How to get around Alaska by ferry, train or RV

Getting Around Alaska: Exploring the Last Frontier

Getting around Alaska can be challenging. However, with enough time and planning, it is possible to get off the beaten path and experience real adventure in North America’s “Last Frontier.”

Most people travel around Alaska by private vehicle – or on a cruise ship – but in the high season this can also mean you’re looking for a spot to park – or space at the ship’s buffet – rather than having the holiday of your dreams.

If you can strap on a backpack, and soak up the spirit of adventure, it is very possible to meander around Alaska on different types of transportation. And the rewards are huge. Read on for how to navigate this vast US state.

Start exploring in Anchorage

The biggest city in Alaska challenges the notion of where a city of a quarter million starts and ends and where it turns into a wilderness park. It’s not uncommon to see a moose wandering while you’re out walking downtown, or biking and skiing the hundreds of miles of trails that are part of the city’s heart. Many trails then connect to Chugach State Park, which encompasses nearly a half million acres just outside the city limits.

To get around Anchorage, your best options are taxis, ride-shares like Uber, and a well-timed bus system that serves the greater Mat-Su Valley.

With time to spare take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry

The Alaska Marine Highway ferry can be an excellent option for those with time to spare on their initial voyage up from Bellingham, Washington. A walk-on ticket means just that: carrying only what you can.

You don’t necessarily have to book a cabin; instead, grab one of the first-come-first-served spaces on the top deck. Here tents are secured down and lawn chairs become valuable real estate. The deck is transformed into a makeshift campground for the three-to-four-day journey through the remote communities in southeast Alaska. Then onward to Whittier – a port that usually serves Anchorage and the Alaska railroad.

For those disinclined towards traditional cruise ships, the ferry is a moderately priced way to get around. Booking through the website requires advance planning, but you can bring bikes, kayaks and other large items on board, so it can be an extremely cost-effective way to get larger touring gear to Alaska compared to flying.

Go on a “milk run” for scenic flight adventures on a budget

To reach more offbeat places not served by road without the cost of hiring a private plane, Alaska Air has larger aircraft that do the “milk run” – making multiple stops through southeast Alaska to serve local communities’ with cargo and groceries. It’s a window-seat lover’s dream as you fly above the glaciers.

Always starting in Anchorage or Seattle, this journey can include the towns such as Cordova, Yakutat, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Wrangell and Petersburg, depending on the day. None of these towns are accessible by road: the communities are otherwise only reached by sea. They are all interesting (and walkable) places to visit, with lodge accommodation and outdoor adventures awaiting you.

The train is a unique way to get around Alaska

Alaska Railroad is centrally located in Anchorage and offers options both north to Denali and Fairbanks or south to Seward on the Kenai peninsula. The train is the best option not only for the environment but also for the scenery (and yes it does stop for wildlife).

Several trains also offer a whistle-stop service in their ticketing based on the mile marker where you want to stop, making it possible to hop-on and hop-off along many of the routes. When you wish to board you simply flag the train down on its return. It’s an option that, with some planning, enables independent travelers the opportunity to reach remote communities, rivers and hikes off the beaten track – or what locals call “the rail belt.”

Don’t count on buses beyond Denali National Park

Beyond the park connector to Denali National Park and a few other key towns, bus services for independent travelers are limited in the state of Alaska. Within Denali itself, however, the park provides an exceptional tour service and is the best logistics solution for backcountry permit holders wishing to reach deep into the backcountry.

Consider renting an RV instead of a car

Car rental in Alaska is far pricier during the busy summer travel season of May through September than in more populous states. When you consider the additional cost of accommodation, some travelers (especially families) find renting an entire RV can be comparable.

Alaska tourism promotions occasionally include early season positioning of RV and rental vehicles, so if you book well in advance you may be able to drive up the ALCAN highway through Canada at a lower rate than you’d likely expect.

Note: Many rental agencies don’t allow travel on specific roads due to wear and tear upon the vehicles. Honor those policies: they’ll see from GPS where you’ve been and hefty bills from breaking the rental agreement can be charged.

Cycle your way around the state

Alaska is an excellent option for those with the power and equipment to explore by pedal, and enjoy a long well-planned adventure. Most major roads in Alaska have an off-road trail next to it, which is usually devoted to ATVs and snowmobiles in winter.

Hitchhiking is common in Alaska

Hitching is never entirely safe, and thus we don’t recommend it.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure
   • Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems
   • Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of the population that has convenient access to public transport

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles
   • Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure
• Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems
• Target 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road
• Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of the population that has convenient access to public transport
• Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

The article discusses the availability of transportation options in Alaska, including roads, buses, ferries, trains, RV rentals, cycling, and hitchhiking. These transportation options are relevant to SDG 9 and SDG 11 as they contribute to the development of infrastructure and provide access to sustainable transport systems. The indicators mentioned above can be used to measure progress towards these targets by assessing the proportion of the population with access to roads, public transport, and education for sustainable development.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: lonelyplanet.com

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