Alaska Travel Planning & Travel Tips

Alaska Climate:

Generally, mid May to mid September is the preferred time to visit (with June-August being the best), but not all of the state is as unbearabl e, cold and miserable year-round as a lot of people believe. There are actually five or six different climates. The interior region (Fairbanks area) has a wide range, with summers in the 70s-80s F/20-31 C or higher and winters far below 0 F/-18 C. The south-central (Anchorage) region has summers in the range of 55-65 F/13-18 C and winters well below freezing. Southeast Alaska (Juneau and the Inside Passage) has summers in the 50s-60s F/10-20 C with mild winters that hover around the freezing mark. The southwest is generally in the 50s F/10-15 C during the summer and below freezing in winter, coupled with lots of wind, snow, sleet and rain. In eastern Alaska (along the border with Canada's Yukon), temperatures average about 60 F/15 C in the summer and about 10 to 14 F/-11 to -9 C in winter. Northern Alaska is cool to cold year round, with summer highs generally in the 40s-50s F/5-14 C and winter temperatures well below 0 F/-18 C (similar to winter in Fairbanks). 

And just to confuse things, it can drizzle, fog over, gust mightily or chill out even during the peak of summer throughout the state. Hawaii it isn't, but the climate is part of what makes Alaska such a magnificent place to visit.

No matter when you go, sweaters, warm clothing and rain gear will be useful. From mid May to 1 August, many Alaskans live in near constant daylight. This phenomenon, known as the Midnight Sun, reaches as far south as Fairbanks and Anchorage. 

Note: Alaska's coasts and islands (especially the Pribilofs) can be quite windy. High winds can cause travel delays by boat or plane and, in colder seasons, can increase the danger of frostbite and hypothermia at low temperatures. 

Calling Internationally: 

There are no country codes needed when calling to and from Alaska. 

Electricity: 

The electricity is 110 volts AC, which is the standard in the U.S. 

Travel Insurance for Alaska Trips:

You should consider the benefits of travel insurance as part of your Alaska travel planning. Most travelers look for travel tips that discuss the importance of travel insurance and travel insurance through Travel Guard can provide important coverage for your trip.

Whether you’re taking a family vacation or business trip, Travel Guard has a plan for your Alaska trip. These plans may include valuable medical expense coverage, trip interruption, medical emergency assistance and treatment services and more. And with Travel Guard’s 24-hour assistance line, your coverage can act as a travel guide should your plans change.

For more than 20 years, Travel Guard's plans have covered millions of travelers throughout the world. We're America's leading provider of travel insurance plans and assistance programs and we're here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Coverage provided through Travel Guard is easy to buy and with our 24-hour emergency travel services it's even easier to use.

*Non-insurance services provided by Travel Guard.