By Car: Homer is about 235 miles, roughly 4 1/2 hours, from Anchorage by car, if you don't stop at any of the interesting or beautiful places along the way. It's a scenic drive. If you take a rental car, drive it both ways, as the drop-off fees from Anchorage to Homer are high.

By Bus: If you can't drive or can't afford to fly, the Stage Line (tel. 907/235-2252; www.thestageline.net) is a backpacker van that runs from Homer to Anchorage and Seward and back daily during the summer, less frequently the rest of the year. The Anchorage-to-Homer fare is $78 one-way, $144 round-trip. Tickets are for sale at 1213 Ocean Dr. in Homer. In Anchorage, the ticket office is at 412 W. 53rd Ave. (tel. 907/868-3914).

By Air: Era Alaska (tel. 800/866-8394; www.flyera.com) serves Homer from Anchorage several times a day. Small air-taxi operators use Homer as a hub for outlying villages and the outdoors.

By Ferry: The Alaska Marine Highway System (tel. 800/642-0066; www.ferryalaska.com) connects Homer to Seldovia, Kodiak, and points west along the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Archipelago. The run to Kodiak takes 10 hours and costs $74 for an adult walk-on passenger (children 6-11 half off). It's a long but memorable trip.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.