Anchorage: Getting there & around

From Anchorage International Airport, 10km (6.5mi) west of the city centre, you can catch a flight to anywhere in Alaska including Valdez, Homer, Cordova, Kenai, Iliamna and Kodiak. A variety of bus and van companies operate out of Anchorage and provide services to almost everywhere in the state. To get to Denali National Park and Fairbanks a van service is the way to go.

By rail, the most popular run is Alaska Railroad's Denali Express , which heads to Denali Park and Fairbanks daily. The most scenic is the Coastal Classic which heads south from Anchorage to Seward, passing three glaciers along the way.

Anchorage's excellent public bus system, called the People Mover, will get you between the airport and city centre on weekdays from 06:45 - 22:55 , on Saturday from 08:20 - 20:20 and Sunday from 10:20 - 18:00 . Outside of those hours, Alaska Shuttle Service, one of the many hotel-run vans or one in the endless line of eager taxis will be happy to transport you.

All public buses begin at the People Mover's downtown terminal, and you can expect most buses to pass by every half hour. A full service of 19 routes operates weekdays 06:00 to 23:00 , with reduced service on weekends. People Mover also runs the free DASH (Downtown Anchorage Short Hop) bus, that will shuttle you between 5th and 8th Aves.

For parties of two or more, renting a car can be the most affordable way of travelling around Anchorage and surrounds. There are many options available in the airport and downtown. Reserve a vehicle if you can, as they are heavily booked in the summer.