From the airport to the city centre Alaska

Ted Stevens International Airport (5000 West International Airport Road; +1 907 266 2526; www.dot.alaska.gov/anc). Getting to Alaska is easy, no matter where you fly from. All major U.S. airlines fly to Alaska daily. However, most domestic flights are operated by Alaska Airlines. Be careful, when planning a trip to Alaska, you should always leave a minimum of one day between the return international flight and the domestic flight. Weather conditions frequently prevent airliners from taking off. The airport has two terminals, one international in the north, the other for domestic flights in the south. Bus departures and car rental agencies are located in the south terminal. Please note that there is no exchange office, only cash machines. In any case, it is better to withdraw money in dollars, everything is easier.

From/to Anchorage airport. The bus line n° 7 (2 US$) connects several stops in the city center to the airport from 6am to 11pm (every 30 min) following a loop. By cab, count 20 US$ for the trip to the center. They are parked in front of the arrivals hall. You can take an Uber, the VTC app is present in Anchorage and at more competitive prices than cabs, from the free wifi of the airport.

To/from Juneau Airport. Juneau Airport is located 11 kilometers from downtown, near the Mendenhall Glacier Valley. It is well served with daily flights to Anchorage or Seattle, USA, but also to other Southeast Alaska cities including Gustavus, Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg and Ketchikan. A cab or VTC (Uber) ride to downtown will cost you about US$30. Most hotels offer 24-hour shuttle services as well. Capital Transit buses also make daytime stops at the airport (Express line) from 8am to 6pm: US$2/person.

The bush planes. The Alaskan sky is one of the most frequented in the world! Indeed, the territory is vast and the road network almost non-existent. That's why there are air cabs, these bush planeservices to join the cities, as well as the villages lost in the tundra. These trips have a consequent price of course. Alaska Airlines (www.alaskaair.com) and Ravn Alaska (www.ravnalaska.com) provide cheap local flights to the main cities. Among the smaller bush planes, we note the presence of the famous seaplanes immortalized on postcards, which land on water or even on skis in winter! You will find all the companies city by city in this guide to use this quick way to access the region's exceptional sites.

Arrival by train Alaska

Rail service is provided by Alaska Railroad (www.alaskarailroad.com).

From/to Anchorage. A train exists along the north-south Fairbanks-Seward axis with variations in route and category depending on the season. In the south, its terminus, Seward, is 2h30 from Anchorage. In the north, it goes to Fairbanks (12 hours from Anchorage), passing through Talkeetna and Denali National Park. More than a simple train ride, it is a real railroad cruise aboard an old-fashioned choo-choo, a yellow and blue locomotive. A visit commented by a guide with bar services and meals on board (in option) and the travel time is multiplied by two compared to the road, it is really a tourist option! The tickets are very expensive (nearly 200 US$ for the Anchorage-Denali ticket in high season), and the places are rare in high summer season.

Anchorage-Seward, the glacier route: you have to take the Coastal Classic or Glaciers Dicovery line which starts in Anchorage and ends in Seward (Anchorage > Girdwood > Whittier > Portage > Spencer > Grandview > Seward).

Anchorage-Fairbanks, the interior route. You must take the Denali Star Train which starts in Anchorage and ends in Fairbanks (Anchorage > Wasilla > Talkeetna > Denali > Fairbanks).

Please note that during the winter season, only two routes are offered: Anchorage-Fairbanks on Saturday and Fairbanks-Anchorage on Sunday. Note that Seward is not served during this period.

Arrival by boat Alaska

From/to Homer, Valdez or Juneau. The national ferry company that provides ferry service to the entire Alaskan coast is Alaska Marine Highway (www.dot.alaska.gov; +1 800 642 0066). There is no ferry service from Anchorage. Instead, rudimentary ferries operated by locals crisscross the Alaskan coast from Dutch Harbor at the tip of the Aleutian Islands to Canada, passing through the entire coast from west to east: Dutch Harbor, Chignik, Kodiak, Homer, Whittier, Valdez, Cordova, Yakuta, a myriad of islands, Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg, Ketchikan, then British Columbia to Seattle. The tickets are really cheap, there are solariums with deck chairs, reclining seats or more comfortable bunks in cabins, showers, lockers, a restaurant, a kitchen to heat up your food, and you can even sleep on the decks of the ships with your sleeping bag, a real adventure!

Cruise ships. These huge boats invade the cities of Southeast Alaska every day, coming mainly from Vancouver or Seattle. They are the lifeblood of the region's tourism industry. So don't be surprised to see that many activities are based on the arrival and departure times of these giants of the seas, which pour hundreds of tourists with full wallets every day and who must be brought back to the pier on time! As a result, there are no fixed schedules and, for those who arrive by ferry or by plane, a small impression of being left behind. But don't worry, you'll be able to make your reservations and enjoy everything and, if you want some peace and quiet, wait until the ships have left, then the city will be yours!

Cruises offer contemplative stays in considerable comfort. However, you have to like traveling on a giant liner, eating next to your cabin neighbors and embarking/disembarking at specific times. Several companies have made Alaska their preferred destination and serve the ports of Southeast Alaska (Ketchikan, St. Petersburg, Juneau, Skagway) throughout the summer (May to October). The differences between the cruisers are the level of comfort desired (and their services: swimming pool, fitness room, cinema, restaurants on board), the route taken and the type of clientele (families, older public, etc.). Some companies also offer cruises combined with a land portion by bus and/or train to Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks.

Public transport Alaska

With the exception of the major cities, where buses are present, unfortunately Alaska has not invested in public transportation. However, a rather recent bus company exists in summer, Park Connexion (www.alaskacoach.com), which serves Anchorage Seward in the south, Talkeetna and Denali NP in the north. Beyond that, it is better to prefer the car or the boat for small budgets. In the center of Anchorage, the People Moover buses are easy to use.

With a driver Alaska

There are cabs everywhere, even in small villages and the fare is usually fixed (in the 10 or 20 US$ depending on the distance from the airport or the port). There are also VTC like Uber in Anchorage and Juneau, with prices a little more competitive than cabs.

By car Alaska

Permit. For a stay of less than three months: the French driver's license (one or three parts) of more than one year is valid in all states. You must be at least 21 years old (in some cases, 25) to rent a car in the United States.

Renting. Renting a car is probably the best option when traveling with two or more people, sometimes even alone because public transportation in Alaska is limited and very expensive. It is the most flexible way to visit the state. Autonomous, the traveler can go off the beaten track and reach points not served by public transportation. Rental rates are generally lower than those in Europe, toll roads are rare and fuel is about half the price. Rental cars are always equipped with automatic transmission and airbags. Depending on the category, options may vary. Often, in small towns, agencies are only located at airports. The latter offer car rentals at the same rates as in the city (for the most part). A small car rental costs a minimum of US$40 per day, and for a more powerful model, with all insurance, it can cost US$60-100 per day. You have to take into account the distances to be covered and the roads to be taken. The price of fuel varies, of course, according to the international situation, but also according to the state and the place.

Driving. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, and the rules of the road are generally the same as those in Europe. Speed limits vary by state. As a general rule: 70-75 mph (miles per hour) on highways (Interstates), 55-65 mph on roads outside cities and 20-30 mph in cities. Beware: in-car radar allows police officers to measure your speed, whether their vehicle is moving towards you or following you. The controls are permanent and the fines are always high. Yellow signs indicate a recommended speed, white signs a maximum speed. In the U.S., traffic lights are located in the center of the intersection or after the intersection, which is a little confusing at first; remember to stop before the intersection! In most states, unless there is a specific red light for your lane or a No red turn sign, you can turn right at the red light by yielding. The all-way stop, which is an intersection with a stop sign for each road, is very common. If there is a car at each stop, remember the order of arrival because the first one to stop is the first one to go, then the second one, then the third one and so on. When a school bus stops (red flashing lights), the stop is mandatory in both directions. The Xing sign on the ground means crossing. This is a crosswalk that must be respected.

Parking. Parking in large cities can be problematic and is rarely free. Always be very careful to read the parking signs completely. Parking is often limited to a specific time, specific days, etc. The police are always on the lookout and violations are quickly detected. Public parking may seem expensive but it is sometimes the best solution to avoid fines and loss of time. Hotel parking lots often charge exorbitant rates.

Distances. Distances are expressed in miles. 1 mile = 1.6 km. Maps can be read more quickly by adding half the distance indicated. Example 160 miles: 160 + 80 = 240 km (actually 257.4 km).

Fuel. Fuel is sold by the gallon (3.8 liters). The cost of fuel depends on the state and the gas station, and prices can vary widely from state to state. In general, all newer gasoline-powered models (cars and motorcycles) accept the cheapest fuel(regular). Always keep an eye on your fuel level because when you cross large areas, gas stations are rare and you have to know how to deal with the unexpected by always keeping your tank as full as possible. For example, to go to Denali NP, fill up your tank either in Talkeetna or in Fairbanks, depending on the direction of your journey.

Accessibility Alaska

As everywhere in the United States, some places are adapted to people with reduced mobility, others are not. As everything is designed for the car, there are easy parking places everywhere, and strollers are easy to handle. Only the city buses in Anchorage are not adapted at all.