*If you have any questions that aren't answered in this post, please leave them in the comments section where I do my best to answer all Alaska related questions directly!
My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are my favorite websites and resources to help plan an incredible trip to the 49th State. For flights, I recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates. To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, I always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required). For fun things to do, I recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier. Is the Anchorage Trolley Tour Worth It?
Depending on who you ask, people's answer for whether or not the Anchorage Trolley Tour is worth it might differ. Personally, I think it's an excellent way to experience Anchorage during a short visit - or if you don't have access to a car.
The tour pick up location is conveniently located in downtown Anchorage, meaning that either before or after your tour you can visit many of the local gift shops and places to eat (or drink - hello 49th State Brewery) and some of the incredible rooftops that Anchorage has to offer. I also recommend stopping at Red Umbrella (a red colored food stand just down the block from the trolley pick up spot) that serves some of the best Reindeer Dogs in down!
Trolleys are bright red and hard to miss, and during peak summer chances are they will be full too (which is why I highly recommend booking ahead of time). Luckily, their speaker system is excellent and their drivers are hilarious - so you'll have an exciting peak into daily life in Anchorage, as well as some history on the area (like the earthquake of 1964) and interesting quirks you would otherwise never even know about (like Anchorage's one and only underground house).
After your tour, make sure to grab a coupon book for local businesses and restaurants - each one offers over $450 worth of discounts and coupons!
Which Trolley Tour Should I Choose?
The Anchorage Trolley Tour offers 3 different types of tour options (4 if you count their winter tour) - The Classic, The Deluxe, and the Salmon Express. Having been on all 3 of them myself (except the winter tour) I can confidently say that this is a great way to experience Anchorage if you're here for a short visit or if you're looking for an overview of the city. However, each tour caters to different types of visitors, so it's important to choose the correct trolley tour for your group.
1. The Classic
The Classic Trolley Tour is one hour long and is the best way to experience Anchorage if you're on a bit of a time crunch. This one hour experience stops at nearly all the same places as The Deluxe - Earthquake Park, Lake Hood, various quirky stops throughout nearby neighborhoods like Anchorage's Underground house - you just won't get the chance to get off to explore on foot. The Classic Tour runs every half hour from 9:00am to 6:00pm from mid-May 10th to mid-September.
2. The Deluxe
The Deluxe Trolley Tour is about 1.5-2 hours long, and stops at pretty much the same places as the Classic Tour. However unlike the Classic Tour, when on the Deluxe Tour you'll have plenty of chances to get out, stretch your legs, and explore the trolley stop for yourself - including the opportunity to take as many photos as you want! On this tour you'll be able to see the floatplanes take off on Lake Hood, have more chances to see wildlife like moose and belugas, and even see the fishermen and salmon jumping on Ship Creek! The Deluxe Tour runs at the top of every hour from 9:00am to 4:00pm, during the months of April to October.
3. The Salmon Express
The Salmon Express Tour is the most unique of the 3, and is hands down the only tour you need to do if you're interested in learning more about Salmon fishing in Alaska. Although this tour isn't technically on a trolley, "The Salmon Express" takes you on a narrated tour to the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery - the largest sport fish hatchery in North America. While there you can explore at your own pace to learn all about the types of Salmon, their life cycle, and the hatchery's impact - while seeing them in action! Make sure to also explore the outside to see Salmon swimming upstream and the huge dam where fish might be trying to jump upriver!
Afterwards, you'll be brought to Ship Creek to see more salmon and local fishermen and women in action (like I said, this tour is 100% for those looking to learn more about local fishing culture). You can either take a quick stop here or spend an hour exploring the Creek and Ulu Factory before taking the next shuttle back to the Trolley pick up spot. The Salmon Express Departs each location every 40 minutes, from 9:00am to 3:00pm from mid-May to September.
Watch my Anchorage Trolley Experience!
Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in :
-> A 24 Hour Guide to Anchorage -> 7 Best Tours in Alaska
Watch our Experience on the Anchorage Trolley!
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I'm Deborah👋🏼
In 2021 my husband Tyler convinced me to move to Alaska. After living there 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 favorite travel & outdoor gear is available right here! Use this link to shop all my favorite Alaska necessities! This blog and all content is free to you, however, when you purchase through referral or affiliate links on our site I may earn a small commission with no extra cost to you! --- Learn more here about our affiliates and privacy policy. --- Links look like this, and are tours and products I only personally recommend! --- Join Travel Payouts or Rock Porch to earn affiliates on your own sites! Planning a trip outside Alaska? Check out our blog Raarup Adventures for international vacation ideas or Deborah in Korea for adventures in South Korea! |