How to Get to Ketchikan, Alaska: Flights, Ferries & Cruises
Ketchikan is one of Alaska’s most popular destinations, but getting there works differently than reaching most cities. There is no road connection to the rest of Alaska or Canada, so you must arrive by plane, ferry, or cruise ship. If you are traveling with a vehicle, you can still bring your car, RV, or motorcycle to Ketchikan aboard the Alaska Marine Highway ferry. Flying is the fastest option, while cruising is the most common way many visitors experience the city. In this guide, we explain how to get to Ketchikan, Alaska, including flights, ferries, cruises, airport transportation, and what to know if you are traveling with a vehicle.
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How to Get to Ketchikan: Quick Answer
Ketchikan is not connected to the continental road system, so you can reach it only by air or water.
| Option | Best For | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Fly to Ketchikan | Fastest and easiest independent trip | Nonstop flights are available from Seattle and several Alaska communities |
| Alaska Marine Highway ferry | Road trips and travelers bringing a vehicle | Ferries carry both passengers and vehicles |
| Cruise ship | Inside Passage cruise passengers | Most ships dock downtown or at Ward Cove |
| Drive | Not possible directly | You can drive to an AMHS terminal and continue to Ketchikan with your vehicle by ferry |
For most independent travelers, flying is the fastest option. If you are bringing a car, RV, or motorcycle, the Alaska Marine Highway provides vehicle service to Ketchikan. Its main Southeast route connects Ketchikan with Bellingham, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, and other communities.
Cruising is another very popular way to visit Ketchikan, especially on Inside Passage itineraries from Seattle or Vancouver. If you are planning an Alaska cruise, check your docking location because Ward Cove requires additional transportation to Downtown Ketchikan.
Can You Drive to Ketchikan, Alaska?
No. You cannot drive directly to Ketchikan from the rest of Alaska, Canada, or the contiguous United States. Ketchikan is on Revillagigedo Island and has no road connection to the continental highway system.
However, you can still bring a car, RV, motorcycle, or other vehicle to Ketchikan aboard the Alaska Marine Highway ferry. The ferry system treats Ketchikan as one of its major Southeast Alaska hubs and carries both passengers and vehicles.
If you are driving from the Lower 48, the most straightforward option is to drive to Bellingham, Washington, about 1.5 hours north of Seattle, and continue to Ketchikan by ferry. Bellingham is the southernmost AMHS terminal, and direct ferry service to Ketchikan currently takes about 38 hours.
This makes Ketchikan unusual for road trippers: you can use your own vehicle once you arrive, but part of the journey must be completed by ferry.
Our Experience Getting to Ketchikan
We have reached Ketchikan several times by cruise ship, including visits when our ship docked directly downtown and at Ward Cove.
Arriving at the downtown docks is especially convenient because you can start exploring almost immediately after leaving the ship. Ward Cove requires more planning because the terminal is outside the city center and you need to allow extra time for the shuttle.
We also enjoy exploring Ketchikan on our own, especially when we want a flexible port day without booking several organized tours.
For cruise travelers, we always recommend checking your exact berth before making plans. Our Ketchikan cruise port guide explains the downtown docks, Ward Cove, shuttle logistics, and what to expect when you arrive.
Flying to Ketchikan
For most independent travelers, flying is the fastest and easiest way to reach Ketchikan.
Ketchikan International Airport (KTN) is served by Alaska Airlines and regional carriers connecting Ketchikan with other Southeast Alaska communities. Alaska Airlines currently offers nonstop service between Seattle and Ketchikan, as well as flights between Ketchikan and Juneau.
A nonstop flight from Seattle takes about two hours, making Seattle the main gateway for travelers coming from outside Alaska. Flights within Southeast Alaska are much shorter, although some routes may include intermediate stops depending on the schedule.
One important detail surprises many first-time visitors: Ketchikan International Airport is not on the same island as the city. The airport sits on Gravina Island, so after landing, you still need to take the airport ferry across Tongass Narrows before continuing into Ketchikan.
We cover that unusual final step in detail below because it is an important part of planning any flight to Ketchikan.
How to Get From Ketchikan Airport to Town
Getting from Ketchikan International Airport to downtown requires one extra step compared with most airports.
The airport is on Gravina Island, while Ketchikan is across Tongass Narrows on Revillagigedo Island. There is no bridge between them. Therefore, everyone arriving by air must first take the Ketchikan Airport Ferry.
Taking the Ketchikan Airport Ferry
After collecting your luggage, follow the signs from the terminal to the airport ferry.
The crossing itself takes only about five minutes. The ferry carries passengers, vehicles, and bicycles across Tongass Narrows.
Under the current schedule, ferries leave the airport side on the hour and half hour. From the Ketchikan side, they depart at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour.
The regular passenger fare is:
- $6 for passengers age 12 and older
- $3 for children ages 6–11
- Free for children age 5 and younger
The ferry normally operates daily between early morning and evening. During the busy summer season, additional ferry service may operate at certain times.
We recommend checking the current airport ferry schedule before your trip, especially for an early or late flight.
From the Airport Ferry Terminal to Downtown Ketchikan
The ferry does not drop you directly in downtown Ketchikan.
The town-side terminal is at 4171 Tongass Avenue, about 2.6 miles north of downtown. From there, you still need transportation to your hotel or other destination.
A taxi is the easiest option if you have luggage. Public buses also serve the airport ferry area and connect it with downtown Ketchikan. Bus schedules change seasonally, so check the current timetable before relying on this option.
If you rent a vehicle, cars can also travel across Tongass Narrows on the airport ferry.
Although the transfer sounds complicated, it is actually straightforward. Just remember to allow extra time for the ferry when planning your arrival or return flight.
Getting to Ketchikan by Alaska Marine Highway Ferry
Another way to reach Ketchikan is aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), Alaska’s state ferry network.
This is a good option if you prefer slower travel, want to explore several Southeast Alaska communities, or need to bring a vehicle.
AMHS connects Ketchikan with Bellingham, Washington, and communities throughout Southeast Alaska. These include Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Haines, and Skagway. Routes and sailing frequency vary throughout the year.
Unlike a cruise ship, the Alaska Marine Highway is primarily a public transportation system. You can travel as a walk-on passenger or bring a car, camper, motorcycle, or bicycle.
That makes the ferry especially useful for travelers planning a longer Alaska road trip. Since Ketchikan is not connected to the mainland highway system, the ferry is the only way to bring your own vehicle into town.
Ketchikan Ferry Terminal
The Alaska Marine Highway terminal is at 3501 Tongass Avenue, about two miles north of downtown Ketchikan.
Taxis and public transportation are available from the terminal. The terminal is also within walking distance of the Ketchikan Airport Ferry.
Do You Need to Reserve the Alaska Ferry in Advance?
We recommend booking in advance, especially if you are traveling during summer or bringing a vehicle.
Vehicle space is limited, and availability can disappear on popular sailings. Cabins are also limited and should be reserved early if you want one for an overnight trip.
Fares depend on your route, number of passengers, vehicle size, and whether you book a cabin. Because prices and schedules change, we recommend checking the official Alaska Marine Highway sailing calendar and booking system for your exact travel dates.
If you are traveling from the Lower 48, the most important route is Bellingham, Washington, to Ketchikan. We cover that journey, including travel time and what to expect, in the next section.
Seattle/Bellingham to Ketchikan by Ferry
If you are starting your Alaska trip in the Pacific Northwest, you can reach Ketchikan by ferry from Bellingham, Washington.
One detail is important: the Alaska Marine Highway ferry does not depart from Seattle. The southern terminal is in Bellingham, about 90 miles north of Seattle.
The trip from Bellingham to Ketchikan takes about 38 hours. It follows the Inside Passage and is much slower than flying. However, it can be an interesting option if the journey itself is part of your Alaska experience.
How to Get From Seattle to the Bellingham Ferry Terminal
If you fly into Seattle, you first need to travel north to Bellingham.
You can get there by:
- Rental car or private vehicle
- Amtrak Cascades train
- Intercity bus
The drive usually takes around two hours, but Seattle-area traffic can add significant time.
Amtrak Cascades also connects Seattle with Bellingham. The train ride takes about two hours and brings you to Bellingham’s Fairhaven neighborhood, where the Alaska ferry terminal is located.
If your ferry departure is important to your itinerary, we would not plan a tight same-day connection from a flight into Seattle. Leave enough time for flight delays, traffic, and the ferry check-in process.
What Is the Bellingham to Ketchikan Ferry Like?
This is a transportation ferry, not a cruise ship.
You will not find cruise-style entertainment, organized excursions, or resort amenities. Instead, the appeal is the chance to travel through the Inside Passage at a slower pace.
Mainline ferries have indoor seating areas, food service, outdoor decks, and sleeping options. You can reserve a private cabin, but cabins cost extra and are limited.
Budget travelers can travel without a cabin and use public seating areas for the overnight journey. If having a bed and private space is important to you, reserve a cabin as early as possible.
You can also bring a car, RV, motorcycle, or bicycle aboard the ferry. For travelers planning a longer road trip, this is one of the biggest advantages of choosing the Alaska Marine Highway.
Is the Ferry From Bellingham to Ketchikan Worth It?
For most travelers with limited vacation time, flying from Seattle to Ketchikan is much faster and easier. The nonstop flight takes about two hours, compared with roughly a day and a half aboard the ferry.
However, the ferry can make sense if:
- you want to bring your own vehicle to Ketchikan,
- you enjoy slow and scenic travel,
- you are building a longer Southeast Alaska ferry itinerary,
- or the Inside Passage journey is part of the experience you want.
Schedules are limited compared with airline service and change seasonally. If you are considering this route, check the current Alaska Marine Highway schedule before building the rest of your itinerary around it.
Getting to Ketchikan on a Cruise Ship
For many visitors, a cruise ship is their first introduction to Ketchikan. The city is one of the major ports on Alaska Inside Passage itineraries.
Where your ship docks matters when planning your day. Ketchikan has two main cruise arrival areas: the downtown waterfront and Ward Cove.
The Port of Ketchikan has four cruise ship berths along the downtown waterfront.
If your ship docks here, you are already within easy walking distance of downtown attractions. Creek Street, shops, restaurants, and many tour meeting points are nearby. This makes it easy to explore Ketchikan independently without arranging transportation into town.
Some cruise ships dock at The Mill at Ward Cove, about seven miles north of downtown Ketchikan.
If your ship docks at Ward Cove, plan additional time to reach downtown. A complimentary shuttle operates between Ward Cove and Berth IV in Ketchikan. The drive takes about 20 minutes each way.
However, we recommend allowing at least 30 minutes when you have an independently booked tour or other timed activity downtown. You also need to account for the return shuttle when planning your day.
Before booking independent excursions, always check where your ship will dock and your exact time in port. A six-hour port call at a downtown berth gives you more usable sightseeing time than the same port call from Ward Cove.
If you are visiting Ketchikan during an Alaska cruise, also see our One Day in Ketchikan: Best Things to Do From a Cruise Ship guide. We share realistic itinerary ideas based on different port times and docking locations.
How to Get From Juneau to Ketchikan
There is no road between Juneau and Ketchikan. To travel between the two cities, you need to fly or take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry.
Flying From Juneau to Ketchikan
For most travelers, flying is the fastest and most practical option.
Alaska Airlines operates nonstop flights between Juneau International Airport (JNU) and Ketchikan International Airport (KTN). Current nonstop schedules are about one hour.
This option makes the most sense if you are combining Juneau and Ketchikan in a shorter Alaska itinerary.
Remember that Ketchikan International Airport is on Gravina Island. After landing, you must take the airport ferry before continuing into town.
Taking the Ferry From Juneau to Ketchikan
You can also travel between Juneau and Ketchikan with the Alaska Marine Highway System.
This is a much slower journey. AMHS lists a sample running time of about 20 hours between Ketchikan and Juneau. Actual travel time depends on the sailing and scheduled stops.
The ferry can be a good choice if you have more time or want the Inside Passage journey to be part of your trip. It also allows you to travel with a vehicle.
However, ferry departures are far less frequent than flights. Always check the current AMHS sailing calendar before planning your itinerary around this route.
For most visitors trying to fit both cities into one Alaska vacation, we would choose the flight. The ferry makes more sense when slow travel is part of the experience or you need to transport a vehicle.
How to Get From Anchorage to Ketchikan
If you are traveling from Anchorage to Ketchikan, flying is the most practical option.
Alaska Airlines operates service between Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Ketchikan International Airport (KTN). However, there are currently no nonstop flights between Anchorage and Ketchikan.
Current Alaska Airlines schedules typically route passengers through Southeast Alaska. Some flights operate as through flights with intermediate stops, while other itineraries may require a connection.
For example, Alaska Airlines currently operates a southbound flight from Anchorage that stops in Juneau and Sitka before reaching Ketchikan. The Anchorage-to-Ketchikan portion takes about five hours, including the intermediate stops.
When booking, check the complete itinerary carefully. Travel times can vary considerably depending on the number of stops and whether you need to change planes.
There is also no road connecting Anchorage with Ketchikan. The Alaska Marine Highway does not serve Anchorage directly, so taking a ferry between these cities is not a simple alternative.
For most travelers combining Southcentral Alaska with Ketchikan, flying is by far the easiest way to connect the two destinations.
Inter-Island Ferry to Prince of Wales Island
If Ketchikan is a stop on a longer Southeast Alaska trip, you can continue to Prince of Wales Island aboard the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA).
The IFA is separate from the Alaska Marine Highway System. It provides daily, year-round passenger and vehicle ferry service between Ketchikan and Hollis, on the eastern side of Prince of Wales Island. The crossing takes about three hours.
The ferry departs from the same terminal complex used by the Alaska Marine Highway at 3501 Tongass Avenue. It is also only about half a mile from the Ketchikan Airport Ferry terminal.
Under the current schedule, the Ketchikan-to-Hollis ferry departs at 3:30 p.m., with passengers and vehicles required to be checked in and ready to board by 2:30 p.m. Schedules can change, so check the current IFA timetable before your trip.
You can travel as a walk-on passenger or bring a car, RV, motorcycle, bicycle, or other approved vehicle. Vehicle space is limited, so reservations are strongly recommended, especially during the summer season.
This ferry is a useful option if you want to explore Prince of Wales Island independently. Once you arrive in Hollis, the island’s road system connects you with communities such as Klawock and Craig.
Final Thoughts
Getting to Ketchikan takes a little more planning because the city is not connected to Alaska’s road system. However, you still have several good options.
For most independent travelers, flying from Seattle is the fastest and easiest choice. If you have more time, the Alaska Marine Highway offers a slower and more scenic way to travel through the Inside Passage.
Many visitors also arrive by cruise ship. In that case, check whether your ship docks downtown or at Ward Cove, because this affects how much time you have for exploring Ketchikan.
No matter how you arrive, pay attention to the small logistical details. The airport requires a short ferry ride, ferry schedules are limited, and cruise docking locations can change your plans.
Once you know how you are getting there, you can focus on the fun part: exploring Ketchikan. For ideas on what to see and do, check out our Ketchikan Travel Guide.
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