Ferry question (Juneau and, Valdez, Whittier: cost , transfer, train)

[indraman]

I've always found great answers to questions for other states on this site....so I'm throwing this one out there for Alaska. From Valdez, where does one meet up with a ferry to ride to Bellingham? Can anyone recommend a site that can facilitate that trip? Thanks in advance to anyone out there willing to help.

[Las Vegan Cajun]

Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS)

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html

[mal_flisk]

You'll have to catch the ferry to Juneau and trans-ship to another ferry to Bellingham.

[indraman]

So there is a quick way to get from Valdez-Juneau and then Juneau-Bellingham? I'm certain it must be easier than the dot website is claiming. When I type in the route, it's pricing it at $678 and putting us on an 11-day itinerary. It seems like it shouldn't take that much longer than the Whittier to Juneau to Bellingham route. Am I wrong here?? If you call the number posted on their website you get message after message. All I want to do is "hop on" in Valdez and connect in Juneau. Is that something we can just go to the ferry terminal and do or do I need to go through the reservation process? Any insight will be greatly appreciated. We don't care about sleeper cabins and we don't have a car. Thanks again for all of your help.

[DannyL]

Call the 800# again, and once all the choices start ( press 1 for english, 2 for spanish, 3 for martian...) press zero and a person will probably show up, probably the juneau office. They're very helpfull.
Walk-ons are easy to handle, it's having a car that can get iffy about getting a ticket. Space is limited, but motorcycles are easier. They always seem to find room for a bike.
GET THERE EARLY!!!!
The ferry system is like a city bus, not an airline. One ferry make make 1/2 dozen stops, and that takes time.

[RAMFEB31]

Originally Posted by DannyL

Call the 800# again, and once all the choices start ( press 1 for english, 2 for spanish, 3 for martian...) press zero and a person will probably show up, probably the juneau office. They're very helpfull.
Walk-ons are easy to handle, it's having a car that can get iffy about getting a ticket. Space is limited, but motorcycles are easier. They always seem to find room for a bike.
GET THERE EARLY!!!!
The ferry system is like a city bus, not an airline. One ferry make make 1/2 dozen stops, and that takes time.

One of the question I would ask is which ferries are available for your trip. Especially if U must transfer at some given point or several points. Some are "cattlle car" speed. Though U may not have a choice due to time constraints and the routing of the fleet, the last I've heard, there are only 2 fast "cats", the Chenega and the Fairweathre. These cats are about twice the speed as the older ships but the cost is the same. But, if I recall, (don't quote me) the Chenega does not come up above Juneau and the Fairweathre does not come all the way to to Valdez. But it is worth a check.

[DannyL]

The "fast ferrys" do not get out into the open gulf. They can't handle the open sea weather from what I'm told, nor the waves.

[indraman]

I really appreciate all of your help. I do think I'll try pressing "3" to see if I get a martian