Cruise Ship View of the Glaciers in Alaska

The Best Way To See Alaska

Alaska is Amazing, No Matter How You See It.

By Robert Schrader | Published on September 22, 2023

If you're wondering what's the best way to see Alaska, there is a lot to consider. You could come in summer and cruise through dramatic glaciers and fjords, or hop a flight with a local guide and find the best fly-fishing spots. Alternatively, you can visit in winter and chase the Northern Lights as they glow overhead. No matter which mode of transport or which time of year you pick, an Alaska getaway is life-changing.

Ovation Cruise Ship, Alaska — Ovation Cruise Ship with Glaciers on the Background

Alaska is spectacular from any perspective.

Cruise Through The Glaciers

Alaska, Whale Jumping — Whale Jumping out of Water

Cruises to Alaska are an amazing way to see scenery and wildlife.

If you're coming to Alaska in the summer, a cruise is appealing for a lot of reasons. For one, there's no better way to admire the state's sprawling glaciers than from miles away, before slowly drawing into the bay until the massive sheets of ice are so close you can see the meltwater carving channels through them. Stand out on the deck to feel the fresh Northern air on your face, or watch it all unfold from the comfort of your room — or, with a glass of champagne in one of the onboard restaurants.

Another advantage of seeing Alaska from the water in summer is that it's by far your best chance of seeing whales. These amazing animals are especially active in the Icy Strait near Juneau and in the waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. Try not to worry too much about this aspect of your trip — your ship's crew will know just where to go to find whales. You'll also be able to see dozens of other Alaskan species, including colonies of seabirds and groups of walruses and sea lions sunbathing on the rocks.

For many travelers, a cruise is the best way to visit Alaska because of how little planning it requires. While you obviously need to pack a light jacket (Alaska can be cool, even in the summer!) and a pair of hiking boots for optional onshore excursions, you'll spend the majority of your time in the luxurious onboard environment. You'll be able to enjoy the wild, fierce beauty of Alaska without having to trek across the Alaskan wilderness.

Alaskan cruises primarily focus on the state's long coastline, from the picturesque waterside near Ketchikan in the south to the dramatic inlets and sounds near destinations such as Seward and Anchorage further north. You may even have the option to spend one morning or afternoon kayaking. That's the best part about an Alaska cruise: It's the most customizable way to see America's 49th state.

Experience the best of Alaska from the comfort of a cruise ship.

Book Now

What shape will your Alaska trip take? Whether by train, plane or on water, there are so many ways to see Alaska.

Seeing Alaska from the air is thrilling any time of the year.

Fly (And Fly-Fish)

For an Alaskan vacation with land-based activities, the best means of travel is actually by air. Alaska has a relatively undeveloped highway network — many parts of the state don't have roads at all! Even when you can drive, taking a plane often shaves hours or even days off your transit time, making it a preferred option for both tourists and locals. If you plan to use a plane to get around Alaska, you'll need to contact a local travel agency several months before you plan to arrive.

Besides the practicality, there's nothing like the beauty of Alaska's mountains, lakes and forests from above. Being in a small Cessna or other propeller plane allows you to look down on some of Alaska's fiercer wildlife (like grizzly bears) while keeping a safe distance. Finally, traveling by plane can allow you to access places you'd never find on a map, particularly since the pilot of any smaller plane is likely a guide, too.

If you're traveling to Alaska for fly-fishing, exploring the state by plane is the way to go. Many of the best rivers for Alaskan salmon are inaccessible by car. Some are also known only by word of mouth — if you aren't traveling with a local guide, you simply aren't going to find them. This is also often true for hunting expeditions. In both cases, the guide you work with can help you obtain all the necessary licenses and permits.

Traveling by prop plane means packing more carefully than if you're seeing Alaska from cruise ships, which only sail in summer. Since flying is one of the main ways to explore Alaska in the winter, it's possible you'll need to pack thick down coats, gloves and heavy boots. You'll also need to plan your gear carefully for a summer fishing trip, or choose a company that can provide it for you after you arrive.

Boys fly fishing for salmon on Resurrection Creek in Hope, Alaska

If it's a fly-fishing adventure you're after, there are few better places in the world to go than Alaska.

No matter which mode of transport or which time of year you pick, a trip to Alaska is life-changing.

Purple and green Northern Lights in wave pattern over trees in alaska

Alaska is the best place in the United States to see the Northern Lights.

Can You Take An Alaska Road Trip?

Having your own set of wheels may seem tempting on an Alaska vacation, but it's not the best way to explore the whole state. As you plan your trip, you may notice that online maps don't even offer driving directions between some locations.

But if you want to explore on land before or after a cruise, there are a few places you can drive to. If you fly into Anchorage, you could drive south to Seward to take a Kenai Fjords cruise or kayaking adventure. Likewise, it's just four hours (a short distance, by Alaskan standards) up interstate highway A4 to Denali National Park. If you come in winter, make sure to continue north to Fairbanks — the city outskirts are the best place in America to see the Northern Lights. Another worthwhile stop along the A4, no matter which time of year you come, is the charming small town of Talkeetna, a former mining town whose population just broke 1,000 people.

If you do rent a car to get around Alaska, you'll likely need to combine it with other modes of transport. For example, the drive between Juneau and Anchorage takes nearly a day, even under the best circumstances. It's often better to fly and then pick up a car at Anchorage Airport. On the other hand, if time is not an issue and your trip is about the journey as much as the destination, you can take the so-called Alaska Marine Highway, a network of car ferries that allows you to slowly make your way along the coast from Juneau to Anchorage.

Another underrated way to explore Alaska is by train. From Juneau, you can ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway to Skagway, a historical town that'll make you feel like you've traveled back to Gold Rush times. Since this train only departs during the summer, you'll bask in plentiful sunshine as you hang out the window and see gorgeous purple lupines and other wildflowers as you speed by.

If you want to travel by train from Anchorage to Fairbanks via Denali Park, you have two options: the summer Denali Star train or the Aurora Winter train, which is another fabulous way to see Alaska's Northern Lights. One smart way to fit this adventure into a shorter trip is to take the train from Anchorage to Fairbanks, then fly back to Anchorage (or directly home) when you've finished making your way up north.

Mountains Train Car Rail Yukon Route Scenery Nature, Skagway Alaska

Trains are an underrated, exciting way to see Alaska.

Explore Alaska Your Way

Couple on a Hiking Trail, Juneau, Alaska

Take some time to reflect on all the options for seeing Alaska before you book your trip.

So, what's the best way to see Alaska? Some travelers will prefer the relaxed lifestyle onboard Alaska cruises, which give you the option to check out helicopter tours or plan a mini roadtrip through this wild state. There's also the question of when to visit: Do you come in summer to bask in the Midnight Sun or in winter to marvel at the Northern Lights flashing above you? Thankfully, there are no wrong answers to these questions — Alaska is amazing, no matter the circumstances!

Written By
ROBERT SCHRADER

Robert Schrader is a writer, photographer and one of the web's original travel bloggers. In 2009 he launched his blog  Leave Your Daily Hell, which has taken him to nearly 100 countries, and has since spun off niche sites focused on Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and Italy. Robert seeks to inform, inspire, entertain and empower travelers through his work, which has been featured in in-flight magazines and digital media outlets around the world. He's excited about travel's post-pandemic rebirth, and in particular the cruise industry's comeback!

Get Royal Deals, Sign Up Today

First Name

Missing First Name

Last Name

Missing Last Name

Email Address

mail_outline

Missing Email Address Invalid Email Address

There was an error processing your request. Please try again.

Thank you for signing up!

Sign up to receive information about our special offers and deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more details about how we use your information, view our Privacy Policy.