Anchorage on a budget: exploring Alaska without a big bankroll
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Loading... - Janet Parker
- 12 Apr 2022
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From expensive flights to pricey excursions, a trip to Alaska can put a major dent in your savings account. However, savvy travelers (and those who love to plan ahead) can take advantage of shoulder season deals that will make visiting the state's largest city a little more affordable.
Here's our guide to visiting Anchorage on a budget.
When to visit Anchorage to score the best deals
When planning a trip to Alaska, expect plane tickets to be your most significant expense. While you're unlikely to avoid high ticket prices, planning well in advance is vital for scoring the best deals. Alaska Airlines often announces airfare deals via their social media accounts, so be ready to pounce. The best times to keep an eye out are Cyber Monday and immediately after New Year's Day.
Another great way to save on flights is to apply for an Alaska Airlines credit card. If approved, you can earn 60,000 bonus miles and one free companion ticket each year. Restrictions almost always apply to these special deals, so it's helpful to be flexible about your travel dates. For the best chance of savings on air ticket prices, aim to visit Anchorage in the spring or fall shoulder seasons.
Visit Anchorage in spring to save
Anchorage's spring shoulder season runs from March through May, but you’re better off waiting until April to visit. As it's not quite tourist season, you can snag great deals on cruises along the Alaskan coast, and you'll miss the worst of the cold. Inside Passage cruises begin at the tail end of April, and prices are notably cheaper for the first voyages of the season.
Marine enthusiasts can also enjoy discounted rates on sightseeing tours. Gray whales are the first migratory whale species to return in the spring, and glacier and wildlife cruises through Kenai Fjords National Park depart from Seward (about 2½ hours south of Anchorage) from mid-March to mid-May.
April is also known for a sublimely quirky Alaskan event – the Alyeska Spring Carnival featuring the Alaska Airlines Slush Cup, a daring jaunt down a ski slope and into a freezing pond. Live music, food trucks, and goofy games make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Participants also have opportunities to race mountain bikes and compete in an old-fashioned tug of war, or you can do what most locals do and sip a beer while cheering for the best wipeouts. The best part? The carnival is free to attend, so this is fun that won't leave a dent in your budget.
Fall brings more savings for outdoorsy types
A second shoulder season runs from August through November. However, aim to visit in September for the best weather for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. This is also one of the best times to take a drive or hike down the Turnagain Arm, the scenic waterway running east from Anchorage.
For less than the cost of a tank of gas, you'll be spoiled by stunning views of fall foliage and breathtaking sunsets. If you're lucky, you may even catch sight of belugas and orcas frolicking in Turnagain Arm's rolling tides. Remember to look inland and scan the cliffsides for agile mountain goats.
Bird enthusiasts will enjoy a leisurely walk down the Potter Marsh boardwalk. As late as September, northern pintails, canvasback ducks, red-necked phalaropes, red-necked grebes and northern harriers can be seen as they prepare for their annual migration. The odd trumpeter swan has also been known to stop by. If you bring your binoculars, you might spot an eagle's nest in the trees surrounding the marsh.
Seek out affordable lodgings in Anchorage
Anchorage is home to plenty of snowbirds who flee to warmer climates during the icy Alaskan winter. This means that visitors have a great chance of finding an entire house to rent for as little as $60 through rental sites such as Airbnb.
Typically, you'll find the ritziest rentals in the Hillside neighborhood, about a 20-minute drive south from downtown. In addition to beautiful interiors, many homes on the hillside boast stunning panoramic mountain views. As an added bonus, access to a full kitchen can significantly reduce your food bill.
If you prefer more traditional lodging options like hotels and hostels, there are plenty of options, but even in the cheaper shoulder season, you can bank on paying $140–200 per night for a hotel room.
Eat like a local to make your money go further
Anchorage's unpretentious greasy spoons are also the most affordable dining options in town. You can snag a burger for as little as $6 at the Lucky Wishbone or get a delicious rice bowl with three toppings for under $10 at Yak and Yeti Cafe.
The more adventurous eater may enjoy a half-pound Alaskan reindeer sausage or a German-style bratwurst from Yeti Dogs, hailed as one of the 25 best food trucks in America by Food Network. Both sausages will only set you back $5.50.
If you're looking for something more classically American, like a pepperoni pizza, the no-frills Great Alaskan Pizza Company offers $10 large pizzas every day. For those days when you wake up feeling ravenous, Kava's Pancake House will fill you up with massive breakfast platters for $14.
For snacks, stop by the Walmart Supercenter on A St for the best prices in town. Don't overlook Anchorage's farmers' markets – from mid-May to September, markets packed with local produce and treats bounce around the city on different days of the week. Read More…
