Fukuoka to Beppu and Yufuin: JR trains, buses and transfers

Compare JR limited express trains and highway buses from Fukuoka to Yufuin and Beppu, with official average bus times, rail pass coverage and current changes to buses between the two hot spring towns.

Last checked:

  • Oita
  • Fukuoka
  • Transport
  • Hot springs

There are two main options for travelling from Fukuoka to Yufuin and Beppu: JR limited express trains and highway buses. There are also officially announced changes to bus services between Beppu and Yufuin. This article summarizes official information; check official websites for fares and services on your travel date. For a rail overview, see Kyushu Shinkansen and limited express trains.

Summary of the choices

Situation More suitable option Reason (official information)
Want a sightseeing train to Yufuin Yufuin no Mori Direct from Hakata to Yufuin; all seats reserved
Want to visit Beppu Bus or Yufuin no Mori (1 round trip daily) Average bus time 2 hours 47 minutes; only 1 Yufuin no Mori round trip reaches Beppu
Travel time not fixed Bus Yufuin no Mori has few services and the operator says seats are often fully booked
Have a Northern or All Kyushu JR Rail Pass JR The passes cover Yufuin no Mori and Sonic
Have a Southern Kyushu JR Rail Pass Cannot use it Southern Kyushu Rail Pass does not cover Yufuin no Mori or Sonic
Have a SUNQ Pass Bus Fukuoka to Beppu and Yufuin is included; reservation required

Option 1: JR limited express

Yufuin no Mori

  • Route: Hakata to Yufuin to Beppu, via Tosu, Kurume, Hita, Amagase and other stops.
  • Services: 2 round trips daily between Hakata and Yufuin, and 1 round trip daily between Hakata and Beppu (official January 2026 information); on some dates only the Yufuin services run.
  • All seats are reserved, so a seat must be purchased in advance. The operator says seats are often full and suggests considering a route via Kokura to Oita.
  • Journey time (calculated from the official timetable): about 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes from Hakata to Yufuin; about 3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 35 minutes from Hakata to Beppu.
  • On non-operating days, the Yufu limited express () runs at the same times. The operator notes that the published timetable may only be valid for a few months.
  • The train has a two-level interior with stairs for boarding and alighting; wheelchair users should notify JR staff beforehand.

For a more detailed travel experience, see Yufuin no Mori (from Fukuoka).

Sonic

The operator also lists the Sonic limited express (). For departures and stops from Hakata, consult JR Kyushu’s official timetable.

Rail passes

Pass Yufuin no Mori and Sonic
All Kyushu Included
Northern Kyushu Included
Southern Kyushu Not included

For prices and rules, see the Kyushu transport pass comparison.

Option 2: Highway bus

  • The official SUNQ Pass route list includes buses from both Fukuoka and Fukuoka Airport to Beppu and Yufuin.
  • Official average journey times: 2 hours 47 minutes to Beppu and 2 hours 25 minutes to Yufuin. The operator notes that these are averages, not guarantees for individual departures.
  • Both routes are marked reservation required on the official list.

Fares and timetables vary by bus operator and are not provided here.

Between Beppu and Yufuin: Current changes

If visiting both towns, note two official notices from Kamenoi Bus ():

  • All Yufurin sightseeing rapid bus services () suspended: from 17 October 2026, suspended “for the time being,” with no resumption date announced. The recommended alternative is route 36 towards Yufuin from Beppu Station West Exit.
  • Direct Beppu–Yufuin bus: from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, departs 9:30 from stop 5 in front of Beppu Station and stops only at Beppu Station and Yufuin Station Front Bus Center. Adult fare 1,100 yen; child fare 550 yen. Cash, IC cards, Wide 1-day and 2-day passes and SUNQ Pass are accepted, but contactless credit-card payments are not. Boarding may be refused if crowded; use route 36 instead.

These notices may be updated; check Kamenoi Bus’s official website before departure.

How to choose

  1. Want the sightseeing-train experience: check whether Yufuin no Mori operates on the date and reserve a seat early.
  2. Going to Beppu or needing more departure choices: consider the bus and make a reservation.
  3. Visiting both towns: decide the order and check the current bus notices between Beppu and Yufuin.
  4. Already have a pass: All or Northern Kyushu JR passes cover Yufuin no Mori; SUNQ Pass applies to buses; the Southern Kyushu JR pass cannot be used for this section.

For travel within Fukuoka City, see the Fukuoka transport guide. For pass comparisons, see Fukuoka transport passes and day tickets.

Sources