Alasaka Car Hire Alaska Campervan Hire
More than twice the size of Texas, Alaska is the largest state in the USA, a land of vast natural splendour, abundant wildlife and few people. It offers unique experiences such as walking in unspoilt wilderness, spectacular cruising through the fjords of the Inside Passage, and frontier towns rich in gold rush history. Its sense of undiscovered wilderness and promise of adventure is still as strong today as it was in the past, and having attracted thousands of pioneers in search of gold, fur, fishing, logging and oil, this 'Last Frontier' today lures travellers in search of an unspoilt beauty and close encounters with nature. The southeast epitomises classic Alaskan scenery, with its fjords, mountains, forests and glaciers. Alaska is one of the top cruise destinations in the world and the main draw-card for visitors to this region is the lack of roads between towns and scenic wonders that make the waters of the Inside Passage a major marine highway ideal for ship travel. The number one attraction in the interior heartland is Denali National Park, an area of untamed magnificence that also encompasses North America's highest mountain, the snow-covered Mt McKinley. Despite a reputation for high prices and inhospitable winters, millions of people have discovered a piece of America that is worth every dollar. Nowhere else can that frontier feeling be truly experienced, a place where wilderness surrounds every part of the Alaskan way of life.

Time: The USA is divided into six time zones. Eastern Standard Time is GMT -5, and Pacific Standard Time is GMT -8, Alaska is GMT -9, and Hawaii GMT -10. Other than Indiana, Arizona and Hawaii, all states observe daylight saving time in summer.

Electricity:110 volts, 60Hz. Plugs are mainly the two, flat-pin type, though three-pin plugs are also widely used. European appliances without dual-voltage capabilities will require an adapter, which can be purchased in most major departure airports.

Language: English is the official language.

Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel within the USA. Medical facilities are excellent, but expensive. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused without evidence of insurance or proof of funds. Good medical insurance is essential.

Safety: Travel within the United States is generally trouble-free, however travellers should be aware that the US shares with the rest of the world an increased threat from terrorist incidents. Security has been heightened particularly at airports. Following the counter terrorist operation in the UK on 10 August 2006, the terror alert status on all flights was raised, particularly on those originating in the UK. Restrictions on hand luggage apply and travellers are advised to check on the latest situation with airlines in advance. Travellers should also be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities and should use common sense and take basic precautions. Forecasting teams in the USA have predicted an increase in hurricane activity in the Atlantic for 2007, between June and November, putting the southern USA, including the Gulf Coast and the eastern US, at higher risk than usual.

Customs: Laws vary from state to state, including speed limits, the age of consent and the age at which you may legally buy and consume alcohol, but this is usually 21 years.

Communications: The international country dialling code for the United States is +1. The outgoing code is 011, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). The US has numerous area/city codes, which must be dialled before the local number required (e.g. New York Manhattan, 212, and Washington DC, 202). Mobile networks cover most of the country, including all urban areas, however unless you have a tri-band phone it is likely your cellular phone from home will not work in the United States. The largest GSM networks are T-mobile and Cingular. Internet cafes are prevalent in most towns and cities.

Climate: Although the assumption is that Alaska is a land of snow and sub-zero temperatures, the Alaskan climate is actually extremely varied, caused by the state's six different topographic regions. The far north is extremely dry and very cold, with Arctic conditions and temperatures average about -20°F (-29°C), and the ground at Point Barrow remains permanently frozen to a depth of 1,330 ft (405 m). Summer temperatures in the lowlands are suprisingly high, averaging in the 60s Fahrenheit (about 16°C), and they have been known to reach 90°F (32°C) and up. The southeast tends to be fairly moderate, with damp, rainy and sometimes mild conditions, with temperatures in July averaging 56°F (13°C) and temperatures in January averaging 30°F (-1°C) and the south and central areas tend to be similar, with slightly colder winter temperatures. Western Alaska tends to be rainy, while the Aleutian Islands in winter are damp and rainy, with fog. Heavy snows are common in the north and central regions of the state.

Anchorage
Alaska's largest city is the hub of the state, and its central position, mild temperatures and outstanding transport system to and from the rest of the country has made it an important destination for travellers. Perched on the edge of a vast, keenly beautiful wilderness, Anchorage is encompassed in scenic splendour, surrounded by mountains, forest, rivers and tundra. Just a short drive away in any direction offers an abundant variety of wilderness experiences.

The city started out in 1915 as a tent camp for the workers on the Alaska Railroad, and with the later discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay and the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline, Anchorage's development was fast and furious. Today the sprawling city is full of life but lacking in charm. Alaskans living outside the city complain that Anchorage isn't really Alaska, it is a city on the outskirts of Alaska, and the common joke often heard is 'Anchorage isn't Alaska, but you can see it from there'.

Anchorage Attractions

Anchorage Museum of History and Art
The world-class Museum of History and Art is the largest museum in Alaska and is one of the most visited attractions in Anchorage. The exhibits cover Alaskan history, art and culture, from Native American beginnings to American colonisation.

Address: 121 West 7th Avenue; Telephone: (907) 343 4326, or 343 6173 (recorded information); Website: www.anchoragemuseum.org; Opening time: Daily 9am to 6pm, until 9pm on Thursdays (15 May to 15 September); Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm (16 September to 14 May); Admission: $8 (adults), $2 donation suggested for children 17 years and under


Denali National Park and Preserve
Famous for its spectacular mountain vistas, abundant wildlife, glaciers, vast expanses of sub-arctic tundra, and North America's highest mountain, Mt McKinley, Denali National Park and Preserve is a real wilderness area that attracts millions of visitors a year. More than six million acres encompass grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, wolves and numerous species of birds. The main attraction is the snow-covered massif of Mt McKinley, towering 20,320ft (6,096m) above the peaks of the Alaska Range, the definitive symbol of untamed Alaska. On a clear day its twin peaks can be seen from Anchorage, 149 miles (240km) away. The Alaska Range divides the park into north and south sides, the majority of visitors accessing the north where the main visitors centre is located. Mountaineers seeking out the challenges of Mt McKinley need to access the park from the south side, and other peaks offer excellent climbing opportunities for those not wishing to risk the mountain that affords one of the world's most difficult climbs. The park region also offers a wide variety of activities including day hikes or backcountry hiking, camping, mountain biking, white-water rafting and ice climbing. Early June or late September is the best time to avoid the crowds.

Telephone: (907) 683 2294 (park headquarters); Website: www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm; Transport: Denali is five hours by road from Anchorage; several buses and vans run a daily service to Fairbanks via Denali from Anchorage. Parks Highway Express leaves from the Anchorage Youth Hostel. The Alaska Railroad train leaves daily at 8.15am; Opening time: Open daily, year-round. The Visitor Centre is open 10am to 4pm daily (mid-September to May), 9am to 5pm (15-27 May), 9am to 9pm (28 May to 15 September); Admission: $10 per person or $20 per family, valid for seven days

Alaska Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK passport holders require a valid passport for travel to the USA. Under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), most British citizens do not require a visa for holiday, transit or business purposes providing their passports are machine-readable, the stay does not exceed 90 days and a return or onward ticket is held. Note: Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Protected Person, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do require a visa.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians do not require a visa, only a valid passport. Visitors should hold tickets and documents required for return or onward destination.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program; a machine-readable passport and a return or onward ticket is required if travelling by sea or air.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must hold a passport valid at the date of entry; a visa is also required. Visitors must have return or onward tickets and the necessary documents for further travel.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport, but do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days under the US Visa Waiver programme. A machine-readable passport is necessary to qualify for the programme. A return or onward ticket is required.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport. Irish passport holders qualify for the visa waiver programme, but a machine-readable passport (MRP) must be presented to gain visa-free entry to the country, which allows a stay of up to 90 days. Visitors must have return or onward tickets and all necessary documents for further travel.

Passport/Visa Note: Visitors entering the country under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) must have a machine-readable passport (MRP) that has a bar code on the photo page. From 26 October 2006 eligible travellers under the VWP must include biometrics in their machine-readable passports if they wish to enter the country without a visa, containing unique personal data such as fingerprints or iris details. All new passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 must contain a digital photo image in order to travel visa-free. Due to new security measures, all visitors to the USA will have a photograph and two fingerprints taken by an inkless scanner on arrival, including those travelling visa-free under the Visa Waiver Programme. All travellers arriving or departing by air between the USA and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central and South America are required to present a valid passport (date extended to 30 September 2007 providing hold proof of passport application and an official photo ID). From 1 January 2008, this will include all travel by land and sea as well.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Alasaka Airport

Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC)
Location: The airport is situated two miles (3km) south of Anchorage. Time: Local time is GMT –9 (GMT –8 from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +1 907 266 2526. Transfer between terminals: There is a free airport shuttle bus between the South (Domestic) Terminal, the North (International) Terminal and the rental car lots. Transfer to the city: In summer, a bus service runs to the centre of Anchorage, dropping off at major hotels along the way. There is no bus service to the city centre in winter. Many hotels have free pick-up services for their guests and limousines or taxis are also available for hire. Car rental: Car rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty. Facilities: Facilities include ATMs, currency exchange, restaurants, bars, shops, a barbershop, hotel reservations and tourist information. Disabled facilities are very good. Parking: Long and short-term parking options are available. Website: www.anchorageairport.com

Top of page