Alaska Travel - Getting to Alaska

There are many ways to get to Alaska from the Lower 48, most of them somewhat expensive. Once there, reaching remote job locations can be a challenge. Your employer should be able to offer advice on travel within Alaska.

By Ferry
The Alaska Marine Highway runs ferries between Bellingham, Washington (north of Seattle) and various southeast Alaskan ports.

By Plane
While air travel can be expensive, it is a reliable way to travel to Alaska from Seattle. Flying into Anchorage or Fairbanks and taking ground transportation to your job site is also an option. It’s a good idea to shop around for the lowest fares and book well in advance.

By Bus
Greyhound Lines offers service to Vancouver, British Columbia. From there, Greyhound Canada, can take you to Whitehorse. In Whitehorse you can transfer to Gray Line of Alaska to get to Anchorage.

By Car
If you wish to take your own vehicle and prefer driving through British Columbia to taking the ferry, the Alaska Highway is for you. The highway starts in Dawson Creek, BC as BC Highway 97, then turns into YT Highway 1 in Yukon Territory. After crossing into Alaska, the highway becomes Alaska Route 2.

The highway is officially paved, although frequent construction can mean miles of gravel road. Most of the highway is in fair condition, but drivers should use caution. Drive with your headlights on all the time (required by law in Canada) and watch for wildlife in the road.

It’s a good idea to always keep your gas tank at least 1/3 full, since gas stations often close for a few days when they run out of fuel. The Milepost provides much more information about driving the Alaska Highway.

Once You’re There: Reaching Remote Locations

Many Alaskan seasonal jobs involve working in or near one of Alaska’s three largest national parks, Glacier Bay, Wrangell-St. Elias, or Denali. Many of these and other work locations are remote, and may require you to have a car or take an air taxi to get there. Depending on the site, you may be able to travel there by train or bus.

Even sites outside national parks are often far from towns. Some job sites may be difficult to reach without your own vehicle. It’s a good idea to ask your employer for advice about how to get to your work site.

Alaska National Parks >>>