Alaska Travel Guide - Getting There

Roads are few in Alaska, due to mountains, tundra and inhospitable terrain. The most common way to get around this wilderness state is by air, most small aircraft being equipped with floats. Several airlines, largely based at Anchorage, operate services to almost every Alaskan village. Alaska Airlines (tel: 1 800 252 7522, in the USA only; website: www.alaskaair.com) flies to Alaska's largest cities (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Ketchikan), as well as a number of bush communities throughout the state. A number of smaller, regional airlines provide statewide services.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) (website: www.dot.state.ak.us/anc) is situated 3km (2 miles) south of Anchorage.

Fairbanks International (FBK) (website: www.dot.state.ak.us/faiiap) is 3 miles (5km) southwest of central Fairbanks.

Ketchikan International (KTN) sits on Gravina Island just across from the city; a small ferry runs from the airport to just above the state ferry dock.

Juneau International (JNU) is located 14km (9 miles) north of Juneau.

None.

The Alaska Marine Highway System (website: www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs) provides a practical ferry service on four separate routes: Inside Passage/Southeast, Southwest and Southcentral. Cross-Gulf route. Visitors can board the ferry at Bellingham (Washington) and travel up to Skagway on the Inside Passage/Southeast route; the Southwest route connects the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound to the Aleutians Islands; the Kennicott ferry runs a twice-monthly Southcentral service from June to September, linking the two routes (running between Juneau and Seward).

The scenic, historic and expensive Alaska Railroad (tel: (907) 265 2494; website: www.alaskarailroad.com) operates daily between Anchorage, Fairbanks, Grandview, Hurricane and Seward. At the southern end of the rail corridor, connections with the state ferry system can be made at Seward and Whittier. Except for the Anchorage-Seward and Anchorage-Grandview routes, the railway operates all year round, with reduced services from September to May.

The famous Alaska Highway covers a staggering 2,647km (1,645 miles) from Delta Junction, near Fairbanks, to Dawson Creek (British Columbia, Canada). Drivers should note that weather conditions can be hazardous, and create visibility and navigational challenges. The road system is in good condition, however, and if drivers use commonsense and are prepared for changes in the weather, the Alaska Highway is an ideal way to explore the state. Other roads only reach a quarter of the state's vast area, and treacherous weather conditions can make driving a hazardous option. Further information and suggested itineraries may be found online (website: www.northtoalaska.com).

Cars are available for hire statewide, with major chains featured in most cities.

Alaska Direct Bus Line (tel: (907) 277 6652 or 1 800 770 6652, in the USA only; website: www.alaskadirectbusline.com) offers bus services from Anchorage to Whitehorse, Canada (journey time - 16 to 18 hours) and from Fairbanks to Whitehorse (journey time - 13 to 15 hours). From Whitehorse, Greyhound Canada (website: www.greyhound.ca) offers connections to Vancouver, British Columbia (journey time - 40 hours 30 minutes). The total travel time from Alaska to the lower 48 states can take up to five days and involve a number of connections. Greyhound Canada also has connections from Prince George, British Columbia to Prince Rupert, British Columbia (journey time - 10 hours 30 minutes), from where a ferry may be taken to Alaska. This trip follows the impressive Yellowhead Highway as it heads along to the coast.