Some of the best Alaska travel trips come from those Alaska travelers who are actually doing the travel!
Here’s a collection of 10 Alaska vacation tips and tricks shared by our recent travelers, as well as some additional insider feedback from our staff at Alaska Tours.
Alaska Travel Tip #1: Welcome to the Land of the Midnight Sun!
Alaska’s summer sun is no joke! It’s so bright, even after it has set late at night and before it rises super-early in the morning. Alaska’s summer sunlight is intense, and that’s a great thing for the most part because it leads to long, warm days of fun and adventure. But the sun can also contribute to sleepless nights if you are a light sleeper or can’t sleep under bright conditions. If you don’t sleep like a rock, this is a tip you might want to heed. Most big hotels have blackout curtains to keep your room dark, but some smaller, out-of-town places don’t. It’s easy for your sleep patterns and quality rest to get out of whack quickly. We would strongly suggest bringing an eye mask. It’s a game-changer.
Midnight Sun Fairbanks (Bill Wright / Explore Fairbanks)
Alaska Travel Tip #2: If you take the Alaska Railroad, sit in a dome car!
It’s so cool — you can see everything!
The Alaska Railroad travels through some of Alaska’s most spectacular sightseeing destinations. While there aren’t any bad seats on these train rides, glass-domed cars give the rider an even grander view and a sense of being surrounded by Alaska’s outdoor awesomeness. This is a unique perspective on a memorable ride.
Alaska Travel Tip #3: Always build in some extra time if you’re driving in Alaska.
It seemed like we were constantly stopping for something, usually photos and sights, and that made the drives take longer than we planned.
Alaska’s road system can lead you to some amazing places, but the drive isn’t always direct. Summer is tourism season as well as construction season in Alaska. This means driving delays can occur at all hours of the day on popular and less-traveled roads. Also, Alaska’s roads often curve and wind, rise and sink, and even have some unpaved stretches. Oh, and then there are the occasional must-stop photo opportunities of mountains and wildlife along the way. That’s why it’s best just to take your time and add some wiggle room to any road trip you plan.
Alaska Travel Tip #4: It’s hard to find special diet accommodations like vegetarian or gluten-free meals in Alaska, especially out of the cities
Whenever you’re in a big town, buy snacks to ensure you always have something you can eat just in case.
Even in the big cities, Alaskans lament the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables. The pickings get even thinner in smaller towns, on some day trips and longer journeys. If you have any special dietary needs, plan accordingly. If you’re traveling with a guide or tour operator, contact the organization well before your trip to share your needs and find out what you need to do to ensure you’re fed and happy. And yes, sometimes that means buying and packing your own food the night before an adventure.
Alaska Travel Tip #5: Layer Up
A friend told me to bring warm clothing for my summer trip to Alaska, including a winter hat and gloves. I’m so glad I did. It can get cold quickly in Alaska, even in the summer. The only thing consistent about Alaska’s weather is its inconsistency. Here, even a warm, sunny day can be quickly chilled by a strong breeze or a surprise storm. There’s no such thing as being over-prepared for Alaska travel, especially when it comes to packing warm clothing that will keep you comfortable.
Alaska Travel Tip #6: Always carry cash! Cards are more common than in the past, cash can come in handy.
Though more small businesses in more remote areas are taking more cards, in Alaska, there are still businesses and areas where only cash is accepted. This includes restaurants and bars in smaller towns or far out along the road system, and sometimes even parking spots at popular hiking and camping areas. Cash is also really good to have for tipping excellent tour guides. If you’re short on loot, don’t sweat it – most towns and gas stations have ATMs.
Alaska Travel Tip #7: Alaska’s wildlife is elusive and, yes, wild
“I expected to see wildlife everywhere in Alaska but quickly realized that even moose are rare. We got frustrated early but eventually saw all types of animals during our tours, making the trip special. But I would tell people not to come to Alaska thinking that wildlife will be easy to find.”
On a lucky drive along the Seward Highway, you could see a moose, bald eagle, mountain goat and a bear within an hour. Or you could go a week without seeing so much as a squirrel. If wildlife watching is part of your travel expectations, book trips with outdoors operators who will take you to the animals. That can include the big bears of Katmai or the bigger whales of Resurrection Bay.
Want a wildlife guarantee? Visit the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center outside Girdwood, and the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward.
Alaska Travel Tip #8: Opt for a Window Seat
“If you’re flying commercial between Anchorage and Fairbanks, sit on the plane’s right side on the way to Anchorage and the left side on the way to Fairbanks. You’ll have a close-up view of Denali!”
Now, this is a tip that even many Alaskans don’t consider! On a clear day, passengers flying this route receive a glorious mountain viewing bonus with their flight and from an altitude that few can reach.
Alaska Travel Tip #9: Aurora Photography Takes Patience
“The northern lights are fantastic, but taking good photos of them is challenging! I only had the camera on my phone and got a few blurry shots, but nothing that showed how amazing they were. Thankfully, we made friends with people using a nice camera, and they shared some shots with us.”
Alaska’s northern lights are a vision to behold, and seeing them is an experience you’ll want to cherish and share forever, especially when you snap a great photo. But as this traveler noted, capturing a high-quality photo is difficult as northern lights move randomly, brighten, fade and disappear quickly. Another factor is that you’re standing in the dark. There are some Northern Lights apps available for those who want to use the camera on their phone, but a decent camera and doing some homework on how to take good shots is recommended.
Alaska Travel Tip #10: Pack a Day Bag
“A great day pack is worth its weight in gold in Alaska! Whether we went on an all-day trip or walked around the cities, I would fill my pack with whatever I needed for that day.”
This tip is right out of the active Alaskan’s playbook. A day pack is a bit larger than your usual book bag, backpack or purse, but they aren’t huge. They have many pockets, pouches and room for all of your essential items (camera, phone, money, hotel room key, travel book, etc.), clothing layers, water bottles, snacks and more. They are designed for comfort and convenience. They are perfect companions for almost all Alaska adventures – an afternoon wandering and shopping around town, a short hike or an entire day trip out of town.
