How much does it cost to travel to Anchorage?
You should plan to spend around $191 per day on your vacation in Anchorage. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $50 on meals
- $27 on local transportation
- $233 on hotels
A one week trip to Anchorage for two people costs, on average, $2,674. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Anchorage has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Anchorage expensive to visit?
Prices in Anchorage are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Anchorage is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Berkeley or Charlotte.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Anchorage Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Anchorage?
The average Anchorage trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Anchorage travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$233
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$27
|
Food 2
|
$50
|
Entertainment 1
|
$30
|
Alcohol 2
|
$10 -
31
|
Accommodation Budget in Anchorage
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Anchorage can be very surprising. Some destinations have much higher price tags than others, and even within the same areas you can find a big difference between the budget-friendly and higher-end hotels. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Anchorage is $117. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Anchorage is $233. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Anchorage? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Anchorage include:
- The Hotel Captain Cook starting at $263
- Gardenside Bed and Breakfast starting at $123
- Maria's Creekside B&B starting at $144
Transportation Budget in Anchorage
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Anchorage is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $27 per person, per day, on local transportation in Anchorage.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$27
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port for $232 details
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer for $197 details
- Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer for $197 details
How much does it cost to go to Anchorage? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Anchorage will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Anchorage
Calculated from travelers like you
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Anchorage. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour - Winter & Summer for $190 details
Typical prices for Food in Anchorage are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Anchorage, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Bread
$4.25
-
Breakfast for Two
$17
Entertainment Budget in Anchorage
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Anchorage typically cost an average of $30 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$30
A nice way to explore destinations in Anchorage is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Ultimate Anchorage Winter Wildlife & Sunset Tour for $179 details
- Anchorage to Whittier Wildlife Adventure for $79 details
- Advanced Snowshoeing Adventure for $238 details
Typical prices for Entertainment in Anchorage are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Anchorage, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
1 Day Bike Rental
$33
-
1/2 Day Rafting Trip
$105
Alcohol Budget in Anchorage
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $20 on alcoholic beverages in Anchorage per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$20
Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Anchorage. A few favorites from other travelers include:
- Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings for $179 details
- Hike Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Local Honey, Wine Tasting for $285 details
- Chocolate and Wine Tasting Tour for $109 details
Anchorage on a Budget
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.
Dive into this city of parks, museums and restaurants and you'll see why almost half the state's population calls it home.
Sights
Alaska is full of natural beauty. It's all around you, but there are some places you may want to explore in anchorage for even better vistas.
Kenai Fjords National Park is a National Park that covers an area of 669,984 acres on the Kenai Peninsula. The park contains the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States. The park is named for the numerous fjords carved by glaciers moving down the mountains from the ice field. The field is the source of at least 38 glaciers, the largest of which is Bear Glacier. Exit Glacier is reachable by road and is a popular tour destination. The remainder of the park is primarily accessible by boat. This is a sight you won't soon forget.
See Alaskan wildlife up close at the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation. The center's mission is to provide refuge for orphaned, injured, and ill animals-those that can't survive in the wild. Coyotes peer out from behind the brush while a bald eagle swoops in on the salmon remains left by a grizzly bear. Wood Bison plod through 65 acres of tidal flat terrain, as part of a program that will one day restore the species to the Alaskan wilderness. Come and watch these animals display their natural, "wild", behavior.
See the Chugach State Park. The park contains approximately 495,000 acres of land and is one of the four largest state parks in the United States. This is an area of diverse land forms and rugged topography, bounded on the north and west by the Alaska Range, and on the east by the Chugach and Wrangell Mountains and Prince William Sound. The region contains extensive ocean shoreline, abundant lakes, massive glaciers and ice fields. The park is full of natural beauty and is sure to leave you with feelings of amazement.
Neighborhoods
Anchorage Bowl
The northern region of the Anchorage Bowl contains the city center and eastern residential areas. With a great nightlife downtown and in surrounding areas, this location is a hotspot for professional, young, and mixed-aged singles.
The Northeast Anchorage/Nunaka Valley is one of the wealthiest centers in the state. Also in the northeast area is Alaska Pacific University in the Northern Lights Boulevard area.
Central and Southern
The central region ranges from urban to residential settings and contains a mix of young singles to mixed ages. Abbott Loop is a residential area in Anchorage, good for families and young singles. Anchorage's southern region is primarily family-friendly and home to larger, upscale homes. The New/Old Seward area is also home larger homes and an executive lifestyle, but is a retiree-friendly community.
Eagle River and South of Anchorage
North of the Anchorage Bowl is the Eagle River area. It is largely an area for families and retirees, with mixed ages. South of Anchorage is a remote neighborhood located in the Chickaloon Bay, and it is home to mostly young, upper- to middle-class.
Activities
Alaska activities including famous wildlife, spectacular mountain vistas, fascinating cultures and icy blue glaciers all await your discovery. Metropolitan luxuries mix with unrivaled natural wonders to make Anchorage an unforgettable destination. Here are just a few options to keep you entertained on your trip:
The Alaska Native Heritage Center. This Anchorage museum offers an in-depth look at Alaskan Native life-with a big focus on Alaska Natives. Watch dancing, listen to stories, meet carvers and explore recreated winter dwellings. You'll see how Alaska Native history is not a collection of artifacts behind glass: this is a living, dynamic culture that you can experience firsthand.
The Alyeska Resort's Aerial Tramway is a seven-minute ride that lifts you to a viewing deck with breathtaking panoramic views of mountains, hanging glaciers, streams, spruce, and an array of wildlife. Enjoy a relaxed midday picnic or beautiful evening sunset on Mt. Alyeska's observation deck, more than 2,000 feet above sea level. Telescopes intensify the view. Go exploring, berry picking, and paragliding, and take a hike on the glacier.
Visit the Alaska Botanical Gardens. Walk, hike, watch for birds or paint a picture at this living field guide of Alaska flora and fauna. The 110 acres are set in a birch and spruce forest, where you might even see a bear or moose. Walk the Wildflower Trail, relax in the Herb Garden, delight in the perennial gardens, or explore the 1.1 mile Lowenfels Family Nature Trail.
Have a unique adventure with the Alaskan Experience Theatre. Learn about the massive 1964 Earthquake that rocked Alaska. Feel like you're soaring over the rugged terrain of the last frontier. Get up close to Alaska's wild animals-from the creatures of Arctic pack ice to the predators of the tundra. You can see it all on the big screen, from the comfort of this downtown Anchorage Theatre.
Food and Dining
Anchorage dining includes some of the freshest seafood in the world, which Alaska chefs offer up in a variety of mouth-watering creations in Anchorage restaurants. From plump, cold-water Kachemak Bay oysters, to Alaska king crab, fresh-caught halibut, and wild Alaska salmon – the staple of Alaska seafood, Anchorage restaurants have it all. And there's more to be found than just seafood. Enjoy steak slathered in peppercorn sauce or freshly-prepared Japanese yakisoba noodles.
Expect a very enjoyable and memorable experience at any of the dining options.
Transportation
Air transportation is the easiest way to get into Anchorage. The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, 6 miles south of downtown Anchorage, is the airline hub for the state, served by many national and international airlines, including Seattle-based Alaska Airlines as well as many intrastate airlines and charter air services. Next to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is Lake Hood Seaplane Base, the largest Seaplane Base in the world. Merrill Field, a general aviation airport on the edge of downtown, was the 87th-busiest airport in the nation in 2010. Anchorage has a bus system called People Mover, with a central hub in downtown Anchorage and satellite hubs at Diamond Center and Muldoon Mall. The People Mover provides carpool organization services. The public paratransit service known as AnchorRides provides point-to-point accessible transportation services to seniors and those who experience disabilities. The Alaska Railroad offers year-round freight service along the length of its rail system between Seward, Fairbanks, and Whittier. Daily passenger service is available during summer (May 15 – September 15), but is reduced to one round-trip per week between Anchorage and Fairbanks during the winter.
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.