Alaska is home to two historically significant and distinctive transportation systems: the Alaska Railroad and the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System. We have a range of tour packages available that can be tailored to include travel on both of these iconic transportation networks.
- The Alaska Marine Highway System has been operating year-round since 1963, with regularly scheduled passenger and vehicle service to approximately 30 communities throughout Alaska; the ferry system’s most southern port is Bellingham, Washington. The Alaska Marine Highway ferries accommodate Cars, RVs, Motorcycles, Bicycles, Kayaks, and foot passengers. Vehicles are stowed on the car decks, and the driver simply drives on and off the ship. The Alaska Marine Highway schedule can change due to maintenance or seasonal circumstances.
- The Alaska Marine Highway System (commonly referred to as the AMHS) is a ferry service operated by the state of Alaska and the US Government. The headquarters are located in Ketchikan, Alaska. The Alaska Marine Highway System covers 3,500 miles of routes; the ferry operates along the southcentral coast of the state, the eastern Aleutian islands and the Inside Passage of Alaska and British Columbia, Canada. The ferry system serves many communities that are remote and only available by aircraft or boat; for these communities the ferry is a way of life allowing transportation of common goods and services.
The Alaska Marine Highway was founded in 1948 by Haines residents Steve Homer and Ray Gelotte, who used a converted LCT-Mark VI landing craft which they christened the M/V Chilkoot. Their business was purchased by the territorial government in 1951 and renamed the Alaska Marine Highway System in 1963. Service was extended to Prince Rupert, British Columbia that year, and to Bellingham in 1967. There are currently eleven vessels in the AMHS fleet.
Sleeping rooms can be limited during different seasons; the summer season tends to be a busy time for the ferry system. It is advisable to book any sleeping arrangements (berth rooms) in advance. Each ferry has dining facilities, spacious and comfortable seating arrangements, a viewing deck and a small gift shop. There may be a naturalist on board to provide information for all travelers or different forms of entertainment (movie, slide show, presentation by a naturalist etc..)