Anchorage
2 hostels
Alaska's biggest city and main gateway.
Points of interest
- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
- Chugach State Park
State guide
Things to do in Alaska
The last frontier: glaciers calving into the sea, bears catching salmon, Denali rising above the tundra, the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter.
6
Hostels across its 3 main cities
9.2
Average, from 1,927 reviews
10+
Days to do it properly
The last great wilderness
Alaska is by far the largest state, more than twice the size of Texas, with a population of fewer than a million people. It is a land of enormous wilderness: mountains, glaciers, fjords, tundra and forest, home to bears, moose, caribou, whales and eagles. Most of it can only be reached by plane or boat.
Anchorage, the biggest city, is the main gateway, with mountains on its doorstep. To the south, the Kenai Peninsula has fishing towns, glaciers and Kenai Fjords National Park, reached from Seward. To the north, Denali National Park has North America's highest mountain and wildlife on the open tundra; a new bridge over the Pretty Rocks landslide opened in 2026, and full bus access along the park road is expected to return in summer 2027. Fairbanks, in the interior, is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Juneau, the capital, can only be reached by plane or boat, and the Inside Passage is a chain of islands and fjords.
Give Alaska at least ten days. Most travellers visit from late May to mid-September, when the days are long and everything is open. Winter is for the northern lights and dog sledding.
Where to base yourself
Anchorage as the hub, with nights near Denali, on the Kenai Peninsula or in Juneau.
Juneau
2 hostels · dorms from $30
The capital, reachable only by plane or boat.
Points of interest
- Mendenhall Glacier
- Whale watching
- Mount Roberts Tramway
Fairbanks
2 hostels · dorms from $30
The interior's main town and a northern lights hotspot.
Points of interest
- Northern lights
- Chena Hot Springs
- Museum of the North
Regions of Alaska
A huge state. Most trips focus on the area between Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula and Denali, or on the Inside Passage.
Southcentral and Anchorage
Gateway, mountainsAnchorage and the mountains, glaciers and fjords around it.
Kenai Peninsula
Fjords, fishing, glaciersSeward, Homer and Kenai Fjords National Park.
Interior and Denali
Wildlife, North America's highest peakDenali National Park and Fairbanks.
Inside Passage
Islands, fjords, whalesJuneau, Sitka and Ketchikan in the south-east.
The Far North
Arctic, tundraRemote Arctic communities, reached by plane.
Things to do
Things to do in Alaska
From Seward, take a boat into Kenai Fjords National Park to see tidewater glaciers, sea otters, puffins and whales, and hike to Exit Glacier. On the Kenai Peninsula, fish for salmon and visit the arty fishing town of Homer.
In Denali National Park, ride the park buses into the wilderness to look for grizzly bears, caribou and moose, and hope the clouds clear for a view of Denali itself. Take the Alaska Railroad between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks for some of the most scenic train journeys in North America.
In the Inside Passage, take the ferry between Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, visit the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, and watch humpback whales. In winter, see the northern lights from Fairbanks and try dog sledding.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Many trails around Anchorage, including the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, are free. Exit Glacier, near Seward, can be visited free. The Mendenhall Glacier visitor area near Juneau charges a small fee.
Watching the midnight sun in summer, or the northern lights in winter, costs nothing.
Denali charges a park entry fee, and the park buses cost extra.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Alaska's seafood is outstanding: wild salmon, halibut, king crab and oysters. Try reindeer sausage, sold from street carts in Anchorage, and fish and chips made with halibut.
Food is expensive because most of it is shipped in. Supermarkets and hostel kitchens keep costs down.
Alaska has a good craft beer scene, especially in Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks.
Nightlife
Going out
Anchorage has bars, breweries and live music, and Fairbanks and Juneau have a few lively spots. The Red Dog Saloon in Juneau is a famous old-style bar.
In summer, the long daylight means nights out feel strange: it is still light at midnight.
Outside the towns, there is little nightlife.
Getting around
Getting around
Anchorage is the main airport, with flights from the lower 48 states. The Alaska Railroad runs from Seward via Anchorage to Denali and Fairbanks in summer, and buses and shuttles link the main towns.
The Alaska Marine Highway ferries run through the Inside Passage, linking Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and other towns, and to Bellingham in Washington. Many places can only be reached by small plane or boat.
A hire car gives the most freedom on the road system around Anchorage, but distances are huge.
Costs
What Alaska costs
Alaska is expensive, especially in summer. Hostels are few, so book early, and expect to pay around $40 to $60 for a dorm bed where they exist. Food, tours, flights and car hire are all costly.
There is no state sales tax, but many towns charge local sales tax, and lodging taxes apply.
Glacier cruises, flightseeing and Denali buses are the big extras. Camping saves a lot.
Safety
Safety and scams
Alaska's towns are generally safe, but the wilderness demands respect. Bears are common: carry bear spray, make noise on trails, store food properly and keep your distance. Moose are also dangerous if approached.
Weather changes fast, water is very cold, and help can be far away. Tell someone your plans, carry layers and do not underestimate distances.
In summer, mosquitoes are fierce in the interior. In winter, temperatures can fall far below freezing. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Sled dog races, the midnight sun and the northern lights.
Early March
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Anchorage to Nome
The famous long-distance sled dog race.
Late February
Fur Rendezvous
Anchorage
A winter festival with sled dog races.
June
Midnight Sun Festival
Fairbanks
A street party on the longest days.
September to March
Northern lights season
Fairbanks and the interior
The best months to see the aurora.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels across Alaska, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Haines Hostel
Juneau
Dorms from $50 a night
See dates and book
Billie's Backpackers Hostel
Fairbanks
Dorms from $30 a night
See dates and book
Qupqugiaq Inn Anchorage
Anchorage
Rooms from $41 a night
See dates and book
Sven's Basecamp Hostel
Fairbanks
Rooms from $1,125,290 a night
See dates and book
Juneau International Youth Hostel
Juneau
Dorms from $30 a night
See dates and book
Shaligo Homes
Anchorage
Rooms from $38 a night
See dates and book
When to go
Late May to mid-September is the main season, with long days, open roads and wildlife. June and July have almost 24-hour daylight. Winter, from November to March, is dark and very cold, but the best time for the northern lights.
Jan
Dark, very cold
Feb
Northern lights, sled races
Mar
Iditarod starts
Apr
Thaw
May
Season begins
Jun
Midnight sun
Jul
Peak season
Aug
Salmon runs
Sep
Autumn colour, aurora returns
Oct
Quiet
Nov
Dark
Dec
Northern lights
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Anchorage, rounded. The interior is colder in winter and warmer in summer.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Anchorage summer prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours, flights and Denali buses cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Alaska questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is the best time to visit Alaska?
June to August for long days and wildlife. September to March for the northern lights.
How many days do you need in Alaska?
At least ten days for Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula and Denali.
Can I drive the whole Denali Park Road?
Not yet. A bridge over the Pretty Rocks landslide opened in 2026, and full bus and car access beyond it is expected to resume in summer 2027.
Where can I see the northern lights in Alaska?
Fairbanks is one of the best places, from September to March.
Do I need a car in Alaska?
It helps on the road system. The Alaska Railroad and buses cover the main route.
Is Alaska expensive?
Yes, especially tours, flights and accommodation. Camping and self-catering help.
How do I stay safe around bears?
Carry bear spray, make noise on trails, store food properly and keep your distance.
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