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GETTING AROUND ALASKA |
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Getting around Alaska on the cheap can be tough; public
transportation is limited, and many areas are only accessible by boat or
plane, which is quick and convenient but invariably pricey. With little
traffic, hitching is hard work, but is more acceptable, and safer, than
elsewhere.
With the exception of the ferry system, Anchorage is very much the hub
of Alaska with several bus companies running to major destinations:
Seward with Seward Bus Line (tel 907/224-3608, ; $35); Homer with Homer
Stage Lines (tel 907/235-2252; $45); Denali ($49) and Fairbanks ($69)
with the Parks Highway Express (tel 1-888/600-6001, ); and Valdez ($71)
and Whitehorse, Yukon ($206) with Gray Line's Alaskon Express (tel
1-800/544-2206, ).
The expensive Alaska Railroad runs nearly five hundred miles from Seward
north through Anchorage to Fairbanks, with a spur to Whittier for
ferries to Valdez. One-way fares from Anchorage are: Denali, $125;
Fairbanks $175; and Seward $55.
Driving around Alaska in summer requires no special skills, though the
less traveled routes often have a gravel surface and caution is required.
Be aware, however, that wildlife, especially moose, can be a danger any
time. In spring and fall you should be prepared for snow, and it is wise
to carry a survival kit , particularly in winter, as traffic can be
sparse even on major routes. Conditions on the roads can change rapidly
- call 907/456-7623 for information, or 1-800/478-7656 for a pre-recorded
hotline.
Travel by plane is not always more expensive than other methods,
especially if you can map out your itinerary in advance with the state's
largest operator, Alaska Airlines, which flies to most major communities
and uses subcontractors such as ERA Aviation (tel 1-800/866-8394, ),
Reeve Aleutian (tel 1-800/544-2248), and PenAir (tel 1-800/448-4226, )
to get to smaller towns. If you are traveling from outside North America,
consider pre-purchasing an Alaska Airlines "Best of the West" airpass
that allows you to reserve up to ten one-way flights either within
Alaska ($99 each leg), or from outside the state (essentially Seattle or
LA to Anchorage; $149), or any combination of these. Chartering a plane
might sound extravagant but can be an inexpensive alternative for groups
of four or more, and may be the crowning glory of an Alaskan vacation.
To arrange this, contact any operator of small planes (every town has at
least one). ERA Aviation, Reeve Aleutian and PenAir are good places to
start, though they may refer you to another company.
The Alaska Pass
If you are planning to keep up a frenetic pace you may make savings by
buying an Alaska Pass , PO Box 351, Vashon, WA 98070 (tel 206/463-6550
or 1-800/248-7598, ), which allows unlimited surface transport on
participating ferries
If you are planning to keep up a frenetic pace you may make savings by
buying an Alaska Pass , PO Box 351, Vashon, WA 98070 (tel 206/463-6550 or 1-800/248-7598 , ), which allows
unlimited surface transport on participating ferries, trains and buses
throughout Alaska, British Columbia and Yukon Territory. There are two
types of Alaska Pass: one is valid for a number of consecutive days
of travel (15 days for $649; 22 days for $749); the other covers a
number of travel days over a longer period (8 days in 12 for $549; 12
days in 21 for $699).
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