Alaska Travel Pass Cuts Children’s Prices by Half

AlaskaPass, a travel pass that provides unlimited use of ferries, buses and railroads throughout Alaska, has lowered prices this summer for children under 12. The rate is now 50% off the adult price, compared to one-third off last year’s adult pass.

The pass, valid through Sept. 15, is available both on a consecutive-day basis and for non-consecutive days within a set period. It also covers transportation to Alaska from gateway cities in the Puget Sound area--Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, and Seattle and Bellingham, Wash.

Consecutive-day adult pass prices are: 8 days, $449; 15 days, $599; 22 days, $729, and 30 days, $849. Children 3-11 would cost $224, $249, $364 and $424, respectively.

The flexible adult pass costs $629 for any 12 days of travel within a 21-day period, and $899 for any 21 days of travel within 45 days. Children 3-11 are priced at $314 and $449; children under 3 travel free.

The pass allows unlimited travel on Alaska Railroad, Alaska Marine Highway/Alaska State Ferries, BC Rail, BC Ferries, Alaskon Express Motorcoaches, Greyhound Lines of Canada, Vancouver Island Coach Lines and Norline Coaches.

Typically, travelers pick up ferry service to Alaska from Bellingham, Wash., or Prince Rupert, B.C. They could use rail or bus service provided by the AlaskaPass from the gateway cities of Vancouver or Victoria to get to Prince Rupert.

Travelers should keep in mind that the routes on Alaska Railroad include only daytime travel, and that reservations are required.

Also, some of the transportation companies may only provide service on specific routes. For example, BC Rail service includes only travel from North Vancouver to Prince George, a daylong sightseeing expedition through the Cariboo region, and travel in British Columbia’s Fraser River Gorge.

Travelers have the option of purchasing unlimited passage on the White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway between Skagway, Alaska, and Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and Gray Line of Alaska’s Fairweather excursion yacht on the Lynn Canal between Juneau and Skagway. This option costs $199 for adults, $99 for children under 12.

All passes come with a coupon booklet that provides discounts on side trips and tours. One new discount is on excursions out of Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle. Pass holders also get a lodging directory and map, schedules of participating carriers and suggested itineraries.

Contract travel agents or AlaskaPass at (800) 248-7598.