Whether you are taking short trips to Alaska or longer Alaska vacations, there are many intricacies in planning the perfect getaway. There are aspects of Alaska tourism, which if you understand and discover, can help you plan your vacation just the right way, the way it is supposed to be. Some you miss, some you don’t. Through Alaska Travel Tips page, we try to help you discover these valuable insights. This page will keep on growing, so visit us often for more Alaska travel tips.
Alaska’s tourism industry is seasonal. Hotels make most of their income during the peak summer season. Two to three weeks before the summer season starts and two to three weeks after the summer season ends are respectively called Spring Shoulder Season (May 15 – May 31), and Fall Shoulder Season (September 1 – September 15). If you book any hotels during these periods in Alaska, you should typically get 15% to 20% off on the regular season rates, and the best thing is, these periods are the most beautiful periods to travel Alaska. Even in the peak summer seasons between June 1 and August 31, there are highs and lows in hotel occupancy, which is tied with cruise arrival and departure schedule. During the low occupancy period, hotels are always running specials. Hence, it is always good to ask for any specials. You can always get AAA or AARP discounts, so do not forget to mention that if you are AAA or AARP member. We can help you find the right hotel to perfectly complement your needs with our hotel finder.
Traveling by train in Alaska is one of the big attractions and can be a big part of your Alaska vacation. Alaska Railroad operates along the rail belt covering the top and mostly visited Alaska destinations, Anchorage, Seward, Whittier, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks. If you are short in time, between Anchorage and Whittier, and Anchorage and Seward, you can take advantage of special round trip fare to enjoy day tours in these top destinations out of Anchorage.
In the rail belt between Anchorage and Fairbanks, beside Alaska Railroad, you can also travel privately owned Alaska Rail Tour, which is pulled on the same track by Alaska Railroad. You can enjoy Alaska Rail Tour’s McKinley Explorer Dome Cars at the fraction of a price higher than Alaska Railroad’s Adventure Class. McKinley Explorer Dome Cars are comparable in value with Alaska Railroad’s GoldStar Dome Cars. Together we can help you discover the best way to get an alaska train trip into your schedule here
Motorcoach is also an express way of traveling in Alaska. Fares are low and they are quick, for instance, by train it takes about 8 hours to reach Denali National Park where as by bus, it only takes 5 hours. That is 3 hours, you can enjoy on doing some great Denali Park tours. Moreover, if you plan on staying at Denali Backcountry Lodge deep inside Denali National Park in Kantishna, you can easily connect to the bus that will take you to the lodge. However, we do know about the charm of traveling by train. Hence, you can travel from Anchorage to Denali by bus and take the train back, because on the day of your departure from the lodge, the bus will bring you back to the train depot in Denali right on time to catch the train departing to Anchorage.
Renting a car allows you to travel around in Alaska at your own pace. There are few things you should know about car rentals in Alaska. In Alaska you can rent cars in Anchorage, Whittier, Seward, and Fairbanks. Always try to rent a car from a location where you plan to return the car; otherwise you will incur a drop off fee. For instance, if you rent a car in Anchorage and drop it off in Fairbanks, you will be charged anywhere between $150 and $190. Also note that renting a car in Anchorage as cost variables depending on where you rent the car. There are two places to rent a car in Anchorage; one is in the airport and another in downtown Anchorage. Renting a car in airport costs higher than renting a car in downtown Anchorage, because in the airport you will be paying for ridiculously high Airport fees. There are two types of rates for any vehicle type you book anywhere in Alaska, weekly rates and daily rates. Please note that a total weekly rate for 7 days is less expensive than a total daily rate for 6 days.
A Little Extra about our Towns and Highways
Wonderful people, comfortable cabins with a beautiful view! The location and facilities are great but my memories will center on the superb staff, they were very warm and helpful!
-Father Don- Cabin: #42
Our trip was AWESOME!!!! Thank you so much for your efforts.
The motorcoach ride from Anchorage to Denali with Frank, the ride in and out of Denali with Barry and Justin, the stay at the lodge (Tara and Thomas), the KAT flight with Andy, and the train ride back to Anchorage (we were seats 3 & 4 of the entire train!) were all EXCELLEN....Read More
I just wanted to write and thank you for planning the most wonderful vacation I have ever had in my life! Everything from the lodging, goldstar train ride, bus tour of Denali Park, Kenai Fjiords, etc was exceptional. And, the weather cooperated on the days in park and on the boat. We saw 8 grizzly bears, a large alpha male wolf, several bands of....Read More
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