Cheapest way to Juneau from the lower 48 (Anchorage, Ketchikan: travel, rent)

[mtb83201]

My wife and I live in eastern Idaho and plan to go to Juneau in June '07. We can't decide if we should drive, ride the ferry, or fly. Any advice? Is this even possible for less than $1000? I hope so. I've wanted to go to Alaska since I was in 5th grade and did my state report on AK.

Does border control require a passport if you're driving to Alaska?

[Rainy]

No passport until 2008, but if you've got any convictions it could be a huge hassle getting through.

You can't drive to Juneau. The closest you can get is Prince Rupert, Canada, and then get on the ferry.

The cheapest way to get here is to go as walk ons on the ferry in Bellingham Washington. I don't have the Alaska Marine Highway link handy or I'd post it for you--if someone hasn't done so by sometime tomorrow I'll find it.

do you want to bring your car? That can be expensive and you'll need reservations and it may even be too late to get them. Since you're considering flying...that means you can do without a car. Probably be a lot cheaper to take the ferry without a car and then rent one for the days you want to use one. There's not a lot of places to drive around there anyway.

Probably too late to get a stateroom on the ferry unless there are cancellations but a lot of people just bring sleeping bags. The ferry trip can be great that time of year.

[Rance]

The local paper: http://www.juneauempire.com/
Another link: http://www.juneaualaska.com/
The marine highway: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html

[mtb83201]

Wow, thanks!

[mtb83201]

I wish it costed less to get to Alaska. boo friggin hoo

[Rance]

I've heard of people hitchhiking to Alaska!

[docow34]

My hubby is 'homesick' for Prince of Wales Island. Last summer, we had a 3 week adventure taking the whole family there. After looking at the prices for everything, we decided to drive through Canada to Prince Rupert, then take the state ferry to Ketchikan, then the smaller ferry to Prince of Wales.

Although the drive was beyond gorgeous, I don't feel the need to ever do it again. It was a little too much cooped up 'family togetherness', if you catch my drift.

I'm a HUGE fan of cruises, and although the ferry was a fun way to go, if you compare prices of getting from Washington up to Ketchikan, I'd rather just pay for a genuine cruise. Meals and beds are included in their price. The state ferry doesn't include anything and is getting more pricey by the year. Although the mini-classes that the Forest Service put on were really interesting. Don't get me wrong, the ferry was great. My husband used to get up there from Seattle, but was shocked at how much it costs now. That's why I'd just do the big line cruise that includes everything.

So our next trip up, we'll be flying. That's my recommendation to people. And if the girls really want to go up by boat again, then I'll just purchase a one way cruise from Seattle and have a room and food that doesn't break the bank.

Bottom line, our honest opinion is it doesn't matter how you get to southeast Alaska, just get there!

[mtb83201]

We had been doing some shopping around, and were surprised to find that a cruise [i]was[i] in fact in the same price range as traveling to alaska by any other means. And it is appealing that the beds and food are included. When you consider that, a cruise is actually cheaper.

The only problem I have with cruises is freedom. The cheapest route other than a cruise that I have found is to drive to prince rupert (about 1600 miles from SE Idaho) and catch a ferry to juneau. The ferry from prince rupert to juneau is $160 vs $360 from Bermingham. But with fuel costs and everything else, it's hard not to just pay for a cruise and do it the easy, comfy way. Even if it is limiting.

[Rance]

Or fly to Anchorage, take the train south to Seward. Jump on a ship in Seward, make like 5 stops for 7 or 8 hours each in different coastal towns. Down to Vancuver maybe. Then fly home?

[RAMFEB31]

Originally Posted by Rance

I've heard of people hitchhiking to Alaska!

No, try biking. Think of the exercise!! And think of the money U will save! It is much more scenic when U are going slow and it is faster than walking. 4 years ago on my way back, I've met young man at one of the stops on the Alaskan Hiway below Watson Lake also on his way back from Mt Mckinley in Dinali. He was heading home to Seattle, WA. The last time I've heard, he was pedaling from Seattle to Guatemala. But seriously, I think flying is faster and, in one sense, the cheapest way.