How Much Does It Cost to Visit Alaska?

An Alaska vacation is within the reach of all travelers, regardless of budget. The cost of traveling in Alaska varies considerably, depending on the time of year, the mode of transportation, the type of accommodations, and which activities you choose.

The least expensive time to visit Alaska is during the winter.  We recommend the months of December – March. This is a great value season where you can go skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing through Alaska’s pristine wilderness. It is also the best time to view the Northern Lights (also known as the Aurora Borealis). If you stay in a moderate hotel and take a few local tours, you can estimate about $150 per person per day, based on double occupancy. However, if you take a scenic flight or stay at an all-inclusive remote lodge, for instance, you would need to increase your budget to about $500 - $700 per person per day.

Summertime (June – August) is the  most popular and most expensive time to visit. A 7-night cruise will cost anywhere from $500 per person to $5000+ per person, depending on the type of cruise ship, travel date, and the type of stateroom.

Land tours with 3-star hotels, train travel, and popular day tours generally cost around $300 per person per day, based on double occupancy. If you prefer to have nicer accommodations and travel aboard the glass domed train, it would be about $350 per person per day.

Self-drive tours with a rental car, moderate hotels, and a few excursions are usually a bit less expensive at around $225 per person per day. With nicer hotels and roadside lodges, it is approximately $275-$350 per day.

Alaskan lodges provide an exclusive experience in Alaska’s remote backcountry. The lodges each have a different focus, such as bear viewing, fishing, or just getting away from it all. Most lodges are located off of the main road system and are accessible only by plane or boat. The majority of these lodges will provide a more personalized, all-inclusive experience where all meals and some guided activities are included with your stay.  Although prices vary depending on the location and level of service provided, you can expect to spend about $500-$1500 per person per day for the unique wilderness experience offered only by an Alaskan wilderness lodge.

For those on a tight budget in the summer, camping is a great option. Bring a tent or rent one in Anchorage, rent a car, and explore Alaska on your own. We recommend taking a few tours, like a glacier cruise or rafting trip, to get the full Alaskan experience. Public use cabins are another inexpensive way to stay in Alaska, but reservations fill up early, so you’ll need to plan well in advance to stay in the most popular cabins. RV camping is another fun way to see Alaska, but renting a motorhome usually ends up costing about the same as staying at a hotel.

Traveling during the “shoulder season” in late May or early September, the price of an Alaska tour is about 10% less than the peak summer prices.

Please keep in mind that these are rough estimates and do not include your flights to Alaska or meals. If you are a solo traveler, costs would be higher than the double occupancy estimates above. If there are three or four people sharing the cost of the rooms, then your prices would be lower. Children ages 11 and younger are also usually less expensive than the adult rates.

Please contact us at mytrip@alaskatours.com to get a price quote on your Alaska vacation!