3 Ways Travelling from Fukuoka to Kumamoto – via Super Express, Train, Highway Bus
Kumamoto is located in the heart of Kyushu.
Not only famous for their mascot, Kumamon, the volcano Mount Aso is one of the iconic symbols of Kumamoto too.
Local cuisines like Kumamoto ramen and Basashi (sashimi of horse meat) are popular as well.
Here are 3 ways to get to Kumamoto from Fukuoka.
1. JR Super Express
JR Kyushu Railway has 3 types of trains for Super Express, they are Mizuho, Sakura and Tsubame.
They have different departing stations, destinations and stops.
Therefore, it is important that you sort out which trains suit your itinerary.
If you are going to Kumamoto from Hakata Station, the trains mentioned above can directly take you to Kumamoto.
You don’t have to change trains, with the shortest journey of 32 minutes.
There are 2 to 4 trains for Hakata to Kumamoto every hour.
Estimated Travelling Time: 32 minutes to 48 minutes (Depending on type of train)
Fee (Single Trip): 5,030 yen
Schedule: Every 10 to 30 minutes
Timetable: (Check here)
JR PASS: Enjoy Kyushu with Ease!
If you have a 3-day/5 day Northern Kyushu JR PASS (from 12,000 yen) or 3-day/5-day/7-day All Kyushu JR PASS, you can enjoy unlimited journeys on JR railways in the selected area.
You can reserve your seat for trains that only provide reserved seatings at the green JR counter.
2. JR Kyushu Railway
If the transportation fee of Super Express is over your budget, you may choose to take the JR local train.
However, taking the local or rapid train from Hakata Station, you have to change trains at Tosu Station or Kurume Station, in order to get to Kumamoto.
Generally, it takes over 2 hours to arrive in Kumamoto with this route.
We recommend changing trains at Kurume Station.
Estimated Travelling Time: 2 hours 16 minutes
Fee (Single Trip): 2,170 yen
3. Highway Bus
Besides railway options, highway bus is also a popular choice among tourists to visit Kumamoto from Fukuoka.
Not only can you hop on the bus at Hakata Bus Terminal, but also Fukuoka Airport and Tenjin Expressway Bus Terminal.
It provides a higher flexibility for tourists.
However, it would take longer to travel by bus for around 2 hours.
There is only a bus every hour departing from Fukuoka Airport, while there are 3 buses every hour departing from Tenjin and Hakata.
Estimated Travelling Time: 2 hours to 2 hours 9 minutes (Depending on hop on and off locations)
Fee (Single Trip): 2,500 yen
SUNQ PASS – Best Deal for Bus Journeys
If you fancy bus journeys all the way (or most of the way!) for the trip, we recommend you to buy a SUNQ PASS.
This bus ticket allows you to enjoy unlimited journeys on all highway buses, city buses and ferries in Kyushu.
More importantly, there are quite a number of discounts and perks for the SUNQ PASS ticket holders as well.
The best part is you can enjoy unlimited rides on Kumamoto city buses with the ticket.
