Transportation Choices for Traveling to Sitka
Getting Here
Sitka is situated on Baranof Island, on the outer coast of Alaska's panhandle, the narrow strip of land, islands, and waterway clinging to the western edge of Canada's British Columbia. The city rests in the heart of North America's only temperate rain forest, the Tongass, and is about 750 air miles north of Seattle, Washington.
Almost 270,000 people will pass through Sitka this year, about 85% of them aboard cruise ships. While cruise passengers delight in the spectacular, sheltered waters of Alaska's Inside Passage, their principal complaint about Sitka is their short stay in this remarkable port. Consequently, many of those remaining 15% traveling to Sitka independently are return visitors. They've already been here for a three- or four- or six-hour cruise ship call, and have come back to indulge themselves in time, about the only luxury not widely available on the cruise lines.
Making the journey to Sitka on your own can be much simpler than the Alaskan myth makers would have you believe. Although no roads connect our island city to the North American highway system, the alternatives themselves can be attractive:
1. Alaska Marine Highway
Year-round transportation. The southern U.S. terminal is located in Bellingham, Washington (just north of Seattle). You can also catch the Alaskan ferry in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Cruise times to Sitka:3 days from Bellingham, 18 hours from Prince Rupert, British Columbia. For reservations, information, ferry schedule; Alaska Marine Highway, P.O. Box 112505, Juneau, Alaska 99811-2505. 1-800-642-0066 toll free or 907-747-8737 in Sitka, or www.ferryalaska.com.
2. Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines, one of the west coast's major carriers (and one of the country's most highly rated airlines) has never abandoned its tradition of service to rural Alaska. Sitka has at least two direct flights daily from both Seattle and Anchorage, and a connecting flight to Juneau.
For reservations or information contact:
Alaska Airlines
1-800-252-7522
907-966-2266 in Sitka.
3. Cruise here in your own boat
The Inside Passage has 1,000 miles of protected ocean waterway and countless bays, coves, and inlets to explore. Sitka's 5 public harbors have excellent transient moorage, shore facilities and most have Internet access. Sitka has Alaska's largest harbor system. Private yachts are welcome. Phone the Harbormaster at 907-747-3439 for rates and information.