A popular cruise port, Skagway has a fascinating history. Cruisers who stop in Skagway will find a town brimming with gold rush history, unique culture, and amazing opportunities for enjoying the state’s renowned natural beauty. Skagway is the northernmost point in Alaska’s Inside Passage, at the far end of Lynn Canal. Once the boomtown gateway to the Trail of ’98 and the Klondike gold fields, the population has now dwindled about 1,000 year-round citizens. In the summer, those numbers increase dramatically with over 1 Million cruise passengers visiting each season. Prior to 1896, Skagway was a Tlingit hunting and fishing area. In 1896, gold was discovered on a tributary of the Klondike River, about 600 miles from Skagway. After the Klondike gold rush began, the population of Skagway boomed to between 8,000 and 10,000. Many of the original buildings still exist, along with a raised wooden walkway. On June 28, 1900, Skagway became the first incorporated city of Alaska, beating Juneau by ONE day! Most cruise ships arriving in Skagway will dock at one of three locations right on the edge of town: Ore Dock, Railroad Dock or Broadway Dock. Railroad dock has been affected by rock slides the past few years. If your ship docks there, you may have to take a tender to shore, as the farthest end of the pier is not safe. What You Need to Know About Skagway Cruise Port The city of Skagway is within easy walking distance of the cruise port. There are many shore excursions to choose from, including the popular and historic White Pass Trail, that are accessible to cruise passengers. If you have not pre-booked, there will be vendors available onshore. Currency Although close to Canada, Skagway is located in Alaska (USA). The official currency is the USD (United States Dollar). Businesses in Skagway will accept cash, credit and debit cards. Language In Alaska, you might hear some unusual vernacular including “Lower 48” (the 48 contiguous United States), “break-up” (spring time when ice and snow finally melt) and “cheechako” (a newcomer), but the primary language is English. Time Zone Most of Alaska (including Skagway) is within the Alaska Standard Time Zone. Alaska Standard Time Zone is one hour behind Pacific Time and four hours behind the Eastern Time Zone. Weather Weather in Skagway will range from the 40s to the low 60s during Alaska cruise season. Skagway has the driest climate of any of the Southeast passage port towns, which means you will probably enjoy sunny weather during your visit. That being said, one of the wettest days I’ve had in Alaska was in Skagway. It was POURING! Also, due to the location at the end of the Lynn Canal and the configuration of the valley, Skagway tends to be windy. Tip: When considering what to wear on your Alaska cruise, dressing in layers is always a good idea. Mornings will start off cool, but the weather can warm up significantly later in the day. Getting Around Town It is very easy for cruisers to get around Skagway on foot. It’s only a short walk from the dock to downtown Skagway and the terrain is flat. Be careful of the elevated wooden walkways….it can be easy to trip on them if you aren’t looking. Overall, this city is very walkable. Public Transportation The Skagway Municipal And Regional Transit (SMART) offers a SMART shuttle bus. Their “Dock to Downtown” Loop runs every 15 minutes during cruise season. An all-day SMART bus pass costs $5 per person or you can pay $3 per person for a one-way pass. Car Rentals There aren’t many car rental options in this small town. DIY Jeep Tours is one innovative option that combines a rental car with a built-in tour guide. Each rental includes a CD that will give you mile-by-mile guide explaining historic and scenic spots. Other places to look for car rental are Expedia and Avis. Be sure to reserve your car as early as possible…there is a limited supply. In 2018, we rented a car for the day and made the trip on the Klondike Highway heading to the Yukon. There really isn’t any need to worry about getting lost…there is only one real road in and out of Skagway. Be sure to take your passports with you if you plan to cross into Canada! We made several stops along the way to enjoy the scenery and to stretch our legs. The driving was very easy, but there was some construction along the way, which slowed us down a little. Keep an eye on the time…you don’t want to miss the “all aboard”! Top Skagway Shore Excursions There are many activities to choose from in Skagway, but several of my favorites are the White Pass train, horseback riding, hiking and just wandering the town. White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Probably the #1 thing to do in Skagway is to take the White Pass train. The White Pass and Yukon Route opened on August 1, 1900 and is a narrow gauge railroad linking the port of Skagway, Alaska with Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. It is an isolated system and has no direct connection to any other railroad. Recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the train gains nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles, and engineers faced harsh weather conditions and difficult terrain to make it happen. This honor is awarded to engineering feats like the Panama Canal, the Eiffel Tower, and the Statue of Liberty. This breathtaking train ride will take you on the White Pass Summit route that gold miners took in 1898. You will see glaciers, waterfalls, mountains and even signs of the original Klondike trail worn into rocks. The train ride lasts from 2.5-2.75 hours and goes 40 miles round trip. You do not need your passport to ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway (I recommend taking it just in case). Be sure to bring your camera! If this is your first Alaska cruise, the White Rail Pass is a shore excursion to definitelyContinueContinue reading “Explore Skagway: A Cruise Passengers’ Guide”