How Do I Get Around in Ketchikan?

Ketchikan has always been an attractive destination for tourists from around the world, drawn to the stunning natural beauty of the southeastern Alaskan wilderness. But once you’ve arrived, how do you get around?In this guide, I’ll discuss different transportation options while in Ketchikan. I’ll cover the different types of transportation available, estimated costs, and advantages and disadvantages of each. So buckle up and join me on a journey around Ketchikan.

Types of Transportation in Ketchikan

When visiting Ketchikan, travelers have several options for getting around. With such a variety of choices available, it’s important to consider the affordability, convenience, and ease of use. Let’s look at your transport choices.

Taxis

Taxis in Ketchikan are available 24 hours a day and offer the most flexibility when getting around town. Taxis are metered, so rates are variable depending on distance and time. Any trip within the city limits should take around 15 minutes and should cost under $20. For longer distances, such as from downtown to the airport which is about 8 miles away, fares should average around $35. Taxi services in Ketchikan are available at all major tourist destinations, including the ferry terminal, cruise ports and small plane terminals. Most taxis will take cash or credit cards. Fares can be negotiated in advance but be sure to check in with the driver before committing to a ride. Advantages of taking a taxi include convenience – you can have the driver drop you off exactly where you want to go – as well as privacy and flexibility – they can change routes to avoid traffic or other delays if need be.The downside of taxis is that they can be more expensive than other forms of transportation, especially if you’re on a budget. Additionally, cabs may take much longer than other methods because of traffic.

Bus Services

Ketchikan has two public bus lines that operate within the city limits – the Triangle Transit and Denali Express – as well as a private bus tour company, Alaskan Adventures Inc. The Triangle Transit operates from 6am to 6pm and serves most major tourist destinations 95% of the time. The Denali Express operates from 8:30am to 8:30pm and goes to many of the same places as the Triangle Transit but with fewer stops. The Triangle Transit and Denali Express both cost $2 per ride or $5 for a day pass. Passes can be purchased at the stop or onboard with exact change. Discounts are available for those with disabilities, seniors and students. The Alaskan Adventures Inc. specializes in luxury tours and has several routes that traverse the city. Prices range from $15 to $20 depending on the route and length of time. Advantages of bus services include affordability – $2 per ride is hard to beat – and convenience – you can get anywhere you want to go with just a few stops. Additionally, buses have stops at all major tourist destinations, making them a great option for exploring Ketchikan. Disadvantages of buses in Ketchikan include limited routes – Triangle Transit runs 95% of the time, but that still leaves your chances at just 5% of getting stranded at your destination – as well as infrequent stops – buses are sometimes only once an hour or once every two hours. Additionally, if you’re not on a bus route, you’ll need to take a taxi or walk to get where you’re going. And finally, depending on the time of day it can be difficult to find a seat onboard a bus – they tend to fill up quickly during busy times like rush hour.

Bikes

Bikes are becoming an increasingly popular option among tourists visiting Ketchikan due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. Bikes can be rented for as little as $10/day from various rental shops in town or from one of the bike-sharing locations scattered throughout Ketchikan for just $8/hour (check out Alaska Bike Share for more information). Additionally, many hotels provide bicycles for guests free of charge. Advantages of biking include cost – since you’re not paying for fuel or a driver – as well as being environmentally friendly and great exercise. Additionally, it’s a great way to explore the city at your own pace, taking in sights and sounds that otherwise may go unnoticed when driving or taking a bus. Biking also has the added bonus of raising endorphin levels which can make your travels more enjoyable! The primary disadvantage of biking is that it’s not very efficient – it usually takes much longer to get somewhere than by car or bus. Additionally, Ketchikan is hilly in some areas, making it more challenging and potentially tiring if you’re not used to riding a bike for extended periods of time. And finally, depending on the weather conditions (such as wet or icy roads) biking can be dangerous and may require additional safety equipment such as helmets and bike lights.

Strollers

Travelling with small children? Strollers are another popular mode of transportation in Ketchikan – cars are notoriously difficult to drive in hilly terrain like Ketchikan’s so strollers are often preferred for both safety reasons as well as convenience. Additionally, Ketchikan is relatively small compared to other cities so it doesn’t take very long to get anywhere by foot. Strollers can be purchased at many retail outlets located throughout town or rented from one of several rental agencies such as Rent-A-Center. Prices start at around $7/day (or $50/week). Advantages of strollers include being able to bring your children with you anywhere you go without having to worry about transporting them back to your hotel room each night – which can be quite exhausting after a long day of sightseeing! Additionally, strollers offer an easy way to transport extra supplies such as diapers and snacks with you wherever you go. The main disadvantage of using a stroller is that it can be difficult to maneuver- it may require one adult pushing while another steers since steering is done by one wheel instead of two like most cars or bikes. Additionally some strollers may not be able to access certain areas due to size restrictions in some buildings or paths or trails on the way may be too rugged for a stroller so you’ll need to carry your child instead which can be tiring after a while!

Rideshare Services

Ketchikan is now home to several rideshare services including Uber, Go Limo, Lyft, and Zipcar. Rideshare services offer an alternative to taxis and are often more affordable – as well as convenient since you can request a ride within minutes using their mobile apps or websites without having to wait for one arrive (just be sure to check whether there are drivers available in your area first). Prices vary depending on distance traveled but should start at around $7 for inner-city travel. Advantages of rideshare services include ease-of-use – you can use their app or website from anywhere so long as you have internet access – as well as flexibility – rides can be requested as soon as needed – and affordability – rideshare services often have cheaper fares than traditional taxis. Additionally, rideshares offer an enhanced experience with features such as sharing your trip path with friends or family and being able to split fares with others traveling with you. Rideshare services also offer additional safety measures such as tracking of your ride with GPS for added peace of mind if something were to happen during your ride – such as vehicle breakdown or medical emergency – or if something were to happen afterwards – such as lost items or payments being made correctly – then you will have evidence if needed for reconciliation later on down the line . The primary disadvantage of rideshare services is that they can be unreliable depending on time of day – they usually require more time than other forms of transportation due to their on-demand nature which requires drivers to travel longer stretches between each destination point before getting another trip request – but this also depends on local factors such as population density (i.e., more drivers but fewer passengers needs more time for trips) as well as demand that waxes and wanes depending on day of week or time of year (e.g., during holiday seasons). Additionally, while rideshare services usually have cheaper fares than taxis they do add fees such as surge charges during peak hours or if there is high demand in certain areas which can negate any savings – so always do a cost comparison online before committing . .

Conclusion

Travelling in Ketchikan comes down to personal preference – some may feel more comfortable behind the wheel while others may prefer public transportation due its affordability and convenience . But regardless of which option you choose , Ketchikan offers something for everyone . Its diverse range of transportation choices makes it easy to find an option that fits your budget and lifestyle . So grab your map , jump aboard , and enjoy everything Ketchikan has to offer !