Getting to Anchorage

Alaska’s far away location means that for most people, flying is the only viable route into the city. However, for people taking a long holiday, it can be a wonderful road trip, especially in the autumn, with road connections with the US mainland and Canada providing access.

By car

It is possible to drive to Anchorage at anytime of the year and this is a popular route into the city if you have plenty of time. The Alaska Highway links Alaska with Canada and the rest of the United States’ mainland, and is an excellent road. Anchorage is 2,435 miles from Seattle; 3,712 miles from Los Angeles; and 4,649 miles from New York. The autumn is a great time to enjoy the scenery along the Alaska Highway and in winter, there is less traffic and amazing snow-covered landscapes.

By rail

Anchorage is accessible by rail and there are some spectacular train journeys here, through the Alaskan countryside. The major rail routes to and from Anchorage are the Coastal Classic from Girdwood and Seward; the Denali Star from Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks; the Glacier Discovery to Whittier, Portage, Spencer Glacier and Grandview; and the Hurricane Turn to Talkeetna, Sherman, Canyon and Hurricane. Timetables vary according to the season.

There are also a number of special event trains such as the Alaska Railroad Blues train, the Great Alaska Beer train and The Fair train, which provide access to the city’s annual events, along with special Christmas and Easter train rides.

By bus

There are a number of bus companies providing services between Anchorage, Fairbanks, Homer, Seward and other Alaskan destinations. Most of the bus companies will drop off or pick up along the highway at hotels, bus stations, petrol stations and so on; check with the bus company when you make your reservation. The major companies serving Anchorage are Alaska Direct Bus Lines, Homer Stage Line, Park Highway Express and Seward Bus Lines.

By air

Most visitors to Anchorage arrive by air at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which is situated four miles southwest of downtown Anchorage. As the airport is so close to the city, transportation is straightforward. The Anchorage People Mover Bus travels every 30 minutes from downtown Anchorage to the airport, while there are also dozens of taxis available to take you the short distance into town.

The airport has two terminals; the South Terminal is for domestic flights and the North Terminal is for international flights. There is a free airport shuttle bus service between the two terminals as well as to the airport’s rental car parks, leaving every 15 minutes.

The major international airlines operating here are China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Airlines, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines. There are a number of airlines offering domestic flights including Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Delta.

Flying time from Anchorage is about 7 hours to Tokyo; 8 hours to Zurich; and domestically, 3 hours to Seattle; 5 hours, 30 minutes to Chicago; and less than 8 hours to New York. There are around 230 flights a day taking off and landing here.

By ferry

There are a number of cruise liners that dock at Anchorage as well as in nearby Seward and Whittier. The Alaska Marine Highway, the state of Alaska’s ferry system, runs throughout the year to Whittier, Seward and Homer.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

Anchorage’s International Airport is named after long-standing US senator Ted Stevens and is a significant transport hub, serving around four million passengers in the summer months alone. There are two terminals - North Terminal and South Terminal - with domestic flights departing from the latter and international flights from the former.

The airport has good facilities, with a range of food and beverage outlets including Burger King, Starbucks and a number of other cafés and restaurants. There is the usual range of airport shopping including various souvenir and book shops as well as a massage parlour, hairdressers and a children’s nursery. Free wireless internet access is also available throughout the airport. The usual car rental firms are also represented here.

There is no smoking allowed anywhere inside the terminal buildings, but there are designated smoking areas located outside both the North and South terminals.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport transportation

Since the airport is located just four miles outside the city, transportation to and from the airport is easy and hassle-free. Taxis are available at both terminals. At the South Terminal, the taxi rank is located at the ground transportation island, reached either via the underground transportation lobby or along the pavement outside the Baggage Claim area. At the north terminal, the taxi rank is situated just outside the main lobby.

There are free shuttle buses between the terminals and car parks, and from downtown Anchorage the People Mover operates regular services to and from the airport between 06:00 and 23:00. Many of the city’s hotels and motels provide free airport pick ups, which can be arranged through the information telephones in the Baggage Claim areas.

If you rent a car, then there are the usual car rental firms at the airport, and it is a short and easy drive into the city.