Travel on the ALASKA STATE FERRIES
QUESTIONS ABOUT FERRY TRAVEL
CUSTOMS ID Requirements
After June 1, 2009 all U.S. citizens travelling
through Canada will be required to show their
passport. Driver's licenses or birth
certificates alone may no longer be accepted as
proof of citizenship. Traveling onboard an AMHS
vessel between Bellingham, Washington and
Ketchikan, Alaska these rules and restrictions
do not apply, although the vessel travels
through Canadian waters.
Starting June 1, 2009, Canadian citizens will be
required to present a valid passport, a NEXUS or
Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card, or an
enhanced driver's licence/enhanced
identification card when seeking to enter the
United States at its land or water crossings.
For more information, visit the Canada Border
Services Agency web site.
U.S. residents who are not citizens should carry
their Alien Registration Receipt Cards.
Permanent residents of Canada who are not
Canadian citizens should have their Landed
Immigrant Visas. Canadian customs officials will
require travelers to show proof of sufficient
funds for the trip. Motorists may be asked to
show their vehicle registration card or proof of
title and liability insurance coverage.
If you are traveling with a child not in your
full legal custody, please check with a U.S. or
Canada customs office about additional paperwork
that may be required
Haines U.S.
Customs - (907) 767-5511
Open 7:00 am to 11:00 pm (Alaska Time)
year-round in either direction
Haines Canada
Customs - (907) 767-5540
Open 7:00 am to 11:00 pm (Yukon Time)
year-round in either direction
Prince Rupert
Canada Customs - (250) 627-3003
Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.
The customs office at the terminal is open for
ferry arrivals
and departures seven days a week.
Skagway U.S.
Customs - (907) 983-2325
Open 7:00am-11:00pm (Alaska Time)
Nov. 1-Mar. 3; 24 hours a day Apr. 1-Oct. 31;
Skagway
Canada Customs - (867) 821-4111
Open 8:00am-12:00pm (Yukon Time)
Nov. 1-Mar. 31; 24 hours a day Apr. 1-Oct. 31;
Before you travel to
Canada click here to visit the Canada Border
Services Agency web site.
To make a reservation on the Ferry your date of
birth, citizenship and full legal name is
required by the U.S. Coast Guard. along with
other contact information such as Other
information such as address, telephone and
e-mail are necessary so that we may contact you
if there is a scheduling change or other event
that you need to know about.
How do I get
a discounted fare as a senior citizen?
Discounts on passenger fares are available
for persons 65 and older on specific sailings.
Vehicles, cabins, food, and beverages are
charged at normal rates. When making
reservations by telephone, inform the
reservation agent if you are 65 or older.
How can I
make provisions for a handicapped person?
For a $25 fee, a one-year pass is available for
persons having at least a 70% disability or for
disabled veterans. This entitles the pass-owner
to discounted rates on certain
sailings. Elevator access is available on all
vessels. Wheelchair accessible cabins are
available on any vessel that has cabins. Hearing
or speech impaired customers - Call TDD
1-800-764-3779.
Fees for Non-Drivable or Unaccompanied Vehicles
Vehicles not accompanied by a driver will be
assessed a surcharge of $50 to and from
Bellingham, $20 to and from Prince Rupert, and
$10 to and from all other ports. The Alaska
Marine Highway does not provide for loading or
off-loading vehicles; it is the shipper's
responsibility to provide this service.
Can I sleep
in my vehicle?
Due to U.S. Coast Guard regulations, passengers
cannot sleep in their vehicles. However,
passengers can access their vehicles while the
vessel is stopped.
Cabins
If you rent a cabin, the entire cabin is
yours. Cabins are rented by the trip not by the
person. Where can I keep my stuff if there are
no cabins? There are coin-op lock-up bins
available for rent aboard the M/Vs Columbia,
Kennicott, Malaspina, Matanuska, Taku, and
Tustumena.
Where can I
sleep if there are no cabins?
Many public areas also serve as
sleeping space for those traveling without a
cabin. Comfortable reclining chairs are found
aboard all vessels for overnight rest. Often
passengers choose to sleep in their own sleeping
bags in the solarium's found aboard vessels
making longer voyages.
Meals
Hot meals, snacks, and beverages are available
to purchase on all vessels, except the Lituya,
in cafeteria or snack bar style. The M/Vs
Columbia and Tustumena also have full-service
sit-down dining rooms. The cafeteria menu
includes Alaskan seafood, hot meals, salads,
sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, juices, desserts and
snacks. Alcoholic beverages are served on the
M/Vs Columbia, Kennicott, Malaspina, Matanuska,
Taku and Tustumena . Beer and wine service is
available on the Fairweather. Alcohol may not be
consumed in public areas of the ship, including
the solarium.
Are
microwaves available?
Microwaves are available on all vessels. Coin-op
ice machines are available on mainline vessels.
Pets
Your pet must have a health certificate issued
within the last 30 days when entering into
Alaska. Regulations may limit transportation
across borders, so be sure to check with U.S.
and Canada Customs for details. There is no
charge for a certified service animal
accompanying a person with a disability. Pets
must remain inside a vehicle or kennel during
the voyage. Pet calls are allowed while vessels
are in port or during scheduled visits. $25.00
per pet to or from Bellingham WA, $10.00 per pet
to or from Pr. Rupert BC.
Showers and
restrooms
Public restrooms are available on all vessels.
Public showers are available on all vessels
except the Lituya and Fairweather.
What kinds of
activities are available on the vessel?
Most vessels feature forward observation lounges
and solarium's for viewing spectacular scenery
and wildlife. Gift shops offer souvenirs and
informative books about Alaska. Several ships
offer entertaining and informative programs to
acquaint the travelers with Alaska and its
natural history. U.S. Forest Service (Inside
Passage and South Central) and Fish & Wildlife
(Southwest) interpreters are often on board to
share information about marine life, birds,
plants, and other sights as you travel. The
Columbia, Kennicott, Malaspina and Matanuska
have theater areas that show scheduled feature
films as well as documentaries about Alaska and
the outdoors. The have card rooms, small video
arcades and reading rooms for passenger
enjoyment.
What's the
cancellation policy?
An administrative fee of $10 will be charged for
changing or canceling paid reservations that
include vehicles. Late cancellation charges will
be applied to any cancellation or change made
within 14 days of sailing that results in a
reduction in the prepaid or ticketed amount. The
penalty is 15% of the unused portion.
INFORMATION
DIRECTORY
(Links open to a new window)
Customs
Firearms, Traveler's Advisory, Road Conditions,
Alaska Weather
Vessels
Aurora, Chenega, Columbia, Fairweather,
Kennicott, LeConte, Lituya, Malaspina,
Matanuska, Taku, Tustumena
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, Food, Smoking, Elevators, Telephones,
Medical Services, Entertainment
Transporting Vehicles
Check-in Times, Cars & Motorcycles, R.V.,
Bicycle & Kayak, Pets, Oversize Vehicles,
Unaccompanied Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles,
Standbys
Terminal Information
Akutan, Angoon, Bellingham, Chenega Bay,
Chignik, Cold Bay, Cordova, Dutch Harbor, False
Pass, Haines, Homer, Hoonah, Juneau, Kake,
Ketchikan, King Cove, Kodiak, Metlakatla, Old
Harbor, Ouzinkie, Pelican, Petersburg, Port
Lions, Prince Rupert, Sand Point, Seldovia,
Sitka, Skagway, Tatitlek, Tenakee Springs,
Valdez, Whittier, Wrangell, Yakutat
