Juneau Travel Forum

My partner and I'll be arriving in Juneau during the last week in August via Princess cruise ship. We will also be hitting the following destinations: Skagway, Tracy Arm and Ketchikan.

1) What clothing is appropriate to bring/wear for that time of year?
2) I'd like to take a city bus to the Mendhall glacier. What is the typical cost and where do we catch that bus in Juneau?

Thanks,
PJJim

Hi - it's recommended to dress in layers since the weather at any time is unpredictable. I have done the cruise in May and in August and during each trip had weather ranging from warm to rainy and cold. Have a great cruise!

http://www.juneau.lib.ak.us/capitaltransit/pdfs/busschedule5.pdf

This link has the bus details, or you could look at a guided tour

http://www.mightygreattrips.com/se_alaska_shore_excursions.htm

We are looking forward to our Alaskan cruise in Sep. Hope you have an awesome one.

CheersCol & Sue

There are a number of private buses to Mendenhall Glacier that leave from the road that goes by the cruise ship docks. We did it on the spur of the moment and had no problem finding one. It will cost you about $15 roundtrip from what I remember, and is worth every cent. Dress in layers and bring raingear. Juneau has a wet climate. On the day that we were there in July, it was in the 50s/60s and raining.

Only one private bus company runs shuttle service to Mendenhall Glacier. Cost this year is $7 per person each way. Other options are to rent a car for the day - Rent-a-Wreck offers shuttle and pick-up service. You could also charter a taxi for around $50 per hour - less expensive than the shuttle buses if you've got more than 3 or 4 in your group.

The city bus will only get you to within about a mile and a half of the glacier's Visitor Center and at least a mile or two from Skater's Cabin on the West side of the lake. Shuttles and taxis will get you right to/from the Visitor Center parking lot.

Hope this helps!
Happy Alaska Travels!
-Case

Hi We were on a cruise which arrived 30th June '07, a nice place to visit and the tours sold onboard the cruise boats were very expensive.

Weather , coming into Juneau we took our boat spent a few hours at Tracey Arm looking at glaciers and icebergs, it was very cold on deck, needed layers of clothing. In Juneau similar clothing.

As for tours we took a tour to Mount Roberts on the cable car, they call it a tramway. You do not need to take a tour you can do it yourself, the tramway is located 10 minutes walk from the cruise dock and is spectacular, cost for return trip is approx $20 or less and from the mountain top you get great views, also there are hiking trails up there including a short trail we took, there was some ice and snow on parts of track. See photos on my Juneau page and decide whether you think worthwhile.

We also took a tour which included mendenhall Glacier and an evening Whale Quest $160 per person, the glacier was very good, has an excellent Visitor Centre with a video room and other displays, walking and hiking tracks and you get good view of glacier. Take your bus for $14 return as our coach tour just dropped us off. Photos on my page. As for the whale watching, the whales were scarce, a mile away and not worthwhile, but the scenery was great , however you see similar from the cruise boat.
Have a look at this web page www.traveljuneau.com

Good Luck,
Mike