Things to do / Travel Guide
The Alaska Panhandle is unique in that it is one of the very few large areas of the United States that almost completely lacks a major system of roads. Roads in the region's cities and towns usually dead-end a few miles outside city limits, and none of the offshore islands are connected to each other or to the mainland. Only Skagway and Haines, at the northern end of the Panhandle, and Hyder, at the southern end, connect outside of the region, to the Alaska Highway and to British Columbia roads, respectively.
If you aren't going to be moving around too much within the region, self-drive options are a good choice. On the other hand, you may not want to rent a car if you are uncomfortable with the rough terrain and the need for ferries to reach your destination. If you choose to rent a car, you'll be able to find one from one of the many car rental agencies in Juneau, Ketchican, or Haines. Be advised that car rental costs and gas prices run higher than in the lower 48 states.
In Juneau, Capitol Transit provides regularly-scheduled and operated city-wide metropolitan bus service. The general fare, with transfer options, is $1.50, with various discounts for children, seniors, and students. There are also private taxis and airport shuttle services. In Ketchikan, public transportation is limited to a local bus route, taxis, airport shuttles, and a water taxi. In Skagway and Haines, only private taxi service is available.
The Alaska Panhandle does not have any sort of highly-developed public transportation aside from metro bus service within Juneau. The reason for this is simple; while the region is huge, it's simply not well-populated. Unless you're on a cruise through the region, the only real way to get around in the Alaska Panhandle is by bringing your own car, renting one, or joining an organized, guided tour that provides transportation.
There are several private plane charter operators who will fly passengers to and from some of the more remote areas of the Alaska Panhandle. These services, however, can be very expensive.
Alaska Marine Highway (AMH)
As the region is full of many impassable glaciers, mountains, and islands, the Alaska Panhadle's road system is very limited. The Panhandle's main artery is the Alaska Marine Highway (AMH) which is a route that combines roads and ferries. There are also plenty of byway links that shoot off the AMH deeper into the region, including the Inside Passage, which runs north 110 nautical miles from Queen Charlotte Island, British Columbia to Skagway. The area the route runs through is known for dramatic fjords, unspoiled islands, and forests populated with mature spruce and hemlock. The area has a rich cultural history, and villages along the Inside Passage give visitors a great opportunity to explore the diverse cultural experiences and scenic masterpieces found here.
While traveling along the AMH, there are a variety of accommodations available aboard various types of sea vessels. There are sleeper cabins available for a premium fare, where limited meal service can be had as well. In some instances, National Park rangers are onboard these vessels and will offer a narrative of the areas you are sailing past.
The frequency of sailing options varies greatly depending on both location and season, so it's always best to check directly with the AMH for what's available, when and where. During the summer, for instance, ferries run to and from the major cities in the Panhandle pretty much on a daily basis. Ferries depart to and from some of the smaller, more remote outposts with less frequency, sometimes only once a week. In the winter there is still ferry service, but it is generally less frequent than in the summer.
Just to give you an idea, the AMH ferry ride from Juneau-Sitka or Sitka-Juneau takes about eight hours, and costs about $200 one-way for a family of four. You can also bring bikes along at no extra cost if they are rack-mounted.
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