Global Escapes

Alaska

Glaciers calving into the sea, bears fishing for salmon and the tallest mountain in North America rising out of the tundra.

By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated

Best time to go
Late May to mid-September; aurora season late August to mid-April
Trip length
10 to 14 days
From Atlanta
Fly to Anchorage, usually with one connection
Time difference
4 hours behind Atlanta
Entry
No passport for land trips; bring one for cruises
Currency
U.S. dollar

Why Alaska is the big one

Everything here is bigger: the mountains, the wildlife, the summer days and the winter skies.

The classic way to see Alaska is a cruisetour: a week sailing the Inside Passage past Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay, then several days on land, riding the Alaska Railroad’s glass-domed cars between Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks.

Prefer to skip the ship? A land trip with a wilderness lodge, a fly-in bear viewing day and a Kenai Fjords cruise from Seward is just as unforgettable.

Getting around

  • Seward to AnchorageAbout 2.5 hours by car, 4 by train
  • Anchorage to TalkeetnaAbout 2.5 hours by car
  • Anchorage to DenaliAbout 4 hours by car, 8 by train
  • Denali to FairbanksAbout 2 hours by car
  • Inside Passage cruiseAbout 7 nights, Vancouver or Seattle to Seward or Whittier
AnchorageFairbanksDenaliTalkeetnaSewardGlacier BaySkagwayJuneauKetchikan
Alaska Railroad and land route Inside Passage cruise

When to go

The best months, the busy weeks and the quieter windows, so you can choose the trip that fits.

  1. JanAurora, dark and cold
  2. FebAurora, winter festivals
  3. MarAurora, the Iditarod
  4. AprQuiet thaw
  5. MayCruise season begins
  6. JunNearly 24-hour daylight
  7. JulSalmon runs, warmest days
  8. AugBears and berries
  9. SepFall color, aurora returns
  10. OctEarly snow
  11. NovLong nights
  12. DecHoliday lights, aurora

Peak season Shoulder season Low season

Average temperatures and rainfall

Approximate average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.

Spring

March is a sweet spot for northern lights, with longer days, cold clear nights and the Iditarod’s ceremonial start in Anchorage. April and early May are quiet as the snow melts.

Summer

Cruises and most lodges run from mid-May to mid-September. June brings nearly endless daylight, July the warmest weather and salmon runs, and August great bear viewing.

Fall

September is short and gorgeous, with golden birch and red tundra in Denali, fewer people and the first aurora nights in Fairbanks.

Winter

Fairbanks is one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights, with dog sledding, ice art and hot springs to fill the days. Expect very cold temperatures and short days.

Where to go

The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.

Inside Passage

Ketchikan’s totem poles, Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier and Skagway’s gold rush history, mostly seen from the deck of a ship.

Best for First-timers, multigenerational

Glacier Bay

Tidewater glaciers, whales and sea otters in a protected national park that limits ships each day.

Best for Glaciers, wildlife

Anchorage

Alaska’s biggest city and the gateway to everything, with great seafood and mountains at the edge of town.

Best for Starting point, easy stays

Kenai Fjords & Seward

Day cruises past glaciers, puffins, sea lions and orcas, and the end point for many Alaska cruises.

Best for Wildlife cruises

Talkeetna

A quirky small town with flightseeing to Denali, including glacier landings on clear days.

Best for Flightseeing, small-town charm

Denali National Park

Six million acres and North America’s tallest peak. Watch for grizzlies, moose, caribou and wolves.

Best for Wildlife, big landscapes

Fairbanks

The heart of the interior, with northern lights in winter, riverboat trips in summer and Chena Hot Springs nearby.

Best for Aurora, winter adventures

Wilderness lodges

Fly-in lodges for bear viewing, fishing and total quiet, far from any road.

Best for Once-in-a-lifetime splurges

From the travel blog

Fairbanks in winter

How to give yourself the best odds of seeing the northern lights, and what to do with your days in between.

Read the guide

Good to know

The small things that make a big difference once you arrive.

Cruise, land or both

A cruise is easy and great for families. A land trip goes deeper. A cruisetour combines both, and it’s what we recommend most for first-timers.

Book a year ahead

Denali lodges, glacier landings and bear viewing trips have limited space and book early, especially for July.

Rain gear is essential

Southeast Alaska is a rainforest. Pack a waterproof jacket, warm layers and shoes that can get wet, even in summer.

Leave a weather day

Flightseeing and glacier landings depend on clear skies. We build in a flexible day so one cloudy morning doesn’t cost you the highlight.

Chasing the aurora

Clear, dark skies away from city lights are what matter. In Fairbanks, aurora wake-up calls and heated viewing cabins make it easy.

Wildlife manners

Use binoculars and long lenses, and let guides set the distance. The best sightings happen when animals stay relaxed.

Questions we hear a lot

When is the best time to visit Alaska?

Mid-June to mid-August has the warmest weather and the most open. May and September are quieter and good value. For northern lights, plan between late August and mid-April.

Do we need a passport for an Alaska cruise?

We always recommend bringing one, and it’s required if your cruise starts or ends in Vancouver or you go ashore in Canada.

Can we see the northern lights in summer?

No. The sky never gets dark enough between May and early August. Aurora season runs from late August to mid-April.

Will we see Denali, the mountain?

It’s often hidden by its own weather and fully visible on only about a third of summer days. Two or more nights nearby, or a flightseeing trip, improves your odds.

Is Alaska good for a multigenerational trip?

It’s one of the best. A cruise gives everyone comfort and a home base, and land days add wildlife and adventure for every age.

Let’s plan your Alaska trip

Tell us when you’re thinking of going and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.

Start planning Call 706.549.1164