Niigata Airport to Niigata Station, Bandai and Sado ferries

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 miniliner 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 Center 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 Center 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)

Use “Station bus terminal” to see the current drop-off area, or the city view for hotel districts and entrances. The station pin marks the bus-terminal drop-off area beneath the elevated tracks. Follow staff instructions for your bus’s exact stopping point.

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 center building location.

The number 6 inside the bus center 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

Background map: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. Location references: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), compared with official airport, bus, JR and facility maps. The station pin uses the current bus terminal rather than the former south-side limousine stop.

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 touch 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 cost 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’.

Accommodations 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 ‘新幹線 / Shinkansen’ sign and electronic display board. Train platforms are 11 to 14, but please give priority to the train information for the day.

For the return journey, direct airport buses leave from bay 18 and local E22 新潟空港 buses from bay 4. These are boarding bays, not the city-arrival drop-off point. Older maps showing the limousine outside the South Exit or on the north side do not show the current terminal arrangement. Bay 4 became a regular boarding bay on 21 September 2024.

You can take the exit towards the accommodation without going through the ticket gate. Please 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. The E22 passes Miyaurachugakumae (宮浦中学前 / 宮浦中学校前) and Niigata Nippo MEDIA SHIP · 新潟日報メディアシップ. Get off at station-bound stop 14, 万代シテイ (Bandai City), before Niigata Station. Pay the 470 yen adult fare when leaving.
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 center 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 ‘古町 / 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 departures 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 Sado terminals disembark separately.

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.

The Miniliner accepts passengers without reservations, but has 13 seats; you cannot board if full. For reservations, large luggage or vehicle changes, contact the Niigata Daiichi Kotsu dispatch centre on 025-377-2506. The notice does not specify a booking cutoff or guarantee that it waits for delayed flights.

The Miniliner serves the ferry terminal; it is not listed as stopping at Toki Messe.

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

Move after last bus and flight delay

Airport → Niigata Station direction, this is the last regular bus from September 1 to October 24, 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)

The 21:05 direct bus is marked as potentially departing later to accommodate aircraft arrivals. Waiting has limits. After completing international arrival procedures, ask the operator which buses are still 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 downtown section costs 260 yen for general admission and 520 yen for late-night fares. Please check the timetable for the day of your visit first as it may vary depending on events, detours, and service suspensions. If you miss the last bus, 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

For route 17 to Toki Messe and Port, please 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 · 025-246-6333

Check the final Shinkansen for your actual destination

The checked October 2026 weekday/weekend JR timetable gives 21:40 as the last regular Niigata–Tokyo departure. The 22:23 Toki terminates at Echigo-Yuzawa, not Tokyo. Tokyo Station · 東京駅 and Echigo-Yuzawa Station · 越後湯沢駅 are separate destinations. Add ticketing and the walk through gates to the platform, and check date-specific temporary services, suspensions and seats. The 21:05 airport bus is not a guaranteed connection with the 21:40 Tokyo train. JR official timetable

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?

This guide covers sailings from Niigata Port Sado Kisen Terminal to Ryotsu Port · 両津港 on Sado Island · 佐渡島. Other Niigata Port piers and the Naoetsu–Ogi route use different terminals. 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 miniliner 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 sufficient 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 for the combined length, width and height, weighing no more than 30 kg, 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 canceling 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 that the operator has confirmed are cancelled, 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, round-trip 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)

Taxis and reserved vehicles with luggage or after the last service

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. Taxi companies provided by the airport

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, please check the waiting, changing, canceling and contact method in case of flight delay before signing the contract. Delay response conditions for airport buses, miniliners, and taxis are different.

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

Use the rental-car counters near the first-floor information centre to contact your booked company. Listed operators include Nippon, Toyota, Nissan, Times and Orix. Check branch hours, valid driving documents, vehicle and luggage capacity, one-way returns and winter equipment.

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 ↗ · Rental car reception/inquiries by company ↗ (checked 2026-10-05)

For transportation purchase and reservation, please refer to the official information for each route.

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. Please 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 transfers, Frequently asked questions