Frequently Asked Questions

Most of Alaska uses Alaska Time, which is one hour earlier than Pacific Time and four hours earlier than Eastern Time. Alaska participates in Daylight Savings Time.

Most of our Alaska vacation packages are independent tours. That means that you will travel by yourself and without a tour guide. We pre-arrange your hotels, all the fun excursions and activities you want to do as well as the transportation to get you from one town to the other. However, there is no tour guide who travels with you. We have a few tours that are guided and where you will travel with a group from the beginning to the end – those are specifically marked as guided bus tours.

There are numerous ways to tour Alaska: cruising, group tours, and independent programs.  Independent touring means you travel on your own and not in a tour group. All of our Alaska vacation packages, except the Guided Bus Vacations, are independent touring packages and give you the freedom to travel and explore on your own. Independent Touring can include a rental car or scheduled transportation such as rail, bus or plane. While you may be with a group during a day excursion, sightseeing tour or train ride, you are not with the same group of people each day, nor is there a tour leader with you. Independent touring offers the flexibility of traveling at your own pace and allows for customized itineraries. It is also often a more economical and leisurely way to travel.

We offer our independent tour packages typically with 2 program options.

Standard Program of Tour Packages

Our standard tour itineraries include accommodation in tourist and moderate-class hotels/motels. These hotels or motels are clean and comfortable. Some of these properties have additional amenities such as a small restaurant, shuttle bus service, and a tour desk, and some may also offer a complimentary continental breakfast. Meals are not typically included in our packages and are on your own. We cannot guarantee accommodations that include a continental breakfast. Generally speaking, standard accommodations in Anchorage have a courtesy shuttle for airport and train departures/arrivals.

Upgraded Program of Tours Packages

Our upgraded tour programs include better moderate and first-class HOTELS wherever possible in the itinerary. The properties typically offer a broader range of services, such as a full-service restaurant, room service, or pool and spa facilities. Generally, upgraded hotels do not include breakfast. Upgraded accommodations in Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services.

Please keep in mind that Alaska can have limited accommodation choices in remote areas; therefore, in some locations, your accommodation might be better compared to simple motels. Please also note that often hotels in Alaska have a different standard than hotels in other parts of the United States.

If your itinerary includes a JOURNEY BY RAIL between Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks or Anchorage and Seward,  deluxe dome car seating is available. Rail journeys between Anchorage and Whittier will be in standard seating, as currently, no deluxe dome cars are available.

Upon your request: Several hotels offer guaranteed view rooms, which we can quote and book for you, depending on availability. Higher prices will apply. Please contact us.

While the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) is active year-round, it is almost impossible to see during the summer when Alaska experiences nearly constant daylight. The best chance to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is in northern areas during the winter months of October through early April. Historically, the best viewing has been from Fairbanks north and on dark nights with clear skies. According to the Geophysical Institute, February and March are the best months to see the Aurora in Alaska.

The general rule for Alaska is casual, comfortable clothing that can be worn in layers. The first layer should be something thin next to the skin (try to avoid cotton). The second layer adds warmth and allows you to remove if it gets warmer (primarily fleece or similar). The third layer should protect you against rain and wind if necessary. For day cruises into Prince William Sound, Kenai Fjords, and Glacier Bay National Park, we recommend an extra layer, including a scarf, hat, and gloves, as it can be chilly on the boats. Comfortable walking shoes or water-repellent hiking boots are also important. A day pack is a handy item to bring. Other personal items we suggest are a small flashlight, a hair dryer (most hotel rooms do not have them), insect repellent, binoculars, an adequate supply of prescription medication, photographic film, and a camera. You will find a duffel bag or soft-sided luggage is the most practical for the Alaskan style of traveling, particularly when in small planes and boats. Restricting yourself to one piece of luggage is recommended. More Alaska packing tips…

Alaska Tours offers small ship cruises of Alaska’s Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park. Each type of Alaska adventure cruise has its advantages. The large ships are so stable you hardly feel as if you’re moving. They are elegant and have all the expected facilities, such as a swimming pool, fitness center, shopping, fine dining, and more. Entertainment is provided on board, as well as all your meals.

Smaller Alaska cruise ships typically have fewer than 100 people on board, giving the cruise a more personal feel. They are less “ritzy” and offer fewer onboard amenities but are more personable than large ships. Due to their small size, these ships can navigate right up to the face of glaciers and into narrow passageways that the larger vessels cannot reach. This allows for visits to less “touristy” towns and to be closer to the wildlife along the way.

There are many travel methods for the large state of Alaska. The two most popular ways to see the highlights of Alaska at your own pace are by renting a car or riding the Alaska Railroad. If you choose one of our Self Drive Tours, they include a rental car, and you can be masters of your schedule. With our fully pre-planned itineraries, you will know where you are staying at night, but you can make stops along the road for scenic lookouts, hike, or take one of many possible excursions.

If you choose to travel by railroad, you will be able to admire the scenery without worrying about driving. Also, a guide on board will inform you about the state and its history, point out wildlife, and answer questions. Our Alaska Railroad Tours are an excellent choice for many visitors taking an Alaska Cruise Vacation.

If you enjoy having a knowledgeable guide handle all the details of your tour, then our Alaska Escorted Group Tour is for you. The group size of no more than 50 people allows you to build relationships with other travelers who share your interests. Since your tour leader handles all the arrangements, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your vacation without worrying about where you are going next or when you need to be there. Informative city tours and some meals and day excursions are also included.

Alaska Tours has access to a large inventory of hotels, and Alaska Lodges throughout Alaska. Most of our tour packages offer the choice of standard or upgraded accommodations. Depending on the city, standard accommodations may be the only option. The main difference between standard and upgraded accommodations is the amenities offered. While Alaska has amazing scenery and experiences to offer, the standard of accommodation can be considered lower to the rest of the USA.

For your convenience, Alaska Tours uses reputable, nationwide car rental agencies throughout the state. All car rentals include unlimited mileage and taxes. Additional insurance coverage such as Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) / Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and liability coverage are optional and can be purchased directly from the rental agency. U.S. car insurance policies that include comprehensive and collision coverage usually cover rental cars in Alaska; please check with your insurance provider to be sure. Travelers without U.S. car insurance can add required liability insurance and LDW coverage at the car rental counter when picking up the car.

Most of Alaska’s roads are two- to four-lane paved highways, but we also have smaller dirt roads that are regularly graded. Winter driving is safe – the main roads are cleared, though specific routes are closed throughout the winter. Rental car companies do not allow their cars to be driven on the Denali Highway, Dalton Highway, and McCarthy Road. For current road conditions, call 511 once you reach Alaska or visit 511.alaska.gov.

NOTE: A valid driver’s license and credit card in the driver’s name is required for ALL drivers and must be shown when accepting the car. Typically, drivers must be 25 years of age or older. Canadian residents cannot rent a car in the U.S. and cross the border into Canada.

Here is a guideline for car rental categories. It will give you an idea of what type of vehicle you will get and what you can expect to have as luggage space. Please note that we are not able to book or guarantee specific car modals. We can only book a car category:

Midsize Car Category:
Midsize cars are for example Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla or similar. They have 4 doors / 5 seat belts and fit 1 large and 2 small suitcases in the trunk.

Fullsize Car Category:
Fullsize cars are for example Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima or similar. They have 4 doors / 5 seat belts and fit 2 large and 1 small suitcases in the trunk.

Midsize Truck Category:
Midsize Trucks are for example GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado or similar. They have 4 doors / 5 seat belts and fit 2 large and 2 small bags in the back of the truck. The midsize trucks are outfitted with a spray-in bedliner as well as a locking tonneau cover to keep luggage dry and safe.

Standard SUV Category:
Standard SUVs are for example Kia Sorento, Honda CRV or similar. They have 4 doors / 5 seat belts and fit 2 large and 2 small suitcases in the trunk.

Minivan Category:
Minivans are for example Toyota Sienna, KIA Sedona or similar. Minivans have are comfortable for up to 5 or 6 adults with luggage.

“To Be Requested” indicates that the service cannot be immediately confirmed online. This status requires us to check space with the tour/service supplier and the service may or may not be available.