Advice for the first time that you travel to Alaska
Don’t make these mistakes in Alaska
Getting around Alaska
Conclusion
Advice for the first time that you travel to Alaska
If you are on your way to Alaska for the very first time, you should plan your trip very carefully. You will want to maximize what you get out of your trip with consideration to the amount of time that you have. There are a ton of great sights for you to see and things for you to experience such as the glaciers and northern lights.
In terms of specific planning, you should start figuring out the details of your trip to Alaska over a month before you head there. You need to figure out things like where exactly you are going to stay (Anchorage, Fairbanks etc.) what hotel you will stay in wherever you are going, if you will ship your car there or rent one, and make a list of the things that you will want to do and see.
Keep in mind that the sooner you book things such as a hotel stay or car shipment, the better chance you have of saving some money.
Don’t make these mistakes in Alaska
The following are common mistakes that people make when they visit Alaska that you should try and avoid making yourself:
- Not bringing a map with you – If you will be out on the road in Alaska, you should always have a hard copy map with you. A GPS or app on your phone might not work in more remote areas due to a lack of service.
- Getting too close to the animals – Some people venture far too close to animals such as bears and moose in order to get a better view and/or snap a photo. This is a bad idea because these are wild animals and the can inflict serious harm upon you if they feel threatened.
- Not having a car – As we have mentioned, public transportation in Alaska is fine but it is not always the most reliable. In terms of general commuting as well as sight-seeing, having your own car to get around is a much better option.
- Eating at the hotel – A lot of people make the mistake of only eating at the hotel when they visit Alaska. Not only is this considerably more expensive, you also miss out on the experience of dining locally.
- Not having the right clothes – As you likely already know, Alaska can get quite cold in certain areas, especially during the winter. Make sure you bring some warm clothes that you can wear in layers, even if you are going to Alaska outside of the winter months.
- Driving too slowly while sight-seeing – Try not to drive more than five miles under the speed limit when you are driving in Alaska. Many tourists make this mistake and then get honked at or yelled at by local residents.
- Not seeing the wilderness – There are some people who will travel to a city like Anchorage and then not even leave the city during their entire trip. This is a terrible mistake because you are forfeiting the opportunity to see the incredible Alaskan wilderness.
Getting around Alaska
Public transportation is decent in Alaska, but you should not solely rely on it when you visit. Ride-share apps like Uber are available in Alaska but on a more limited basis because the population is lower thus there are fewer drivers. So, that is an option but at times you might find it difficult to find a driver. It also depends on your location.
There is also the option of taking a ferry or cruise in Alaska to see the sights. However, due to availability and expense these are not really options for consisting commuting. You also have the option of traveling on the Alaska Railroad which is good for sightseeing and a long-stance trip but is not an option for getting around in Alaska for shorter distances.
You can always rent a car or ship a car to Alaska. Having your own car to get around Alaska is always the best option of any of these. For any longer trips or for a move we recommend that you ship your car to Alaska.
Conclusion
When you travel to Alaska for the first time, you should make sure that you plan your trip well ahead of time. When you do arrive, try not to make any commonly made mistakes such as not having a map or getting too close to the wildlife. You will likely need to mix and match methods of transportation but we do recommend that you have your own car in Alaska for the sake of convenience.
