Planning a trip to Gustavus
Getting There
It's currently possible to take a passenger ferry, the Fairweather Express II, only 2 evenings a week in summer from Juneau's Auke Bay to Bartlett Cove, 10 miles by road from Gustavus. The primary mode of transportation to Gustavus is flying. During the midsummer, Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/252-7522; www.alaskaair.com) flies a jet once a day from Juneau to Gustavus and back in the early evening. An advance fare is about $200 round-trip.
For more frequent service by prop from Juneau to Gustavus, at roughly the same fare as Alaska Airlines, use Gustavus-based Air Excursions (tel. 907/697-2375; www.airexcursions.com), which flies numerous scheduled flights a day, as well as charters and flightseeing excursions; or Wings of Alaska (tel. 907/789-0790 reservations, or 697-2201 in Gustavus; www.ichoosewings.com).
Visitor Information
The traditional way to plan a trip to Gustavus is to contact a lodge and, once you're comfortable with them, allow your hosts to advise you and book your activities. You can look up information from the Gustavus Visitor Association at www.gustavusak.com. A local travel agency, Alaska's Glacier Bay Travel (tel. 907/697-2475; www.glacierbaytravel.com), run by the same folks as TLC Taxi , can also help with choices and reservations. Be certain to reserve a place to stay before showing up in Gustavus.
Getting Around
There are just a few roads. The main one starts at the airport and runs about 10 miles to Bartlett Cove, the Glacier Bay National Park base of operations. Dock Road branches off to the left, at the gas station, and leads to the ocean dock and sandy beach. There's a map and list of businesses posted near the gas station, and most businesses will give you one to take along for exploration by bicycle. Many inns and B&Bs have courtesy vans and free bicycles; ask about transportation when you reserve. TLC Taxi (tel. 907/697-2239) offers transportation between the airport and Bartlett Cove, and points in between, with flat fees depending on the destination. Reserve ahead. A van can accommodate groups, gear, and kayaks. Bud's Rent a Car is at tel. 907/697-2403.
