pballwizard

I stayed in fairbanks a couple of nights, but... my flight out was 9:22pm back thru chicago so there wasn't a lot of wait time if I was flying back that eve.

yes ended up changing return flight and staying an extra night in Fairbanks/Fox area. I thought about an excursion to the Artic circle, but thought it would be too much for this trip. 2 nights in Healy, 2 nights outside Fairbanks.

NA, we were at Taste of Alaska Lodge Aug 21/22, had a late flight out of Fairbanks on the 23rd.

Back from my trip and wanted to circle back with what I put together: - cruise disembark on Saturday in Whittier - Coach travel Whittier to Denali Mt. McKinley lodge via Alaska Tour and Travel (lunch stopover/transfer in Anchorage, easy-peasy). Tunnel was cool, commentary was good, coach wasn't packed so we could spread out. B&B host picked us up at Mt McKinley lodge. - 2 nights at B&B in Healy. Had a rental car throughout Healy stay and they handled transport between Denali depots. Dinner one night at 49th State, one night at Prospectors Pizza. Drove into the park twice and also took the Transit bus to mile 43. - Wilderness Express Denali to Fairbanks, slow but enjoyable trip, great views during first 12+ miles, less interesting beyond but there were some callouts and moose siting's. Dinner and drinks were extra but 'reasonable' and good. Not crowded and plenty of room to stretch and move around - 2 nights B&B outside Fairbanks proper. Site had potential for Northern lights viewing, but weather wasn't cooperating. Took cab between Train Depot and B&B. - Booked a Turo very late (the one piece I didn't have laid out in advance). Had to get a Lyft to Riverboat cruise, and Turo was waiting for me on our return so it worked out. Dinner at the Pump House after. - Final day we had the Turo, went to North Pole (wasn't worth the effort other than a photo opp). Went to Chena Hot Springs but the Ice House was closed for renovation, no AppleTini! Saw 3 moose on the way. Had lunch at recommended breakfast/lunch joint back in Fairbanks, went to Auto Museum (very impressive), and snuck in a visit to view the pipeline before refueling and dropping bags at Fairbanks terminal. Returned the Turo in s-t parking at the terminal, easy-peasy. In the end my last minute 'tour package' cost roughly the same as the cruise special pricing (not including car rentals but I factored equivalent transfer costs throughout), we had schedule flexibility, fresh breakfast, gracious hosts and less crowds, and weren't should-to-shoulder on the cruise line coaches. Thanks all for the suggestions, if I get to do it again I'd try to book things earlier (this whole trip assembly kicked-off on July 24th!), try to stay on Talkeetna 1-2 days, try to figure out the train maybe from Talkeetna to Denali. Hopefully Eielson visitor center would be open for visits, and I might add a northern excursion into the circle on an aurora excursion. I'd also like to visit Seward, Homer and maybe Valdez in the future. Thanks all for the input, I used a little advice from all! Mike

I'm late to the game and I might be bottom feeding now, but I ended up booking 1-way cruise Vancouver to Whittier. Flying out of Fairbanks 3 days after we disembark. I need to fill the the 3 extra days, looks like car rental from Whittier to Fairbanks is not an option, Anchorage to Fairbanks is damn expensive with the one way surcharge. Another option is a bus to Anchorage, fly to Fairbanks, r/t car rental from Fairbanks looks reasonable. I want to spend 2 nights near Denali/Healy, maybe one night in Fairbanks. I figure most people book the land extension thru the cruise line, but I didn't do that 🙂 Anyone have suggestions on how I should fill in the the land portion of this on my own? Looking for suggestions for transport from Whittier, end up in Fairbanks, and either line up transport or car rental (I've already reserved a car in Anchorage that I can cancel). thanks for the advice, and best regards! Mike