FAQ:
Travel by Ferry
Ferry travel to and within Alaska is provided by the state ferry system--the Alaska Marine Highway--which serves Bellingham, WA, Prince Rupert, BC, and 28 coastal Alaska communities from Ketchikan to Unalaska. The Inside Passage water route the ferries follow from Bellingham, WA, to Skagway, AK, is also referred to as the Alaska Marine Highway. The Inside Passage (or Alaska Marine Highway) follows the coast of British Columbia and uses the protected waterways between the islands and the mainland of southeastern Alaska. (Inside Passage is also commonly used to refer to Southeast Alaska and its communities.)
BC Ferries also serve the Inside Passage, providing passenger/vehicle ferry service between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert, BC. Port Hardy is located at the north end of Vancouver Island, 316 miles/510 km north of Victoria via Trans-Canada Highway 1 and the BC Highway 19. Prince Rupert is also the farthest north of the 47 ports served by BC Ferries, and the southern port for many Alaska state ferries serving Southeast Alaska.
Motorists often use the Inside Passage northbound or southbound as an alternative to driving all of the Alaska Highway and its access routes. By using the Alaska Marine Highway System and BC Ferries, travelers can eliminate between 700 and 1,700 miles of highway driving, depending on their itinerary. The water route also allows travelers the opportunity to take in the magnificent scenery and picturesque communities of the Inside Passage. Cross-Gulf trips between Juneau and Whittier save additional highway mileage. And don't forget ferry service between Prince William Sound communities for both saving driving miles and providing spectacular scenery.
Alaska-bound motorists should keep in mind that only 2 Inside Passage ports connect to the Alaska Highway: Haines, via the Haines Highway; and Skagway, via South Klondike Highway.
Also providing passenger/vehicle ferry service within Alaska's southeastern region is the Inter-Island Ferry Authority.
Details on the Alaska Marine Highway System, Inter-Island Ferry Authority and BC Ferries follow.
Alaska Marine Highway System
The Alaska Marine Highway provides passenger/vehicle ferry service in 3 regions: Southeast, Southcentral/Prince William Sound and Southcentral/Southwest. There is also Cross-Gulf service in summer connecting Juneau in Southeast and Whittier in Southcentral.
The Alaska ferry system has 2 seasons: May 1 to Sept. 30 (summer), when sailings are most frequent; and Oct. 1 to April 30 (fall/winter/spring), when service is less frequent. Summer schedules, fares, and information on reservations, method of payment, etc., are included in The MILEPOST. Summer/fall/winter/spring schedules, fares and information may also be found at www.ferryalaska.com.
The main office of the Alaska Marine Highway System is in Juneau. Write P.O. Box 112505, 6858 Glacier Hwy., Juneau, AK 99801-2505; local phone (907) 465-3941; phone toll-free 1-800-642-0066; fax (907) (907) 465-8824; TDD 1-800-764-3779; web site www.ferryalaska.com.
Reservations: Walk-on traffic is usually accommodated, but reservations are advised, especially for those traveling with a vehicle or wanting a cabin. You can make reservations online (www.ferryalaska.com); with contract agents; with ferry offices; or by contacting the central reservations office in Juneau by mail or by phone.
The Alaska state ferries are very popular in summer. Reservations, particularly for cabin space and for vehicles, should be made as far in advance as possible to get the sailing dates you wish. Cabin space on summer sailings from Bellingham is often sold out early in the season. Reservation requests are accepted year-round and held until reservations open.
While reservations are recommended, don't assume ferries are sailing at capacity. If you decide on the spur of the moment to include the ferry in your itinerary, call the Alaska Marine Highway System to find out if space is available.
In order to guarantee a reservation, payment must be received by the payment due date on the reservation confirmation. Reservations not paid for by this date are automatically cancelled. Tickets may be picked up at any ferry office or terminal, or if there is time before your departure date they will be mailed to you.
Always factor in enough time when making connecting reservations to allow for unexpected delays.
Cancellation charges apply for changes made within 14 days of sailing.
Fares and fare payment: For passenger and vehicle fares and cabin fares, go to www.ferryalaska.com. Also check for summer specials and special discounts available.
Payment for reserved space may be made by phone or online with a credit card or by mail with a cashier's check, money order or personal check drawn on an Alaska bank. There is a small additional fee charged if you change your itinerary once space has been reserved.
Vehicle fares depend on the size of vehicle. You are charged by how much space you take up, so a car with trailer is measured from the front of the car to the end of the trailer, including hitch space. Charges are also applied to bicycles, kayaks and inflatables.
Passenger tariffs are charged as follows: adults and children 12 and over, full fare; children 6 to 11, approximately half fare; children under 6, free. Passenger fares do not include cabins or meals. Senior citizen (over 65) seasonal discount of 50 percent off the passenger fare between Alaskan ports only; restrictions may apply. Special passes and travel rates are also available to persons with disabilities. Contact the Alaska Marine Highway System for more on these fares and restrictions.
Vessels: The fast ferries are the newest vessels on the Alaska Marine Highway and travel at 30 knots. Traditional Marine Highway vessels travel at between 12 and 18 knots. Descriptions of all 11 Alaska Marine Highway vessels at found at www.ferryalaska.com.
Deck Passage: If you do not have cabin space on overnight ferry sailings, you will have to go deck passage. Since the passenger capacities of the larger ferries far exceeds the number of cabins available on overnight sailings, quite a few passengers spend the night sleeping in one of the reclining chairs or on the floor in the inside lounge, or rolling out a sleeping bag in a plastic lounge chair or on the floor on the solarium deck. (Overhead heaters keep the solarium deck pretty toasty, although the exhaust fans are quite noisy.) Small, free-standing tents are also permitted on the solarium deck (but not under the heated covered area) and on the stern of the cabin deck if space allows (except on the Kennicott). Beware of wind; some campers duct-tape their tents to the deck. Pillows and blankets are available for rent from the purser on most sailings. Public showers are available on most vessels.
Waitlisted and Standby Travel: If the desired space is not available, reservation personnel may offer to place your request on a waitlist. If cancellations occur, you will be notified of confirmation of space, at which time payment will be due.
If your cabin request has not been confirmed by the time of sailing, you may sign up on the purser's standby list on board. Once the sailing is underway, the purser assigns available cabins to those on the standby list.
If you arrive at a ferry terminal without confirmed vehicle space, you must sign up on the standby list at the terminal.
Check-in times: Summer check-in times for reserved vehicles prior to departure are: Bellingham and Prince Rupert, 3 hours; Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, Homer, Kodiak, and Whittier 2 hours; Petersburg, 1-1/2 hours; all other ports, 1 hour. Passengers without vehicles must check in 1 hour prior to departure at all ports except Bellingham, where check-in is 2 hours prior to departure.
NOTE: It is especially important that motorists with ferry reservations out of Whittier time their arrival to allow for the tunnel opening as well as for ferry check-in.
Cabins: There are not enough cabins on the ferries for all passengers. If you are traveling on one of the longer ferry runs, such as the 37-hour trip between Bellingham, WA, and Ketchikan, AK, you'll have either 2 nights in a cabin or 2 nights on the floor or in a lounge chair, depending on whether or not you managed to get a cabin reserved ahead of time.
Most cabins on the Southeast system ferries have a toilet and shower. Linens (towels, sheets, blankets) are provided. Pick up cabin keys from the purser's office when you board. Cabins are sold as a unit, not on a per-berth basis. In other words, the cost of the cabin is the same whether 1 or more passengers occupy it. You can get on a waitlist for a cabin at the purser's office.
Restrooms are available for deck-passage (walk-on) passengers on all vessels. Public showers are available on most vessels.
Vehicles: Reservations are strongly recommended. Any vehicle that may be driven legally on the highway is acceptable for transport on the 4 larger vessels. Most vessels on the Southeast system can load vehicles up to 70 feet long with special arrangements. Maximum length on the Tustumena is 40 feet. Vehicle fares are determined by the overall length and width of the vehicle. Vehicles from 8-1/2 to 9 feet wide are charged 125 percent of the fare listed for the vehicle length. Vehicles over 9 feet in width are charged 150 percent of the fare listed for vehicle length.
On the vehicle deck, a crew member will direct you to your parking location. Park, set your hand brake, lock your vehicle, take the personal possessions you will need and proceed to a passageway leading to the passenger areas. If the vehicle you are putting on board will not be accompanied, lock the vehicle and leave the keys with the loading officer. RVs cannot be used as dining or sleeping facilities while on the ferries.
Hazardous materials may not be transported on the ferries. The valves on propane or similar type tanks must be turned off and sealed by a ferry system employee. If this has not been done by the time you board, notify the purser when surrendering your ticket for boarding. Portable containers of fuel are permitted but must be stored with vessel personnel while en route.
The state assumes no responsibility for the loading and unloading of unattended vehicles.
Food Service: Food service varies from vessel to vessel. There's dining room service on the Columbia and Tustumena. Cafeteria service is available on all ferries. Alcoholic beverages are available on some vessels. The cost of meals is not included in passenger, cabin or vehicle fares. Tipping is prohibited.
Luggage: You are responsible for your own luggage! Foot passengers may bring hand luggage only (not to exceed 100 lbs.). There is no limit on luggage carried in a vehicle. Coin-operated storage lockers are available aboard most ships, and baggage carts are furnished on the car deck. Baggage handling is NOT provided by the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Vehicle deck restrictions: Periodic "car- deck calls" are made 3 times a day between Bellingham and Ketchikan. These are announced over the loudspeaker and allow passengers approximately 15 minutes to visit the car deck and walk pets, retrieve items from cars, etc. North of Ketchikan, car deck visits are allowed only when the ferry is in port.
Pet policy: Dogs and other pets are not allowed in cabins and must be transported on the vehicle deck only--NO EXCEPTIONS. (There are special accommodations for animals aiding disabled passengers. Proper paperwork is required.) Animals and pets are to be transported inside a vehicle or in suitable containers furnished by the passenger. Animals and pets must be cared for by the owner. Passengers who must visit pets or animals en route should apply to the purser's office for an escort to the vehicle deck. On long sailings, the purser will announce 15-minute "car-deck calls," when passengers may visit the car deck. At this time pet owners may feed, water and/or walk their pets on the car deck. You may also walk your pet at port stops. Keep in mind that some port stops are very brief and that sailing time between some ports will be as long as 37 hours (Bellingham to Ketchikan).
The Alaska Marine Highway System provides regular service between Bellingham, WA, or Prince Rupert, BC, and mainline ports in Southeast Alaska, with feeder service to smaller ports. In addition, high-speed ferry service is provided between Juneau and Sitka, and between Juneau, Skagway and Haines.
The Southcentral ferry system provides regular service and Fast Ferry service to the Prince William Sound communities of Cordova, Valdez and Whittier. The Southcentral/Southwest system connects Whittier, Chenega Bay, Kodiak, Port Lions, Homer and Seldovia, with limited service to the Aleutian Chain. The Aleutian trips are popular: Book early!
Cross-Gulf Ferry Travel: When the Alaska Marine Highway's MV Kennicott began its Cross-Gulf service in summer 1998, it was the first time the state's 2 regional ferry systems--Inside Passage/Southeast and Southcentral/Southwest--connected. For motorists, the new ferry service offered a savings of about 2,000 miles of driving.
Today, the Cross-Gulf ferry trips connect Whittier, Yakutat and Juneau, with through-service to and from Ketchikan and Prince Rupert on the MV Kennicott. (Travelers may extend their ferry trip to Bellingham, WA, from either Juneau or Ketchikan by reserving ferry space aboard another vessel, although keep in mind this may require a longer stopover in either port.)
Cross-Gulf ferry travel is both similar to and different from Inside Passage travel. The Kennicott's amenities and procedures are similar to other vessels in the fleet. The real distinction of the Cross-Gulf trips is the fact that you are sailing across the Gulf of Alaska for a significant part of the trip, rather than within the protected Inside Passage waters of Southeast Alaska. Despite white caps and some significant rolling motion on a Gulf crossing The MILEPOST made a couple of years ago, it was deemed "good" by crew members. Conditions in the Gulf may prohibit regular car deck calls, a possible hardship on pets waiting to relieve themselves.
BC Ferries
BC Ferries provides year-round service on 25 routes throughout coastal British Columbia, with a fleet of 36 passenger- and vehicle-carrying ferries. For Alaska-bound travelers, BC Ferries' "Inside Passage" service between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert offers a convenient connection with the Alaska Marine Highway at Prince Rupert.
Port Hardy is approximately 316 miles/510 km north of Victoria via Trans-Canada Highway 1 and BC Highway 19. Passenger and vehicle ferry service to Victoria is available from Port Angeles, WA, (via Black Ball) or from Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, BC, to Swartz Bay via BC Ferries. Travelers may also take BC Ferries service from Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo). From Nanaimo it is 251 miles/405 km--or about 5 hours' driving time--to Port Hardy. If you are driving from Victoria, allow at least 7 hours. (Vancouver Island is a popular destination for vacationing mainland residents.)
Prince Rupert is located 450 miles/724 km west of Prince George via the Yellowhead Highway.
Inside Passage service between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert is aboard the M/V Northern Adventure, which carries 600 passengers and 101 vehicles. The ferry has a cafeteria, lounge, children's playroom, cabins, and other amenities. Summer service on this route is during daylight hours, so cabins are not necessary for the 1-day trip. Check-in time is 1 hour before sailing.
Prince Rupert visitors can extend their visit to the Queen Charlotte Islands via BC Ferries daily service to Skidegate on Graham Island in the Queen Charlottes.
A second travel option for Alaska-bound motorists is the BC Ferries' Discovery Coast Passage service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola aboard the Queen of Chilliwack, which carries 400 passengers and 115 vehicles. This summer-only service connects Port Hardy on Vancouver Island with Bella Coola on the Chilcotin Highway. The Chilcotin Highway connects with the West Access Route to the Alaska Highway. The Queen of Chilliwack features a cafeteria, gift shop, lounge, reclining seats and showers.
Schedules and passenger/vehicle fares for BC Ferries Inside Passage (Port Hardy-Prince Rupert), Discovery Coast Passage (Port Hardy-Bella Coola), Queen Charlotte Islands (Prince Rupert-Skidegate) and other routes are available at www.bcferries.com.
Reservations are required for passenger and vehicle travel on Inside Passage, Discovery Coast Passage and Queen Charlotte Islands. For reservations, phone toll-free in North America 1-888-223-3779; from outside North America, phone (250) 386-3431. Reservations can be made online at www.bcferries.com. Cancellations made fewer than 30 days prior to departure are subject to a cancellation fee.
Information: BC Ferries at 1112 Fort St., Victoria, BC V8V 4V2; phone (250) 381-1401; www.bcferries.com.
Inter-Island Ferry Authority
In addition to the Alaska Marine Highway System in Southeast Alaska, the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) operates daily scheduled passenger/vehicle service between Ketchikan and Hollis, on Prince of Wales Island, aboard the MV Prince of Wales. The IFA also operates passenger/vehicle ferry service, aboard the MV Stikine, between
Coffman Cove (on Prince of Wales Island), Wrangell (on Wrangell Island) and the South Mitkof ferry terminal, 25 miles south of Petersburg (on Mitkof Island). The M/V Stikine, based in Coffman Cove, offers round-trip service 4 days a week (Friday through Monday).
For information, schedules, fares and reservations on IFA vessels, phone toll-free 1-866-308-4848 or visit www.interislandferry.com.
Running Time Table
(* indicates "fast ferry" times)
Inside Passage Routes
- Bellingham-Ketchikan 37 hrs.
- Prince Rupert-Ketchikan 6 hrs.
- Ketchikan-Wrangell 6 hrs.
- Wrangell-Petersburg 3 hrs.
- Petersburg-Juneau 8 hrs.
- Petersburg-Sitka 10 hrs.
- Sitka-Juneau/Auke Bay 8 hrs. 45 min.
- Juneau/Auke Bay-Haines 4 hrs. 30 min.*
- Juneau-Haines 4 hrs 30 min.
- Juneau-Haines 2 hrs 15 min.*
- Juneau-Skagway 2 hrs 30 min.*
- Haines-Skagway 1 hr.
Southcentral Routes
- Whittier-Valdez 6 hrs. 45 min.
- Whittier-Valdez 2 hrs. 45 min.*
- Valdez-Cordova 5 hrs. 30 min.
- Valdez-Cordova 2 hrs. 45 min.*
- Cordova-Whittier 7 hrs.
- Cordova-Whittier 3 hrs. 15 min.*
Southcentral/Southwest Routes
- Homer-Seldovia 1 hr. 30 min.
- Homer-Kodiak 9 hrs. 30 min.
- Homer-Port Lions 10 hrs.
- Kodiak-Port Lions 2 hrs. 30 min.
- Whittier-Kodiak 13 hrs. 15 min.
Gulf Crossing Routes
- Juneau to Yakutat 17 hrs.
- Yakutat to Whittier 22 hrs.
Southwest Routes
- Kodiak-Chignik 18 hrs. 30 min.
- Chignik-Sand Point 9 hrs. 15 min.
- Sand Point-King Cove 6 hrs. 30 min.
- King Cove-Cold Bay 2 hrs.
- Cold Bay-False Pass 4 hrs. 15 min.
- False Pass-Akutan 10 hrs. 30 min.
- Akutan-Unalaska 3 hrs. 30 min.
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