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Anchorage

Anchorage offers the comforts of a large US city but is only a 30-minute drive from the Alaskan wilderness. Founded in 1914 as a work camp for the Alaska Railroad, the city was devastated by the 1964 Good Friday earthquake but quickly rebounded as the industry headquarters for the Prudhoe Bay oil boom. Today almost half the state's residents live in or around the city, as Anchorage serves as the economic and political heart of Alaska. Sorry, Juneau.
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Anchorage Transport

Coming and Going

From Anchorage International Airport, 10km (6.5mi) west of the city centre, you can catch a flight to anywhere in Alaska including Valdez, Homer, Cordova, Kenai, Iliamna and Kodiak. A variety of bus and van companies operate out of Anchorage and provide services to almost everywhere in the state. To get to Denali National Park and Fairbanks a van service is the way to go.

By rail, the most popular run is Alaska Railroad's Denali Express, which heads to Denali Park and Fairbanks daily. The most scenic is the Coastal Classic which heads south from Anchorage to Seward, passing three glaciers along the way.

Getting About

Anchorage's excellent public bus system, called the People Mover, will get you between the airport and city centre on weekdays from -, on Saturday from - and Sunday from -. Outside of those hours, Alaska Shuttle Service, one of the many hotel-run vans or one in the endless line of eager taxis will be happy to transport you.

All public buses begin at the People Mover's downtown terminal, and you can expect most buses to pass by every half hour. A full service of 19 routes operates weekdays to , with reduced service on weekends. People Mover also runs the free DASH (Downtown Anchorage Short Hop) bus, that will shuttle you between 5th and 8th Aves.

For parties of two or more, renting a car can be the most affordable way of travelling around Anchorage and surrounds. There are many options available in the airport and downtown. Reserve a vehicle if you can, as they are heavily booked in the summer.

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