Best area to stay in Juneau without a car

Question

My wife and I will be stopping over for two nights in Juneau between two legs of an Alaskan trip in August, arriving by plane and leaving on an early morning ferry. On the full day in Juneau we plan to do a whale watching tour. Because of our short time in Juneau, we're not going to bother trying to rent a car---so looking for advice as to where would be the best area to stay. Given our limited mobility, I am assuming downtown would likely be the best area to stay as I would imagine it is probably the most walkable area of the city for restaurants, etc. and that we could catch shuttles, taxis, or ubers to get to/from places like the airport and ferry. Does this sound right? Or would there be a benefit of staying near the airport? I understand that there really isn't much in the way of lodging near the ferry...correct? About how far is downtown from the airport and ferry. I know Juneau is a very spread out city--just trying to get my bearings. Thanks for any advice!

Answer

For a short two-night stay in Juneau without a car, downtown Juneau is definitely your best option. It is the most walkable part of the city, with easy access to restaurants, shops, and attractions. Staying downtown will also make it convenient to reach whale watching tour departures, many of which leave from Auke Bay or the downtown docks, often with shuttles or short taxi/ride-share rides.

The Juneau airport (JNU) is located about 10–15 minutes by car from downtown, so staying near the airport doesn’t offer a significant advantage unless you have very early flights or heavy luggage. Taxis, shuttles, and Ubers/Lyfts can easily bridge the distance between downtown and the airport.

Regarding ferry access, the Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal is also near downtown—roughly a 5–10 minute drive or a 15–20 minute walk. There is very limited lodging near the ferry terminal itself, so downtown remains the most convenient base.

Downtown Juneau: ideal for walkability, restaurants, shops, and tours.
Airport area: only necessary if you have very early or late flights; not much in terms of dining or attractions.
Ferry terminal area: minimal lodging options; best served by downtown hotels with a short shuttle or taxi ride.

Some specific recommendations for downtown hotels that are well-located and easy to access without a car include:

Silverbow Inn – central location, comfortable, good dining options nearby.
Best Western Grandma’s Feather Bed – boutique feel, very walkable.
Heatherglen Inn – slightly quieter but still close to downtown amenities.

Overall, staying downtown maximizes your time and convenience in Juneau, letting you enjoy a full day of sightseeing and a whale watching tour without worrying about transportation logistics.

Best area to stay in Juneau without a car

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