Flying from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) to Sapporo: what you need to know
The timezone in Sapporo is UTC+9. The city is seven hours ahead of Helsinki, where Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is located.
Leave plenty of time to get on your HEL to Sapporo flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow a bit more breathing room. A good rule of thumb for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
We make it easy to book flight tickets from HEL to Sapporo with a stopover. To see all your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. The most sought-after stopovers include:
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Travelling from central Helsinki to HEL takes around 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 16 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Sapporo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to HEL:
60.23% of flights taking off from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport touch down at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) to Sapporo
The best price we've found for a one-way Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Sapporo flight is R 12,459. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 20,657. Bear in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from HEL to Sapporo if you book early. Airlines often have some great early bird rates.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across each month when looking for your Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Sapporo ticket.
Finding a cheap flight from HEL to Sapporo is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when a cheaper option becomes available.
Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Sapporo by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Sapporo
New Chitose Airport (CTS)
New Chitose Airport (CTS) is around 56 kilometres from the centre of Sapporo. If you're grabbing a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 1 hour.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Sapporo. Check in to one of these accommodation options near CTS instead:
Grab a New Chitose Airport rental car and discover Sapporo and beyond with your own wheels. Car rental Hokkaido, Times and Nissan Rent a Car are well-known companies to choose from here.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from New Chitose Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from HEL to Sapporo.
The street address for CTS is 987 Bibi, Chitose.
Okadama Airport (OKD)
Once your flight from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Sapporo has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in about 30 minutes by car. Central Sapporo is roughly 8 kilometres from Okadama Airport (OKD).
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to OKD. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your HEL to Sapporo flight:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or cab lines. Grab an Okadama Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from Budget, バジェットレンタカー and Orix.
Snap up the best price by booking your ride from OKD two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
You'll find Okadama Airport at 885 Sakaemachi, Higashi Ward.
Best time to go to Sapporo
Carefully consider your trip dates before locking in your flight from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Sapporo. The city buzzes in high season, but hotel prices are generally higher and attractions can be busy. Plan your trip to Sapporo in the low season if you want a quieter vibe.
Before locking in your Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Sapporo flight ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. August is the warmest month in Sapporo, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -11ºC (12ºF) and -1ºC (30ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from HEL to Sapporo around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Sapporo
Start your Sapporo trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Sapporo, check out our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower and Hokkaido Shrine are leading attractions which should be on every Sapporo itinerary.
Explore more of Japan
Sapporo is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of Japan waiting to be discovered. About 113 kilometres north-east of Sapporo, a visit to Asahikawa will keep you busy. Don't miss top attractions like Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa Museum of Sculpture and Kamikawa Shrine.
Around 386 kilometres south of Sapporo, Akita is another favourite stop in Japan. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Koizumigata Koen Tennis Court Chikaku Parking Lot, Buzaemonseki Water Park and Omachi Sanchome Gaiku Park.
