Cheap flights from London to Sapporo

Fares to Sapporo follow the Japanese seasons, and November comes out cheapest in the calendar. Winter is the busiest stretch, with snow drawing crowds to Hokkaido and prices climbing through December and the New Year holidays, while spring and early summer are quieter and often better value. Flying midweek usually costs less than a weekend departure, and booking a few months ahead helps when you are tied to school holidays or the New Year period. If your dates are open, let the price calendar choose the week rather than the other way round.

Every carrier listed on this route is a full-service airline rather than a low-cost one, so the difference between fares is mostly about the fare family and the routing. You will see Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways Intl, Eva Air, All Nippon Airways, China Eastern Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines on the Asian side, and Air France, Austrian, German Airways and BA CityFlyer closer to home. None of them flies London to Sapporo non-stop, so every itinerary is a connection, and the fare you choose decides baggage, seat selection and how long you sit between flights.

Sapporo is served by New Chitose, and the airport sits outside the city rather than beside it. The usual ways into town are the rail link and the airport buses, both of which drop you near the centre; a taxi is the costly option and rarely quicker in traffic. In winter, snow can slow the roads and the trains, so build in a margin if you are heading straight on to the ski areas or catching another flight. Allow time at the airport on the way home too, since check-in for long-haul connections closes well before departure.

Currency

JPY (円)

Power sockets

Type A, B · 100 V

Language

Japanese

Emergency number

110, 118, 119

Calling code

+81

Internet domain

.jp

Population of Sapporo

2.0 M (2020)

Time zone

UTC+09 (Asia/Tokyo)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check which London airport your fare leaves from, since London City, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted all appear among the options and your connection changes with the airport.
• Read the baggage allowance for your specific fare family, because the carriers here are full-service and what is included varies by ticket.
• If your trip is built from separate tickets, leave a generous buffer between flights and confirm whether your bags are checked through.
• Check passport validity and Japan's entry requirements well before you fly.
• Book early for winter and New Year travel, when demand for Sapporo peaks, and look at November if your dates are open.