last edited Dec 11, 2019
Accommodation in Alaska
Location Map of Alaska
Alaska
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Overview of options
Accommodation in Alaska revolves almost exclusively around hotels/motels (plus a few youth hostels), B&Bs with locals, and campsites in the wild or on the outskirts of towns. Apart from the latter, and occasionally hostels, other types of accommodation are expensive to very expensive.
Hotels and motels of all kinds
Youth hostels
You’ll find a few hostels in Alaskan towns, which, if you want to sleep in something "solid," are a much more affordable option than hotels/motels or B&Bs. They usually offer dormitories and sometimes a few double rooms. Expect to pay around $20–30 per person.
Camping
Very common, located on the edges of towns, along roads, in parks and reserves, or lost in the wilderness. Depending on the location—whether they’re private or public, reserved for RVs or not—these sites vary in amenities, with some offering cabins (often basic but worth booking in season). As you’d expect, their opening season depends on the weather, and most welcome campers from mid-May to early September.
In any case, camping is by far the most budget-friendly accommodation in Alaska, often costing less than $20 per site. That said, you’ll need to bring proper camping gear and be prepared to deal with mosquitoes and other summer bugs.
B&Bs and homestays
Which accommodation to choose?
For any summer trip, camping is the ideal—and most economical—option. However, it does require a bit of self-sufficiency when it comes to getting around.