Do you have to drive through Canada to get to Alaska from California?

Getting there with a vehicle requires either driving through Canada or taking a ferry. Both options boast unrivaled scenery and an adventurous experience, but require a little planning. Here are our recommendations for getting yourself and your vehicle to the Great Land, including road and water options.



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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.

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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.

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You can't get to Alaska by train, but you can get close. From the west coast of the U.S., you can take Amtrak's Cascades train (tel. 800/USA-RAIL [872-7245]; www.amtrak.com) to Bellingham, Washington; the dock for the Alaska ferry is quite close to the railroad station.

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The best driving conditions, most hours of daylight, and most visitor services can be found on the Alaska Highway from May through September. However, visitors can have a fun and safe drive along the Alaska Highway year-round with a little extra caution and advance planning.

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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.

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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.

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The Bering Strait This frigid waterway separates Russia and Alaska with 55 miles (88.5 kilometers) of ocean at its narrowest point between the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) and Seward Peninsula (U.S.).

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The primary airlines flying to Anchorage are Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, American, and Sun Country (summer only). International airlines include Air Canada, Condor, and Icelandair. Direct flights are available from Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, and Minneapolis.

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Do I Need a Visa for Alaska from the UK? Most visitors from the UK to Alaska do not need a visa because it is eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Visitors eligible for the visa waiver need not provide a visa, provided they plan to stay in the US for less than 90 days.

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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.

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