SkagwaySkagway at a Glance
Costs: Moderate - $120-$220/day - cruise crowds raise prices; expect $120-220 daily including tours.
Safety: Generally safe, petty-theft risk - low violent crime; be alert for pickpocketing around busy cruise terminals.
Best Time: May-September (cruise season) - may-September is peak cruise season with warmest weather and full services.
Why Visit Skagway?
Set against steep fjords and snow-capped peaks, Skagway draws travelers for its gold rush history and adventure access: ride the White Pass & Yukon Route railway, wander historic Broadway with its wooden storefronts, or hike trailheads into alpine wilderness. Short summer days brim with cruise-ship energy; winters offer quiet aurora viewing. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and local museums bring the 1890s frontier to life, making the town appealing both for history buffs and outdoor lovers.
Best Things to Do in Skagway
Trail
Chilkoot Trail
Park
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Historical park interpreting Klondike Gold Rush era
Skagway Bucket List
Don't Miss
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - Interpretive exhibits and preserved buildings telling the town’s 1898 gold rush story.
White Pass & Yukon Route Railway - Historic narrow-gauge railway offering scenic rides up to White Pass summit.
Broadway Historic District - Period storefronts, gold rush-era saloons, and museums lining the town’s main historic street.
Hidden Gems
Lower Reid Falls - Short trail to a waterfall and quiet viewpoints outside town, nice for hikes.
Gold Rush Cemetery - Small hilltop cemetery with interpretive plaques and panoramic views over Skagway harbor.
Red Onion Saloon - Historic saloon with preserved décor, live music, and Gold Rush-era atmosphere.
Day Trips
Haines (ferry) - Ferry trip across Lynn Canal to Haines, with wildlife viewing and native culture.
Juneau - Alaskan capital reachable by ferry or plane, offering glaciers, museums, and restaurants.
Best Time to Visit Skagway
Visit Skagway in late spring through summer for the easiest access to glaciers, long daylight, and boat excursions. Winters are cold and quiet, with many tourist services reduced or closed.
Summer
Mild, long‑day weather perfect for hikes and fjord cruises; peak tourist activity in July, with fog and light rain common.
Spring / Autumn
Cool, changeable weather with fewer tourists; some services closed and roads can be wet or icy, but scenery is dramatic.
Winter
Short daylight, cold with snow; many tourist businesses close, but northern lights and quiet mountain scenes reward the hardy visitor.
Skagway's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) - Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1069 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -8° - -3° | -12° | 114 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
| February | Poor | -6° - 0° | -8° | 97 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| March | Poor | -4° - 3° | -5° | 70 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 0° - 9° | 1° | 53 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 4° - 13° | 6° | 43 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.7 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 16.8h |
| June | Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 38 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 18.2h |
| July | Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 42 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.5h |
| August | Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 63 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.3h |
| September | Poor | 5° - 13° | 7° | 121 mm | overcast | 91% | 3.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 183 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | -3° - 2° | -6° | 126 mm | overcast | 96% | 4.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| December | Poor | -6° - -1° | -9° | 119 mm | overcast | 96% | 4.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.9h |
How to Get to Skagway
Skagway is most commonly reached by cruise ship, ferry, small plane or the White Pass heritage railway; commercial jet service is extremely limited. The town’s small Skagway Airport (SGY) handles air-taxi/floatplane services while nearby Juneau and Whitehorse act as larger gateways for onward connections.
Skagway Airport (SGY): Small regional airfield with floatplane and air-taxi connections to Juneau and Whitehorse; flights are short (typically 20-40 minutes). Expect charter/air-taxi fares commonly in the range of USD 125-300 one-way depending on operator and season.
Juneau International (JNU): Juneau is a common gateway for visitors who then take a small plane or ferry to Skagway. Floatplane or air-taxi transfers take about 20-40 minutes; cruises/ferries take much longer (see Train & Bus card). Shuttle/car transfers are not possible across the water-air taxi or ferry are the practical links.
Train (White Pass & Yukon Route): The White Pass & Yukon Route heritage railway runs from the Skagway waterfront into the White Pass area (seasonal, primarily sightseeing; round-trip excursions vary by length). Tickets are sold per trip and excursion prices depend on route and operator; journeys on the short mountain section take 1-3 hours.
Bus / Ferry (Alaska Marine Highway & road shuttles): Alaska Marine Highway runs seasonal ferry service to Skagway from other Southeast Alaska ports; crossings take several hours (varying by route) and fares depend on vessel, passenger vs vehicle. On-land access is by road from Haines and via Canada (Alaska Highway/Whitehorse) - services and times vary widely by season.
How to Get Around Skagway
Skagway is best navigated on foot once you’re in town; outside of town, small planes, ferries and the White Pass train are the practical connections. For most visitors the town center is compact and served by seasonal excursion and ferry timetables - plan transfers around those schedules.
- Regional air taxi / floatplane (USD 125-300) - Small carriers operate frequent floatplane and air-taxi hops between Skagway and regional hubs (Juneau, Whitehorse). These flights are the fastest way to cross the coastal waterways and are weather-dependent; book in advance in high season and expect basic luggage limits.
- White Pass & Yukon Route (heritage railway) (Varies (excursion fares)) - Seasonal tourist railway that departs from the Skagway waterfront for scenic runs into the mountains. Not a commuter service but an efficient way to arrive/depart during summer excursion schedules; seats sell out on cruise days.
- Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) (Varies) - State ferry service links Skagway with other Southeast Alaska communities. Ferries are slower than air (several hours) but carry vehicles and offer more luggage flexibility; schedules are seasonal and should be checked well in advance.
- Car / shuttle via Haines or Yukon (Varies) - Road access requires routing through Haines or via the Alaska Highway into the Yukon; many visitors drive from Whitehorse. Distances are long and services limited - plan fuel and accommodations accordingly.
- Cruise ship (N/A) - Many visitors arrive on cruise ships; the cruise terminal is at the Skagway waterfront, within walking distance of downtown. Timetables are cruise-dependent and the town gets busiest with ship arrivals.
- Walking - Skagway is compact and very walkable - most attractions, shops and the cruise terminal are within easy walking distance of each other.
Where to Stay in Skagway
Budget
Downtown Skagway - $80-220/night
Hostels and small inns offer the cheapest stays near the cruise-ship terminal. Summer fills quickly; shoulder season gives the best rates and quieter streets.
Skagway Lodge - Simple rooms near downtown
Skagway Inn - Basic, seasonal lodging on Broadway
Mid-Range
Broadway/Waterfront - $160-320/night
A handful of comfortable inns and small hotels line Broadway and the waterfront. Expect historic character, practical amenities, and seasonal availability.
Yukon Quest Lodge - Comfortable rooms, close to attractions
Skagway River Lodge - River views and mid-range comforts
Luxury
Harbor District - $300+/night
Luxury options are limited but offer upgraded rooms and private tours. Peak season prices rise; book well ahead for Harborside views and guided activities.
Arctic Heritage Lodge - Premium rooms and guided excursions
Skagway Boutique Hotel - Upscale rooms with historic charm
Where to Eat in Skagway
Alaskan & Seafood
Skagway mixes historic saloons and seafood-focused pubs. Expect fresh, simple Alaskan seafood, crustaceans and local beers in lively, compact venues.
- Red Onion Saloon - Historic saloon with hearty Alaskan fare
- Skagway Brewing Company - Local brews and pub-style seafood plates
- Skagway fish vendors & shops - Seasonal fresh-catch options to-go
Casual & Bakeries
Small cafés and bakeries are town staples - great for breakfast, pastries and quick, warming meals before heading outdoors.
- Blue Loon Bakery & Cafe - Fresh breads, pastries and breakfast sandwiches
- Local coffee shops - Warm cafés ideal for a cold morning
- Seasonal food stands - Summer stalls selling tacos and snacks
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Skagway’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Skagway
Nightlife in Skagway is concentrated in a few historic bars and seasonal venues; evenings are busiest when cruise ships are in port. Live music and local brews pop up at places like the Red Onion Saloon and the small brewery, but options are limited after the cruise season ends. If you want late-night activity, check posted schedules - many events and performances run only in summer.
Shopping in Skagway
Downtown Skagway is a compact strip of souvenir shops, outdoor outfitters and historic-themed gift stores, mostly clustered along Broadway. The National Park visitor center offers books and regionally themed items, and small independent stores sell Alaska crafts and fur goods. Expect seasonal hours (summer peak) and small, locally run shops rather than large malls.