Car rentals (and airlines) in Alaska are like everywhere else. They all have happy and unhappy customers. While some folks will rave about one, others will say never again.

Most of the major chains are there and, if you'd like, you can also bid on Priceline. It's a pretty dynamic car rental market so it pays to shop around.

Fred Meyer (kind of a low-grade Target)is about $2.16 for regular, according to alaskagasprices.com, but it'll be higher often by 20-40 cents out in less populated areas.

All the major rentals are at the Anchorage airport, plus, Dollar, Thrifty, Payless, Alamo. Shop and compare, especially Alamo frequently comes out with specials. Have gotten the $149 weekly rate last 2 years.

Hi, we went to Alaska last year, just loved it. We are two overweight middle aged women. This is what we did and loved every minute of it. We flew from San Franscico to Anchorage. Spent several days there, hired a car and drove down to Seward, just beautiful, a vist to the SeaLife Centre is a must. We actually purchased something called an Alaskian Pass, organised prior to leaving Australia (we are Aussies). So on the Alaskian Pass we caught the train down to Whittier, took a boat trip around Prince William Sound, ohh, magnificant. To think it was almost ruined in 1989 with the Valdez accident. We then caught the train to Denali National Park, again beatiful, saw grizzles, moose, and lots of other wild life. Continued on to Fairbanks by train, then coach through Beaver Creek, Whitehorse down to Skagway. Then we got on the Alaskian Marine Highway, the ferry to Junue, stopped for a few days, then back on the ferry to Ketchikan, then down to Bellingham. We got a State Room and it was fabulous. We saw the cruise ships in the ports and okay if you into cruising with thousands of people and only spending hours in port, go for it, but if you want to spend time in some of these wonderful towns along the Alaskan Inside Passage, take the ferry. I hope this helps. For us, Alaska was a trip of a lifetime and loved every minute of it. Kris

Okay here I go! I found out my "free" plane tickets our son gave us for Christmas do not take us to Alaska. So I guess Vancouver in and out is our best bet. Am thinking we will take one way cruise to Seward and then what. If we can't rent a car in Seward will take the train to Anchorage to rent there and then do whatever sights we can fit in. Now my question is: What is the best way to get back to Vancouver?? Any suggestions? Helen

Fly. One way tickets in the summer from ANC to Seattle are around $260 if bought early and if you travel on a weekday; or $100 less if you take the red-eye (which really isn't bad if you're connecting to the east coast or midwest.) Alaska Airlines has nonstops to Vancouver during the summer from ANC that are around $10 more per person (if bought early - like now.) If your free tickets allow open-jaws, Home-Vancouver, Seattle-home, that will be the best deal in terms of connections etc.

If we took a one way cruise to Seward we would only need a one way flight back to Vancouver at the end of our visit? I think that will work and it looks like a one way flight like that booked at this time is less than 150 each. So I am making progress guys in this research. Which one way cruise do you guys recommend. I was looking at HAL. Once we hit Seward how would your proceed from there? Helen

One thing to look at in the cruise ship is whether or not they offer "freestyle" dining--where you are not assigned a table at dinner but can go when you want and sit with different people every night. Princess offers a choice, as do several others. We always choose freestyle but some people like the formality of a fixed time.

I doubt very much if HAL does the freestyle dining thing. they are the only line I know of that does the one way trip and it has been recommended here. We have had good, fair and terrible tablemates over the years. I think as long as the table is big enough you can find at least one couple to chat with. If not John and I have been chatting away with each other for over 36 years so it is not something we stress on or focus on. My main question is which of the one way trips would offer us the most in way of sights not to miss and then once in Seward I wwould love to hear your opinions as to what to do next. Thanks all. Helen

Its been a few years, but we took a Holland America cruise from Vancouver to Seward. We found it cheaper to fly back one way from Anchorage and catch the second half of our other round tickets home.

The cruise was wonderful...lots of gorgeous scenery, and plenty of daytime stops in towns along the way. HAL had some great nature talks and quite varied choices of onboard activities. We only did one land tour- a helicopter to Mendenhall glacier out of Juneau. Actually enjoyed just wandering the various other towns on our own.

Our cruise docked in Seward. We didn't know that there was a car agency (maybe Hertz??) in Seward, so we took the cruise's free bus to Anchorage Airport and got a car there.
We were lucky to have a very informative and talkative driver, so the extra time to Anch wasn't wasted.

We decided to skip Denali after hearing about the crowds, school buses and the slim chance of actually seeing the mountain. Instead, we took our bus driver's advice and stuck to the kenai peninsula.

We spent a night in Seward, then a leisurely day driving to Homer, getting off the main road several times. We loved Homer and spent several days there, then drove back to Anchorage (again stopping a lot on the way, including the Portage train ride)for our midnight flight home.

We had no reservations anywhere (except for the car in Anchorage), but had no problems finding rooms in June.

HAL is the top choice coming into Seward, but I highly doubt HAL has that free bus to Anchorage any longer?? I recommend the train for superior scenery and the ability to at least day visit Seward.

I completely disagree with the above poster on Denali Park. Absolutely NEVER Crowded within the park, and the best bargain around for varied wildlife. There is far more there than McKinley. Fantastic scenery. take a look as some photos for accurate information-
http://community.webshots.com/user/budgetqueen

I also never recommend not having reservations. Alaska is exploding with tourism and I have encountered many people scrambling for lodging interior Alaska so the Kenai may be fine for this option, but going north is not. It also can eat up valuable time in peak season.

Budget Queen I am with you--we don't freelance with lodgings always research and KNOW where we are staying each and every night no matter where we go. So we take the cruise out of Vancouver(there are two that HAL has--which one would you do for firsttimer?--then we get to Seward. I know there are things to do and see there. We will hit port early I am sure so should we see the sights during that day or would you recommend a night there then the train? Sorry to sound so ill traveled but once in Anchorage does the train take us to the airport to rent the car? More questions I ama sure tomorrow. I think as I am planning we will once having done our sightseeing we will take a one way flight from Ancorage back to Vancouver. Thanks.
Helen

IF you are short on time, you can do the Kenai Fjords boat tour the same day as your cruise arrival and make that evening's train. If you have time for everywhere else you want to go, then sure, plenty to keep you busy in Seward.

The regular run of the railroad goes to the downtown depot and not the airport. I suggest, you get to your hotel for the night and pick up your car the next day. For savings, look at lodging that has shuttles for both. I stay at either Ramada, Days Inn etc. I am not fussy on lodging. :)

Hey Reeder,

I'm not an expert on Alaska like the other posters; however, i've been twice & was completely entranced w/ it's unbelievable beauty.

Both times we "did our own thing" on land, which is what i'd highly recommend. The other posters' suggestions are excellent---this is a trip that you would totally love....

Definitely a "must" for people who enjoy travel!

Joy Sakura

Okay guys you are being so helpful here as in planning I am starting to see some plan forming here. HAL has two one way trips to Seward. ONce the Ryndam goes to Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines/Skagway Glacier Bay Natl Park and College Fjord. The other cruise goes to Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. Which do you prefer and why. Keep in mind following the cruise we will take a week on the road--flying back to Vancouver from Anchorage. Helen

I do give an edge to Glacier Bay and College Fjords on one way cruises. Otherwise you essentially just have an open sea day sailing across the gulf, no where near as scenic sailing overall.

But Sitka and Hoonah are worthwhile cities to see and explore. Choose who fits your timeframe best and wallet?? Either way, Alaska isn't a one time trip. Your inside passage travel is totally different than your interior. :)

Even though they are highly recommended and for the first time I was willing to bite for one--balcony cabins are nowhere to be seen in June on the Rhydam. Are the ocean views worth it or should we stick with inside and use our money for other fun things in Alaska? H

You sail close to land quite a bit of the time and there is much to see from your window, unlike sailing in the middle of the ocean. Even if you spend a good deal of time on deck it is nice to be able to be in your cabin and have the window. We enjoyed it while having room service breakfast.

If your more costly cabin doesn't interfer with your tour choices based on funds, yes a window is great.

We too have always gotten inside cabins on various cruises. I figure with exception of room siz, location etc all the rest is equal--same food, same programs, entertainment and facilities. Since I can't get a balcony we will go up on deck to see the sights and SAVE with the inside option. H