Traveling through Alaska doesn’t have to mean setting sail on a cruise. There are many ways to experience the rugged beauty of Alaska, even if cruising isn't your cup of tea. Whether you are traveling by plane, train, or car, discover the best ways to travel through Alaska without taking a cruise!

Flying To Alaska

If you are considering flying to Alaska, it is important to know that Anchorage hosts the largest airport in the state. Anchorage International Airport has the most flights per day traveling to and from Alaska, and it is a hub for Alaska Airlines. If you are flying to Alaska, be sure to have your cameras ready to snap some photos of the beautiful mountainous terrain you can expect to see just before landing. Flight prices vary depending on the date of travel, but the least expensive month during the summer tourist season to travel is in April.

Once you arrive in Anchorage, flying from town to town may or may not be a possibility. If you are planning on flying into one of Alaska's small towns, expect flights to be limited and costly. The following most-visited towns are accessible via air travel:

• Fairbanks

• Juneau

• Homer 

• Kenai

• Kodiak

• Valdez

• Ketchikan

• Prudhoe Bay

• Nome

• And more...

On your way to any of the Alaska towns above, expect amazing views from what will most likely be a very small plane! However, if it's the scenery you're after, you'll want to check out your options on the Alaska Railroad.

The Alaska Railroad

 

The Alaska Railroad is one of the most iconic ways to experience the Last Frontier. Get tickets onboard the Transfer Anchorage to Denali National Park via Denali Star Train and head up to one of America's most renowned national parks. On the way to Denali, expect to see caribou, moose, bald eagles, and unrivaled views of both South Central and Interior Alaska. Once you've arrived in Denali, adventure awaits. Check out our experiences in Denali here.

If you'd rather head south to the coastal town of Seward, you can hop on the Transfer Anchorage to Seward via Coastal Classic Train. This train ride was ranked among the top 10 most scenic rides in North America according to National Geographic, and for a good reason! You'll wind along Turnagain Arm, where the Chugach Mountains meet the sea. Expect to see stunning fjords, glaciers, and sea life! One of the largest attractions located in Seward is access to Resurrection Bay. The Seward Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise is a great way to experience the true nature and wildlife of Southern Alaska. 

Alaska Marine Highway System

If you are looking for a cost-effective way to travel to Alaska, you've found it. Ferry transportation is an inexpensive and scenic way to travel to and around Southeast Alaskan port towns such as Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Sitka. These port towns are chock full of Native history, wildlife, and wilderness. We recommend traveling from the months of May - September when the summer season tours are in full swing! Just be sure to check availability before traveling, as space during the peak season of June through August can be very limited.

 

In short, your vacation to Alaska doesn't need to be a cruise vacation! Break outside the box and experience the Last Frontier at your own speed.