Loading... Available
Planning a trip to Alaska? Here’s all you need to know now, including tips and an FAQ compiled by the trusted wilderness travel advisors at AdventureSmith. Traveling to Alaska is easy with our experts on your side.
Don’t be overwhelmed when planning a trip to Alaska. Let our experts with years of experience help. Alaska is BIG, and offers endless vacation options—so what better place to get insider tips and information than from a company founded by a former Alaska guide? We have lived in, worked in and explored the region in depth, working as guides, operations managers and naturalists.
Our Alaska vacation guide will assist you in your research, selection, booking and preparation for traveling to Alaska. Start with the Alaska travel advice here to learn everything from how to go to the top wildlife to see. Then get in touch with our team to talk one-on-one. We’ve got you covered from the very first stages of planning to what to expect while you are there.
ON THIS PAGE – Planning a Trip to Alaska:
When to Visit
How to Travel: By Cruise or Land
Planning Around Your Interests
Alaska Travel Advice FAQ
View All Alaska Travel Guides
AT YOUR SERVICE
One-on-one travel conversations
lead to extraordinary trips.
When to Plan a Trip to Alaska
There’s no wrong time to visit Alaska, but its huge size and diverse regions come with seasonal nuances that may be of interest to you. To learn about Alaska’s short summer travel season (April through September) consult our Best Time to Visit Alaska guide. This month-by-month Alaska travel guide has tips on weather, wildlife, daylight and the benefits of each month. Be sure to also read our Alaska climate page for longest daylight hours, warmest temperatures, the driest month and more.
How to Travel to Alaska: By Land, By Sea, or Both!
How do you want to see and experience Alaska? A land tour to Alaska’s interior, an authentic Alaskan Inside Passage cruise, or a combination of both?Our Alaska small ship cruises and Alaska land tours have been hand selected to cater to a wide spectrum of interests, time and budget. So whether you choose to cruise or explore Alaska’s backcountry from our collection of wilderness lodges, you will experience Alaska in a way that’s intimate, active and in touch with nature.
When planning a trip to Alaska and deciding how to travel while there, it’s important to understand the greater regions of the state and the types of travel that best suit each one. For example, if you want to plan to a trip to Denali, you’ll need to access it by car, bus and/or train. But if you want to visit somewhere like Glacier Bay, a cruise is required. Our experts can turn hours of your internet searching into a simple, fun conversation about your interests. Let us help you answer your individual questions around how to plan your trip to Alaska.
Planning a Trip to Alaska for Your Needs & Interests
Looking for a private charter adventure? Or a top Alaska trip specifically for kids and families? AdventureSmith offers Alaska experiences that will fit any need or interest. Start by using the filter options to narrow down our resources for topics like wildlife, family travel, chartering and more, to drill down to what interests you.
We have also designated itineraries and accommodations into popular categories to make it even easier to plan a trip to Alaska that best fits your interests. Consult our curated Alaska travel guides that include the best of the best for popular categories:
- Glacier Bay Cruises & Tours
- Alaska Inside Passage Cruises
- What’s New for Alaska Small Ship Cruises
- Alaska Yacht Charters
- Luxury Alaska Cruises
- Alaska Family Cruises
- Alaska Cruise Deals
- Alaska Cruise Guide
- Small Alaskan Cruise Lines
- Alaska Whale Watching Cruises
- 5 Small Ship Cruises For Iconic Alaska Wildlife
- Visiting Denali National Park
- Alaska National Park Tours
Alaska Travel Advice FAQ
Our experts regularly field questions around the latest Alaska travel advice, and about any current Alaska travel restrictions. We’ve compiled our top questions and answers here. Look for your question in these Alaska trip planning FAQs, or contact us direct with your question.
Is it better to travel by land or sea in Alaska?
It all depends on where you want to go. We are partial to the wilderness and wildlife that an Alaska small ship cruise provides easy access to. But you can always have the best of both worlds and combine your cruise with an Alaska wilderness lodge tour.
How small are AdventureSmith’s ships & lodges?
The ships we work with in Alaska average 45 guests, with some as small as 4 cabins; the lodges average 30 guests, with some as small as 5 rooms. View all our Alaska small ships and Alaska wilderness lodges.
Why is smaller better when traveling to Alaska?
Learn all about Alaska Big Ship vs Small Ship in our dedicated post on the ship size topic. In Alaska, your experience will be greatly affected since the focus of this magical destination is wilderness and wildlife. Bigger ships cannot unload passengers except in larger ports, so you’ll just have to enjoy the views from the deck versus actively exploring off ship with us.
And some ports restrict access for large cruise ships. For example, the recent January 2023 case of the City and Borough of Juneau placing a limit on large cruise ships berthed in downtown Juneau; learn more in theJuneau Empire.
Is it safe to travel to Alaska right now?
Yes. Alaska is a very safe state to visit. For those concern with safety in Alaska, be sure to read up safety protocols around interacting with wildlife, driving on icy roads and just general common sense safety when visiting cities such as Anchorage.
Are there any Alaska travel restrictions or an advisory?
No, there are no current Alaska travel restrictions or travel advisories for the state of Alaska.
Do you need a passport to go to Alaska?
If a U.S. citizen, no. You will need a passport if your a citizen of another country. Visas are not required for travelers with citizenship in the U.S. If traveling by car or certain cruise lines, note you may need a valid passport to cross the Canadian border.
Does Alaska require a COVID test or vaccination?
No, the current State of Alaska COVID policy does not require travelers to test to enter Alaska, nor to be vaccinated. Despite this, we recommend that travelers still get a COVID test prior to travel, to ensure their trip starts off right.
Are there any Alaska cruise vaccination requirements?
Alaska cruise vaccination requirements are dictated by each operator and subject to change, but it’s rare for an operator to require vaccination today. Find current policies for our operators on the trip page you are interested in. View all Alaska trips.
Is Alaska COVID-related travel insurance available?
Yes. Manytravel insurancepolicies can cover trip interruption or cancellation if you or a traveling companion test positive for COVID-19. A policy can also cover unforeseen events such as injury, flight delays and baggage loss.
What if a fellow traveler or I get sick while traveling to Alaska?
Every case is unique. Operators have their own procedures for patient isolation and care, so inquire with us direct about your individual trip’s protocol. It’s always ideal to be covered through travel insurance in case of unforeseen sickness.
Want More Advice on How to Travel in Alaska?
If you don’t find what you are looking for in our Alaska vacation guide then please let us know! You can use the comment fields at the bottom of each article to leave your feedback or simply contact us with all your questions. We are Alaska experts—and what we do is help you compare products, give honest unbiased reviews and make suggestions tailored for you. Our customer service, combined with our outstanding Alaska travel advice, are the keys to how to travel to Alaska and make it the trip of your dreams. Interested in reading firsthand accounts from our trips? View ourAlaska trip reviews written by our crew of professionals and Alaska travelers just like you.
No Results...
You’ve arrived at a crossroads. Press “Clear Filters” and try again to find results, or simply connect with a travel specialist now for a personalized recommendation:
Testimonials
What It's Like Traveling to Alaska with AdventureSmith
Colleen T. - The Woodlands, TX
"We Loved Our Trip"
We loved our trip aboard the Admiralty Dream. From the shore excursions to the wildlife sightings, the expeditions leaders, crew, officers, food, and even our fellow travelers (only 42 on this trip!), everything came together to provide a memorable experience.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
George N. - Henderson, NV
"PRICELESS!!!"
Having the ability to adjust course and curtail forward progress due to wildlife sightings were... what is the saying ... PRICELESS !!! Anchoring 1/4 mile off glaciers was without a doubt a prime reason to take this cruise versus a large vessel cruise. There is no way I would have taken a trip to Alaska on a large vessel. Our Adventure Specialist, Leslie, did an excellent job of preparing us for the cruise, her understanding of our needs and expected experiences was very much appreciated.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Barbara P. - Silver Spring, MD
"From Start to Finish, This Was an Amazing Trip"
Clear, smooth instructions, info, and transfers, which all were very helpful to us (since we usually book our own travel, it was new using an agency, and really nice!). Every single day in both Denali and on the cruise was simply full of wonder. Had amazing views of Denali, and tons of wildlife both on land and from cruise.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Karen H. - Campbellford, Canada
"Exactly What We Hoped For, & More"
I'm really glad that Nick recommended the Catalyst. It was exactly what we hoped for - and more. On a small ship like Catalyst, the experience was very much like being welcomed into the home of our hosts.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Polly M. - Sacramento, CA
"Every Detail Was Well Organized & Carefully Planned"
Every detail was well-organized and carefully planned, so the complexities of traveling by small bus to boat, back to van, transfer to Kantishna bus, transfer to railroads all worked seamlessly and flawlessly. The guides--all of them, but especially our trip guide and driver--were very knowledgeable, interesting, and fun!
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Daniel T. - Santa Rosa, CA
"Excellent Blend Of Activities In Beautiful, Remote Scenery"
Excellent blend of activities in beautiful, remote scenery. Good pace. Great trip overall.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Colleen T. - The Woodlands, TX
"We Loved Our Trip"
We loved our trip aboard the Admiralty Dream. From the shore excursions to the wildlife sightings, the expeditions leaders, crew, officers, food, and even our fellow travelers (only 42 on this trip!), everything came together to provide a memorable experience. We enjoyed all the experiences, but for us the highlights involved wildlife sightings, including humpback whales, wolves, seals, sea lions, brown and black bears, puffins, and bald eagles. Petersburg offered an especially enjoyable off-ship experience, as did Taku Bay, and I enjoyed learning about the Tlingit people and way of life, too. The Orca Bay Lodge feast, after days on board, was a wonderful treat as well.I wouldn't have wanted to have missed any of the places or experiences.
Accommodations Review
The Admiralty Dream offered a comfortable lounge, a separate dining area, and plenty of deck viewing to watch wildlife. Our room was quite small, but well designed with under-bed storage, a deep closet, sink, and a shower/toilet combo. We didn't spend much time there, however, and we appreciated how quiet the room was at night.
Meals Review
Wonderful selection of delicious foods for breakfast and supper, including many fresh Alaskan seafood options. Lunch was a little more limited but always very good. Ample seafood choices, and so many irresistible desserts that I'm amazed I didn't gain ten pounds during my week aboard.There was also a fresh-baked cookie time at 3:00 p.m., a social hour with hors d'oeuvres and available drinks before dinner, and snacks available at all time--though I don't know how anyone would ever have the chance to get hungry!
Crew & Guides Review
Heather was so personable and enthusiastic, interesting to talk to and so knowledgeable and passionate, especially about the humpback whales. Sarah, an expert on ethnobotany, clued us in on native plants and their many uses and told us so much about her travels documenting the lives of native Alaskans. I really enjoyed speaking to her. Joe shared stories from his Tlingit culture and many interesting details about growing up in Alaska. We were delighted with all three.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
We appreciated Aaron's help and love the kinds of trips AdventureSmith offers.
Traveler Advice
Pack for comfort, focusing on layers. Weather can change quickly. A camera with a good zoom lens will come in handy for wildlife photography.
George N. - Henderson, NV
"PRICELESS!!!"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
This cruise and the crew as well as the vessel were as excellent as you had informed us.In addition, the weather even cooperated for a fabulous experience. The captain was able to redirect course several times to take advantage of wildlife sightings both on land as well as in the water. Food, service and accommodations were superior. My wife thoroughly enjoyed the kayaking while I loved the bushwacks (hikes without trails).Again, the food and service were exquisite!Having the ability to adjust course and curtail forward progress due to wildlife sightings were... what is the saying... PRICELESS!!! Anchoring 1/4 mile off glaciers was without a doubt a prime reason to take this cruise versus a large vessel cruise. There is no way I would have taken a trip to Alaska on a large vessel.
Accommodations Review
The room had adequate space and except our having it made up into a queen, the bed was the only detriment. Other passengers had their room made up as twin beds and said they had more space.
Meals Review
Having the entire 60 complement of travelers eat at the same time was fabulous! We were able to eat with and get to know most of the travelers due to open seating. We loved everything about the food, service (Kyle and Sharron were wonderful and welcoming each meal), and dining room.They should not serve one of the best dinners of the trip the first night, the salmon that night was superb!!! This is not to say the other meals were subpar, it is simply to say I LOVED the salmon served that night.
Crew & Guides Review
Kim, Dawn, and Emily were extremely knowledgeable, happy to be doing what they do, and sharing information about the flora and fauna.The National Park ranger, Russ, who accompanied us was great in these areas as well, the Park ranger who was the liaison for the local tribes was wonderful too.
Transportation Review
Everything went smoothly, I chose to not take advantage of the travel insurance though she suggested it.We traveled the day prior and the day following to reduce the problems of delays causing challenges for the cruise and/or getting home.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Leslie did an excellent job of preparing us for the cruise, her understanding of our needs and expected experiences was very much appreciated.Having to not purchase items which we would not likely use again (rubber boots) was most appreciated.
Traveler Advice
The weather is highly unpredictable, ours was unseasonably sunny but we would have enjoyed it (mostly) had it been rainy as expected. Our rain gear was inexpensive as it only needed to last the week, it was definitely needed though.
We recommend having the beds made up as twins vise queen, as it provides greater utilization of space and keeps one of you from having to crawl over the other to get out of bed.
Barbara P. - Silver Spring, MD
"From Start to Finish, This Was an Amazing Trip"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
From start to finish, this was an amazing trip. Clear, smooth instructions, info, and transfers, which all were very helpful to us (since we usually book our own travel, it was new using an agency, and really nice!). Every single day in both Denali and on the cruise was simply full of wonder.Ending with the day at the glacier was outstanding.Had amazing views of Denali, and tons of wildlife both on land and from cruise.
Accommodations Review
Very happy with all. Special shoutout to cruise hotel manager, who immediately moved us to a different cabin when our shower wasn't working (glad they had space) -- a slightly larger cabin at no extra charge to us.Handled promptly and professionally. Also, in the "over the top" department, when we arrived the steward pointed out the distilled water for my husband's cpap. He actually doesn't use the water part, but the fact they thought of it/knew about it and provided it was quite the touch.
Meals Review
Food was awesome everywhere, stellar at Kantishna, but even more stars on the cruise. OMG. Really loved always having a meat option since I'm not a fish eater. Loved the open bar on the cruise.
Crew & Guides Review
The bus driver to Kantishna was superb (Krysten).Knew SO much and was so enlightening and entertaining. Guides at lodge all great. Guides on the cruise to a person who fantastic; so knowledgable and so much fun.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
A million questions always answered, thank you! You suggested a land trip which was so fantastic, really glad we splurged for that.I wore the BUFF that AdventureSmith sent every day, have never had one, what a perfect thing.
Traveler Advice
Cruise did (as you mentioned) have tons of rain boots that fit (granted, there were only 49 passengers on our trip). They also had plenty of trekking/hiking poles, so we could have left those at home.
Definitely take warm clothes, there was one day I wore almost everything. Another day I kayaked in a tshirt, so go figure. There was one guy on the cruise who "didn't know I needed a raincoat." Jeepers. Also: splurge and take the cruise, yes very expensive, but truly the trip of a lifetime - you see so much in Alaska that you won't see other places.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
Karen H. - Campbellford, Canada
"Exactly What We Hoped For, & More"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
On a small ship like Catalyst, the experience was very much like being welcomed into the home of our hosts - Paul, Sarah, Shane, and Michael. We had the good fortune to be able to dine with them at meals and join them in the pilot house or the kitchen. Captain Paul had an eagle eye for wildlife, and we changed course and often stopped the boat so that we could watch whales, dolphins, bears, moose, and a wolf.
We wanted to go on an Alaska cruise, and after doing someresearch, we knew that the big cruise ship experience wasn't for us. We areactive people, and we participate in outdoor activities, so we were looking forsomething that would allow us to paddle and hike. We knew that we would visitsome of the towns in Alaska, so we weren't really interested in cruises thattook a day or two visiting ports along the route. Adventure Smith's collectionof small ship cruised helped to put all of the options in one place, and afterspeaking with Nick, his suggestion of the Catalyst proved to be right on themark.
Accommodations Review
Cabin was small, but we knew this when we booked, and it worked well. Overall quality of the vessel was exceptional. We had enough space that we could choose to engage with others, or just sit quietly.
Meals Review
The food on Catalyst was exceptional. Fresh produce from a local farm, an herb garden in containers on the top deck of the boat, and berries picked on our hikes as a garnish for meals and deserts were just some of the features. Chef Michael was a real treat! Meals were healthy, imaginative, well portioned, and very tasty. The only thing I would have liked, as an early riser, is some type of self-serve breakfast (granola or a muffin) that I could eat when I got up, rather than having to wait for breakfast. Juice would also have been a welcome addition to breakfast.
Crew & Guides Review
We were glad to put ourselves in their hands and enjoy the experience. The crew had a really good sense of where we should go each day - keeping in mind tides, currents, and weather. Sarah, our naturalist, was knowledgeable, personable, and really keen for all of us to have an excellent experience.Captain Paul was also knowledgeable, personable, and eager to share his experiences with us, as well as answer any questions we had. Shane, the engineer, knew every inch of his boat. He was also a delight to have on shore or kayak expeditions.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Good selection of cruises, good advice, and the carbon-free cruising program. I got questions answered promptly and thoroughly.
I'm really glad that Nick recommended the Catalyst. It was exactly what we hoped for - and more. I don't think that I would have found this option without Nick's input. We also value AdventureSmith's carbon-free cruising program.
Traveler Advice
Come prepared to enjoy whatever you see and experience, and make sure you have lots of layers of clothing so that you can enjoy sitting outdoors during the cruise.
The only thing I wish I had known about before I booked was the tipping requirement. I know it's not supposed to be a "requirement", but it seems to be expected. Because we were at the top of our price range when we booked, the need to tip put us over budget. We aren't experienced cruisers (this was the first time we had ever been on a cruise) so it wasn't something we knew about.
Polly M. - Sacramento, CA
"Every Detail Was Well Organized & Carefully Planned"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Every detail was well-organized and carefully planned, so the complexities of traveling by small bus to boat, back to van, transfer to Kantishna bus, transfer to railroads all worked seamlessly and flawlessly. The guides--all of them, but especially our trip guide and driver--were very knowledgeable, interesting, and fun! We expected the lodges to be in lovely locations, which they were, and the food was extraordinary.
Accommodations Review
Beautiful lodges, well-equipped for the outdoor adventures, which included canoes and kayaks in Kenai or mountain bikes in Kantishna. It was really nice that the Kenai Lodge had giant boots and very water-proof pants for all. Our primary interest was to see the wildlife and natural beauty of the Kenai Peninsula and Denali National Park, and we saw everything we had hoped for, and more. The Kenai Glacier Wilderness Lodge delighted us with its isolated lagoon and Pedersen Glacier, otters, seals, black bear and eagles. The road through Denali to Kantishna provided us with many sightings of caribou, moose, 5 grizzlies, a red fox with a squirrel in its mouth, and the lodge was charming. We did not spend much time in Seward or Talkeetna, but the accommodations in both were great.
Meals Review
Lovely little appetizers were a nice treat before dinner. All meals were outstanding!
Crew & Guides Review
Leigh L. and driver Jeff were fantastic! Well-prepared, interesting, fun, patient, knowledgeable, warm: they made the trip even more memorable and special! We all hated to say goodbye to them at the end of the trip! The guides in Kenai (Taylor, Riley, Randy, Rainy, Dina, Mia,) were all enthusiastic, interesting, well-prepared, and willing to quickly look up anything on the slight chance that we asked an unusual question.
Emmet, in Kantishna, spoke of his father's winning Iditarod teams, and showed us how the dogs train in the summer time. His presentation was really interesting and fun. Everyone was very engaging and clearly loves being there!
Traveler Advice
We were not able to spend more than 10 days, but if you can stay longer in Denali it would help to break up the long travel days! Be prepared for any kind of weather since it can change quickly.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
Daniel T. - Santa Rosa, CA
"Excellent Blend Of Activities In Beautiful, Remote Scenery"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Excellent blend of activities in beautiful, remote scenery. Good pace. Great trip overall. Would like more adventurous and intense options such as ice climbing (in addition to just hiking around). Alaska was the most adventurous place to go within the US, where we decided to self-constrain due to COVID travel uncertainty. Had been planning on New Zealand but that trip kept getting scuttled.
Accommodations Review
All met or exceeded expectations.
Meals Review
Delicious, but there was a bit of social pressure to not eat too much because there was limited food. Wait staff also rushed through plate clearing rather than letting us enjoy socializing at the table at dinner.
Crew & Guides Review
Lantz Hartley was our tour leader and he was cream of the crop. Vastly exceeded expectations.
Itinerary Review
Kayaking to the glacier at Glacier lodge was excellent. Hiking on Exit Glacier was great - though would have much preferred adding some more intense climbing that we saw other groups doing. Scenery all around the lodge was wonderful. Rusts' plane ride to Chinitna Bear Viewing was terrific. More for the plane ride than the bears. [I least enjoyed] dog mushing. Helicopter ride was awesome, but just 7 min. Dog mushing itself was pretty lame. Lovely people and nice to pet some dogs, but the mushing itself was the equivalent of a pony ride at a county fair. Description implied we'd be able to drive not just ride and that the sledding would be adventurous.
Book with the confidence that comes from experience.
100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.
Trips, Tours & Cruises
Planning a Trip to Alaska with AdventureSmith
If our Alaska travel guide has inspired you to travel, start planning your trip to Alaska now with our expertise. These Alaska cruises and tours are consistently rated as top trips by our travelers. Browse our trips then contact our Alaska specialists to be the ultimate guide to selecting and booking your vacation. Our award-winning crew is known for personalized service, unbiased knowledge and firsthand experience on our huge selection. Go to Alaska the small, sustainable way with us!
