Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line from Hakata to Fukuoka Airport Train Review

Fukuoka Airport is probably the most centrally located airports in the world, at just a 5-minute train ride from the city at Hakata Station. Fukuoka Airport has 2 terminals, 1 domestic and 1 international terminal. With a few hours free in the morning, I explored a little bit of the Fukuoka City Subway, and headed to Fukuoka Airport since it was only 5 minutes away.

Hakata Station

The façade of Hakata Station. The Fukuoka City Subway departs from underground platforms perpendicular to the JR tracks.

There are a few entrances to the station, but due to the rain, I took the sheltered way.

Heading to Hakata Station on the elevated sheltered walkway.

Tickets can be purchased from the ticket machines before the fare gates.

The interface of the ticket machine is simple with physical buttons and a touch screen to select the correct ticket.

Fukuoka City Subway 1 Day Pass

A single ticket would already cost 260 yen from Hakata Station to Fukuoka Airport.

As such, I bought a 1 day ticket for 640 yen which would get me unlimited rides, which I can use for the whole day.

Heading through the ticket gates with my 1 day pass.

Trains to Fukuoka Airport depart from Platform 1.

Heading down the escalator to the island platform.

Fukuoka Airport is just 2 stations away from Hakata Station. A very downtown airport.

Aside from the train timing, the LED sign also displays the position of the train along the line. My train is currently entering the previous station.

Directional station signs are also displayed on the tunnel wall behind the track.

My arriving train to Fukuoka Airport.

As I didn’t do much research before using the Fukuoka City Subway, I was surprised to see a JR Kyushu  rolling stock in service on the Fukuoka City Subway.

The interior of the JR Kyushu 303 series EMU.

The JR Kyushu 303 series EMU features longitudinal seats throughout the train, which is more of a subway standard.

The integrated route map of the Fukuoka City Subway Kūkō Line (Airport Line), Fukuoka City Subway Hakozaki Line, and the JR Chikuhi Line is displayed above the train door. JR Kyushu provides through train services on the Kūkō Line and Chikuhi Line without the need for passengers to change trains.

Note that despite this being a JR train, this is not a JR line, therefore my JR Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu Area Pass is not valid. However, if I were to continue on the JR Chikuhi Line, no additional fare needs to be paid on the JR Chikuhi Line sector.

I will be taking just the short 2-station sector to Fukuoka Airport.

Higashi-Hie Station

Making a brief stop at Higashi-Hie Station.

Fukuokakūkō (Fukuoka Airport) Station

The journey from Hakata Station to Fukuokakūkō (Fukuoka Airport) Station takes just 5 minutes.

Half Height Platform Screen Doors (HHPSD) are installed on the platform.

Fukuokakūkō (Fukuoka Airport) Station also features an island platform, which is convenient for first-time users as passengers can simply hop on to the next departing train without thinking of the platform to go to.

On the other track, a Fukuoka Subway 1000 series EMU was departing, bound for Meinohama within the Kūkō Line only with no through service to the JR Chikuhi Line.

Heading up the concourse to the exit.

The exit to the terminals is on opposite sides of the concourse. Ensure that you are exiting towards the direction of your correct terminal.

Fukuoka Airport Domestic Terminal

The ticket gate to the Fukuoka Airport Domestic Terminal exit leads out directly to the Domestic Terminal itself already.

2 sets of escalators lead to the 1st and 2nd floors.

1st Floor is for check-in. Proceed to the 1st Floor if you have not checked in for your flight and/or to drop your bags as checked baggage.

2nd Floor is for departures. Proceed to the 2nd Floor if you have already checked in for your flight and to board your flight.

Finding the check-in area is simple by just looking out for your airline. No need to remember which counter number or row number to go to.

There is another set of escalators after check-in leading up to the 2nd floor for departures.

If heading to the city, Fukuoka City Subway ticketing facilities are available as well, with plenty of staff on hand by the machines and ticket gates.

Fukuoka Airport International Terminal

The ticket gate to the Fukuoka Airport International Terminal exit leads out to the shuttle bus stop. The Fukuokakūkō (Fukuoka Airport) Station is connected to the International Terminal by a free shuttle bus.

The path to the exit is well-signed for the free shuttle bus.

The free shuttle bus stop is just ahead from the station exit.

The free shuttle bus to the International Terminal departs approximately every 10 minutes during the day, with a 12 to 15 minute frequency at the ends of the day.