Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · United States

Ketchikan

Stay 1–2 nights if you arrive by ferry or air; cruise passengers get 4–6 hours in town, enough for Creek Street, the totem parks and a salmon lunch.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Ketchikan is a rain-soaked fishing town on Revillagigedo Island, the southernmost city in southeastern Alaska and the first port of call on the Inside Passage. Cruise ships land 800,000+ visitors a year, most for a few hours; travellers who arrive by ferry or air get the totem parks, the forest and the salmon run largely to themselves. It is one of the wettest places in North America — pack for rain, not for a beach.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Sep (long days, salmon run Jul–Sep)
avoid Oct–Apr (cold, wind-driven rain, many tours closed)
Airport
KTN
Nights
1–2
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 ▾

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
Emergency numbers for Ketchikan911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

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 Ketchikan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$4–7
  • Sit-down mealSalmon or halibut dinner$28–45
  • Street or quick mealFish and chips or halibut sandwich$18–28
  • BeerDraft beer$7–10
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, downtown to ferry terminalcheck$15–25
  • Museum or sight ticketTotem Bight entry$5/person
  • Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personUS$55
  • Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
  • High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$400

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · 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.

Creek Street and the old red-light districtTotem poles (Saxman, Totem Bight, Totem Heritage Center)Salmon and halibut fishingTongass National Forest rainforestCruise-ship port of call
Airports
KTN Ketchikan International Airport (On Gravina Island; a 5-minute airport ferry or water taxi crosses to the Ketchikan side, then a shuttle or taxi about 2.4 km (1.5 mi) north of downtown. Allow 45–60 min door to door.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    5°C (41°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

  5. May

    Best

    13°C (55°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    5°C (41°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (18°C (64°F)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F) low), wettest Oct (22 rain days), driest Jun (15). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Ketchikan: 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

5°C (41°F)

1°C (34°F)

21 rd

Feb

6°C (43°F)

1°C (34°F)

18 rd

Mar

7°C (45°F)

2°C (36°F)

20 rd

Apr

9°C (48°F)

4°C (39°F)

17 rd

May

13°C (55°F)

7°C (45°F)

16 rd

Jun

16°C (61°F)

10°C (50°F)

15 rd

Jul

18°C (64°F)

12°C (54°F)

16 rd

Aug

18°C (64°F)

12°C (54°F)

17 rd

Sep

15°C (59°F)

10°C (50°F)

20 rd

Oct

10°C (50°F)

6°C (43°F)

22 rd

Nov

7°C (45°F)

3°C (37°F)

21 rd

Dec

5°C (41°F)

1°C (34°F)

22 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 walkable in 15 minutes. The borough bus (Green, Silver, Gold lines) reaches Totem Bight and Saxman; the Gold line downtown loop is free May–Sep. Taxis serve the whole Tongass Highway. A rental car helps for the totem parks and forest trails.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Totem Bight State Historical Park

go

Door to door: About 1 h each way by bus

Silver Line North bus about 30–40 min, or 20 min by car

$5/person entry; a clan house and a waterfront line of poles. Go early, before the tour buses.

Saxman Totem Park

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Silver Line South bus or 10 min by car

About 4 km (2.5 mi) south of downtown; the world's largest standing totem is here.

Misty Fjords National Monument

go

Door to door: Half day to full day

Floatplane or boat tour from Ketchikan

Weather-dependent; book ahead and expect cancellations in wind and low cloud.

Prince of Wales Island

overnight

Door to door: Crossing time check

Inter-Island Ferry Authority from the Ketchikan ferry terminal

Too far for a return day; sleep on the island.

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 / Creek Street

Walk to the docks, museums and restaurants; book early in summer, rooms are few and priced for cruise season.

Newtown and North Tongass Highway

Motels and lodges along the highway north of downtown; cheaper, but you need a car, taxi or the bus.

South Tongass / Saxman side

Quieter, close to Saxman Totem Park; best with a vehicle.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–150 excl. bed
Mid
$150–260 excl. bed
High
$260+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$220US$440
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170US$680
Airport ferry, each way2 × US$6 · checkUS$12
Borough bus day pass2 × US$5 · checkUS$10
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$25US$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$119
Trip total≈ US$328 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,311

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and ferry fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$4–7
Fish and chips or halibut sandwich$18–28
Salmon or halibut dinner$28–45
Draft beer$7–10
Taxi, downtown to ferry terminalcheck$15–25
Totem Bight entry$5/person
Totem Heritage Center entry$5 (May–Sep)
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show$34 adult + tax

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Ketchikan is a small, safe town; the real risks are rain, cold water and boats. Wear a life jacket on the water, tell someone your trail plan, and keep bear-aware on forest trails.
  • Rain is the norm: 4,100 mm a year, so bring a waterproof shell and dry bag for camera and phone.
  • Cruise-ship days flood downtown; check the port schedule and do the totem parks while the ships are in.
  • King crab on menus is usually frozen and flown in — order local Dungeness instead.
  • Ferry arrivals and departures can be at any hour; the bus does not run 24 h, so pre-book a taxi or shuttle.
  • Cell coverage and Wi-Fi outside town: check with your carrier before you rely on them.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

KetchikanKetchikan

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Ketchikan; most countries have consulates in Seattle or Anchorage, embassies in Washington, DC.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Airport ferry, Gravina Island to Ketchikan: about $6 adult, about 5 min (check)
  • Borough bus, Green or Silver line: $2 adult, $5 day pass (check)
  • Taxi, ferry terminal to downtown: $15–25 (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the ferry terminal? — Where is the ferry terminal?
  • One ticket, please — One ticket, please
  • Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?

US emergency number is 911 everywhere; 911 works from any phone, including mobiles without a local plan.

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 Ketchikan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep (long days, salmon run Jul–Sep) · avoid Oct–Apr (cold, wind-driven rain, many tours closed) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for KTN: airport ferry times, shuttle and taxi fallback, late ferry arrivals.
  2. Four walking clusters with rain anchors: Creek Street, the museum block, the docks, Newtown.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and entry fees (Totem Heritage Center, Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, Totem Bight, Saxman).
  4. Cruise-day and storm-day fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources