Alaska is a remote area to visit, making it expensive most of the time. But with good timing and flexible traveling dates, you might save up to hundreds of dollars. Going to such a pretty place shouldn’t make you completely broke, and that is why we have put together tricks and tips that will help you save some cash while also having a perfect vacation.
When traveling to Alaska, the cheapest way to get there is through flights not unless you want to go through Inside Passage, which means you will use a cruise. Flying is the most affordable option because there are different airlines lowering prices due to the competition. Flying to Alaska will cost almost half of what a cruise or driving there will cost you.
If you choose to drive to Alaska, you might have to buy a tire or two. The fuel prices are also pretty high because the residents bring in fuel through air or ship, which is expensive. So, you won’t be saving by driving there. Driving will take you between four to five days from Seattle, but flying will only take you a couple of hours.
On the other hand, a cruise could be cheap or expensive depending on the number of people it can hold. A smaller ship is much more costly but still a more affordable way of exploring compared to a cruise you could organize in Alaska to go exploring.
Despite a cruise with many people being cheap, it still is more expensive compared to flying to Alaska. A train, on the other hand, is also more costly than flying.
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Traveling to Alaska America's Frontier
The name “America’s Frontier” is associated with Alaska because of its rugged landscape, climate, and distance from all other states. Alaska’s evidence of raggedness reflects on its politics. Only a third of the state has been organized into political units.
The residents of Alaska pride themselves in their resilience as their climates can be a bit harsh. To Alaskans, a significant quake is just a bump in the road. Alaska is a fascinating and mysterious place. The residents face volcanoes, harsh winters, snowstorms, and earthquakes. Besides those, their environment is rich with wildlife and scenery for miles.
The beauty of Alaska can be witnessed too during a period in the summer when the sun doesn’t completely set, allowing you to see the sun even during midnight. In parts of Alaska such as Barrow, the sun does not set for eighty-four days.
Alaska isn’t just beautiful for its climate and rich wildlife; it’s also full of culture, art, history, museums, indigenous people, mountains, snow, and sea.
Is it cheap to travel to Alaska?
An AAA annual survey of vacation costs shows that Alaska is less expensive than one-fifth of the other American states, which means that it is neither expensive nor cheap. It is an average cost of other states. There could be more affordable places to travel, but why do that when you can go to Alaska and get to witness all its glory and ecosystem?
Regarding accommodation and dining costs, prices in the peak season start from $130 and up, depending on the location. You must know if the package includes meals. On average, visitors spend $140 daily. When it comes to the cost, the means of transportation consists of a big chunk of it. For a cheaper option, flying there will save you a lot of money.
But if you’re looking for a more extended vacation, a cruise could not hurt as it includes food and accommodation. Also, when taking excursions, day tours will cost less than private tours. These will help you explore the state and have unforgettable memories.
So, traveling to Alaska can be cheap or expensive depending on when you travel there (peak season is more expensive), your accommodation (fancy hotels are more expensive, backpacking and smaller inns are cheap), and means of transportation. All these determinants could make your stay cheap or extremely expensive.
According to research, traveling to Alaska will cost you as much as any other vacation would out of the state. So whatever your budget, the experience you will get in Alaska is unforgettable.
What is the best month to visit Alaska?
In Alaska, summer runs between May 10th to September 15th. Temperatures during the summer are between 60 and 70, with 16-24 hours of daylight. During this period, flowers are in bloom; it is the best time to see wildlife and rushing rivers.
Between June and August is Alaska’s peak season; this is when it gets as hot as can be for the summer. All summer activities are available during this period. If your main aim is wildlife, hiking, and backpacking, this is the best time to visit Alaska and be one with nature.
If you love cruises, May through September is the best time to go on an Alaskan cruise; smaller cruise ships start in April. If you’re after seeing the northern lights, the best time to see them is when there is less daylight which leads to darker nights when you can see the lights clearly.
You can find this between August and April when the northern lights are the clearest at night. The early season is May and the late season is September. May to September is a large time frame, and you can choose whichever time suits you best. But the warmest time in Alaska is between June 15th to July 15th. It’s such a short time, but you can make the most out of it if you love warm seasons.
How much does it cost to visit Alaska by train?
The price of a train ticket per person between Anchorage and Denali during the summer is around $85 per person, which means you will spend about $170 for a round trip if you are alone. If traveling alone, the train ticket price will make more sense, but traveling with friends and family will be outrageously expensive.
It is better to split fuel and rental car costs by driving to Alaska if you are a group; this makes it way cheaper. Gas prices in Alaska are outrageously high, and to save on that, you could spend an average of $150 if you refill your car in towns with cheaper fuel prices.
But if you go in without looking for better prices, you will end up spending up to $250 on fuel alone. Bigger towns have cheaper fuel compared to small remote towns. So, when traveling alone, using a train would be more affordable compared to a ship. Either way, flying is the cheapest.
Choosing to go by train would be because you would love to see the quite unforgettable scenery. So, it would be worth the money.
What airlines travel into Alaska
Most flights going to Alaska make a stop at Seattle- Tacoma International Airport as it is the closest major airport to the state. Flights from Seattle take about three and a half hours to four hours to Anchorage and Fairbanks, while it only takes two and a half hours to Juneau.
The leading airlines that fly into Alaska are Alaska Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, United, Icelandair, Air Canada, and Condor. Condor and Icelandair offer direct and international flights to Alaska. Some of these direct flights only operate during the summer. Unfortunately, no airlines fly directly to Alaska from the east coast.
Anchorage is Alaska’s main entry point. Most tourists come into Alaska through Anchorage as it has a selection of flights within Alaska and all the other forty-eight states. There are also direct flights to Fairbanks if that is where you would love to begin your exploring.
On the other hand, if you would love to travel into southeast Alaska, flying into Juneau is the only way to do that. The only non-stop flights to Juneau are from Seattle.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Alaska?
According to Kayak.com, the cheapest month to fly to Alaska is August because the peak months are between May and September. On the other hand, the most reasonable time to book lodging in Alaska is November and December. But the most expensive time to reserve accommodation is between the second week of June to the third week of August.
Generally, Anchorage is the least expensive city to visit in Alaska. The only time the prices go up is during mid-summer. Otherwise, the prices are relatively low. So, when traveling from New York, flights are cheap in August. According to Skyscanner, if flying from Atlanta or Los Angeles, flights are more affordable in April, while flights from Chicago are cheapest in February.
Can I tour Alaska on my own
It is possible to tour Alaska as a solo traveler. With a map and smartphone at hand, you can travel the whole state as much as you want. Most national parks and scenery in Alaska are accessible by road. This means you can rent an RV or a car to go around the state exploring.
There are many cabins, free campsites, and budget campsites. Book in advance if you are visiting Alaska during the high season (June to August). During this high season period, expect to come in contact with lots of rocks and wet ground.
If you don’t want to travel amongst other people, you could book a cruise or day tours in whichever city you choose to explore. Day tours will help you view the scenery and learn a lot of history about the place. So, yes, it is possible to tour Alaska alone.
Final Words
Discover the optimal seasons for experiencing the awe-inspiring beauty of Alaska with our guide on the best times to visit beautiful Alaska, ensuring you make the most of your journey through its stunning landscapes and unique wildlife encounters.
Most people deem Alaska a costly place to travel, but I beg to differ. This great state is rich in wildlife, and such fantastic scenery can be cheap if you consider some things. First off, you will need to reserve your ticket and tour in advance.
The months you will choose to tour Alaska have to be “shoulder seasons.” These are months when it is still warm enough to go outside and explore, but not too warm such that it’s peak season and everyone is traveling to the state. The places you choose to lodge and transportation are significant determinants of how much you will spend.
The difference could be even thousands of dollars, which might not be an issue if you do not care about saving. But if you are looking to save more, you will have to be keen on those minor factors.
For an affordable and comfortable winter adventure in Alaska, don’t forget to pack the essentials! Explore our guide on the must-bring items when traveling in the winter to make the cheapest way to travel to Alaska a cozy and enjoyable experience.