My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's to compare the best rates & stays in the state. If you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required). For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my packing list for your travels to the great state of Alaska.
Getting to the Arctic Circle from Fairbanks
In order to get to the Arctic Circle Sign (and beyond) I recommend starting in Fairbanks, which you can either drive or fly to. From here the Arctic Circle is about a 5 hour drive north, beginning on the Elliot Highway and ending on the Dalton Highway. Even though you can technically drive yourself up to the Arctic Circle Sign, most rental car companies restrict drivers from going on these roads, which is why I always recommend booking a tour to visit the Arctic Circle.
Because there isn't much cell phone service along this highway, when things go wrong they can have some pretty serious consequences. And with different obstacles depending on the season (giant pot holes, sharp gravel roads & wildfires in the summer, icy roads and darkness in the winter), it's much safer to be with a group of people and a guide that has ways to contact emergency services if needed.
However, if you really want to drive it yourself I recommend bringing some tire patch kits - or better yet a spare tire - and an extra jug of gasoline for your vehicle. There aren't many places to fill up between Fairbanks and Deadhorse (where the highway ends), so it's good to have some emergency kits with warm clothes, food, water, first aid kits, etc.
My Favorite Fairbanks Tours :
-> Dog Sledding + Mushing in the North Pole -> Arctic Circle Winter Adventure -> Aurora Chasing + Northern Lights Photography
Getting Your Free Arctic Circle Certificate
If you've decided to take a tour, then chances are your tour guide will already have some Arctic Circle Certificates printed off for you to hand out at the end of your tour. If they don't, or if you drove yourself, then the free certificate is easy to get - just make sure to take a photo of yourself at the Arctic Circle Sign!
After making your way back to downtown Fairbanks the only thing left to do is to make it to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor's Center, where after showing them your picture with the sign, you can request an official Arctic Circle Certificate! Certificates are free, and if you know me, you know I can't say no to a free souvenir. If for some reason you missed stopping at the Visitor Center, then you can also download the certificate and print it off at home!
Pretty easy right?
Watch My Arctic Circle Adventures Here!
Other Fairbanks Area Blog Posts :
-> Best Winter Activities in Fairbanks -> Best Places to Eat in Fairbanks -> How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska
Pin this Arctic Circle Guide for Later!
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2022 my husband convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ 
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