The one way journey by Sonic limited express train between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Beppu takes two hours, costs around 6,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass. A set of two tickets (2枚きっぷ, nimaikippu) for use by one or two persons in either direction within a one month period is available for only 7,600 yen.
Nishitetsu Bus operates numerous highway buses per day between Fukuoka and Beppu. The one way journey takes 2.5 hours and costs 3,250 yen. In Fukuoka, all buses stop at Hakata Station and Tenjin Station, and a few also stop at Fukuoka Airport. In Beppu, buses stop at the Beppu Kitahama bus stop. Online reservations can be made at Willer.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Beppu's attractions are spread all across the city and are best explored by rental car or bus. The city's bus network is operated by two companies: Kamenoi Bus and Oita Kotsu.
Kamenoi Bus provides access to most places in Beppu except the Takasakiyama Monkey Park and the Umitamago Aquarium. Kamenoi also offers practical 1-day and 2-day unlimited bus passes (1100 and 1700 yen respectively) that cover all of the sites within central Beppu. Special wide versions of the passes (1800 and 2800 yen) include the buses to Yufuin. Oita Kotsu operates buses to the monkey park, the aquarium and to Oita Airport.
Highway buses and most airport buses stop at the Kitahama bus terminal, which can be reached from Beppu Station in about a 5-10 minute walk. Beppu Port, with ferry connections to Shikoku and Osaka, can be reached in a ten minute bus ride from Beppu Station or the Kitahama bus terminal.
The closest airport to Beppu is Oita Airport. Buses connect the airport with Beppu's Kitahama bus terminal in 50 minutes and for 1600 yen one way.
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