The Alaska Ferry runs 24 hours a day. It takes 36 hours from Bellingham, WA to reach the first stop at Ketchikan. Visitors often disembark in a variety of towns, stay a few nights on land, then continue on the ferry.
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The ferry terminal and visitor information center are adjacent to the historic Fairhaven district. With direct ferry service from Bellingham to Ketchikan, a passport is not required to travel between Alaska and the Lower 48.
The journey from Washington to Alaska by ferry varies depending on the destination. The crossing to Alaska takes at least 38 hours, but if you are traveling further along the coast it takes longer - anywhere up to 124 hours for the furthest port.
For passengers who opt to travel without a cabin, the recliner lounges also serve as sleeping areas with space to roll out a sleeping bag. Covered solariums located on the upper decks of each vessel are also popular sleeping areas and for those traveling with small tents, they are allowed on the upper decks.
The car deck is closed off when the ferry is underway, thus you cannot sleep in your vehicle. For more information on sleeping on the ferry see our FAQ's and General Sailing Information.
Most people that have traveled the entire Alaska Railroad system would likely agree that either the Denali Star route between Anchorage and Denali or the Coastal Classic Route between Anchorage and Seward is the most scenic. On a clear day, it hard to top the views of Mt. Denali from the train.
How do I get to Alaska? 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.
There are four main ways to reach Alaska. By flying, by cruise ship, using the state ferry system or by driving the Alaska Highway through Canada. If your heart is set on train travel, don't fret.
You can't stay in your car for safety reasons. In case of an emergency, like a fire or a collision, you need to be able to evacuate the ship quickly. Most of the time, you need to join rafts located above the car deck.
The State of Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System offers year-round ferry service from Bellingham, WA to the Inside Passage communities and Haines, AK, about 800 miles South East of Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK. Access to these cities via Haines require a drive through Canada.