The Skagway cruise port puts you about three-quarters of a mile from the historic downtown, and the streets in between are level. That makes it one of the easier Alaska stops for a first-timer, because most of what you came to see is a short walk from the ship. The harder part is choosing how to spend a single port day.
Skagway's municipal site and the Alaska pages from Princess and Royal Caribbean describe the same basic day. Here's how it works, what each way of getting around costs, and which excursions need a passport. For planning around the sailing itself, our Alaska cruise tips for first-timers covers the rest of the trip.
Where Skagway Cruise Ships Dock and How Far Town Is
Skagway can dock four large ships and one small vessel, and the docks sit about three-quarters of a mile from the downtown historic district. The municipality notes that the streets are level, so walking in is a pleasant option.
Princess says the same thing in plainer terms: ships dock close to town, and most guests don't need a shuttle to reach the historic district.
Getting Around Without a Car
Skagway's municipal SMART bus runs from the docks to downtown from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. when cruise ships are in port. An all-day pass is $5 per person, or $3 per person each way, paid to the driver.
SMART also runs an on-demand shuttle from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. year round. You book by phone at (907) 612-0902, and service outside regular hours needs 24 hours' notice. A ride from the docks to the Skagway River Bridge is $5 per person.
Or skip both and walk: the streets between the docks and downtown are level.
For anything else, call the Skagway Visitor Department at (907) 983-2854.
What to See Downtown
Most first-timers spend part of the day on foot downtown. Princess points to Broadway Street, with its shops, restaurants, museums and tour meeting points, and to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, with its boardwalks and false-front buildings. Royal Caribbean adds the Red Onion Saloon, Jewell Gardens and the Skagway Sculpture Garden. "The Days of '98 Show" has run since 1923.
The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad
The railroad is the signature excursion. Princess describes a narrow-gauge line built during the Klondike Gold Rush that climbs nearly 3,000 feet from tidewater toward White Pass Summit. Royal Caribbean adds that it runs through mountains, gorges and waterfalls with vintage locomotives and historic rail cars.
Other Excursions Worth Knowing
The cruise lines sell a wide range of options:
- Yukon Expedition: Princess describes the Yukon Expedition and White Pass Scenic Railway as the train combined with a motorcoach trip to Carcross, including a barbecue lunch.
- Gold panning: Princess lists the Gold Fever Experience, with a guide in period clothing and a stop at Dredge Town. Royal Caribbean says local gold panning businesses let you keep the gold you find.
- Ziplining: the Grizzly Falls Ziplining Expedition has 10 ziplines and four suspension bridges, runs more than 90 minutes on the course, and its longest line is 750 feet.
- Dog sledding and hiking: Royal Caribbean lists dog sledding and trails including Lower Dewey Lake, Upper Dewey Lake and the Chilkoot Trail.
- Street car tour: the Skagway Street Car City Tour uses a 1927-style sightseeing bus with a costumed guide.
- Haines options: the Haines Eagle Preserve rafting trip and the Wilderness UTV Adventure both cross Lynn Canal from Skagway to Haines.
Passports, Timing and What to Pack
Princess says a valid passport is required for any excursion that enters Canada, including the Yukon tours. Royal Caribbean says a single full day, between 8 and 10 hours, is the right amount of time for Skagway, and Princess advises booking early because the railway and full-day Yukon tours can sell out before sailing. On days with several ships in port, starting early makes downtown feel less crowded.
The Alaska cruise season runs mainly from May through September. Princess suggests layers, a light waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes for boardwalks, gravel and damp trails, and a warm hat and gloves for glacier and fjord tours, even in summer. Our Alaska cruise packing list goes through the rest.
How to Plan Your Day
Pick one main activity, such as the railroad or a dog sledding trip, book it before you sail, and leave the rest of the day for a walk downtown. When you're deciding between a cruise-only trip and a longer land add-on, our cruisetour comparison lays out the choice.
