Ketchikan Travel is easy and fun! 


Ketchikan Travel is easy and can be accessed in a variety of ways, especially if you're not bringing a vehicle.  If you are driving to Ketchikan, the only option is the Alaska State ferry. The common joke around here is that there are two ways to get in (air or boat) but only one way to get out.... 



How to get here:


Ketchikan Travel by Air

Air Travel Alaska is easy using Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airline's Salmon-Thirty-Salmon airplane


There are only two large commercial airliners that fly into Ketchikan: Alaska Airlines (year-round) and Delta Airlines (summer only).

Alaska Airlines has multiple daily flights into Ketchikan Airport (KTN) from Seattle/Tacoma (SEA), an easy 90 minute flight. There are also daily flights to and from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Petersburg, Sitka, & Wrangell. Flying into the Ketchikan International Airport is an experience in itself since the Ketchikan airport is located on Gravina Island and once you arrive, you must take a quick 5-10 minute airport ferry to get to the city!

Delta Airlines began offering one, seasonal only (early June through early September) flight, in 2015. This is great news for us locally as it gives us one more option - although with the amazing frequent flyer program that Alaska Airlines offers, it's sometimes tough to make the decision!


Ketchikan Travel by Ferry


There are three ferry systems that will get you in and around Ketchikan:

- The Alaska State Ferry System -

Alaska Marine Highway System and the Alaska State Ferry


The Alaska State Ferry is part of the Alaska Marine Highway System and has sailings into and out of Ketchikan most days of the week from Bellingham, WA and Prince Rupert, BC.

Bring your car, RV, motorcycle, bicycle, or even kayak with you while you travel.

Find out the schedules, reservations, must-know info, and the Top Ferry Travel Tips to make your travels on the Alaska Ferry System smooth sailing.


- Inter-Island Ferry -

The Inter-Island Ferry takes you from Ketchikan to Prince of Wales Island


The Inter-Island Ferry is what you will use when you need to go from Ketchikan to Hollis on Prince of Wales Island. They offer daily passenger and vehicle service aboard the M/V Prince of Wales.

Call Toll-Free (866) 308-4848 to make reservations. It costs about $48.75 for adults (less for seniors) and $22.50 for kids with additional fees for vehicles ($50 - $168.75 depending on length). You can find more info about their rates here.


Their current schedule is as follows:

Depart Hollis 8:00 am ------- Arrive Ketchikan 11:00 am

Depart Ketchikan 3:30 pm -------- Arrive Hollis 6:30 pm


- Ketchikan International Airport Ferry -

The Ketchikan Airport Ferry will get you to Ketchikan from the airport


How else are you going to get from the Ketchikan Airport on Gravina Island to the other side of the Tongass Narrows to Revillagigedo Island (a mere 1 nautical mile)! The Ketchikan Airport passenger and vehicle ferry is a quick, 5-10 minute ride to the other side.

The ferry leaves the Ketchikan side of the channel on the quarter hour and the airport side on the hour and half hour. (Pay attention to this when deciding when to catch the ferry back to the airport! If you miss one, you have to wait 30 mins before the next one!)

It costs $6 (cash) for adults, $3 for kids, infants are no charge.  Vehicles cost from $3 - $38 depending on size.


- BC Ferries -

BC Ferries for Inside Passage Cruises


While the BC Ferry system won't get you directly to Ketchikan, it does have Inside Passage Cruises that are to die for! After all, why would you want to forgo seeing all the beauty of British Columbia on this trip of a lifetime? I have traveled through many of the islands and routes and will give you all the info you need to enjoy your visit. In the meantime, check out the BC Ferries website where you can check schedules and make reservations online.

Ketchikan Travel by Cruise Ship


Of course the way most people visit Ketchikan is in style! With over 12 cruise lines to choose from, the sky is the limit. Whether you're looking for a budget one-week cruise or one-month luxury cruise or anything in between, you're sure to find exactly what you're looking for on a Cruise to Alaska!

Click here for the current Alaska cruise ship schedules.


Travel by Recreational Boat


Cruising the Inside passage in your own boat is well, magical. There are so many tiny coves to tuck into, so many hidden anchorages that you can enjoy for days, weeks even, without seeing another boat, it's truly incredible. But when you're ready for some provisioning and are looking for a place to moor, there are several marinas in Ketchikan where you can stay. Whether for a day, a week, or a year, there are several options to choose from. I'll tell you all about them!


As I said before, Ketchikan Travel is easy! When you are ready to travel to Ketchikan, you are presented with many transportation options. Whichever option you choose, you will not be disappointed!


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