Traveling to Skagway by Air, Sea or Land
No matter how you get here, we advise that you carry your passport.
Check for any COVID restrictions on international travel.
Getting to Skagway by Plane
Juneau, the state capital, is served by Alaska and Delta Airlines, and regional air carrier Alaska Seaplanes offers several flights daily between Juneau and Skagway (see promo code below). It’s a 45-minute flight. To combine the best of flightseeing and cruising, consider flying to Skagway and returning to Juneau by the state ferry system. An excursion from Juneau can be completed in one day, thanks to our long summer days.
Whitehorse, Yukon is also a convenient point of entry for air arrivals from Canada and the Lower 48. You may rent a car and drive to Skagway in 2.5 hours (see land option below).
ALASKA SEAPLANES SPECIAL
Alaska Seaplanes will offer North Words Writers Symposium attendees a reduced rate for travel between Skagway & Juneau.
Save 10% off web bookings when using the promo code below for travel dates:
Juneau-Skagway and/or Skagway-Juneau
May 22-28, 2023
To get the discount, the bookings need to be made through our website – www.flyalaskaseaplanes.com using northwords in the promo code box. BOOK EARLY!
Thank you Alaska Seaplanes!
Getting to Skagway by Boat – two options
1) ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY (state ferry service)
SUMMER FERRY SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE!
Before North Words begins on the afternoon of May 24, there are ferries from Juneau/Haines to Skagway on Monday-Tuesday May 22-23 (Columbia arrives 6:14 am, Hubbard arrives 1:45 pm), and Wednesday May 24 (Hubbard arrives 1:45 pm).
Ferries depart Skagway after the conference on Sunday May 28 (Hubbard leaves at 2:45 pm) and Monday May 29 (Columbia departs at 3:30 pm).
See schedule and book at ferryalaska.com .
Skagway is the northern terminus of the Alaska’s Marine Highway System. A fleet of car carrying vessels serves all of Southeast Alaska. Northbound travelers can access the system at Bellingham, Washington and Prince Rupert, British Columbia; southbound travelers usually embark at Skagway or Haines. Many of our participants board in Juneau for the 5-6 hour trip to Skagway. Each vessel has an observation lounge, food service and a solarium where camping is allowed free of charge. Mainline vessels also feature stateroom accommodations.
See detailed schedules and make reservations at www.ferryalaska.com or call 800-642-0066 .
2) ALASKA FJORDLINES tour boat, famous for its wildlife stops, operates daily between Juneau and Skagway, arriving in the evening, and they are offering our participants and faculty a 10% discount for online booking. Here’s the deal, go to their website and make reservations at alaskafjordlines.com .
Enter NORTHWORDS for these 2023 Dates: May 20, 21, 22, 25, 28, 30.
Juneau to Skagway: Depart Auke Bay/Statter 4:30pm, arrive Skagway 8:15pm (bus departs downtown from Marine Park at 4:00pm) One-way $165 -10% = $148.50, plus tax.
Skagway to Juneau: Departs Skagway small boat harbor at 8 am, arrives Haines at 8:30 and Juneau at 11:15 am (bus to airport or downtown). Roundtrip cost is $310 less 10%, plus tax.
Thank you Alaska Fjordlines!
Getting to Skagway by Land
The SOUTH KLONDIKE HIGHWAY connects Skagway to the rest of the continent. The Klondike meets up with the Alaska Highway just outside of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. Take S. Klondike Highway #2 (changes to #98 once you cross the border into Alaska). From the junction, it’s about a two-hour drive to Skagway. The border stations are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Alaska time). Passports mandatory.
Remember your passport and check for any Covid restrictions before crossing borders. Currently non-USA residents must also have a vaccination card to enter the USA.