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
For the price of a single berth on a cruise ship you can bring your family, your car, and even your dog on Alaska's state-run ferries. The "blue canoes" are wonderful public transportation to ports throughout the Inside Passage all year long. 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. Prince Rupert is a two-day drive from Seattle on well-maintained highway that covers some astounding scenery. Departure from Prince Rupert also cuts ferry travel time to Sitka to around 24 hours. Departing from Bellingham, you can expect to stay aboard the ferry for roughly three days and two nights, sleeping either in a cabin, in one of the lounges, or camped on deck. Cafeteria service and showers are available on all ferries, but only the larger boats have private accommodations. This is mile-for-mile the same trip many of the cruise ships make, without the shuffleboard.
Here's a quick link to the regular schedule. Click on this schedule to see the 2008 Sitka summer ferry schedule posted on this website's homepage. For reservations, more information, or to have a schedule mailed contact:
Alaska Marine Highway
P.O. Box 25535
Juneau, Alaska 99802-5535
1-800-642-0066
907-747-8737 in Sitka
2. Alaska Airlines
For the price of a single berth on a cruise ship, two people can fly to Sitka from almost anywhere in the United States aboard a jet airliner. 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 a direct flight daily from both Seattle and Anchorage, and a connecting flight to Juneau. Although no competing airline presently serves Sitka, Alaska Airlines periodically offers greatly reduced fares to boost traffic, especially in the spring. You might consider calling a local travel agent to find out if you can take advantage of any of the package deals the airline offers to encourage Sitkans to fly south to Seattle for major sporting or cultural events.
For reservations or information contact:
Alaska Airlines
1-800-426-0333
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 harbors have excellent transient moorage and shore facilities. Private yachts are welcome. Phone the Harbormaster at 907-747-3439 for rates and information.