Logistics of a week in SE Alaska

Question

We are a group of six who are trying to put together a week-long trip in August to Juneau. What we think we'd like to do is fly into Juneau, rent a vehicle, maybe just grab hotel rooms that first night (we prefer vacation home rentals being as there are 6 of us traveling together) and the 2nd day take the ferry with our vehicle to Haines or Skagway for a night or two in order to take the train ride in Skagway and see some sites around Skagway and/or Haines and then ferry back to Juneau with our vehicle and stay the remainder of our week in Juneau before flying back home. I'm trying to be as efficient with our time as possible, but I get hung up on meshing the ferry schedules with train ride times and overnights, etc. Any suggestions on how to lay that out? Do you think it's a good idea to rent a vehicle for the whole week when we initially arrive in Juneau? That would pretty much tie us to using the car ferry and stuck to its schedule rather than a privately owned person-only ferry between Skagway and Haines or flying one way or another, but without a vehicle the whole time what would we do with all of our luggage in between places? We'd like to stay the night in as few places as possible - maybe one night in a hotel, 2 nights in Skagway or Haines and 3 or 4 nights in Juneau. I should have started researching before now because I'm already feeling overwhelmed. This will be the first trip to Southeast Alaska for all of us. Can you offer me some guidance, please?

Answer

Planning a week in Southeast Alaska with a group of six in August is very doable, but careful coordination of ferry schedules, accommodations, and activities will help maximize your time and reduce stress. Your general idea of flying into Juneau, using a vehicle, taking a ferry to Skagway or Haines, and returning to Juneau for the remainder of the trip is sound. Here’s a detailed breakdown and some recommendations.

Vehicle Rental Considerations:

Renting a vehicle for the entire week provides flexibility, especially if you plan to explore areas outside Juneau. However, keep in mind that using the Alaska Marine Highway System car ferries will require reservations for the vehicle, and schedules can be limited. This can constrain your timing slightly.
If you opt to rent a vehicle only in Juneau and take a passenger-only ferry or small plane between Juneau, Haines, and Skagway, you won’t be tied to ferry vehicle slots. This is often simpler for groups prioritizing sightseeing rather than driving long distances on the road system.
For a group of six, using a vehicle helps manage luggage efficiently, especially if you’re doing overnight stays in multiple towns. Otherwise, you’ll need to coordinate luggage transport separately.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Juneau. Pick up rental vehicle if keeping for the week. Check into a hotel or vacation rental for one night. Explore Juneau highlights near downtown—perhaps a short walk to the waterfront, Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, or a casual dinner downtown.
Day 2: Depart Juneau early via ferry to Haines or Skagway. If you take the vehicle, make sure to reserve the ferry spot well in advance. Travel times vary, typically 4–5 hours to Haines or 6–7 hours to Skagway. Check into your accommodation (vacation rental or hotel) for 2 nights.
Days 3–4: Explore Haines or Skagway. Options include:

Skagway: White Pass & Yukon Route train, historic downtown walking tours, short hikes near town.
Haines: Wildlife and nature tours, Chilkoot Trail short hikes, local museums, possibly kayaking or fishing excursions.

Day 5: Ferry back to Juneau. Arrive and check into your primary vacation rental or hotel for the remainder of the week (3–4 nights). Unpack and settle in for an extended stay.
Days 6–8: Explore Juneau and surrounding areas:

Mendenhall Glacier and trails (short, easy hikes available).
Whale watching tours or marine wildlife excursions.
Optional helicopter or flightseeing tours for glaciers or remote wilderness.
Local cultural experiences, including Native heritage centers and small museums.
Day trips to nearby areas accessible by road, such as the Glacier Highway or Admiralty Island if time permits.

Day 9: Return rental vehicle (if you kept it) and fly home.

Other Tips & Considerations:

Book ferry reservations as early as possible; August is high season. Vehicle slots fill quickly.
Consider the pros and cons of keeping the vehicle versus using passenger ferries and possibly flights between towns. Passenger ferries and flights offer more schedule flexibility and less hassle with reservations.
Vacation rentals are excellent for a group of six, especially if you want communal space, kitchen access, and more privacy. Juneau has many waterfront rentals and larger condos suitable for your group.
Try to limit overnight stops to only two additional towns (Skagway or Haines) outside Juneau to minimize packing/unpacking stress.
Be mindful of travel times; while distances may seem short on a map, ferry travel and mountainous roads can take longer than expected. Build in some buffer time for sightseeing and meals.

With careful planning and early reservations for ferries and accommodations, your proposed week-long itinerary in Southeast Alaska is achievable, allowing a mix of scenic exploration, moderate hiking, and cultural experiences while minimizing excessive packing and transit stress.

Logistics of a week in SE Alaska

More Juneau Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions