Alaska: A World Away but Closer Than You Think

Alaska’s grand glaciers, vast wilderness, towering mountains, and incredible wildlife make it seem like a far-away once-in-a-lifetime adventure. But the truth is – it’s easier than ever to get to the Great Land. With new direct flights from the Lower 48 getting added year after year, you can reach Alaska from all over the country in less than a day, with many destinations requiring just a few hours of flying. 

Imagine waking up in your own bed in the morning and being transported a world away in half a day. By late afternoon you could be hiking in the mountains, marveling at a moose, hitting the slopes, checking in to a remote wilderness lodge, dining on fresh Alaska seafood caught that day, and so much more. Top that off with an expanded cruise season, new tours and accommodations, and ease of access once you arrive, and you’ll find an endless array of adventures waiting for you in this diverse, beautiful state.

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Direct Flights to Alaska

Several communities in Alaska are accessible by direct flights from the Lower 48. Alaska’s main transportation hub is Anchorage, and you can also fly direct to Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka. 

Please Note: Some direct flights are seasonal and only run on certain days of the week, and routes can change from year to year, so be sure to check current flight schedules for the most up-to-date offerings when planning your trip. 

Direct Flights to Anchorage

Anchorage is your best bet for the most flight options and connections to other parts of the state. The largest city in Alaska provides a great basecamp for adventure along with easy access by road and rail throughout the Southcentral and Interior regions. Direct flights to Anchorage are available from:

• Seattle, WA
• Portland, OR
• San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego, CA
• Phoenix, AZ
• Las Vegas, NV
• Honolulu (Oahu), Kailua-Kona (Big Island), and Kahului (Maui), HI
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Denver, CO
• Dallas and Houston, TX
• Minneapolis, MN
• Chicago, IL
• Detroit, MI
• Atlanta, GA
• Washington, D.C.
• New York, NY

Flying from Seattle and Portland will get you to Alaska in under 4 hours. Direct flights from Denver, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Pheonix, and L.A. reach Alaska in 5 to 6 hours. If you’re flying from the east coast, Alaska is accessible in under 8 hours from New York and under 7 hours from Washington, D.C. 

Anchorage is also accessible by direct flight from several international destinations including Vancouver, B.C., Canada; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Frankfurt, Germany. 

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Direct Flights to Fairbanks

Those looking to head straight to Alaska’s Interior region will find several direct flight options to Alaska’s Golden Heart City. Fairbanks is known for the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter and serves as a gateway to adventures in Denali National Park to the south and the Arctic region to the north. Direct flights to Fairbanks are available from: 

• Seattle, WA
• Portland, OR
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Denver, CO
• Minneapolis, MN
• Chicago, IL

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Direct Flights to the Inside Passage

Alaska’s Inside Passage region is also accessibly by direct flights from Seattle, offering an easy connection to other destinations in the Lower 48. The communities of Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan can all be reached in three hours or less from Seattle. From these communities you can experience the glaciers, marine and land animals, scenery, history, and incredible culture of this beautiful coastal region. 

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Once You’re in Alaska

While booking an independent adventure in Alaska may seem a little intimidating, once you’re here you’ll find that it’s easy to get around and enjoy some of the state’s top destinations and wilderness escapes. Renting a car or motorhome and embarking on an Alaska road trip is an ideal way to travel at your own pace and explore both on- and off-the-beaten-track destinations. However, if you’d rather let someone else do the navigating, consider booking an Alaska Railroad train trip, motorcoach package, or multi-day tour. These itineraries typically include accommodations, activities, meals, and local guides so you can fully immerse yourself in Alaska without thinking about logistics or planning. 

Thanks to the abundance of flightseeing tours, regional flights, and air and water taxis, it’s also easy to get off-the-grid to remote wilderness settings. Wilderness lodges and fishing resorts, rustic public use cabins, luxurious wellness retreats, specialty northern lights viewing accommodations, and more are accessible from many Alaska communities. Within a day you can be transported from the big city to a luxurious resort surrounded by wilderness as far as the eye can see – an ideal place to disconnect, unwind, connect with nature, and soak up the grandeur of Alaska. 

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Cruising to Alaska

Embarking on a multi-day cruise to Alaska is the most popular way to explore the state in summer, and it’s getting easier than ever thanks to new sailings and extended seasons. Peak cruise season in Alaska is May through September but many cruise ship companies are extending their seasons into April and October. Combine that with new itineraries, more sailings, and new ships, and you’ll find more options than ever before to cruise to Alaska. 

Cruise companies are offering more sailings for the most popular routes like 7-10 day voyages through the Inside Passage, along with adding longer 3-4 week itineraries to more off-the-beaten-track destinations like Kodiak, the Aleutian Islands, Nome, and Alaska’s Arctic coastline. You’ll find a cruise option for every traveler, from family-friendly cruises on large cruise ships to small vessel adventure cruises that focus on luxury and sustainability. 

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The experiences that await you in Alaska will transport you to a world away, but the 49th State is closer than you think. Whether you decide to fly or cruise, bask under the midnight sun or the northern lights, or embark on an independent or guided adventure, it’s easier than ever to plan your trip to Alaska – and keep coming back year after year. 

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