By train
Asahikawa is the terminus of the JR Hakodate Main Line to Sapporo, Otaru and Hakodate. The station hosts a tourist information centre. As per July 2011, the station is undergoing major renovation works and some of its businesses, including the tourism information centre, may be closed.
The Super Kamui limited express service departs from Sapporo to Asahikawa every 30 minutes. The journey takes 80 minutes and costs ¥4480. This is the best way to travel between these two cities by train, as local train service is sparse and can take anywhere from three to five hours of traveling time. As the local train fare is ¥2420, you might want to take the bus unless you are on a Seishun 18 Ticket.
Hourly rapid trains from Sapporo's New Chitose Airport continue as Super Kamui trains to Asahikawa, with no transfer necessary in Sapporo; the journey takes two hours.
Many of JR's Hokkaido lines branch out from Asahikawa: the Soya Line connects to Wakkanai, while the Sekihoku Line connects to Abashiri and the Furano Line goes to skiing hotspot Furano.
By bus
Chuo Bus Service offers frequent every 20 minutes or so bus service from the Sapporo JR Station for ¥2000 ¥3750 round trip. It takes just under 2 hours.
There are some bus services to Daisetsuzan National Park.