Most of Sapporo's sights are within easy walking distance of each other, but the efficient network of subways and buses can be useful if you get tired. There are three subway lines: the green Nanboku line and the blue Toho line run from north to south through Sapporo Station, while the orange Tozai line intersects them both, running east to west under Odori-koen. The lowest fare is ¥200, which covers all the stops in the city centre. There's also one tram line (in purple on the tourist map), which for a flat fare of ¥170 runs from Nishi-Yon-Chome (West Four), just south of Odori-koen, out to Mount Moiwa, south of the city, and back to Susukino. If you're going to be in the city for a while, it's worth investing in the pre-paid travel card "Withyou", which gives ten percent extra travel for free, so that, for example, ¥1000 buys you ¥1100 worth of travel on all types of transport.

City buses depart from around the JR station. The most useful service is the Factory bus (look for the word in stylish English lettering on the side of the white bus), which runs to the Sapporo Museum and Beer Garden via the Factory shopping centre. Bus fares start at ¥200.

Public transport stops running at around 11.30pm, after which you'll probably be glad of the many taxis that roam Sapporo's streets.