Alaska is excited to welcome travelers this summer to experience its wide-open spaces, its rich culture and history, wildlife and more. With more independent travel on the rise, there are great ways to experience Alaska with an “only-in-Alaska” feel. Between Alaska’s international airports forecasting near pre-COVID-19 levels of nonstop seat capacity, the Alaska Railroad’s dynamic summer service and the newly announced Alaska Marine Highway System summer schedule, independent travelers have a multitude of ways to explore the state and make their dream trip a reality in 2021.
Travelers now have more options to travel to Alaska by plane this summer with Alaska Airlines, Delta Air, American Airlines and United Airlines ramping up service to Alaska with more direct flights into Anchorage and Fairbanks. Overall, nonstop scheduled inbound capacity is forecasted to be up more than 750,000 seats for Anchorage and up 62,500 for Fairbanks in 2021, putting both major airports nearly back to pre-COVID-19 levels. Travelers will be able to fly directly from most major airports in the Pacific Northwest and even from Houston, Chicago, Atlanta and Minneapolis. Alaska is also excited to welcome international travelers flying nonstop from Frankfurt, Germany, to both Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The Alaska Railroad recently announced its summer schedule, which begins May 29 and runs through Sept. 6. The summer 2021 schedule includes:
Daily round-trip service on the Coastal Classic Train. This trip offers visitors a leisurely way to experience Turnagain Arm, the Chugach Range and more between Anchorage and Seward.
Daily round-trip service on the Glacier Discovery Train, an experience that is highlighted by a stop at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, where visitors have the option for rafting, hiking and kayaking day trips in the Spencer Glacier area.
The Denali Star Train travels between Anchorage and Fairbanks and will offer flagstop service on the traditional Hurricane Turn Train route. The Denali Star will offer bi-directional service on Sundays and have daily departures where passengers can deboard in Anchorage, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and Preserve and Fairbanks.
The Alaska Marine Highway System released its schedule for summer sailings. The ferry system provides freedom in traveling throughout Southeast, Southwest and Southcentral Alaska, while getting to experience the beauty of Alaska’s waters. Traveling onboard an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry also allows visitors to travel with a vehicle if desired to further complement independent travel in the state.
Learn more information about traveling to and in Alaska this summer: www.travelalaska.com.