Alaska
Glaciers, wildlife and Denali draw travelers north, and cruises, park trips and long road drives are the main ways to see the state.
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Alaska is the largest U.S. state, in the far northwest of North America. Most of it is wilderness, and many places are reached by air, ferry or long road drives. Travelers come for glaciers that reach the sea, wildlife such as bears, moose and whales, and Denali, the highest peak in North America. Anchorage is the largest city and the usual starting point. Cruise ships run the Inside Passage to towns such as Juneau and Ketchikan, which can only be reached by water or air.
A trip suits travelers who want big scenery and time outdoors more than city sights. Distances are large, so pick one or two regions rather than the whole state. Plan for flights between regions, and for road drives that can take most of a day. Summer, roughly late May to early September, has the longest days and the most tours and services open. Winter suits northern lights viewing. Give yourself at least a week, and ten days or more if you want to combine Anchorage, Seward and Denali.
Alaska in five
- Book the Alaska Railroad seat earlyThe train links Anchorage with Denali and Fairbanks, and with Seward. Summer seats can sell out, so book on the Alaska Railroad site before you fly in.Getting around
- Reserve a Denali park bus seatPrivate cars can drive only the first 15 miles of the park road. Beyond that you need a park bus or a tour, and summer seats fill, so reserve before you arrive.Denali park guide
- Carry bear spray on the trailBear spray cannot go in carry-on bags on flights, so check it or buy it in Alaska after you land. Carry it on any trail where bears are active.
- Read the rental car contract for CanadaThe Alaska Highway runs through Canada, and many rental contracts forbid crossing the border or driving gravel roads. Get written permission before you book.
- Time the Whittier road tunnelThe Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the only road into Whittier. It is a single lane shared with trains and runs on a set schedule that closes overnight, so check current times first.
Neighborhoods
Seward
- Best for: Boat tours, glacier walks
- Price band: $$
- Kenai Fjords boat tours leave from the harbor
- Exit Glacier is in Kenai Fjords National Park
- The Alaska SeaLife Center is on the waterfront
Skip if you want big-city nightlife or many hotel choices.
Fairbanks
- Best for: Aurora trips, winter visits
- Price band: $$
- Pioneer Park has a historic steamboat and museums
- Chena Hot Springs is about an hour east
- Aurora viewing runs from late August into April
Skip if you want mountains and glaciers within walking distance.
Anchorage
Most of the municipality is wilderness, so you come for mountains, tidal inlets and wildlife, with the city as a base for trips north and south.
Juneau
Alaska's capital sits at sea level under steep mountains, with glaciers nearby and no road connection to the rest of the state.
Things to do in Alaska
See all attractions in Alaska
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for visa-waiver passports; visa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20% at restaurants is expected
- Time
- UTC-9, UTC-8 with daylight saving; western Aleutians UTC-10, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, dark
- FebruaryCold, dark
- MarchSnow, longer days
- AprilSpring thaw
- MayLong days, quiet
- JuneMidnight sun
- JulyPeak season
- AugustFireweed, busy
- SeptemberFall color, quiet
- OctoberCold, aurora
- NovemberDark, snow
- DecemberDark, holidays
Right now in Alaska
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
-4
- Feels like
- -7°
- Humidity
- 97%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Alaska
11:36 AM
Monday, November 2
- Today-10°-13°0%Monday: Fog. High -10°, Low -13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue-13°-15°0%Tuesday: Fog. High -13°, Low -15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed-13°-15°10%Wednesday: Fog. High -13°, Low -15°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu-11°-14°4%Thursday: Fog. High -11°, Low -14°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri-12°-13°11%Friday: Fog. High -12°, Low -13°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sat-12°-14°14%Saturday: Snow. High -12°, Low -14°. Chance of rain 14%.
Updated 07:54 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- SewardAbout 2.5 hours by roadKenai Fjords boat tours and Exit Glacier, with a harbor to walk.Read the guide
- WhittierAbout 1.5 hours by road, tunnel times applyPrince William Sound boat trips. Check the tunnel times first.
- Chena Hot SpringsAbout 1 hour by roadHot springs and cabins about an hour from Fairbanks.Read the guide
Before you go to Alaska
Rules for Alaska, checked
- Visa-waiver visitors need an approved ESTA before flying to the US, and everyone else needs a visa. Check current rules on the CBP ESTA site.Source
- Declare food, plants and animal products at US customs. Undeclared items can be seized.
- Private vehicles are limited to the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road. Check the park's current access rules on the NPS site before you go.Source
- Non-residents need an Alaska sport fishing licence before fishing. Check current fees and rules with ADF&G.Source
Plan around Alaska
Trains, ferries, park buses and rental cars, and where each one works
Read the guideMoney and tippingCards, cash and what to budget for each day of your trip
Read the guideEntry for visitorsESTA, visas and customs declarations before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks and Seward
Read the guideDenali park guidePark road limits, bus seats and the views from the road
Read the guideAlaska FAQ
How many days do you need in Alaska?
A week covers one city, one national park and one boat or rail trip. Two weeks lets you add Fairbanks, or Seward and the Kenai Fjords, at a steady pace.
Do I need a car in Alaska?
Not in Anchorage or Juneau, where taxis and tours cover most sights. Denali's park road allows private cars only to mile 15, so rent a car only for the roads you plan to drive.
Can I drive to Alaska from the Lower 48?
Yes, on the Alaska Highway through British Columbia and Yukon. Check that your rental or car insurance covers the Canada crossing before you leave.
When is the best time to visit Alaska?
June to August has the longest days, the most tours, and all rail and bus services running. May and September bring fewer crowds.
Can you see the northern lights in Alaska?
Yes, from late August to mid-April on clear nights away from city lights. Fairbanks and the Denali area are common bases for viewing.
Do I need a tour to see Denali?
No, but you need a park bus or a tour to go beyond mile 15. Book bus seats early and check the park's website for current options.