Getting to Ketchikan: Flights, Ferries & Cruise Arrivals

The first time I landed in Ketchikan, it was not intentional.

I realize how ridiculous that might sounds so let me explain.

I was on a flight to Petersburg, Alaska (small port town known for it’s commercial fishing community) and little did I know, my flight route made a stop in Ketchikan first (I’ll explain the ‘Milk Run’ below). It was a quick stop and I choose to stay on the plane while others de-planed and got on.

It was one of those unique experiences that I’ve only experienced here in Southeast Alaska.

Now, when I book flights, I triple check to see the overall duration of the flight (as sometimes Alaska Air shows you the ‘end’ destination that you’re looking for and leaves the individual shorter stops in fine print.

Getting to Ketchikan

Ketchikan is one of the easiest Southeast Alaska towns to reach by cruise ship, and one of the most distinctive to arrive in by air. Set at the southern edge of the Inside Passage, it feels close to the rest of the Pacific Northwest on a map, but the arrival still carries that particular Alaska feeling: water, forest, weather, and a town shaped by all three.

Most travelers reach Ketchikan in one of two ways: by cruise ship or by regional flight. Unlike some Alaska destinations, you do not drive into Ketchikan. The town is located on Revillagigedo Island, and access is shaped by air and sea.

By Cruise Ship

For many visitors, Ketchikan is their first stop in Alaska. Cruise ships dock close to town, which makes arrival relatively easy. Depending on your berth, you may be steps from Creek Street and downtown, or you may need a short shuttle ride into the center of town.

This is one of the reasons Ketchikan works well for first-time visitors. You can step off the ship and start exploring quickly, without needing a long transfer or complicated logistics. If your time is limited, that proximity matters.

Still, it helps to know that not every dock feels equally central. On busy days, some ships berth farther out, so it is worth checking your port information in advance if you are trying to plan a self-guided day.

By Air

Flying into Ketchikan is a little more layered than arriving by ship. Commercial flights arrive at Ketchikan International Airport, which is located on Gravina Island, across the water from town. That means landing is only part of the journey.

From the airport, passengers take a short ferry across Tongass Narrows to reach Ketchikan itself. From there, you can continue into town by shuttle, taxi, or hotel transportation if offered. It is not difficult, but it is different enough from a typical airport arrival that it helps to expect one extra step.

If your route includes one of Alaska’s well-known Milk Run flights, the journey can feel even more connected to the geography of Southeast. Rather than a simple in-and-out flight, these regional routes move between coastal communities along the Inside Passage. They are not necessarily the fastest option, but they offer a more place-based arrival — one that lets the trip itself feel like part of the experience.

That small transition is part of what makes Ketchikan feel distinctly Alaskan. Even the airport arrival reminds you that here, water is part of the infrastructure.

By Ferry

Ketchikan is also served by the Alaska Marine Highway, which connects coastal communities throughout Southeast Alaska. For travelers building a more independent or slower-paced itinerary, the ferry can be a beautiful way to arrive.

This option takes more planning and more flexibility than cruising or flying, but it offers a different experience of the region — one that feels quieter, more local, and more connected to the geography of the Inside Passage.

What to Know Before You Go

Ketchikan is very accessible, but it is still worth planning around the realities of coastal Alaska. Weather can affect visibility and timing, especially for flights and small-boat excursions. Rain is common. Dock locations vary. And if you are arriving by air, remember that the airport is not directly in town.

In practice, getting to Ketchikan is usually straightforward. The key is simply understanding what kind of arrival you are having.

Cruise arrival is easiest for convenience. Air arrival offers more flexibility and often more time. A Milk Run can be especially memorable if you want the journey to feel scenic and distinctly regional. Ferry arrival is slower, but more atmospheric. None is wrong. They just shape the experience differently.

The Alaska Edit Take

Ketchikan is not hard to reach, but it does ask you to arrive on its terms. By ship, you enter through the working waterfront. By air, you cross the water before you ever reach town. Either way, the approach tells you something about the place.

This is not an inland city with a simple front door. It is a coastal town, shaped by rain, docks, islands, and marine routes. Getting there is part of understanding it.

The cleanest sentence, to my ear, is: “A Milk Run can be especially memorable if you want the journey to feel scenic and distinctly regional.”