Anchorage - Hotel & Car Rental pricing
 

We are planning to do some sightseeing in Alaska, using Anchorage or somewhere in the surrounding area as a base. We will be returning from a stay on Kodiak Island and Anchorage is the connecting point for our flight. We will have possibly 4 or 5 days to spend--if we can find accommodations and car rentals that don't cost an arm and a leg. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Anywhere in Alaska is not cheap during the summer. Think Hawaii, and you will get the idea.

However, with 4-5 days to spare, consider a side trip to Seward. The ride down there takes approximately 3 hours and is extremely scenic.

When we traveled to Alaska last summer I read a quote that said the best thing about Anchorage is that it is only a short distance to Alaska.

While there are things to do in/around Anchorage, 4-5 days is a little much. You could go to Denali or Kenai Peninsula and stay for a few nights. To do much from Anchorage as day trips really limits you.

Define an arm and a leg - as Vic says, Alaska is expensive - we knew that, but it was still more than we expected. You could take the train to Seward or Denali, but we loved the freedom of a car - and if you are a photography person as indicatged in your screen name, you definitely want a car so you can stop and capture what you want.

Since you will have done a wilderness-type thing in Kodiak, I would pick Seward. Stay first and last night in Anchorage and that gives you 2-3 in Seward. Take an all day wildlife boat cruise for one of those days.

For car rentals use something like priceline to get quotes from many companies at once. Rates are really variable (usually from high to higher to 'are you kidding me?', but occasionally you find a deal).

Are you asking about lodging in Anchorage for 4 nights? I think most on this board would agree that, although Anchorage is an interesting town, the best Alaska attractions are elsewhere.

With all that time, I definately would NOT be basing out of Anchorage. Do your homework and decide which area is of more interest?? Denali Park, Seward, Homer?? Then go there and make the most of your time.