Is Alaska Expensive?

Is Alaska expensive to visit?

Alaska is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $280. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs, comparable to places like other cities in the country.

Alaska has a handful of popular destinations that attract visitors. One of the most expensive places to visit is Anchorage. For more affordability, you can see Anchorage.


Average daily price of selected cities in Alaska, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Anchorage $228


Anchorage, Alaska

How expensive is Alaska?

On average, visitors spend about $280 per day when visiting Alaska (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $560 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Alaska here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Alaska?

A weekend trip to Alaska costs about $840 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,680.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Alaska?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Alaska costs around $1,960 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $3,920.

Is it expensive to backpack in Alaska?

Alaska is often overlooked by backpackers, as there is a very limited selection of hostels. Because there aren't any hostels and few other amenities that cater to backpackers, prices might be higher than you'd expect. This is particularly true for solo travelers who many have to pay the full cost for a hotel room. To save money, look for budget hotels in convenient locations.

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Alaska?

Activities and things to do in Alaska can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $65 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $55.

  • Turning Heads Kennel Dogsledding Experience & Tour: $95
  • Summer Mushing Cart Ride & Kennel Tour: $135
  • 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in the Alaska Range - Denali Area: $169
  • Metal Art Class Experience in Sitka: $235
  • 6 Passenger Whale Watching Adventure in Icy Strait from Hoonah AK: $265
  • Premier Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour: $199
  • Port Homer Day Tour Wilderness, Wildlife and Beach Experience: $199
  • Icy Strait Village Tour and Crab Feast: $195

Is food expensive in Alaska?

Food in Alaska can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $94 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $96. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

  • Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300
  • City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour - Winter & Summer: $195
  • Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $220

Is transportation expensive in Alaska?

The prices of local transportation in Alaska can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $51 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Alaska

If you're planning a trip to Alaska, Alaska, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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