The Best Time to Visit Alaska

What is the best time to visit Alaska?

“Happiness is real when you can share it” is the phrase that Alexander Supertramp’s character gives us at the end of his trip to Alaska. And why not? Planning a trip to Alaska is not something that is done overnight and it is certainly a life-changing adventure in many ways. We are completely sure that this is what you are looking for, but here you are to tell you what is the best time to visit Alaska?

 When to visit Alaska?

The best time to visit Alaska

As you can imagine, in Alaska it is cold and that is basically due to its location near the north pole. This causes winters to be like those of Game of Thrones … they last too long. So the best time to visit Alaska is during the months of late May to early September. Where the climate is less cold, the days are a bit longer and the national parks are open to visitors.

The ideal month to plan your trip is June. Unlike other destinations, Alaska in June

is less expensive, airline tickets and other transportation within the country are cheap. In addition, you will have about 20 hours of sunlight, which can be somewhat annoying at first to have so much light even at night, that is why you must be prepared.

From June to September, most of the typical animals of the area, such as bears, come out in broad daylight and are easy to see. And about the temperature, as logic indicates and we have verified it, towards the south of Alaska the temperatures in summer are usually friendlier.

 The worst time to visit Alaska

Being the Alaska destination,you will quickly understand that you cannot go during the winter unless you are trained and prepared with adequate equipment to withstand the climatic conditions of Alaska during the winters. Many hours of darkness, very low temperatures, and a few more things. Alaska during October to April, the days are much shorter, the temperatures on average are usually below -30 degrees Celsius with snow.

Although it is the best time to observe the Northern Lights, we do not recommend going unless you are going with an experienced guide or with the necessary equipment.

The weather in Alaska

The climate in Alaska is Subpolar, with cold and dim winters. The summers are a little milder and the days are much longer.

The climate in Alaska varies by region; This means that depending on the latitude, the altitude, and the disposition of the mountains, the climate will be more or less cold.

To explain it a little more simply, we will divide it into four types of climates: Oceanic Climate, Subpolar Oceanic Climate, Subpolar Climate, and Polar Climate.

Southern Alaska and along the Pacific Ocean are characterized by an Oceanic climate. A very rainy and constant climate throughout the year. Intensifying rainfall during autumn and decreasing in spring. This climate occurs in cities like the Panhandle and Juneau.

The rest of Southern Alaska has a Subpolar Oceanic climate, characterized by being less rainy. Where winters are long and dark, as well as snowy. Summers are usually short and somewhat sunny. The months of greatest rainfall occur in June and October.

Towards the interior of Alaska, the climate is Subpolar, with classic cold winters of temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius. And summers with average temperatures of 20 degrees.

And in northern Alaska, the climate is Polar. Weather conditions intensify. Winters are much longer, darker, colder, and snowy. Summers have average temperatures of 2 degrees Celsius.

Tips for Traveling to Alaska

Keep in mind that the clothes you should bring will depend on when you make the trip. But no matter when you do it, you should wear clothing made with fabric that retains heat. Avoid cotton garments, as this fabric dissipates heat. And always dress in layers, so that you can take off some clothes without taking too much cover.

There are many places where you can get a Wi-Fi network, as long as you are close to urban centers. Such as shops, cafes, libraries, etc.

If you are going to rent a car when filling gasoline we recommend that you do so whenever you can. Since the distances between gas stations can be very long the risk of you being stranded on the road.

A visa is required to enter Alaska, although many do not realize Alaska belongs to the United States. So the visa you must get is the same as to go to any other part of the USA.

It is not a particularly cheap destination, so when we tell you that in summer it is usually less expensive we mean compared to other seasons in the same place. You can check the price of the flight using our recommended comparator (KAYAK)