Where do you catch the ferry to go to Alaska?

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.



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The Bellingham Cruise Terminal, in Bellingham's Historic Fairhaven District, is the southern starting point for the Alaska Marine Highway System. Navigating the nation's first marine scenic highway, the ferry departs Bellingham regularly transporting passengers and vehicles between Alaska and the lower 48 states.

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To learn more about fares, see our Alaska Marine Highway Fares page. When your ferry stops in a port, you can either get off and walk around for a few hours or drive off and spend a few days. You can get back on the ferry to head elsewhere or keep driving to your own destinations.

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Ferry from Bellingham WA to Whittier AK The ferry from Bellingham to Ketchikan deprts every week, year -round and takes approximately 36 hours. In the summer season from May through September, there are are 2 ferries travelilng from Bellingham to Ketchikan.

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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.

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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.

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Getting to Alaska by Car Most drivers go north into Canada to connect with the Alaska Highway, or Alcan. The highway runs from Dawson Creek in British Columbia to Delta Junction in Alaska. There is no bus or motorcoach service that connects the continental states and Alaska.

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Passenger discounts will apply to full priced Adult, Senior and Child fares. The discount cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotional fares, such as youth group discounts, passes or specials. Travelers are advised to figure the relative advantage of one discount over another.

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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.

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The ferry doesn't stop in Canada; the first stop is Ketchikan in Southeast Alaska. It then stops at other Alaska communities in that region, including Juneau. There are also connections (and some continuations) from Juneau to Whittier in Southcentral Alaska, which is connected to Anchorage by rail and road.

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You may think we're nuts to suggest a 3-day Alaska vacation, but it's possible to do! Many cities across the U.S. offer direct flights now, making Alaska a lot easier to reach than you might think. And if 3 days is all you have to visit this amazing state, go for it!

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Cabins are available in two-bed (side by side) and four-bed (upper and lower) layouts. Features include: Linens, duvet, and pillow. Private washroom with shower, sink, and toilet.

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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.

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Cabins are available in two-bed (side by side) and four-bed (upper and lower) layouts. Features include: Linens, duvet, and pillow. Private washroom with shower, sink, and toilet.

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But flight-free travel isn't just greener – it's often cheaper, too. For mid-distance journeys, a trip by car (and, if needs be, ferry) tends to cost a lot less per passenger than even the budget-est of budget flights. EVs can be a bit more expensive to hire than petrol and diesel cars, but are far cheaper to run.

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