1

You could take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Skagway to Ketchikan, then transfer to the BC ferry to Prince Rupert and onward to Vancouver. Some Alaska ferries also stop at Prince Rupert -- check the schedules. If the Alaska ferry includes Sitka, then from Skagway to Ketchikan should take about 4 days. The ferry leaves Bellingham, Washington, at about 8 p.m. and spends the night sailing past Vancouver Island, arriving at Queen Charlotte Straits the next morning and then Ketchikan. Prince Rupert is inland from Queen Charlotte Straits.
The stops after Skagway are Haines, Juneau, Sitka, Wrangel, Petersberg (or vice versa), and Ketchikan. On the Alaska ferry, there are no stops between Ketchikan and Bellingham. There are choices of routes on the BC ferries and you may need to transfer again at Port Hardy, Vancouver Island, to travel north to the city of Vancouver, or switch to a bus.

Edited by: trekker502

2

Thanks heaps. Lots to plan before leaving NZ by the sounds of it. Any other useful or must sees in Alaska. Nothing planned yet but probably will have about 2.5 weeks in Alaska. Intend to fly into anchorage from bc then work south back to bc.

3

The transportation system in Southcentral Alaska (Anchorage to Fairbanks and to Kenai Peninsula) is excellent. Many tourists in the summer, so many choices of shuttlebuses, Alaska Grayline bus, Alaska Railroad, and carpooling with new hostel friends. Use http://www.AlaskaHostels.com to find the list of web addresses for hostels throughout Alaska. I recommend Spenard Hostel, 5 minutes taxi ride from the international airport. It is on the bicycle path with bike rentals and one block from city buses. I also recommend the Alyeska Hostel http://www.AlyeskaHostel.com in Girdwood/Glacier Valley, near Alyeska Ski Resort. It is in the northernmost rainforest with lots of hiking trails and lots of wildlife, including moose and bears. There are daily shuttlebuses from Anchorage to Seward and to Homer (Halibut Capitol of the World). There are many opportunities for river rafting and kayaking. The Kenai Fjords Cruise out of Seward into the Pacific Ocean will take you to see tidal glaciers and lots of marine wildlife, such as whales, porpoises, and along the cliffs you may seen mountain goats/sheep, and bears. The 26 Glaciers Cruise out of Whittier into Prince William Sound is less rough sailing than on the Pacific Ocean and it is only about one hour's drive or train ride from Anchorage -- Alaska Grayline bus or train will take you to Whittier. The train and Alaska Grayline also provide transportation, as well as independent shuttlebuses, to Denali National Park. There is a walk-in campground in back of Reily Creek Campground after you have checked in at the Visitors' Center in Denali National Park. Or, you may take a 100-miles shuttlebus ride into Denali NP to Wonder Lake and camp there overnight. You need to show up early at the Visitors' Center to make reservations for the shuttlebus and get a permit for camping in the backcountry.

There are hostels in Skagway, Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Google each city for their web addresses. There are also campgrounds in Skagway, Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan. If you spend the night on the ferry, you may "camp" on the stern where others pitch their backpacker small tents. Or, stretch out on the floor of the movie lounge after the last show. There are free, hot showers and a cafeteria on board the ferries.

4

Correction to #1 is that BC Ferries doesn't service Ketchikan. AMHS & BC Ferries both have terminals in Prince Rupert, so that is where you transfer between systems.

2.5 weeks isn't much time for what you propose. To go all the way Anchorage means you'd have to rush past a lot of stuff, and to sit on the ferry all the way from Skagway to Prince Rupert or Bellingham without stopping along the way is a huge waste.

2.5 weeks is an appropriate length of time to make your way from Skagway to Victoria. Haines, Juneau, and Sitka all deserve a few days each, especially Juneau. I'd suggest only flying to Whitehorse and then making your way back down. Extended stops don't really add anything to the ferry cost.

Alternatively, fly to Anchorage and spend the 2.5 weeks around there (Kenai Peninsula & Denali), then fly to Victoria/Vancouver. I personally prefer SE Alaska, though.

5

To summarize what others have said:

} Skagway AK to Prince Rupert BC: take the Alaska Marine Highway (either direct on some days, or else with an intermediate ferry transfer somewhere in Alaska);

} Prince Rupert BC to Port Hardy BC: transfer to BC Ferries (every other day during the summer, every few weeks at other times);

} Port Hardy BC to Vancouver BC: use Greyhound Canada (daily via Nanaimo BC, and bus continues on to Victoria BC); (it appears that Greyhound will sell you a through ticket all the way to Vancouver; however from Port Hardy, the bus actually drops you in downtown Nanaimo; you could get a taxi or local bus from there to the BC Ferries' terminal in Departure Bay, and then walk on to the ferry; you'll disembark in Horseshoe Bay, from where you can take a local bus #250 or #257 for the final ride into downtown Vancouver - this might be slightly quicker and/or slightly cheaper).

All of this would be a memorable journey, and an adventure in itself.

6

More likely to drop the Anchorage and Fairbanks loop if not enough time. Do
intend to get on/off the ferry on trip south. Looking at kayak day
trip,helicopter to glaciers or float plane. Is there a ferry pass that
makes the trip more economical when getting on off?

7

The Alaska Pass is for those continuing onward to Southcentral Alaska and includes discounts for the Alaska Railroad and Alaska Grayline buses.

8

Easiest route is Skagway to Bellingham via Alaska Ferry. Bellingham to Vancouver via Greyhound Bus. Bus schedule usually coincides with ferry.

9

Greyhound bus sucks!

10

"Prince Rupert BC to Port Hardy BC: transfer to BC Ferries (every other day during the summer, every few weeks at other times);"

Make that every few days at other times.

11

Thank you for your post,

BC Ferries travel south from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy on even-numbered days in July and September and odd-numbered days in August, 2012. These sailings are approximately 15 hours in length and can be fully reserved-booking your space in advance is recommended.

Port Hardy is on the northern tip of Vancouver Island and approximately 6 hours driving time north of Nanaimo. From Nanaimo you can take a second sailing to Vancouver (1 hour and 40 minutes sailing time). If you will be traveling without a vehicle Island Coach Lines (800-318-0818) can provide bus service from Port Hardy.

Fares and schedule information for all of our routes can be found on our website at www.bcferries.com.

Another option for your trip is to book through BC Ferries Vacations.

For ease of travel I would strongly suggest this option if you will be needing any accommodations along the way. These packages offer a significantly reduced fares on our ferries and can be created to suit your schedule and interests. We have a number of hotel partners across British Columbia to choose from! You can book accommodations, ferry travel, excursions, bus transportation, and/or local attractions in any combination for a reduced price. Sample packages and prices are available on our website:

http://www.bcferriesvacations.com/

If you would like to have a quote prepared for you please email customercare@bcferries.com and include your travel dates and your number/ages of passengers travelling. We will put together a sample package and email you a price-you can then decide if you would like to book or make changes. You are not obligated to buy at the quote stage, we are simply providing you with an estimate of the costs.

If you have further questions or concerns please feel free to contact our Customer Service Centre toll free at 1-888 BC FERRY (223-3779) and press "0" to speak to a representative who can assist you further. Representatives are available between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm weekdays and 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekends (Pacific Standard Time).

Kind regards,

Amber
Customer Service Team, Customer Care
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
1-888-223-3779 (Within North America)
1-250-386-3431 (Outside North America)
www.bcferries.com