Travel tips · Anchorage · United States
Anchorage travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Anchorage is a young, outdoorsy city founded in 1914 as a railroad construction camp. It is home to people from every part of Alaska, including a large Alaska Native population of Yupʻik, Iñupiat, Athabascan, Aleut and Tlingit heritage, as well as many military and oil-industry families. The land around the city is the traditional territory of the Dena'ina Athabascan people.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; treat water from streams before drinking.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Give moose plenty of space — at least 25 metres — and never get between a cow and her calf.
- On trails, make noise, carry bear spray and pack out all rubbish.
- Ask permission before photographing people at cultural events and in Alaska Native communities.
- Buy Alaska Native art from reputable sellers; look for the 'Silver Hand' label, which marks authentic Native-made work.
- Respect posted fishing rules; licences are required even for casual anglers at Ship Creek.
- Visit in late May or early September for lower hotel and car prices while most tours still run.
Tipping
Tip 18–20% at restaurants, $1–$2 per drink, 15–20% for taxis, and 10–20% for fishing guides, cruise crews and tour drivers depending on the length of the trip.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Outside | Anywhere in the Lower 48 US states |
| Lower 48 | The contiguous United States |
| Breakup | Spring thaw, when ice and snow melt into mud |
| Termination dust | The first snow on the mountains, signalling the end of summer |
| Sourdough | A long-time Alaskan, from gold-rush days |
What to wear
Layers year-round: in summer a waterproof jacket and fleece, in winter insulated boots, a down coat, hat and gloves; sturdy footwear for trails.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink; treat water from streams before drinking.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Good mobile coverage in the city and along main highways near town; long gaps on the Seward and Glenn highways and in the mountains.
- Time zone
- America/Anchorage
Wildlife is the most distinctive risk: moose wander through the city and bears use the trails, so keep your distance, make noise and carry bear spray in Chugach State Park. Never walk onto the Turnagain Arm mudflats, where fast tides and silt are deadly. In winter, ice and cold demand proper boots and layers; use normal city precautions downtown at night.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Anchorage?
Tip 18–20% at restaurants, $1–$2 per drink, 15–20% for taxis, and 10–20% for fishing guides, cruise crews and tour drivers depending on the length of the trip.
+Can you drink the tap water in Anchorage?
Tap water is safe to drink; treat water from streams before drinking.
+What plugs are used in Anchorage?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Anchorage?
English.