I’ve done this trip with a backpack. You don’t need a car in Alaska unless you plan to go off the beaten path. The small towns in southeast Alaska are all small enough to be walkable and the buses in larger towns are very practical to see the sites. No reservations needed for passenger only. Incredible flexibility, just walk on. No need to have a cabin, people roll out their pads on the floor inside or on dinette bunks. Best trip ever.

I live in Juneau and have traveled the ferries all my life. I would recommend bringing a power strip with surge protector. Very handy and and a great way to meet people.

Love your video. I am actually a Deckhand on board the ferries. Thank you for documenting and posting your experience. This helps us out immensely with our ridership. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip.

My parents did this about 30 years ago. They stayed in a cabin and got off in several towns, breaking the trip up like you have. Now 95 and 97 they still talk about the trip 😊. PS several years later they drove the ALCAN.

In 2006 I made the adventure of my life, a motorcycle trip to Alaska. Kentucky to Anchorage in 9 days. As my butt was a bit sore, thought I'd check out the ferry. It would have been a week before I could leave Anchorage, but in two days I could board in Haines AK. I did, and saw so much that I never could have by motorcycle. And met some great folks. Totally recommend it!

Something travelers should keep an eye out for. When the Ferry's stop in the smaller southeast communities, some of the town residents come on board for lunch or dinner in the ship's cafeteria. Don't be afraid to spark up a conversation with the locals or don't be surprised if we spark up a conversation with you 😁Great video I'm glad you enjoyed it!

The wife and I rode our Goldwing trike from our home in Houston, Texas to Fairbanks, Alaska back in 2017. We rode a 2,000 mile loop in Alaska and then took the ferry from Skagway to Prince Rupert, BC. That ferry stops at all the little places that are only accessible by ferry of floatplane. We actually got up in the middle of the night, although it wasn’t dark, just to get off and walk around a bit. Great way to travel up there. It’s a unique experience! Thanks for your post!

In 2006 I drove my 85 VW Westfalia from Seattle WA to Prince Rupert BC. I boarded the AK ferry in Prince Rupert BC and got off in Skagway AK. I booked my trip by phone and the person who assisted me was very very helpful. She listened to my proposed itinerary then suggested that I book my trip a week earlier that I had originally intended to take advantage of “off-season” rates which were significantly lower in price which allowed me to book a cabin and stay within my travel budget. Having a cabin with a full bath was well worth the cost and I justified it by reminding myself that I’d be roughing it (in my Westfalia 😉) for the next 3 months. I made friends almost immediately on board the ferry and during my solo tour of Alaska by land I kept bumping into a lovely young couple from Australia that had also been on the same ferry. It was spooky/surreal in that we kept finding each other in the oddest, out of the way places. One evening around 4 I’d pulled into a semi-remote fishing dry camp site and was completely alone in the camp. Perfect! It was raining like crazy but I built a small campfire and was enjoying a cold beverage under my awning parked next to the river overlooking the highway bridge about 1/4 of a mile downstream. After a couple hours of reading in absolute silence except for the sound of the river, I heard another vehicle coming. I looked up at the bridge in time to see their Dodge Caravan crossing the bridge, then heard it slowing down, then turning into the same camp. As they drove slowly through the loop to choose a site they suddenly slammed on the brakes when their headlights lit up my campsite and my unmistakeable Westfalia. They sat there for a full 2 minutes in their van in shock and amazement wondering how it was even possible for this “chance meeting” to have happened a 3rd time! He slowly got out, approached the slider side of my Westy very hesitantly and jokingly asked me in his very charming accent if I was following THEM. 🤣 We celebrated our reunion around the fire with cold beverages, shared snacks, bowls of hot soup, tips on kayak tours, glaciers, free hot showers, etc well into the night. After his girlfriend turned in for the night he confessed to me that they’d recently hit an emotionally low spot in their trip and had been arguing and considering quitting their trip early and perhaps each other 😕. But when they drove in expecting another miserable cold, wet, uncomfortable night but discovered a friendly face, my well equipped, supplied Westy lit up and set up on high/dry ground, my fire going and my habit of always having an empty chair or two at the ready… all the previous discomforts and hurt feelings between them just evaporated! I bumped into them a 4th time while I was set up in an RV Park to catch up on e-mails, do laundry, resupply, etc. They’d just come back from a kayak tour and were shivering cold when they saw my raised pop top across the parking lot. I put the kettle on and we, once again, exchange trip info/tips and celebrated our mutual good fortunes but with warm beverages this time. The Ferry to Alaska is worth every minute. 😍

My fiancee & I had just married in 1981, and our honeymoon was a trip to the Olympic and North Cascades National Parks, then across to Vancouver, up the Vancouver Island coast to Port Hardy, and taking the Canadian Ferry via the Inside Passage as far as Prince Rupert. The trip was so far beyond what we had expected! It was a continuous set of stunning British Columbia coastal vistas. Not to mention, we saw a considerable number of whales, dolphins and seals. An incredible voyage, that we still talk about today! On the return leg of our voyage, we spent a few more days in Vancouver (esp. Stanley Park and the Aquarium), then caught The Amtrak Coast Starlight in Seattle for LA. That was a great trip in it's on right!!!

Thank you for the awesome video ! As a long time Alaskan, I know theirs lots of people unaware of the marine highway system. Great representation and narration in this video 💝💝

Wanted to say thank you, this video was my inspiration for taking the AMH ferry in late August this year from Bellingham to Juneau. I slept on a deck chair in the solarium on the Columbia and it was one of the best times I've ever had. I was so surprised how many people I met who lived in Bellingham that didn't know the ferry existed! This type of travel isn't for everyone, but for me, it had everything I needed, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Much appreciated.

So cool! I did this same trip two years ago with my daughter. Being from Canada, we used BC Ferries. We went all the way to Haida Gwaii and back using this system and I can attest to how beautiful it is! The ferries are modern and top notch, great amenities and reasonably priced food. Their special buffet service was worth the price, as the food and views were out of this world! Will do again! Bryan from Vancouver

Thanks for a great video! I just took this same trip (Bellingham to Juneau) on the Matanuska last August. I wish I had some of this information before my trip. I agree that it's a fantastic experience that I would highly recommend. Although I didn't actually do it, I'm not sure I'd share your enthusiasm for tent camping on deck, especially if I didn't bring a car. It's probably fine for young people with supple bodies who can sleep on hard surfaces. I'm pushing 55 and would need a cot or I'd never sleep. When you're traveling entirely on foot as I was, it's really hard to lug a tent and cot (or tent/cot combo) around once you get off the ship in Juneau. I noticed that there was a definite diesel exhaust smell on the tent deck, since it is just aft of the smokestack. The smokestack also makes a constant sound like a quiet jet engine. I saw people really struggling to secure their tents to the deck in the strong wind, and they were constantly moving them to get a better position. It all looked kind of stressful. I do agree that the upside of being up there is that you don't miss a thing. I had an interior cabin and tried to spend as little time as possible there, because every minute of scenery is precious. I actually saw a humpback whale blow a rainbow out of its spout (the light caught it just right at the right moment)!

I took the trip from Seattle to Haines on the Matanuska in November of '83. It was a mind expanding trip. I most highly recommend it. I caught the fish of my dreams in the Chilkat (spelling approximate) River above Haines. It was a 30-inch sliver salmon.

“Rough. … Also, there’s a pun in there.” 😂😂😂 I can’t even begin to tell you guys how much I’m enjoying your Alaska series. Just wonderful.

I actually hitchhiked to Alaska from Houston three times between 1973-1976. I took the ferry several times. It was real nice. Thanks for the video.

You need a dark color tent for Alaska. Remember the long summer days.

I took my 3 little ones on the ferry this summer and stayed in our Big Agnes tent too. When we got home they all agreed the ferry was their favorite part of the entire trip.

Thank you for giving these details. Definitely something I will want to do in the future.

Very informative. You answered meany questions that I have had for awhile. Ty!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! 🙌 This info was exactly what we were looking for! Always wanted to go through the inside passage!

Thank you so much for this video, very helpful, we are hopping on the ferry at the end of may/2022 and spending 4 months in Alaska. We just took delivery on a 2022 Renegade Explorer 40 AGB. This thing is built like a tank and it's like having a 5 star hotel but on wheels. We are planning on boon docking on most of the trip, but because me and my wife are retired military there are several bases that have RV parks available with full hookups at the cost of $ 8.00 a day........

What a great video! I’m an Alaska lover-done it many times, many ways. This video captures the essence of the Inside Passage. Well done! You can believe I’ll be catching the rest of this series. Thank you!

So helpful, thank you! This experience is definitely on my list.

Thank you for posting this it really helps me with my own trip planning research. 👍

Enjoyed your video, took this trip many times as a young man in 1980-85 going to and from my summer job. Nothing more then what I needed in a backpack.

I loved your video thanks for all the information I had thought that taking the ferry to Alaska would be fun and you answered many of the questions that I had thanks again and have a lovely day

Great video representation of my home State. Thank for sharing - you did it justice!

Thanks for posting this- I have fond memories of this ferry. About 25 years ago I took the ferry and it opened my eyes to the international world of travel. I jumped on it in Seattle on a whim to see a bit of Alaska. On the boat there were many international travelers and we were sleeping on the deck. Started a game of Pictionary to exchange languages. Met a lifelong friend from Germany on the boat we continue to travel together every few years and was the start of me discovering the world beyond the US. And the Northern Lights made an appearance for me! So glad I slept on the deck.

Mac, thank you for the wonderful and insightful information. Cheers, Mate.

Thanks for this information! With your recommendation, I'm doing this in 2022 ❤️

I live in Alaska. Thanks for the information and the honest style

Ive always wanted to visit Alaska and I'll be moving to the PNW later this year. I learned about this ferry and it was like a dream come true. I really want to do this and your video was so informative!

As a 30+ year resident, I'd say this is an excellent overview of using the ferry. I'm amazed at how uncrowded the deck was for you - you got very lucky as it's usually packed full. (Normally you'd have someone setting up between your tent and the rail, and all the solarium chairs filled up.) Food service is very reasonable considering where it is (more so than airport options, for example). And, the scenery is just as stunning as you described - I think every possible shade of green is on display at some point.

thx for the vid. I first rode the ferry from seattle to ketchikan in 1977. blue canoes are fun

This was incredibly helpful. We are planning to take the ferry to Alaska this summer. Didn't even know camping on the deck was an option. Looks like the way to go! Thank you for posting this. Watched another of your videos and just hit the subscribe button. Nicely done!

really good video... we were looking for this in 2007 when we went to Alaska. Thanks a lot!

This video was super helpful. Not having Internet was something wasn't awear of. My son is homeschooled and does it online. So good to know thanks

We did this trip in about 1970, crazy how some of the ferries are still in operation!! Fun memories!

Interesting timing on this, as there were some pics on Reddit of one of the marine highway ferries being put in drydock for repairs. It got me thinking about heading up that way, I had planned on going in 2006-2007, but got married and had kids instead. I keep thinking about everything I've been putting off doing while living in the Pacific Northwest, I may need to put this trip back on my priority list.

I live in Sitka and think you did a great job covering this. Thanks!

What a great option! Thanks for the informative video!

Thank you! Excellent information!

Looks interesting. I've never been on one of those big ferries, but when I was a senior in high school, I was able to go from Seward to Friday Harbor, Washington (30 miles southwest of Bellingham) on a 44-foot wooden fishing boat. Over the next 5 summers I was able to go from Friday Harbor up the Canadian and Alaska Inside Passage to Pelican, south of Glacier Bay, and then over a period of a few weeks to Ketchikan by way of Warm Springs Bay, Hoonah, Wrangell and Petersburg, and then back home to Friday Harbor, Exciting times for a college kid. I began my adventure in the summer of 1963. It is interesting to see how things have changed. You do a good job on your video.

Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful video.

I have traveled this route on a ship (a free trip because I helped someone who was writing a book) and on the Marine Ferry. Loved the ferry and hope to do it again getting off at every port. Got on at Skagway. Enjoyed Sitka, Juneau, and Haines, but feel I want to see them all going north. We slept inside on the floor with pads and sleeping bags. We got off at Prince Rupert, so next time will begin in Bellingham. Very helpful video.

This was very helpful and I will check out you blog Post and links as well. Took lot of notes, hope I can read my writing. This really sounds doable with some planning. Reading some of the comments below are also useful with some good suggestions. Thanks Mak for the information.

Love love love! Been looking for more info on this for years! Thank you!

Thanks for the great info! Cheers!

Tons of great information. We always travel with our fur babies so loved those details near the end of your video.

Nice im planning on moving to southeast and this helps alot!

This was the best video on this trip. I feel very informed, and ready to take my teenager to Alaska!

I like your content I have been considering going back up to Alaska with my RV this time. I drove the Alcan the last time that was an interesting trip. Absolutely no Radio Service for days

Great video, informative, good details like about showers.

Great video. Long time ferry rider, I'd just add one thing. A lot of people who do the solarium aren't bringing cars. They are going to be ahead of you onto the boat. You need to park and haul swiftly for your lawnchair first thing. Bring something to leave on it, then go back for your gear.

Thanks. Planning on taking the ferry this summer/fall. Great video.

Great information! My friend and I may do that for either going or returning. I’m thinking “going,” since we’d like to see the fall colors on the way back. Thanks for posting!

I took the ferry back in 2000 had a blast, slept on the top deck under the heat lamps

What a great job you did ancering all my questions and I don't mean one or two of them I mean all of them I am going to Alaska this spring and thanks to your help all we'll go much easier thank you. I will recommend this app to all heading north. Thanks so much for your help

Fascinating. It looks superb. Thank you

Awesome info! What an incredible trip!!

Thank you for the great information!

Thanks for all the info. I had already gleaned much of that stuff during arduous searches of their website. It’s not easy to find information if you’re traveling with a camper and a pet! I could’ve saved myself a lot of digging if I had come across this video before. I kept saying to myself, “Oh surely they’ll let us sleep in the van or take our pup up on deck; they can’t expect her to stay down in the van alone for days!” Yep, they do. I’m glad to have confirmation from you that that really is how they do it. Unfortunately that puts us out of the running for taking our dog and van. We flew to Juneau once, took the ferry to Skagway, did our train rides and hiking, stayed at a couple of forest service cabins, then back to Juneau to fly home. Now that we have a camper van, I thought maybe we’d drive one direction and do the ferry the other way, but that’s just not gonna work with the dog. She’s little, she’s anxious, I can’t do that to her. Also, we’re seniors and we don’t do tent camping anymore, so we’d have to drag a tent along that we wouldn’t use otherwise, plus camping pads and gear we would have to find somewhere to store it on a 20-foot B van. Ah well.. our 1998 Skagway trip will have to suffice. Can’t do it all. Thanks.

Love it!

Thank you for all this awesome info! I plan to take a ferry on my way back to Bellingham!

Thanks for the great info!

I took the ferry in 2012, but my friend and I got cabins for the overnight stays. We loved it and found the staff to be very helpful. Also, their website does include most of the details you mentioned.

I’m trying to leave Alaska for the very first time in my life. This video is a big help.

I took the ferry back from Haines to Bellingham in 2011 and it was awesome. A travel buddy and I got a cabin for one night, sold out the rest of the time, and got private showers. Several nights I slept on a air mattress in the lounge, between the seat isles, but I got a hole in the mattress so that was that. I slept on the hard floor one night. Ouch. The food was awesome! One night a complete seafood dinner (fresh) for about $13.00 a person. No tipping or tax as this is a State of Ak boat. We were able to go the our motor home once a day. Could not stay in the hold with the RV at night for safety reasons. All in all, I have recommended this trip to friends just for the incredible scenery. Too bad I did not take a lot of boat pictures or I would make one of these myself.

Thank you for answering all these questions, mostly off the cuff. Your honest responses are great. We appreciate all your hard work that we get to enjoy. I am personally paying close attn to the Alaska trip details since we are going in 2024.

This is awesome! This earned my sub. Thank you!

Thanks for the great info !!

Awesome video! Great info.

I got to do this from Haines>>Bellingham, had a cabin as well. Whole trip was courtesy of the US Army. I was going from Ft. Wainwright to Ft. Lewis.

Thanks for the super informative video! We're in the process of planning our own trip to Alaska and considering catching the ferry for a bit. The info on pets is particularly helpful for us! :)

Thank You lovely presentation

wow! memory lane. onboard 'Columbia' at Seattle, about 1977 amazing adventure, travelers from all walks of life, conservatives in cabins, 'hippies' sleeping on deck in a cloud of pot!!! Made for good sleeping! Thanks for your very informative video!

Great Info, thankyou.

Wow I just found your channel, and I enjoyed it very Much. I subscribed and now I have some catching up to do.

Being from southeast Alaska I must say well done!

Thanks for the information 😎👍

Great video! Thank you

thank you putting this out when i pcs from wa to ak i drove the alcan but wanted to take the ferry when i leave i plan on taking the ferry

Thank you for such an in depth look at the ferry to Alaska. We have looked into it ourselves, but our rig is almost 75 feet long and would cost a fortune. After watching your video, now it makes me consider the possibility of renting a van for a season or possibly backpacking it. Great video and great information!

I did the ferry with my folks in 2002 in an old 4Runner. We drove up Vancouver island, Canada ferry to Rupert, then Alaska ferry to Haines. Went to kodiak to visit my uncle, then thru chicken to Dawson city and alcan/cassiar back south. Stewart/hyder, specifically the road into the mountains may be the best car camping ever-glaciers plus northern lights. Classic road trip. I had a film Nikon at the time, too.

This was a hoot. I found you by accident. I love Alaska and this sounds fun and very different from a cruise

Outstanding

I am DEFINITELY saving this vid for future travels. I didn’t even realize the ferry existed but now I gotta go it when I head up there.

Very good to know…thank you!!!

What an enjoyable person the narrator is. Personality plus...

I took the ferry in 1975 from Seattle to Juneau on July 4th weekend. We camped on deck. The weather was beautiful and we got to see all the towns on Puget Sound set off their fireworks. We spent a week in Juneau. The trip was AMAZING! The people were great. I don't remember how much we paid, but it was under $100.

Wow, this seems like the sort of thing I'd like and I've been considering going to Alaska for awhile now, and I'd never even thought of going by sea. I loved doing overnight ferries in the North Sea to the various islands but didn't even snap to being able to do it in tte US/Canada.

Great iformation, thanks

Hi Mack🤐Mac, Super informative, and well narrated. I blew a gasket at the bloober reel. Godspeed -

I took the ferry from Homer to Washington in 1967, awesome.

So much cooler than a cruise! How exciting. It does sound like a great way to get an introduction to the State. Say, when you are in JT, some places give discounts for locals and since you own property, you qualify. Joshua Tree Coffee Company offers them for their fantastic beans & Boos Organic Oven 😋 does one day a week. Some cafes do as well.

What???!!! I moved to Seattle last year and one of my favorite things to do is ride the ferry, since I grew up in a landlocked state. I often go on them for no reason other than to ride it. I had no idea you could take a ferry to Alaska and I'm absolutely going to do this trip!

Thank you

Very good job! Thx

Looks like fun. I never knew you could sleep on the deck chairs like that. I figured everyone either got a cabin or tried to sleep sitting up in their chair.