Travel - getting to Anchorage...

Students: We have awarded all of the 25 Student Stipend Grants. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing you in Anchorage.

It appears the people staying at Comfort Inn - Ship Creek did not indicate they were attending the SWS meeting. If you have made reservations there already, please call them back and notify them you are connected with SWS. Reason being, all will get a discount after 15 people register.

Register by April 15th and save $100.

The secure website electronic registration is up and running. A good alternative if you are using a charge card.

IMPORTANT TRAVEL ALERT!!!: The word on the streets is that airline tickets to Anchorage in June is becoming a challenge. It appears that AMERICAN AIRLINES have seats available, but DELTA seats are getting in short supply. US Travel (see below) stand ready to help you with your travel arrangements. They are experienced in working with individuals and families in all types of travel combinations. Please act accordingly as you start thinking about getting to Anchorage. This is the start of the tourist season in Alaska and a very busy time to travel.

...by air

US TRAVEL has arranged for meeting attendees to get special, discounted fairs on Delta Airlines. In addition, discounted car rental rates with Avis, National and Alamo are also available. US Travel will even set up custom designed sightseeing excursions for pre and post meeting activities. They are available toll free at (800) 544-2217 from outside Alaska or (800) 478-2434 if you live in Alaska. US Travel recommends you call and book EARLY to get the best rates and schedules. You can do so by asking for Sheri or Angela when you call and mention you are a Wetlands Conference Participant.

Anchorage International Airport is an easy flight from all major transportation hubs in North America, Japan, Korea and Europe. Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Reno Airlines, United Airlines, Aeroflot, China Airlines, Korean Air, British Airways, SAS all provide daily service to Anchorage. Make certain you make flight arrangements well in advance of your travel date. June is the beginning of a busy tourist season for Alaska, and flights get filled up by Cruise Ship Companies moving people back and forth to Anchorage.

...by land

Anchorage is also connected to the contiguous US by the Alaska-Canadian (ALCAN) Highway through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. Several major highways connect Anchorage to Seward, Fairbanks and Whittier. If you have the time, this is a great way to see some beautiful country with lots of places to stop for picnics and camping.

...by sea

The Alaska Marine Highway is a state run ferry system with scheduled offerings from Bellingham, WA through the Inside Passage (coastal British Columbia and southeast Alaska) to Haines, Alaska. This trip takes about 3 days and is well worth the time. Once in Haines, automobile travel to Anchorage is 3 more days depending on how fast you want to drive.
The Kennicott, the AMH brand new ferry will start her first Gulf of Alaska crossing June 16th from Bellingham WA with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau before making a 32 hour open-ocean crossing to Valdez. She will arrive there June 20 and travel into Seward on June 21. The return trip south will be soon afterward.
As you might guess, this mode of transportation is very popular during the summer tourist season and it is wise to reserve your car space and Ferry berths early. More information about the ferry schedule can be obtained by calling them at (907) 465-3940 or visit Alaska Marine Highway.

Once your in Anchorage, the Airport is located about 6 miles or a 15 minute drive from downtown.

Transportation while in Anchorage includes...

...four taxicab companies that provide service. Taxi rates between airport and downtown range from $10 to $15.

...twelve (12) major rental car companies that have offices at or near the airport in Anchorage. Watch here or future SWS Bulletins for preferred companies.

...Anchorage has a very good city bus service with convenient schedules and numerous stops for $1 fare.

Anchorage also serves as a gateway to excursions throughout the state.

The following are ideas for pre- and post-meeting activities that you may want to consider on your own. You can...

...visit the town of Valdez in Prince William Sound by train, ferry or highway. In addition to impressive glacial and mountain landscapes, Valdez is home to the terminus of the 800 mile trans-Alaska pipeline. Head back to Anchorage on the Richardson and Glenn highways or take time to explore the Copper River Basin.

...From Anchorage, take a long scenic drive between two mountain ranges along the Parks Highway and visit Denali National Park and Reserve for grand vistas and spectacular wildlife viewing. Denali State Park also is a nice park (south of Denali National Park) that is typically less crowded than the National Park, and has some great day hikes right off the highway. You can obtain information at the Visitor’s Center in Talkeetna (approximately 120 mi. north of Anchorage).

...fly out from Anchorage to southwest Alaska fishing lodges. The salmon and halibut are biting (maybe)!


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