Anchorage on a budget: Big Alaska experiences on a smaller bankroll

13.12.2024 - 23:33 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 13, 2024 • 8 min read

Visiting Alaska is a bucket-list dream for a reason. Rugged snowcapped mountains, epic views, iconic wildlife and eccentric locals have all put this famously remote state on the travel map, and Anchorage is the favored first port of call. But there's a caveat for those making their way to the Last Frontier state – Alaska doesn't come cheap.

From costly flights to pricey excursions, a trip to Anchorage can put a major dent in your savings. However, savvy travelers (and those who plan ahead) can take advantage of shoulder season deals that make visiting the state's largest city a little more affordable.

Whether you come in the brief, mild summer or the frosty depths of winter, here's our guide to visiting Anchorage on a budget.

When planning a trip to Alaska, plane tickets are likely to be your most significant expense. While you're unlikely to avoid high ticket prices completely, planning ahead is vital to scoring the best deals. Alaska Airlines often announces airfare promotions via their social media accounts, so monitor the airwaves and be ready to pounce. The best dates to keep an eye out are Cyber Monday and immediately after New Year's Day.

Another great way to save on flights is to apply for an Alaska Airlines credit card. If approved, you can earn 60,000 bonus miles and one free companion ticket each year. Restrictions almost always apply to these special deals, so it pays to be flexible about your travel dates.

For the best chance of savings on air ticket prices, aim to visit Anchorage in the spring or fall shoulder seasons, or consider a deep-winter trip in January or February.

Marked by smaller crowds, Anchorage's springtime shoulder season runs from March through May, but you’re better off waiting until April to visit. As it's not quite tourist season, you can snag great deals on cruises along the Alaskan coast, and you'll miss the worst of the cold weather. Cruises through the Inside Passage begin at the tail end of April, and prices are notably cheaper for the first voyages of the season.

Whale enthusiasts can also enjoy discounted rates on wildlife-spotting tours. Gray whales are the first migratory whale species to return in the spring, and glacier and wildlife cruises through Kenai Fjords National Park depart from Seward (about 2½ hours south of Anchorage) from mid-March to mid-May.

April is also the time to enjoy a sublimely quirky Alaskan event – the Alyeska Spring Carnival. It's famous for the Alaska Airlines Slush Cup, a daring jaunt down a ski slope into a freezing pond. Live music, food trucks, and more goofy games make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Participants can also race mountain bikes and compete in an old-fashioned tug of war, or you can do what