Can you get to Alaska without going through Canada from the United States?
Alaska is most certainly American, but it's more than 2,000 miles away from the nearest state, Washington. Getting there with a vehicle requires either driving through Canada or taking a ferry.
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One of the most popular routes to get to Alaska from the mainland United States is along the Alaska-Canada Highway, also referred to as the Alaska Highway or the Alcan Highway, which starts in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and ends in Delta Junction, Alaska.
U.S. citizens flying between another state and Alaska do not need a passport. However, those driving through Canada or traveling on a ferry or cruise ship with stops in Canada are required to carry one. All non U.S. citizens will need a passport and possibly other documents to enter.
By Car or “Road”You can't drive to all the way to Juneau without taking the ferry, but you can get much of the way along the 1,500-mile Alaska-Canadian Highway (ALCAN). Legendary for its beauty, the ALCAN connects Alaska, Canada, and the Lower 48.
a valid passport. a Trusted Traveler Program card. an enhanced driver's licence (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC) from a province or territory where a U.S. approved EDL/EIC program has been implemented.
There are several ways to get to Alaska, including flying, taking the ferry, or driving. Of these, by far the quickest and most popular is flying into Anchorage.
Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. Children under 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship.
Only 20 percent of Alaska is accessible by road. Despite a land mass of 586,412 square miles, Alaska only has 12 numbered highways. This means most of Alaska is wilderness – untamed, untouched wilderness, rare to find anywhere else in the US. When planning your Alaska vacation, distances can be deceptively large.
Flying to AlaskaAlaska, of course, is not an international destination for a U.S. citizen flying there from the “Lower 48;” however, those portions of the flight that overfly or land in Canada must comply with Canadian regulations.
Under Alaska State Statutes:You are not required to obtain an Alaska driver's license or learners' permit if you have a driver's license from another U.S. state, country or an international driver's license, since you are deemed to be here on a temporary or non-permanent basis.
The Alaska Ferry (officially called the Alaska Marine Highway System) departs from Bellingham, Washington to access America's remote north through the awe-inspiring Inside Passage.
The train climbs steeply up to White Pass, the boundary between the United States and Canada, at 2,888 feet in elevation. The two hour train tour is one of the top excursions in Skagway and is a popular option for cruise ship passengers in port for the day. Alaska is not accessible from the contiguous U.S. by train.
High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly from the United States is January. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Alaska flight deals.
U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Travelers should be sure to enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
Passengers can disembark the cruise ship at the port area located south of downtown. The center of Juneau is nearby and visitors can easily walk around the local shops and markets. Due to recently agreed cruise ship limits, no more than five ships are set to visit Juneau daily.
WE'RE HIRING - JOIN OUR TEAM!When you call 988 from a phone with a 907-area code, you will be connected to a trained Alaska crisis counselor who can help. You can also still call Careline directly anytime, toll-free, at 1-877-266-4357 (HELP).