Alaska Travel
Everyone should experience the wonders of Alaska travel at least once in their lifetime. From non-stop flights, rail tours, and cruise travel, Alaska travel is accessible. The landscape and wildlife viewing experiences change from season to season. The ways of accessing “The Final Frontier” also change from season to season.
Alaska Travel “The Final Frontier”
Kenai Fjords National Park
Experience Alaska Year-Round
Alaska Travel is a year-round experience. Each season has unique experiences, landscapes & wildlife. In the Spring and Fall of Alaska, the day temperatures can be warmer, but the nights are still cold. Each day is still unpredictable, from rain to snow to sun. Therefore, the best experiences are had when prepared for all types of weather.
Summer in Alaska begins in the Inside Pennisula region first and spreads North. The days grow longer to the point that some areas experience 24 hours of sunlight. Alaska sees the majority of tourists during the summer month of May to September from the cruise industry.
Alaska starts seeing winter over much of its regions from October to March. Days become shorter and colder; in the Northern region, darkness becomes about 24 hours a day. Travel around the state is by air, rail, sled dogs, snowmobiles, and across ice roads.
Guided Hiking Tour
15% off Ultimate Active Alaska | 14 Days – Anchorage to Anchorage
This two-week journey through Alaska is just the ticket to get you into the land of epic wildlife, soaring summits, and tundra stretching towards the horizon. Journey to the far north and make the most of the longer days by hiking and camping in the Alaskan wilderness. Explore Valdez, hike to a glacier, kayak past icebergs on Glacier Lake, wander through Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and get a true sense of the great outdoors.
Cruises
Discover Where The Wild Things Are
When you cruise with Norwegian, the awe of Alaska stays with you throughout your cruise. Get an intimate view of The Last Frontier on Norwegian Sun. With incredible 5-, 7- and 9-day itineraries, including a stop in untouched Icy Strait Point, you’ll explore Native Tlingit villages and soar over lush rainforests on the world’s longest zipline. Go from hiking up snow-capped mountains and witnessing majestic whales splash in the Pacific to coming back on board and catching an amazing show followed by an equally amazing starlit stroll on the top deck.
Wildlife
Alaska’s “Big” 5
Tourists worldwide flock to Alaska to witness its “Big” 5 wildlife. These can be found in different regions of the 49th state. Some of Alaska’s wildlife can not be found anywhere else in the US.
- Bears – Black, Brown, & Polar
- Moose
- Caribou
- Dall Sheep
- Wolves
Wildlife Encounters
Getting to and Around Alaska
Exploring Alaska is Only a Non-Stop Flight Away
Year-Round Non-Stop Flights for a great Alaska experience
Year-Round Non-Stop Flights to Alaska
| From | To | Miles | Hours | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | Anchorage, AK | 2847 | 6 hr 15 min | Alaska Airlines, United American |
| Honolulu, HI | Anchorage, AK | 2783 | 6 hr 15 min | Alaska Airlines |
| Denver, CO | Anchorage, AK | 2399 | 5 hr 22 min | United |
| Los Angeles, CA | Anchorage, AK | 2343 | 5 hr 14 min | Alaska Airlines |
| Las Vegas, NV | Anchorage, AK | 2293 | 5 hr 20 min | Alaska Airlines, Delta, American, United |
| Minneapolis, MN | Anchorage, AK | 2512 | 5 hr 45 min | Delta, Sun Country |
| Minneapolis, MN | Fairbanks, AK | 2466 | 5 hr 43 min | Delta |
| Phoenix, AZ | Anchorage, AK | 2549 | 5 hr 51 min | Alaska Airlines, United, American |
| Portland, OR | Anchorage, AK | 1539 | 3 hr 49 min | Alaska Airlines, Jet Blue |
| Seattle, WA | Anchorage, AK | 1445 | 3 hr 34 min | Delta, Alaska Airlines, Jet Blue, Sun Country, United |
| Seattle, WA | Fairbanks, AK | 1522 | 3 hr 30 min | Alaska Airlines, Delta |
| Seattle, WA | Juneau, AK | 898 | 2 hr 30 min | Alaska Airlines |
| Seattle, WA | Ketchikan, AK | 680 | 2 hr 15 min | Alaska Airlines |
Summer Only Non-Stop Flights for Alaska Travel
Generally, late May / early June – September
Summer Only Non-Stop Flights to Alaska
Generally, late May / early June – September
| From | To | Miles | Hours | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | Anchorage, AK | 3417 | 6 hr 58 min | Delta |
| Chicago, IL | Anchorage, AK | 2847 | 6 hr 53 min | United, Alaska Airlines |
| Chicago, IL | Fairbanks, AK | 2785 | 6 hr 41 min | American Airline |
| Dallas, TX | Anchorage, AK | 3042 | 6 hr 45 min | American Airlines |
| Dallas, TX | Fairbanks, AK | 3056 | 6 hr 51 min | American Airlines |
| Detroit, MI | Anchorage, AK | 2986 | 6 hr 52 min | Delta |
| Houston, TX | Anchorage, AK | 3335 | 7 hr 11 min | United Airlines |
| Los Angeles, CA | Anchorage, AK | 2343 | 5 hr 20 min | Delta |
| Newark, NJ | Anchorage, AK | 3370 | 7 hr | United Airlines |
| New York City, NY | Anchorage, AK | 3385 | 8 hr | Delta |
| San Francisco, CA | Anchorage, AK | 2015 | 4 hr 55 min | United |
| Salt Lake City, UT | Anchorage, AK | 2121 | 4 hr 50 min | Delta, Alaska Airlines, American |
| Salt Lake City, UT | Fairbanks, AK | 2183 | 5 hr 50 min | Delta |
| Seattle, WA | Juneau, AK | 898 | 2 hr 30 min | Delta |
| Seattle, WA | Ketchikan, AK | 680 | 2 hr 15 min | Delta |
| Seattle, WA | Sitka, AK | 860 | 2 hr 28 min | Delta, Alaska Airlines |
Alaska Travel by the Alaska Rail Road
Coastal Classic Train
Anchorage → Girdwood → Seward
Daily service May 13 – September 25, 2023
Denali Star Train
Alaska Travel
Anchorage → Wasilla → Talkeetna → Denali → Fairbanks
When the train runs: May 10 – September 21, 2023 (northbound only May 10; southbound only September 21)
| Northbound From/To | Depart | Arrive |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage — Wasilla | 8:20 AM | 9:30 AM |
| Wasilla* — Talkeetna | 9:35 AM | 11:05 AM |
| Talkeetna — Denali | 11:20 AM | 3:55 PM |
| Denali — Fairbanks | 4:10 PM | 8:00 PM |
| Southbound From/To | Depart | Arrive |
| Fairbanks — Denali | 8:20 AM | 12:10 PM |
| Denali — Talkeetna | 12:30 PM | 5:05 PM |
| Talkeetna — Wasilla | 5:20 PM | 6:25 PM |
| Wasilla* — Anchorage | 6:25 PM | 8:00 PM |
* Trains may depart early from these stops when all reserved passengers are on board.
Onboard services: Dining car, baggage services (Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks only), non-smoking cars, wheelchair access.
Glacier Discovery Train
Alaska Travel
Anchorage → Girdwood → Whittier → Portage → Spencer → Grandview
Anchorage/Girdwood to Whittier round-trip: May 13, 20, 21 & 24, 2023
Anchorage/Girdwood to Whittier & Spencer Whistle Stop round-trip: May 27 – June 2, 2023
Full route: June 3 – September 17, 2023
| From/To | Depart | Arrive |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage — Girdwood | 9:45 AM | 10:55 AM |
| Girdwood — Whittier | 11:00 AM | 12:05 PM |
| Whittier — Portage | 12:45 PM | 1:15 PM |
| Portage — Spencer Whistle Stop | 1:25 PM | 1:45 PM |
| Spencer Whistle Stop — Grandview | 1:55 PM | 3:20 PM |
| Grandview — Spencer Whistle Stop | 3:30 PM | 4:30 PM |
| Spencer Whistle Stop — Portage | 4:40 PM | 5:15 PM |
| Portage — Whittier | 5:25 PM | 6:05 PM |
| Whittier — Portage | 6:45 PM | 7:15 PM |
| Portage — Girdwood | 7:20 PM | 7:40 PM |
| Girdwood — Anchorage | 7:45 PM | 9:00 PM |
Onboard services: Wilderness cafe snack bar, baggage service (Anchorage only), non-smoking cars, wheelchair access.
Hurricane Turn Train – Summer
Alaska Travel
Talkeetna → Hurricane Flag-stop Area
Thursday – Monday, May 11 – September 18, 2023
This is a flag-stop train. Due to the nature of flag-stop service, times may vary.
| Stops | Northbound | Southbound |
|---|---|---|
| Talkeetna (MI 226.7) | 1:00 PM | 7:15 PM |
| Chase (MI 236.2) | 1:15 – 1:30 PM | 6:45 PM |
| Curry (MI 248.5) | 1:50 PM | 6:20 PM |
| Sherman (MI 257.7) | 2:10 PM | 5:45 – 6:00 PM |
| Gold Creek (MI 263.2) | 2:30 PM | 5:30 PM |
| Twin Bridges (MI 270) | 2:45 PM | 4:50 – 5:10 PM |
| Chulitna (MI 273.8) | 3:00 PM | 4:45 PM |
| Hurricane (MI 284) | 3:30 PM | 4:30 PM |
No dining service; passengers are encouraged to bring food onboard.
Hurricane Turn Train – Winter
Alaska Travel
Anchorage → Wasilla → Talkeetna → Hurricane Flag-stop Area
Operates first Thursday of the month, October 2022 – February 2023 & April – May 2023 (no service March 2023; see additional March mid-week Aurora Winter Train departures)
This is a flag-stop train. Due to the nature of flag-stop service, times may vary.
| Stops | Northbound | Southbound |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage (MI 114.3) | 8:30 AM* | 8:00 PM |
| Wasilla (MI 159.8) | 9:50 AM | 6:25 PM |
| Talkeetna (MI 226.7) | 11:25 AM | 4:45 PM |
| Hurricane (MI 281.4) | 1:20 PM | 2:45 PM |
No dining service; passengers are encouraged to bring food onboard. Baggage service in Anchorage only.
Aurora Winter Train
Alaska Travel
Anchorage → Wasilla → Talkeetna → Hurricane Flag-stop Area → Healy → Nenana → Fairbanks
Weekend Service
Northbound Saturdays / Southbound Sundays
September 24, 2022 – May 7, 2023
Midweek Service
Northbound, Tuesdays: February 14, 21 & 28; March 7, 14, & 21, 2023
Southbound, Wednesdays: February 15 & 22; March 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2023
Northbound, Thursdays: March 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2023
Southbound, Fridays: March 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2023
Due to the nature of flag-stop service, times may vary.
| Stops | Northbound | Southbound |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage (MI 114.3) | 8:30 AM | 8:00 PM |
| Wasilla (MI 159.8) | 9:50 AM | 6:25 PM |
| Talkeetna (MI 226.7) | 11:25 AM | 4:50 PM |
| Chase (MI 236.2) | 11:40 AM | 4:25 PM |
| Curry (MI 248.5) | 12:10 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Sherman (MI 257.7) | 12:20 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Gold Creek (MI 263.2) | 12:35 PM | 3:30 PM |
| Canyon (268.4) | 12:50 PM | 3:20 PM |
| Twin Bridges (MI 270) | 12:55 PM | 3:15 PM |
| Chulitna (MI 273.8) | 1:05 PM | 3:05 PM |
| Hurricane (MI 281.4) | 1:20 PM | 2:45 PM |
| Denali (MI 347.9) | 3:55 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Healy (MI 358.7) | 4:40 PM | 11:45 AM |
| Nenana (MI 411.7) | 5:55 PM | 10:20 AM |
| Fairbanks (MI 470.3) | 8:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
Onboard services: Dining car, baggage service (Anchorage and Fairbanks only), non-smoking cars, wheelchair access (Anchorage, Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks only).