Alaska Travel
Alaska Guide Services is not intended to be an Alaska travel website, but is designed to point hunters and fishermen in the right direction. There are many good Alaska tourism and travel websites on the Internet, however.
An important facet to understand in planning a hunting or fishing trip to Alaska is driving takes a back seat to flying as a form of transportation in this state. Alaska has fewer roads than Rhode Island even though it's twice the size of Texas. Although the Canada-Alaska border is 1,538 statute miles long, there are only two passes by car across the border, and one is closed in winter. Half of all visitors to Alaska get there by air, and the other half arrive by cruise ship. A very small percentage of visitors arrive by ferry or automobile. Visitors typically arrive to Alaska via airplane to Anchorage, which is served by the carriers listed at the end of this page.
Traveling Within Alaska
Once in Alaska, transportation options are varied. Alaska Airlines is the only airline to offer jet service within Alaska and flies to nearly all the larger communities. Smaller charter airlines, such as Era Aviation and Pen Air, exist to take visitors to more remote destinations. Air taxis and mail planes are other options based on your destination. While these options may not provide the newest equipment, the network of flights around the state have been developed over time, are quite reliable and typically have seasoned, experienced pilots. Some of the best fishing and hunting grounds are accessible only by plane, and many charters and Alaska lodges offer fly-in trips for both fishing and hunting. Getting around southeast Alaska is best done by marine highway. Ferry service throughout the Inner Passage and elsewhere can be found at www.alaskaferry.com. All-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and float planes are common for accessing locations in the bush.
If time is not of the essence, the Alaska Railroad is a viable option, particularly between Seward, Anchorage, Denali or Fairbanks. The trip provides excellent scenery and it's a great way to relax before or after hunting or fishing trips.
Traveling With Hunting & Fishing Equipment
Getting to Alaska for a hunting or fishing trip is not as simple as hopping on a plane however. Hunters, in particular, should be aware of air travel restrictions on many of the weapons they plan to use on their trip. Firearms, ammunition, parts of firearms, bows and arrows, and hunting/fishing knives and tools must be stowed in checked baggage and are not allowed in carry-ons. All firearms must be declared at check-in and need to be unloaded and stowed in a hard-bodied, locked container. Ammunition must be stowed in containers designed specifically for ammunition. Black powder and percussion caps are prohibited. Fishing tackle should be stowed in checked baggage, but rods, poles, and reels may be carried on as long as they conform to size standards. Each airline has its own regulations concerning these special items, so it's best to check with your carrier.
Air Canada
http://www.aircanada.comAlaska Airlines
http://www.alaskaair.comContinental
http://www.continental.comDelta
http://www.delta.comFrontier
http://www.frontierairlines.comNorthwest
http://www.nwa.comSun Country
http://www.suncountry.comUnited
http://www.united.comU.S. Airways
http://www.usairways.comGrant
http://www.flygrant.com
Alaska Sightseeing Trips (and Flightseeing) >>>
