Ride-sharing

For those of you considering alternative travel options to and from Fairbanks, it may be cheaper to fly into Anchorage and share a ride to Fairbanks. Anchorage is 360 miles (about 6 hours) by road from Fairbanks (a beautiful drive through the Alaska Range). Another alternative itinerary to look into would be traveling the Alaska Marine Highway up to Skagway, Haines, or Whittier and share a ride to Fairbanks. Skagway and Haines are one long day or two easier days drive from Fairbanks. Whittier is about an hour past Anchorage on the Seward Highway. Persons interested in sharing rides can post information below about arrival and departure times to coordinate.

Driving to (or within) Alaska

People thinking of driving may want to purchase a copy of The Milepost, which features detailed up-to-date maps and mile-by-mile accounts of every possible route to Alaska from the Lower 48 as well as all state roads in Alaska. It is considered by many to be an essential road companion for travel to, from, and within Alaska. It comes out every year in early March and can be purchased from a number of online sites. The current edition can be ordered from Gulliver's Books in Fairbanks for 25% off the retail price (20.96 total plus a flat shipping fee of $2.50, plus any state taxes that may apply) by calling 1-800-390-8999.

Cost-saving ideas...

For those of you who are considering attending the meetings, you may want to consider applying for an Alaska Airlines Credit Card.  Alaska Airlines is the major airline serving Anchorage, Fairbanks, and several other towns and villages in Alaska.  Cardholders accumulate one frequent flier mile for every dollar purchase made on a credit card.  Members choosing to enroll at the Platinum Plus level and higher (which requires an annual fee) receive a $50 companion ticket, which can significantly reduce the cost of flying two people to Fairbanks.  For details, go to http://www.alaskaair.com/as/ww2/Promo/BoA_20K.asp.