Just started to plan my Mid-March visit to Alaska!
Feb 22nd, 2015, 10:28 PM
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Just started to plan my Mid-March visit to Alaska!
Hi guys, I know it is a bit late for me to plan my solo trip to Alaska. I'm a college student and my spring break will be 3.19 - 3.30. I didn't decide to go to Alaska until a friend of mine told me all the good things to see in Alaska about week ago. I know I don't have much time to do the planning, so ideally I am planning towards a rather relaxing trip. Since I'm a college student, I don't have a huge budget and I would like to do maybe the following:
hiking
Glacier cruise
maybe Dog sledding?
Aurora is a must
Alaska Railroad
any other suggestions?
I enjoy outdoor activities but generally do not prefer an overly-intense trip. I would enjoy a day out carrying my cameras and taking pictures of the local scenery.
I will be hopefully flying to Anchorage and maybe meet one of my friend there if he ever gets a chance to get out of work. I'm thinking whether I should go to Fairbanks since they say there is a higher probability of seeing the Aurora at Fairbanks.
I have also checked the price for the railroad - about 200 bucks, it is quite expensive I think but I generally love the view from the railroad. So I wonder if it is worthy enough to take the Alaska Railroad? Will I see the same thing if I drive through wherever the train is going to? If not, which destination is the best to go to by train?
I read through a lot of websites and it seems that renting a car is the best deal to get around in Alaska. However, I do not yet have a US driving license but I will be able to get the license before 3.19. I have my home-country driving license but I only have limited driving experience. So I wonder would it be a bit "risky" for me to rent a car and drive around in Alaska? P.S. I've only driven in big and crowded city with terrible traffic in China and I wonder what is the traffic like in Alaska.
I would really appreciate if you guys could share with me your experience and suggestions!
hiking
Glacier cruise
maybe Dog sledding?
Aurora is a must
Alaska Railroad
any other suggestions?
I enjoy outdoor activities but generally do not prefer an overly-intense trip. I would enjoy a day out carrying my cameras and taking pictures of the local scenery.
I will be hopefully flying to Anchorage and maybe meet one of my friend there if he ever gets a chance to get out of work. I'm thinking whether I should go to Fairbanks since they say there is a higher probability of seeing the Aurora at Fairbanks.
I have also checked the price for the railroad - about 200 bucks, it is quite expensive I think but I generally love the view from the railroad. So I wonder if it is worthy enough to take the Alaska Railroad? Will I see the same thing if I drive through wherever the train is going to? If not, which destination is the best to go to by train?
I read through a lot of websites and it seems that renting a car is the best deal to get around in Alaska. However, I do not yet have a US driving license but I will be able to get the license before 3.19. I have my home-country driving license but I only have limited driving experience. So I wonder would it be a bit "risky" for me to rent a car and drive around in Alaska? P.S. I've only driven in big and crowded city with terrible traffic in China and I wonder what is the traffic like in Alaska.
I would really appreciate if you guys could share with me your experience and suggestions!
Feb 23rd, 2015, 02:36 AM
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I understand Anchorage is having a snowless year. The Iditarod race will start in Fairbanks this year on March 9 but the ceremonial start will still be in Anchorage March 7. The lights are usually too bright in Anchorage to see the northern lights.
As for traffic, keep in mind Anchorage is a big city with sprawling suburbs to the north. Once you are outside of that area, you might not see much traffic at all at least in the summer when we have visited. I would check weather conditions if you intend to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks. It's a very long drive with very little along the way. You would want to make sure you had a full gas tank and provisions.
Check to see if there is any glacier cruise in March. When our son and dil lived there, even May was a little early for tourists (some museums closed).
As for traffic, keep in mind Anchorage is a big city with sprawling suburbs to the north. Once you are outside of that area, you might not see much traffic at all at least in the summer when we have visited. I would check weather conditions if you intend to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks. It's a very long drive with very little along the way. You would want to make sure you had a full gas tank and provisions.
Check to see if there is any glacier cruise in March. When our son and dil lived there, even May was a little early for tourists (some museums closed).
Feb 23rd, 2015, 05:14 AM
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Since you say you are a college student, whether or not to rent a car may be a moot point. Even if you have a driver's license, you aren't going to be able to rent a car at all if you are under the age of 21. Some car rental companies won't rent to anyone under 25, and those that do charge a hefty surcharge.
Feb 23rd, 2015, 06:24 AM
#5
Frankly, that's the time of year most residents start planning NOT to be in Alaska. Late March to April is usually the "breakup" season - when the snow (if any) and frozen ground starts to thaw, making for a muddy and drab place. This year there's very little snow (so far) so it's hard to say what conditions will be like in a month; however it's definitely NOT tourist season, so most things like glacier cruises or any wildlife viewing will be hard if not impossible to arrange.
The train between Anchorage and Fairbanks runs once a week during the winter - northbound on Saturdays, southbound the next day, and while it's scenic in parts, IMO it's not the best use of your time and money.
Car rental is virtually mandatory for visits at this time of year; I would contact some rental companies to see if there would be any problem with your age or licensing status.
Let me propose an alternative that might be more rewarding at this time of year.
Look at the schedules for the Alaska State Ferry - http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/ - and consider taking the ferry between Bellingham WA and southeast Alaska. Go either northbound or southbound through the incredible Inside Passage (direction depending on your exact timing). The trip is spectacular, the scenery unique, the water calm, and you might see some whales or porpoise. I'd use Juneau as my start- or end-point; you can visit Mendenhall Glacier, maybe go on a local whale watching trip, or take a "feeder" (local) ferry to a small village like Tenakee, for a real glimpse of village Alaska. Stop in Ketchikan and visit Totem Bight State Park - totem poles and fascinating history, or visit Sitka, capital of Russian Alaska. Fly either to or from Juneau to Seattle (again, depending on your precise schedule.)
This is an affordable and very scenic way to visit part of Alaska during the "off-season," without the congestion of cruise ships or tour buses. You don't need a car, and if you want to make it really cheap, just sleep in the lounge areas (or in a tent on the heated top/outdoor deck.) Of course there are cabins, too. You'll meet lots of locals - the ferry is the "Greyhound bus" for SE Alaska - and have a very memorable time, in all likelihood a better one than you'd have farther north in March.
The train between Anchorage and Fairbanks runs once a week during the winter - northbound on Saturdays, southbound the next day, and while it's scenic in parts, IMO it's not the best use of your time and money.
Car rental is virtually mandatory for visits at this time of year; I would contact some rental companies to see if there would be any problem with your age or licensing status.
Let me propose an alternative that might be more rewarding at this time of year.
Look at the schedules for the Alaska State Ferry - http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/ - and consider taking the ferry between Bellingham WA and southeast Alaska. Go either northbound or southbound through the incredible Inside Passage (direction depending on your exact timing). The trip is spectacular, the scenery unique, the water calm, and you might see some whales or porpoise. I'd use Juneau as my start- or end-point; you can visit Mendenhall Glacier, maybe go on a local whale watching trip, or take a "feeder" (local) ferry to a small village like Tenakee, for a real glimpse of village Alaska. Stop in Ketchikan and visit Totem Bight State Park - totem poles and fascinating history, or visit Sitka, capital of Russian Alaska. Fly either to or from Juneau to Seattle (again, depending on your precise schedule.)
This is an affordable and very scenic way to visit part of Alaska during the "off-season," without the congestion of cruise ships or tour buses. You don't need a car, and if you want to make it really cheap, just sleep in the lounge areas (or in a tent on the heated top/outdoor deck.) Of course there are cabins, too. You'll meet lots of locals - the ferry is the "Greyhound bus" for SE Alaska - and have a very memorable time, in all likelihood a better one than you'd have farther north in March.
Feb 23rd, 2015, 10:35 PM
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oh my god thanks guys for all your ideas and suggestions! Several things to follow-up:
I just checked Hertz website and they can rent cars to people under the age of 25 and the price for renting cars for 9 days is about 200 bucks. I think this is affordable though I'm not sure if it is a good deal.
Thank you Gardyloo for your wonderful proposal!! I checked the Ferry website and it looks absolutely fascinating!
I still think seeing the Aurora will be almost on the top of my list, so do you guys have any suggestions on that..? Some websites said March is a good time for viewing the Aurora since it has most dark-time in March.
I just talked to my friend in Anchorage and he said he might be able to get away from work and explore Alaska with me for a few days (maybe 2 or 3 days I think). Therefore, he would be a good reliance on the driving issue if I plan to go to surrounding cities/areas from Anchorage. That being said, Anchorage will very likely be a must-stop for me if I visit to Alaska. But still, the Ferry is very attractive and I would think about it !!!
I just checked Hertz website and they can rent cars to people under the age of 25 and the price for renting cars for 9 days is about 200 bucks. I think this is affordable though I'm not sure if it is a good deal.
Thank you Gardyloo for your wonderful proposal!! I checked the Ferry website and it looks absolutely fascinating!
I still think seeing the Aurora will be almost on the top of my list, so do you guys have any suggestions on that..? Some websites said March is a good time for viewing the Aurora since it has most dark-time in March.
I just talked to my friend in Anchorage and he said he might be able to get away from work and explore Alaska with me for a few days (maybe 2 or 3 days I think). Therefore, he would be a good reliance on the driving issue if I plan to go to surrounding cities/areas from Anchorage. That being said, Anchorage will very likely be a must-stop for me if I visit to Alaska. But still, the Ferry is very attractive and I would think about it
!!!
Mar 2nd, 2015, 03:51 PM
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NLs...
March does not have the most dark time. Our longest night is around winter solstice (approx. Dec. 21). When you get here will be around spring equinox and that's when we start having more daylight than those south of us.
If you are basing your trip on NLs, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. There's no guarantee that they will be seen. You need an active aurora; and dark, clear, unobstructed skies. Typically the farther north you get (e.g. Fairbanks) the better your chances are.
south-east...
With the winter we've had (& break-up is in full swing right now - YUCKY!) I like Gardyloo's suggestion of maybe hitting the ferry system and visiting a couple destinations in the south-east.
Activities as you've listed:
hiking - difficult as it will either be winter (too much snow - even if it's just the little we've had) or breakup, which means icy, messy, mucky
Glacier cruise - possible on a very limited basis. check with www.lazyotter.com out of Whittier (expensive)
maybe Dog sledding? - limited dut eo snow conditions, check with: http://dallasseavey.com/iditarod-exp...sled-dog-tours for options that may be available
Aurora is a must - if it's a must, I'd plan for not seeing them and being ecstatic if you do
Alaska Railroad - only runs once a week between Anchorage and Fairbanks (see: http://alaskarailroad.com/)
Good luck
March does not have the most dark time. Our longest night is around winter solstice (approx. Dec. 21). When you get here will be around spring equinox and that's when we start having more daylight than those south of us.
If you are basing your trip on NLs, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. There's no guarantee that they will be seen. You need an active aurora; and dark, clear, unobstructed skies. Typically the farther north you get (e.g. Fairbanks) the better your chances are.
south-east...
With the winter we've had (& break-up is in full swing right now - YUCKY!) I like Gardyloo's suggestion of maybe hitting the ferry system and visiting a couple destinations in the south-east.
Activities as you've listed:
hiking - difficult as it will either be winter (too much snow - even if it's just the little we've had) or breakup, which means icy, messy, mucky
Glacier cruise - possible on a very limited basis. check with www.lazyotter.com out of Whittier (expensive)
maybe Dog sledding? - limited dut eo snow conditions, check with: http://dallasseavey.com/iditarod-exp...sled-dog-tours for options that may be available
Aurora is a must - if it's a must, I'd plan for not seeing them and being ecstatic if you do
Alaska Railroad - only runs once a week between Anchorage and Fairbanks (see: http://alaskarailroad.com/)
Good luck
Mar 2nd, 2015, 05:29 PM
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I fear you are operating under a number of misapprehensions (esp that March is a good time of year for Alaska) and suggest you do a lot more research in reliable guide books before making firm decisons or spending a lot of money.
And as far as I know in the northern hemisphere the shortest days/longest nights are the around the winter solstice (Dec 21) - and this is more true the farther north you go.
And as far as I know in the northern hemisphere the shortest days/longest nights are the around the winter solstice (Dec 21) - and this is more true the farther north you go.
