Trip to Alaska: The Complete Guide

Rugged and remote, Alaska is indeed The Last Frontier. This vast state is home to melting glaciers, diverse landscapes, eight national parks, and the “big five”—grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. As you plan your Alaskan adventure, use this guide to discover activities, accommodation options, planning tips, and money-saving strategies.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit Alaska is from mid-May to mid-September when the weather is warmest and driest.

Language: In Alaska, most people speak English, with Spanish and other Indo-European and Asian languages also spoken. Additionally, 5.2 percent of Alaskans speak a native language.

Currency: The U.S. dollar is the official currency. While credit cards are widely accepted, cash is often preferred in smaller towns.

Getting Around: Transportation in Alaska varies by region. Cruises are the best way to explore the coastal areas, while small aircraft, trains, and buses are essential for reaching remote inland locations.

Travel Tip: Timing is crucial for an Alaskan adventure. Clear, dark night skies are needed to see the aurora borealis, caribou migrations occur at specific times, and many national parks are only open seasonally, offering opportunities to explore unique ecosystems, see wildlife, and learn about indigenous cultures.

Things to Do

Experiencing Alaska means embracing outdoor adventures. Be mindful of bears while hiking, or explore the ocean by kayaking to see marine wildlife. Witness a glacier calving from a small boat, or ride the Alaska Railroad to take in the scenic landscapes. Visiting the national parks is a must, with Denali, Katmai, and Glacier Bay being the most popular and accessible.

See the Tallest Peak in North America: Visit Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), with a summit elevation of 20,310 feet. Pursuit offers travel arrangements through the park, views of Denali, and stays at Denali Backcountry Lodge in Kantishna.

Marvel at Diverse Ecosystems and Wildlife: To see Alaska’s big five, visit the interior regions, and for marine life, stick to the coast. Boat trips offer sightings of whales, sea otters, seals, sea lions, and walruses, while flightseeing tours or land excursions are best for spotting mammals. Over 900,000 caribou traverse Alaska’s tundra, alongside 32 species of carnivores.

Gasp at the Aurora Borealis: The northern lights can be seen year-round, but for the best views, visit in winter when the skies are darkest. Fairbanks and northern regions offer the best and easiest opportunities to see the aurora borealis.

For more details, check out our full-length articles on the best things to do in Alaska, whether to visit by land or cruise, and our complete guide to Alaska’s national parks.

What to Eat and Drink

Alaska offers some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste, including five species of salmon (coho, chum, pink, sockeye, and king), Pacific halibut, rockfish, Pacific cod, shrimp, scallops, oysters, and wild Alaska king crab. Wild game like moose, caribou, and reindeer is also popular, with cured and preserved meats such as reindeer sausage or jerky widely available. Fish and chips are a local favorite too. For dessert, try anything with berries—blueberries, cloudberries, or lingonberries—in pies, cobblers, or berry-infused ice cream.

Sampling local craft beers is a great way to experience Alaskan flavors. Check out brews from Juneau’s Alaskan Brewing Co., Anchorage Brewing Co., Skagway Brewing Co., Haines Brewing Co., or Denali Brewing Co. in Talkeetna.

For more on Alaska’s food and drink scene, explore fun things to do in Talkeetna and Fairbanks.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Alaska is as diverse as the state itself. Options include hotels, lodges, wilderness and backcountry accommodations, cabins for bear viewing or fishing, RV parks, and campgrounds. Brooks Lodge is perfect for visiting Katmai National Park to see bears catching salmon. The Lakefront Anchorage and The Hotel Captain Hook are excellent choices in Anchorage due to their dining options and central locations. Talkeetna is a popular stop on the Alaska Railroad, offering views of Denali and the Alaska Range, with Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge being a great place to stay, featuring on-site hiking trails and award-winning dining at Foraker Dining Room. Cruises also provide convenient accommodation for exploring coastal regions.

Discover more with our guides on the best Anchorage hotels and the best Alaska cruises.

Getting There

Cruises of all sizes are ideal for sightseeing the coastal regions, while land tours using air taxis, trains, or buses are best for exploring the interior. Jet service is available from the lower 48 states to Alaska’s major airports in Fairbanks and Anchorage, with smaller chartered carriers serving smaller communities and remote areas.

Key airports include:

• Fairbanks International Airport: Offers non-stop service to Europe and the lower 48 states, with all necessary travel conveniences.
• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: Serves the largest city in Alaska and is serviced by Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Condor, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines.
• Juneau International Airport: Serves smaller communities and has a seaplane base.
• Ketchikan International Airport: Requires a ferry ride to the main city, as it’s not accessible by road.
• Kodiak Airport: A public and military use airport with three runways.
• Nome Airport: Ideal for visiting the finish line of the Iditarod dog mushing race, with two runways.

Booking a tour is an easy way to handle logistics, especially for remote national parks. Cruises are also a popular way to explore coastal regions safely and with guided adventures.

Learn more about travel within Alaska and along the coast with our articles on visiting Alaska by land or cruise, the Alaska Railroad Grandview Scenic Train, and the best Alaskan tundra tours.

Culture and Customs

Alaska’s rich culture can be explored at Sitka National Historic Park, where totem pole carving, basket weaving, and beading arts have been revitalized. The state’s historical library and museum are located in Juneau. Alaska is home to three indigenous populations—Indian, Eskimo, and Aleut—each with diverse ethnic, linguistic, and cultural roots.

Money Saving Tips

• Use public transportation in larger cities like Juneau, Fairbanks, or Anchorage to see popular sites affordably.
• Pack all necessary travel items, especially electronics, to avoid high costs in Alaska.
• Visit during the shoulder season (outside of June to August) to save money.
• Rent a gas-efficient car if driving long distances.
• Book cruises early and shop around for the best deals; consider round-trip cruises from Seattle. Book excursions through local vendors for better prices and more options.

Explore further with our articles on the best Anchorage hotels and the best Alaska cruises.