Whether you get here by air, cruise ship, ferry or highway, you can reach Alaska by a number of ways.
By Sea
Skagway is the northern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway System. A fleet of modern, 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 Haines or Skagway. Each vessel has an observation lounge, bar, cafeteria, and a solarium where camping is allowed free of charge. Mainline vessels also feature stateroom accommodation.
Cruise Ship Passengers: Almost all of the cruising lines calling on Alaska include Skagway in their itineraries. Whether you are on a 7-day one-way cruise or a longer excursion that includes overland travel, you will probably stop in Skagway. Ask your travel agent or cruise operator if Skagway is included in the cruise itinerary.
By Air
The closest major airport to Skagway is in Juneau, which is 100 miles south of Skagway by water. Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines fly from Seattle and to Juneau daily. Alaska Airlines also flies from Anchorage consistently. No other major (heavy) airline flies to Juneau.
Skagway is a 45-minute prop-only, air taxi, (light) commuter flight from Juneau. A small airline, Alaska Seaplanes, flies from Juneau to Skagway each day, weather permitting. Check them out at their website here. There is no jet service to Skagway. Large airplanes cannot land in Skagway. There is no direct air flight between Skagway and Anchorage.
To combine the best of flight-seeing 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 by Air Canada, Air North, and Condor Air (from Frankfurt Germany).
There is no air service of any kind between Skagway and Whitehorse. Alaska Seaplanes does fly direct between Whitehorse and Juneau, and you can then fly or ferry from Juneau to Skagway. See “By Land” below for bus connections in summer only between Skagway and Whitehorse.
By Land
If you are traveling by car or an RV, you’ll join the growing number of visitors who travel the Alaska Highway each year. Skagway is only 110 miles south from the Alaska Highway, via the South Klondike Highway. The lakes of the Yukon and British Columbia that you’ll pass along the way are the headwaters of the great Yukon River. This modern two-lane highway is an easy drive, and passes through the historic community of Carcross – gas, food, and other visitor services available – and past the ruins of the Venus Mine on Windy Arm of Tagish Lake. Near the summit of the Klondike Highway Pass you’ll encounter a scene that resembles a moonscape more than any earthly vista. Ancient, twisted trees cling to rocks polished smooth by prehistoric glaciers, or crumbled by years of erosion. Myriad waterfalls, several glaciers and glimpses of the White Pass Railroad and White Pass Trail are among the highlights of the drive from the summit to seaside Skagway.
The scenic route between Whitehorse and Skagway is served by both motorcoach and rail in the summer only. A ticket on the historic White Pass and Yukon Route railroad includes bus service between Whitehorse and Fraser, British Columbia via the Klondike Highway. At Fraser or Carcross you’ll board the narrow-gauge railroad for the rest of your journey to Skagway. This is a spectacular trip over White Pass and the famous Trail of ’98 Gold Rush route. See here for booking information for this option.