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-   -   Mendenhall Glacier--city bus??? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/mendenhall-glacier-city-bus-691686/)

bornintheusa Mar 27th, 2007 05:56 PM

Mendenhall Glacier--city bus???
 
Is there a city bus in Juneau that goes out to Mendenhall Glacier??? I see it goes to Mendenhall Valley but not sure if we can get off near the glacier for a leisurely day there and then hop back on a city bus to get back to the ship

Ranger Mar 27th, 2007 07:49 PM

Not sure about the city bus. However, they offer tours out of the Mt Roberts Tramway building that drop you off at the visitor center. Think it was around $17 a person

BudgetQueen Mar 28th, 2007 07:22 AM

Yes there is a city bus. This stops 1 level mile from the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center. Takes an hour from downtown. And you need to keep track of their schedule for the return.

There is also a SHUTTLE bus that leaves from the dock, one area is next to the Tram. There are booths set up on the sidewalk. You do not go inside the tram office. Will be $7 per person each way. The Mendenhall Glacier city TOUR mentioned above is about $22/person. Offers commentary, about 30-45 mins. at Mendenhall and several scenic stops.

jtrandolph Mar 28th, 2007 10:23 AM

Yes, take the $7 shuttle. You don't need a tour, the visitor's center is excellent, with interactive exhibits and scopes trained on different parts of the glacier. And if you take this shuttle you can be in charge of your own time, catching a shuttle back when you are ready. These shuttles go to the parking lot next to the visitor center.

bornintheusa Mar 28th, 2007 03:51 PM

Thanks Budget Queen and jtrandolph--that was exactly the info I was looking for to avoid renting a car or going on one of the tours that is only there for a limited amount of

bornintheusa Mar 28th, 2007 03:52 PM

time......sorry sent this before I was done Thanks so much

themerle Apr 27th, 2007 08:53 PM

If you take the SHUTTLE to Mendenhall Glacier, does it take you to the visitors center or do you have the one mile walk?

BudgetQueen Apr 28th, 2007 07:54 AM

The shuttle bus takes you to the visitor center. The City bus stop is a mile away.

jtrandolph Apr 28th, 2007 10:38 AM

The shuttle to Mendenhall is the MGT (Mendenhall Glacier Transit). When we were there last May the fare was $6 each way and the shuttle left from in front of the library in Juneau on the hour and the half hour.

JC98 May 3rd, 2007 03:35 PM

Definitely take the shuttle bus, which drops you right at the visitor center. The public bus stop is much further out, and the walk in looks very long. Lonely Planet complains about it in their guidebook, saying it's intentionally done this way to rip off tourists.

jtrandolph May 3rd, 2007 04:25 PM

OH? Then Lonely Planet doesn't know about the MGT? I don't consider $6 a ripoff when the tours cost $22. It probably would not pay the city to do a city bus out there on a regular basis in addition to their comittment to serve Juneau as a whole. Sometimes Lonely Planet makes me impatient with its attitude.

dcal617 Jun 14th, 2007 02:34 AM

You can get the best of both by taking a tour, controlling your own time, and coming back on another tour with the same company.

Taku Tour drivers give you an overview that will give you move information on the Juneau area than any other one company.

Pricing is between 17-20 unless you are a group of more than 10 people, then they will give you a better price



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