Are you thinking about traveling to Alaska? In case you haven't heard, The Last Frontier of the US makes for a fabulous travel destination. There are a couple of things you should know before making your way up North. I have written down 10 reasons you need to know before traveling to Alaska - some of them I only found out when I was actually there. So I hope they help you to plan your trip a little better!
Traveling To Alaska Is Not As Hard As You Might Think
Yes, it is called The Last Frontiert and a big part of Alaska's charme comes from its remoteness. However, several major airlines fly to Alaska and you can pick between Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Fairbanks International Airport to start your journey. If you are traveling from outside the US, a direct flight might not always be possible, but there are great options with one layover only. I flew from Dublin to Anchorage via Seattle.Once you are there, you can book several smaller flights to get around within the state or use trains, busses, cruises and cars. Be mindful though, that there aren't as many roads in Alaska and that there are no interstates (since Alaska doesn't connect ot any other state) and only 9 highways.
Alaska Is Not Just Snow And Ice
I don't know if some people confused Alaska and Antarctica, when I told them I was traveling to Alaska. But they always seemed very surprised when I told them that I was going in August and didn't expect there to be much snow. Of course, it depends on the region and the time of year, but for real - Alaska is so much more than snow and ice.
Alaska Even Has Wildfires
Yes, that's right - Alaska can be quite dry and during the summer months wildfires are quite common. Alaska even has a wildfire season, when up to several million acres can get burned. Even though I knew that Alaska was not just snow and ice, I was actually very shocked when I had to drive through several miles of wildfire when visiting Alaska in August.
Alaska Is Bigger Than You Think
Each of Alaska's regions mentioned above is massive! Oftentimes you have to drive hours to get from one stop on your itinerary to the next. And even when traveling the state for two weeks you still feel like you haven't seen anything. To give you a little bit of perspective - a train ride between Fairbanks and Anchorage takes approximately 12 hours. Driving from Anchorage to Denali alone takes 4 hours.
The Wildlife Game Is Strong
Almost everyone I met traveling to Alaska wanted to see them - bears, moose, whales, and all the wildlife there is. The wildlife game is very strong in Alaska but you also need to have some luck in order to spot them. I met a family at the airport who booked a bear-watching tour and didn't see a single bear. My friend and I drove an entire day through Denali National Park without seeing any animals up close and on our way back a bear mother and her cubs crossed the road. We also had a random encounter with a moose crossing the street on the way to our next AirBnB. It all depends.
Alaska's Landscape Has A Lot To Offer
Alaska has 5 regions each with its own sights. The Far North includes the Arctic Circle, the Interior includes Fairbanks and Denali National Park & Preserve. Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula are located in the Southcentral Region, while many cruise ports and the Inside Passage are located in the Southeast. Southwest encompasses Kodiak and Katmai National Park. Within these regions, you find stunning landscapes, glaciers, blooming wildflowers, historical valleys, forests, deserts, and 17 of the highest mountain peaks in the U.S.
Seeing The Northern Lights Can Be Difficult
I actually didn't get to see any Northern Lights during my trip to Alaska in August. I did enough research to know that I probably also shouldn't expect to see any - but it definitely is on my list! Summer is Alaska's Midnight Sun season and the nights can be quite bright. The best time to visit if you want to increase your chances to view the Aurora Borealis is in the winter months between September and April.
Things Can Be Limited
Such as cell phone service. Or gas stations. Just because you think the next gas station will just be around the corner, doesn't mean it will be. Plan accordingly, especially when you are driving into more remote areas, and take advantage of every gas station you see. Alaska has all normal American cell phone providers such as Verizon, or AT&T and usually, all tourist destinations and towns have cell phone coverage. Just be prepared to lose your service in more remote areas and make sure you have your maps downloaded to your phone.
Alaska Is Expensive
It makes sense that Alaska is on the more expensive side of destinations when you think about the fact that many things need to be flown or shipped in. Alaska is just far from everywhere else. In my post about planning your trip to Alaska, I estimate that you will need around $1,5000 - $2,000 per person for a week in Alaska. Depending on what other tours, excursions, or adventures you want to book in addition, this number goes up.
Alaska Is For Everyone
I know that Alaska is a popular destination for cruises, and thus seems to be a great choice for seniors. I actually didn't know that before I went - to me Alaska seemed like this amazing adventure destination with tons of outdoor tourists and sports bums. Consequently, I was quite confused by the number of organized tourist trips when I arrived in Anchorage. The truth is - Alaska is for everyone. Yes, you will probably encounter a big group of tourists in an organized group somewhere, but you will also encounter the landscape photographer, the family with 5 children, and the French adventurous couple biking through the National Parks. So if Alaska is a destination you are considering, I can definitely recommend going!
Were any of these surprising facts to you about Alaska? Would you go?
Kate recommends: James A. Michener guides the reader through Alaska's vast landscape and history in his book Alaska: A Novel. While struggling for survival, the characters live through the American acquisition, the gold rush, the history of the salmon industry and World War II. The ideal novel of choice when you want to learn more about the 48th state of the United States.