Riding the Alaska Fjordlines between Haines and Juneau: Easy Inside Passage Tour

There are lots of ways to get about when you’re traveling in Alaska, and the Alaska Fjordlines between Haines and Juneau is a wonderful one. Part transportation and part whale watching trip, Alaska Fjordlines is a great option for either getting between the destinations or adding a journey through the Inside Passage to your drive on the AlCan Highway.

Did you know that you can actually drive to Haines or Skagway and then jump on the Alaska Fjordlines for a day trip to Juneau? We’ve got the scoop on planning either travel or sightseeing via Alaska Fjordlines and everything you need to know for including this adventure on the water to your epic road trip to mainland Alaska. If you have any questions please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re happy to share more and help you plan an unforgettable journey through Alaska.

Highlights of Riding Alaska Fjordlines

Our family always tries to make the most out of our travels, and the Alaska Fjordline is right in line with that. For us, booking a trip on the Fjordlines boat is a more fun way to get between Haines and Juneau than the Alaska Marina Highway System. I like that when you’re on the Fjordlines you are on a transportation schedule with a committed timeframe, but because of the nature of the boat, the captain is also able to treat it like a sightseeing operation, stopping for whales and looking for wildlife along the way.

When it comes to being on the water in Alaska, if you’ve done the Kenai Fjords Tours, you know that it can be rough out there, but here on the Inside Passage with Alaska Fjordlines, it’s very smooth, even in rough seas. This route tends to not get too crazy of swells in the summer season and being on a catamaran really helps make the voyage nice and smooth for the most part. Anytime you’re on the ocean though, even within the Inside Passage, you should expect some movement and waves to affect the travel, but the design of the Alaska Fjordline boat keeps it pretty mellow.

Another thing I like about this passenger experience between Juneau and Haines is the amount of windows and access to the open-air back deck space. I am somebody who loves to be on his feet looking for wildlife and taking photos, so there is plenty of opportunity for that on the Alaska Fjordlines, while you’re underway or when you’re stopped to watch for wildlife. Outside there is even a covered area you can sit under if you want to be outside and the weather isn’t great. You’ve got this on the Alaska Marine Highway as well, but it’s very crowded outside, so a smaller boat is, I feel, a better experience.

Tips for a Great Alaska Fjordlines Experience

You can use the Alaska Fjordline as either a tour or a transportation method. Leaving from Skagway and Haines in the morning, the trip to Juneau is significantly faster than the Alaska Marine Highway even when you’re stopping for whales and sightseeing. You can book one-way or round trip passage, depending on your needs. I think what’s really cool about using the Fjordlines as a tour is that you can be driving to Alaska from the Lower 48 and then make the turn off the Alaska Highway onto the Haines Highway at Haines Junction and then turn your travel from a road trip to an Inside Passage journey.

Leaving Haines around 8:30 in the morning, you can enjoy the route to Juneau (porting in Auke Bay) and then get on the bus provided with your passage to visit the city of Juneau. The bus also will drop you off at the Juneau International Airport (JNU) as well. Once you’re done exploring the town, of which we have a great Juneau itinerary you can use, you’ll get back on the bus and head back up to the Alaska Fjordlines for a slightly different route back up to Haines.

This is such a nice way to elevate what I consider to be a pretty rough road trip between the Lower 48 and Anchorage or Fairbanks. Something else that’s nice when you’re on the Alaska Fjordlines boat is that they provide snacks during the voyage with beverages available for purchase. Enjoy a muffin and fresh fruit, get yourself a coffee and relax! You can bring your own snacks on board too, but it’s not a long boat ride so you’ll not need a ton. And yes, there is a bathroom (head) on the boat, so don’t worry.

Being Prepared for Travel on the Alaska Fjordlines

If you’re using the Alaska Fjordlines as transportation between Juneau and Haines, you can bring carryon luggage with you and it’ll be securely stored on the sheltered back deck of the boat for the voyage. If you have large luggage, there is a fee for that. Just a simple backpack is all you need to bring onboard if you’re playing tourist for the day, and of course your camera.

NOTE: be sure that you book the right ticket, meaning either a round trip or one way ticket. It defaults to being round trip, so if you need to just get to Juneau or just get back up to Haines, double check your booking.

While the whales, porpoises and sea lions may appear anywhere near the boat while you’re whale watching, having a bigger lens is always a good idea. I find that being able to scan the horizon with my telephoto gives me an advantage in spotting the wildlife, often before the crew. Don’t worry if you don’t have fancy camera gear though, you’ll be able to enjoy seeing whales and sea birds (and lots of eagles) just fine with your eyes, and there are plenty of binoculars onboard for guests to use.

Dress for the weather you see and be ready for the weather you don’t when you ride the Alaska Fjordlines. The weather in Juneau and Haines can vary greatly, so you may board the boat in the rain and then have 70 degrees and sun at your destination. It’s plenty warm in the ship’s cabin and if you need to cool off you can step outside or open a window. It’s a very comfortable boat experience.

Parking for the Alaska Fjordlines in Haines

Parking for the Alaska Fjordlines isn’t difficult if you’re just going down to Juneau for the day. There is ample parking at the Small Boat Harbor, and if it’s full, there is plenty of street parking. For anyone planning the trip from Skagway (yes, that’s an option too!) you can park in the Harbor parking lot. If you’re riding from Juneau to Haines or Skagway, you’ll need to pay attention to the signs in both the parking lot or on the street. In general it’s not difficult, but Auke Bay does have more parking restrictions than Haines does.