contributor (ODbL)

Take the bus bound for Niigata Station from the arrival hall on the 1st floor

1. For international flights, after completing immigration and baggage pickup, exit to the arrival lobby on the 1st floor. For domestic flights, after collecting your baggage, move out to the first floor.
2. Follow the signs for ‘新潟駅方面’ to the bus stop for Niigata Station in front of the terminal. Direct and regular buses depart from the same stop, so check the destination of the vehicle and the ‘直行 / 各停’ sign rather than randomly searching for numbers.
3. The direct limousine ride costs 470 yen in advance. Pay with cash or a transport IC card such as Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA, and then board according to the suitcase loading instructions.
4. For regular E22 Niigata Station, postpay is required when getting off. When getting on, touch your transport IC card or receive a cash ticket, and when getting off, touch your card again or insert the ticket and section fare. The fare to Bandai City and Niigata Station is 470 yen each.

You can use it without a reservation by standing in line. You cannot exchange 2,000, 5,000, or 10,000 yen bills in the car, so prepare change or 1,000 yen bills. Suica, ICOCA, etc. cannot be charged on the bus, and only Niigata’s “りゅーと” can be charged on the bus. Using a transport IC card and making contactless payments with an overseas credit card are different functions.

Since credit card on-board payment was not confirmed in the official information, it is best to prepare cash and a transport IC card.

There is no railway station at the airport. To take the JR/Shinkansen, you must first go to Niigata Station by bus.

Airport 1st floor map ↗ · Information on operator payment and airport stop ↗ · Regular bus section fares ↗ (checked 2026-10-05)

Compare transportation options based on your accommodation location

The time below is the vehicle on-board journey time. Please add the time for immigration, baggage pickup, moving to the boarding area, waiting, transfer, ticketing, and walking after getting off. For regular buses, the airport information takes about 33 minutes and the operator information takes about 35 minutes. It may take longer when there is traffic congestion or vehicle changes.

A regular bus to Furumachi costs 730 yen for two sections, a total ride of about 35 to 46 minutes, and Toki Messe and the port costs 730 yen, a total ride of about 42 to 52 minutes. The total travel time must include waiting for the city bus and walking time to the destination entrance.

The time spent waiting for the next bus after getting off the last bus is not included in the ‘25 minutes’.

Accommodation around Niigata Station, JR, and Shinkansen transfers

Niigata Station · 新潟駅

1. Airport arrival lobby → Prepare cash and transport IC card → Take the ‘直行 新潟駅’ limousine at the stop in front of the terminal. The regular E22 bound for Niigata Station also goes to the station.
2. After about 25 minutes for direct, or about 33 to 35 minutes for general, get off at the Niigata Station bus terminal drop-off point under the overpass. Follow the on-site vehicle instructions to collect your luggage.
3. If your accommodation is on the Bandai side, follow the signs for Bandaiguchi (万代口), and if your accommodation is on the south side, follow the signs for Minamiguchi (南口). It is more accurate to find your way to the hotel by foot after getting off using the name and address of your accommodation.
4. If you are taking the JR or Shinkansen, take the elevator or escalator inside the station to the 2nd floor ticket gate. For Shinkansen, prepare your ticket and limited express ticket by looking at the ‘New Line’ sign and electronic display board. Train platforms are 11 to 14, but please give priority to the train information for the day.

Numbers 18 and 4 are the bus stop numbers for returning to the airport. Number 18 is a direct limousine, and number 4 is a regular bus called ‘E22 新潟空港’. If the current drop-off point inside the station is guided to the former South Exit Limousine Stop or the North Stop outside the station, the route will change. The four temporary stops were also converted to regular stops on September 21, 2024.

You can take the exit towards the accommodation without going through the ticket gate. Check the station Bandaiguchi → Bandai City walking directions by changing the destination according to your accommodation address. Add enough time to move around the station and wait for ticketing, and if you miss the train, ask the place of purchase about change and refund conditions for each type of ticket. Bus tickets and JR tickets are separate. Station Bandai Exit → Bandai City Walking Directions

JR’s latest premises map and elevator ↗ · Bus terminal drop-off point and 2nd floor connection ↗ · Notice of change to platform 4 ↗ (checked 2026-10-05)

For Bandai accommodation, check from the regular bus drop-off location.

Bandai City · 万代シテイ

1. Arrival hall on the 1st floor → Prepare transport IC card or cash → Take ‘各停 新潟駅’ regular E22 at the airport stop.
2. Miyaurachugakumae (宮浦中学前 / 宮浦中学校前), via Niigata Nippo Media Ship · Niigata Nippo MEDIA SHIP · 新潟日報メディアシップGet off at stop 14 towards ‘万代シテイ’ Bandai City Station. You don't have to keep going all the way to the station. The fare from the airport to Bandai City is 470 yen for adults, payable when getting off.
3. Open the directions to the accommodation address and walk from the stop to the accommodation entrance. Just because the area name is ‘Bandai’ does not mean that all hotels are located in front of the same bus stop.

Pier Bandai · ピアBandai is different from Bandai City shopping area. The official airport information tells you to take a regular bus to Miyaurachugakumae to visit Piabandai, and explains that the ride is about 20 minutes.

Additional walking is required after getting off from that stop to Pia Bandai. Don't think that you will arrive immediately after getting off the Toki Messe/Port at this stop.

If you took a direct limousine, you can get off at Niigata Station and take No. 6 B1 toward Aoyama/Shiyakusho-mae and get off at Bandai City. The regular city bus fare is 260 yen, total 730 yen, and takes about 5 minutes from the station and then walks to the accommodation.

If you have a lot of luggage, compare the regular bus drop-off location and the direct bus loading space when departing from the airport.

Miyaurachugakumae → Piabandai Walking directions ↗ · Bandai City stop → Check the bus centre walking location ↗

E22 actual stop/fare ↗ · Disembarkation information by airport destination ↗ · B1 transfertable by route ↗ (checked 2026-10-05)

Furumachi accommodation: Transfer to B1 at the station

Furumachi · 古町

1. Take the airport bus to the drop-off point under the Niigata Station overpass. There is no direct stop at Furumachi on the airport direct/regular E22.
2. From platform 6 at the same bus terminal, take the B1 Bandai-bashi Line toward Aoyama/Shiyakusho-mae. Even if the destination is different, such as B10, B12, or B13, you can check whether it stops at Furumachi.
3. When boarding, touch the IC or receive a numbered ticket, pass through Bandai City → Honcho and get off at ‘Kocho’ Furumachi. Approximately 10-11 minutes from the station, regular adult fare is 260 yen, payable when getting off.
4. Find by address which shopping block your accommodation is on. The map shows the location of Furumachi No. 5 towards B1 Aoyama. The Furumachi stop is divided into multiple pick-up locations, so don't assume one map pin is the same stop for all lines.

The total fare at the airport is usually 470 + 260 = 730 yen. The 23:35 B13 late-night service costs 520 yen within the city, for a total of 990 yen. Rather than walking across the river with large luggage late at night, compare the remaining B1 buses or taxis at the station, and inquire in advance about late check-in at your accommodation.

Furumachi Stop → Furumachi Mall 6th Street Walking Directions ↗

B1 Weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays/Holidays timetable ↗ · Regular fare ↗ · Late-night fare for buses departing after 23:30 ↗ (checked 2026-10-05)

Toki Messe and the Sado ferry terminal: choose the right stop

Toki Messe · 朱鷺メッセ
Niigata Port Sado Kisen Terminal · 新潟港佐渡汽船ターミナル

The Miniliner application period is from July 1 to October 24, 2026. Departure from the airport is 9:20 → 9:45, 12:15 → 12:40, 14:10 → 14:35, 15:40 → 16:05, and no day restrictions are indicated in this table.

You can ride without a reservation, but you cannot ride if the maximum number of passengers is 13. For reservations, large luggage, or vehicle changes, please contact the Niigata Daiichi Transportation Dispatch Centre at 025-377-2506. The public notice does not specify specific flight conditions, reservation cut-off times, or guaranteed standby for delayed flights. 025-377-2506

It is not introduced as a stop at Toki Messe.

Station No. 17, Bandai Bus Centre No. 6, Fare ↗ · Miniliner current timetable/stop ↗ · Toki Messe official approach ↗ · Ferry terminal 1st and 3rd floors ↗ (checked 2026-10-05)

Last buses and delayed arrivals

Airport → Niigata Station direction, the following final bus departures apply from 1 September to 24 October 2026. Do not confuse this with the reverse timing from the station to the airport.

• Direct limousine: Weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays/Public holidays 21:05
• General E22: Weekdays 20:35, Saturdays/Sundays/Holidays 20:40
• Miniliner direct to port: 15:40 → 16:05 (separate table from July 1 to October 24)

For the 21:05 non-stop service, there is an indication that departure may be delayed to accommodate the arrival of the aircraft. Waiting times may be limited. After completing your international arrival, check with the operator to see which bus services are available.

Do not confirm your accommodation and train arrival by adding 25 minutes to the landing time. After receiving your baggage, ask the airport information desk and bus staff about the remaining departure times.

When going to Bandai/Furumachi after arriving at the station

In B1's revised table on March 29, 2026, the last regular fare departing Niigata Station is listed as 22:42 on weekdays, 22:57 on Saturdays, and 22:27 on Sundays/public holidays. Then, the B13 late-night service at 23:35 every day goes to Bandai City at 23:40 and Furumachi at 23:45. The city centre section costs 260 yen for an ordinary fare and 520 yen for late-night fares. Check the timetable for the day of your visit first as it may vary depending on events, detours, and service suspensions. If you missed the last departure, a realistic alternative is to inquire about dispatching a taxi to your accommodation address at the official taxi stand at the station. Visit date timetable Check

For route 17 to Toki Messe and Port, check the last departure time on the day of your visit. Please select a visit date from the operator's timetable or contact Niigata Kotsu at 025-246-6333. Once the trip is over, compare taxis, and if you're done with the ship, stay at your accommodation in Niigata and consider moving the next day. Operator connection timetable Select a visit date from · 025-246-6333

Please distinguish the last departure of the Shinkansen by the arrival station.

In JR's October 2026 weekday/Saturday/holiday schedule, the last regular train to Tokyo departs Niigata at 21:40. The 22:23 departure Toki only goes as far as Echigo-Yuzawa, so it is not introduced as the last departure to Tokyo. Tokyo Station · 東京駅, Echigo-Yuzawa Station · 越後湯沢駅 have different destinations. Add the time for ticketing, movement within the station, ticket gate, and platform, and check the JR official timetable for temporary trains, suspensions, and seats by date. A connection between the last bus leaving the airport at 21:05 and the 21:40 train to Tokyo is not guaranteed. JR official timetable Check

Official airport departure timetable ↗ · Airport information application period ↗ · B1 transfertable by day of the week ↗ · Late-night fare ↗ · JR Niigata Station timetable ↗ (checked 2026-10-05)

Can I go to Sado on the same day I arrive at the airport?

The vessel in this guide is on the Niigata Port Sado Kisen Terminal → Sado Ryotsu Port route. For Sado Island, use the ferry bound for Ryotsu Port. We do not guide other Niigata Port piers or the Naoetsu → Ogi route to the same terminal. Toki Messe is a separate facility next door.

According to official information, passengers without a vehicle are recommended to arrive at the port 30 to 40 minutes before departure if the ticket is issued at a counter or vending machine, and 10 to 20 minutes before departure if the digital ticket is ready. Ticket gates usually open 15 to 20 minutes before.

Separately, Niigata Transportation advises bus users to allow time to complete boarding procedures at least 30 minutes before departure. If you're connecting by bus, plan to be more generous. This is not a guarantee of airport departure time, including arrival and waiting for the bus.

For example, the scheduled arrival of the 15:40 mini-liner is 16:05. There is only 15 minutes until the 16:20 Jetfoil, which operates only from October 2nd to 4th and 9th to 12th, so considering ticketing at the counter and vehicle delays, it is not recommended as a connection with ample time. Even if you already have a digital ticket, you may miss out due to congestion, full occupancy, or ship suspension. Don’t make a reservation based solely on ‘25 minutes from the airport to the port.’

Baggage/reservation change/cancellation

The standard for bringing into the cabin is 2 meters or less on all three sides, 30 kg or less, and 2 items per person. Quantity exceptions are possible if the operator acknowledges that there will be no disruption to transportation. Separate luggage tags are required for oversized or packaged bicycles, and the car ferry and jetfoil baggage fee for the route from October to December is 600 yen each.

Baggage storage areas are divided into the entrance hall on the 3rd floor of the car ferry and the entrance hall on the right side of the 1st floor of the Jetfoil. Take care of your valuables yourself.

When cancelling Sado Kisen's pre-paid internet reservations, the standard applies: 200 yen per person one way up to 7 days in advance, 10% up to 6 to 2 days in advance, 30% from the day before to before departure, and 100% after departure or without contact (minimum 200 yen, please refer to the official regulations for calculations by vehicle and some classes). There is no cancellation fee for booked sailings where the ferry cancellation has been confirmed, but if you cancel before making a decision, a fee may apply. Flight delays do not automatically trigger free cancellation conditions. If you think you will be late, contact the place of purchase before departure to see if you can change or cancel your reservation.

The processing method is different for already issued tickets, return tickets, partial use, and travel products.

Official shipping timetable by period 2026 ↗ · Car ferry fare ↗ · Jetfoil fee ↗ · Recommended time before boarding ↗ · Baggage ↗ · Change/Cancel ↗ (checked 2026-10-05)

Compare taxis and reserved vehicles for large luggage and after the last departure.

Use the official taxi stand marked ‘タクシーのりば’ outside the first floor of the airport, or make a reservation by informing the taxi company provided by the airport of your accommodation address, number of people, number of suitcases, and actual arrival time. According to official airport information, the ride time to the station is approximately 25 minutes, and according to Sado Kisen information, it is approximately 30 minutes from the airport to the terminal. It depends on traffic volume. Airport-listed taxi companies and reservations

Regular taxis are metered and the price is not the same for each accommodation. Sado Kisen provides a reference price of approximately 3,000 yen for a small taxi from the airport to the terminal, but it is not a flat rate product or a confirmed quote from all companies at present.

When making a reservation, check the applicable fare, late-night surcharge, toll road fee, and waiting fee. Airport flat-rate taxis are subject to designated areas and prior reservation conditions, and the late night/early morning division in the airport information is 22:00~05:00.

This condition does not apply to the general taxi fare list, and you must check by address whether Bandai, Furumachi, or station hotels are eligible for the flat rate.

For pre-booked vehicles, check the waiting, changing, cancelling and contact method in case of flight delay before signing the contract. Delay response conditions for airport buses, mini-liners, and taxis are different.

Hire car is available when you have an itinerary beyond the city.

Get information about the reservation company at the hire car reception counter near the general information centre on the first floor of the airport. Check with officially registered companies such as Nippon, Toyota, Nissan, Times, Orix, etc. for travel, business hours, licence, vehicle type, luggage space, one-way return, and winter equipment conditions.

You should not assume that fuel, tolls, and parking at your accommodation are all included in the price of the vehicle.

In winter, the time spent walking with a suitcase may increase due to snow and ice. Check the remaining route to your accommodation and the location of the elevator, and ask your accommodation for access methods if you need to walk a long distance late at night. Don't judge service closures or safety based solely on the weather; check the notices for the day.

Airport taxi stand/flat rate conditions ↗ · Sado Kisen Taxi Reference Guide ↗ · Hire car reception/inquiries by company ↗ (checked 2026-10-05)

Official bus, ferry and train tickets

The following is official purchase and operation information and is not an affiliate link. Please pay for the bus using the on-site method indicated in the text, and reserve the boat separately. For rail passes and Sado sightseeing tours, you must check the included sections and ticket conditions separately.

If your flight changes, you may also need to change your ship, JR, or vehicle reservations separately. Check the cancellation conditions for your place of purchase and ticket type first.

Check the day’s operation notice before departure

• Same-day flights from Niigata Airport ↗
• Niigata Kotsu bus operation/event detour notice ↗
• JR East Shinetsu area operation ↗
• Sado Kisen same-day ship operations ↗

Airplanes, buses, railways, and ships are each operated separately. Even if one mode of transportation is working, it does not guarantee that the other mode of transportation will be connected.

Niigata Airport to the city and Sado: questions