Translation guide
A transportation service that runs back and forth between two points on a regular schedule, often for short distances. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with シャトルサービス or シャトルバス, but other terms apply depending on context.
shuttle service (general)
A bus or vehicle that travels back and forth between two fixed points, such as an airport shuttle or hotel shuttle.
The most common and natural way to refer to a shuttle bus service in Japanese. Used for airport shuttles, hotel shuttles, event shuttles, etc.
There is a shuttle bus to the airport.
The hotel shuttle bus is free.
A slightly more formal or business-like term, often used in brochures or official descriptions. Can refer to any shuttle service, not just buses.
Literally 'pick-up/drop-off bus'. Often used for hotel or facility shuttles that transport guests to and from a station or airport. Emphasizes the hospitality aspect.
A circulating bus that loops around a specific area, like a shopping mall shuttle or a community bus. Not exactly point-to-point, but often translated as 'shuttle' in English.
A train or other vehicle that shuttles back and forth on a short route.
Used for shuttle trains, such as those between terminals at an airport or between two nearby stations.
You can move between terminals by shuttle train.
A connecting bus service, often used for shuttles that link transportation hubs, like a bus between an airport and a train station.
Referring to the NASA space shuttle or similar spacecraft.
The standard term for the space shuttle. Used in news and educational contexts.
The space shuttle was retired in 2011.
シャトルバス is a general term for any shuttle bus. 送迎バス specifically implies a pick-up/drop-off service, often provided by hotels or facilities for their guests. Use 送迎バス when emphasizing hospitality or a dedicated guest service.
Please use the hotel's shuttle bus.
In English, 'shuttle' can be used metaphorically (e.g., 'shuttle diplomacy'). In Japanese, シャトル is almost exclusively for transportation. For other meanings, use different expressions.
We operate a shuttle service between the venue and the station.
The shuttle bus departs from in front of the station.
This shuttle bus goes around the main spots in the city.
There is a shuttle bus connecting the airport and the Shinkansen station.