City in Alaska, United States
Anchorage
Alaska's largest city and the gateway to glaciers, bears and northern lights, with trails and mountains at the edge of town. Spread-out and car-oriented, with long winters; summer is superb.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$3,600–5,000Comfortable, one person · $3,600–5,000Details
- Value for money9/100Better value than 8% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goFeb–Mar, Jun–SepWarmest: Jul, 18°CDetails
- Air quality5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Meets the WHO guidelineDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableCity water from glacier-fed sources is safe and clean.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$180–350Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards accepted almost everywhere; cash for tips and some farmers' market and fishing-charter stands.Details
Where to stay in Anchorage
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Downtown | Hotels, museums, trails and the Alaska Railroad depot |
| Midtown | Malls, restaurants and business hotels |
| Spenard | Local bars, breweries, indie shops; mixed reputation late |
| South Addition | Quiet, residential streets next to downtown |
Apps that work in Anchorage
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Street hailing is rare; book rideshare or phone a taxi. Rental cars are the norm outside the center.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards accepted almost everywhere; cash for tips and some farmers' market and fishing-charter stands.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
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Going to Anchorage solo?
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Sources
- People Mover (Municipality of Anchorage)
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
- Alaska Railroad
- Visit Anchorage
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.