One day on our own in Fairbanks

Question

My husband and I are taking a princess land cruise tour to Alaska in mid May. We will be arriving in Fairbanks around 7;00 PM, and have the whole next day to ourselves before meeting our tour. Our tour includes the riverboat ride. Our hotel is the Princess. We would like to go to North Pole. Would it be easier to rent a car at the airport just for a day, and return it to the airport the next evening, or just rely on their shuttle system and public transportation.

Has anyone else taken this land/cruise tour with Princess? We will do the riverboat Tour and pan for gold one day, and leave for Denali two nights, and then go to Whittier for our cruise to Vancouver. Any other suggestions for just a short day in Fairbanks by ourselves. I understand the hotel has a shuttle to downtown for a small fee. Anything else within driving distance that would be worth renting a car for a day.

This is our first organized tour. We usually do things on our own.

Answer

For a one-day independent visit in Fairbanks with the goal of visiting North Pole and seeing other local sights, renting a car is generally the easiest and most flexible option. Fairbanks is spread out, and many attractions are outside walking distance of downtown or the Princess Hotel. Public transportation exists, but it is limited in schedule and coverage, and shuttles may not go to all the locations you want to see.

If you rent a car for the day:

You can drive to North Pole (about 15-20 minutes from downtown Fairbanks) at your own pace, visit the Santa Claus House, and take photos without relying on shuttle schedules.
You can explore other nearby sights such as Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, Pioneer Park, or Chena River areas, all within 10–15 minutes of the hotel.
Returning the car to the airport the next evening is straightforward, as the airport rental counters are convenient and well-staffed.
Driving yourself allows maximum flexibility, which is useful if you want to enjoy spontaneous stops, restaurants, or scenic views along the way.

If you rely on shuttles and public transport:

The Princess Hotel shuttle mainly services downtown Fairbanks and some nearby attractions. It won’t go to North Pole or other slightly out-of-town locations.
Public buses in Fairbanks are limited in route and frequency, so planning a full day using only buses would require careful scheduling and could be stressful.
Taxi or rideshare is available but can be expensive and less predictable, especially for multiple stops or longer distances like North Pole.

Additional suggestions for a short day in Fairbanks:

Visit Pioneer Park for historic buildings, museums, and a chance to stretch your legs.
Stop by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North to see exhibits on Alaskan wildlife and culture.
Drive along the Chena River area for scenic views and a short picnic or photo opportunity.
Depending on your timing, check out local shops or cafes downtown to get a feel for the town before your riverboat tour.

Overall, for convenience, flexibility, and maximizing what you can see in a single day, renting a car is recommended for your Fairbanks stopover. You can enjoy North Pole, a bit of local culture, and scenic drives without time pressure.

One day on our own in Fairbanks

More Fairbanks Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions