Major city · United States
PetersburgPetersburg, Alaska
Go for 2 nights if you want a working fishing town, whale water and a glacier; skip it if you need big-hotel comfort or a car-free city break.
Petersburg sits on Mitkof Island in the Inside Passage and is reached by Alaska Airlines flights into PSG or by Alaska Marine Highway ferry. Cruise ships cannot enter the Wrangell Narrows, so the town stays a fishing port rather than a port of call. Two nights covers the town, the museum and a LeConte Glacier or Frederick Sound boat day; three nights adds the Mitkof Highway and Blind Slough.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Oct–Mar (rain, wind, short days)
- Airport
- PSG
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Petersburg911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Petersburg Medical Center+1 907-772-4291
- Visitor Information Center+1 907-772-4636
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Petersburg, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyPetersburg is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are cold water, weather and remoteness.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 907-772-4291 Petersburg Medical Center · +1 907-772-4636 Visitor Information Center
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPSG Petersburg James A.
- Getting aroundDowntown is compact and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a pastryUS$5–9
- BeerDraft beer in a barUS$7–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across towncheckUS$8–15
- Budget bedApartment or B&B for up to 4, a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedHotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedHotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$190 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PSG Petersburg James A. Johnson Airport (Alaska Airlines jets from Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell and Seattle-Tacoma; float planes and charters also serve the area. Walkable to downtown.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Oct
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Sep (14 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Petersburg: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Sep
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Oct
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
12 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Downtown is compact and walkable. A local taxi and shuttle services cover the rest; rental cars are limited, so reserve with your room. Bicycles work on the flat local roads. Boats and sea kayaks can be rented in town for the Narrows and Frederick Sound.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
LeConte Glacier
goDoor to door: Full day
Guided boat or charter from the harbour, about 2–3 h each way through the Wrangell Narrows and Frederick Sound
Southernmost tidewater glacier in the northern hemisphere; calving and harbour seals. Book ahead and take layers.
Frederick Sound whale watching
goDoor to door: 6–8 h
All-day boat cruise or charter from Petersburg
Humpbacks in summer, plus Five Finger Lighthouse and the Brothers islands on some routes.
Blind Slough and Blind River Rapids
goDoor to door: 2–4 h
Drive or bike Mitkof Highway to about mile 14, then boardwalk
Boardwalk over muskeg to the slough; salmon and wildlife in season.
Kupreanof Island / Kake
cautionDoor to door: Half day or more
Ferry or charter
Schedules are thin; check the ferry calendar before planning.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Nordic Drive
Hotels, cafés, bars and the harbour within a few minutes on foot; best for a short stay with no car.
Harbour and Sing Lee Alley
Piers, Sons of Norway Hall and the fishermen's memorial; quiet at night, close to the boat docks.
Mitkof Highway south
Waterfront B&Bs and the Beachcomber out along the road; you need a car or a lift.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$110–170 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$170–280 excl. bed
- High
- US$280+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel or inn double room1 × 2 nights × US$200 | US$400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$190 | US$760 |
| LeConte Glacier or whale-watching boat day2 × US$275 · check | US$550 |
| Taxi or shuttle around town, per day2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$180 |
| Trip total≈ US$495 per person per day, bed included | US$1,980 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and ferry fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a pastry | US$5–9 |
| Halibut or salmon burger with fries | US$16–24 |
| Draft beer in a bar | US$7–10 |
| Smoked fish from a coolerVacuum-packed; good for the flight home. | US$15–30 |
| Taxi across towncheck | US$8–15 |
| Glacier or whale boat daycheck; book ahead | US$200–350 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rain is the default: about 110 in (2,800 mm) a year, with roughly half falling in October–December. Bring waterproofs, not an umbrella.
- Book the glacier and whale boats ahead; charters fill in summer and sailings depend on weather.
- Cell and data coverage is patchy away from town; download offline maps.
- Winter days are short and some businesses close; summer is the season for tours.
- Tides and cold water: never walk out on the flats or take a small boat without local advice.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Petersburg Medical Center
- +1 907-772-4291
- Visitor Information Center
- +1 907-772-4636
Pocket card
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PetersburgPetersburg, Alaska
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Petersburg Medical Center+1 907-772-4291
- Visitor Information Center+1 907-772-4636
Embassy
No embassies in Petersburg; nearest consulates are in Juneau and Anchorage (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PSG airport → downtown: about 1.5 km (0.9 mi), 15–20 min on foot; taxi about US$10 (check)about 0.9 mi (1.5 km), 15–20 min on foot; taxi about US$10 (check)
- Alaska Marine Highway ferry, Petersburg → Juneau: about 8–10 h, fare varies by season (check)
- LeConte Glacier boat day: US$200–350 per person, full day (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the harbour? — Where is the harbour?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the boat running today? — Is the boat running today?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Petersburg. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Oct–Mar (rain, wind, short days) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PSG: Alaska Airlines arrival banks, taxi and shuttle fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters with rain anchors: Nordic Drive, Sing Lee Alley and the harbour, the museum and Totem Park, Mitkof Highway south.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Clausen Memorial Museum, Sons of Norway Hall, Totem Park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Boat-day fixtures for LeConte Glacier and Frederick Sound so gates A–D can go green.