United States (Alaska) Alaska Skagway
Ships dock at the foot of Broadway, the main street of a Gold Rush town, and the White Pass railway starts beside the piers.
From the Broadway and Ore docks you walk to the national park visitor centre in 5 to 10 minutes. From the Railroad Dock a shuttle takes you ashore.
Skagway, at the northern end of Lynn Canal, grew up during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 and 1898, when thousands of prospectors landed here on their way to the Yukon gold fields. Cruise ships dock at three piers at the foot of town: the Broadway Dock and the Ore Dock, a short walk from the historic centre along Broadway, and the Railroad Dock, which has been closed to pedestrians since rockslides in 2022, so passengers are taken ashore by shuttle bus or small boat. Several of the town's restored wooden buildings belong to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, which is free to visit, offers short ranger talks and has its visitor centre in the old White Pass & Yukon Route railway depot.
The most popular excursion is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, a narrow-gauge railway begun in 1898 that climbs from sea level to the White Pass summit, at 873 m (2,865 feet), past waterfalls, gorges and old trestle bridges. Trains leave from the docks and from the town centre. Other options include the drive along the Klondike Highway into Canada's Yukon, to Emerald Lake and the village of Carcross (a passport is required), a hike on the first section of the Chilkoot Trail at the old town site of Dyea, and the fast ferry to Haines, with tours to see bald eagles.
From the ship to the centre
6 options-
On foot along BroadwayFrom the Broadway or Ore Dock up Broadway, past the restored Gold Rush buildings, to the visitor centre at 2nd Avenue. Flat.5-10 minFree
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Railroad Dock transferPassengers cannot walk along the Railroad Dock. Shuttle buses or small boats take them to the harbour area, a short walk from Broadway.5-10 minCheck on board
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SMART busMunicipal bus from the docks to downtown, 7:00 to 21:00 when cruise ships are in port. Pay the driver.5 min$3 one way, $5 day
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White Pass Summit ExcursionNarrow-gauge train to the White Pass summit, 64 km round trip. Boards on the pier if booked through the cruise line, or at the depot.2.5-2.75 h$155 adults
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Yukon and CarcrossLonger train trips to Fraser and Bennett, or road tours along the Klondike Highway to Emerald Lake and Carcross, in Canada. Passport required.Half or full daySet by operator
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SMART to DyeaOn-demand shuttle to Dyea, the old town site and Chilkoot Trail trailhead, about 15 km away. Book ahead outside regular hours.20-30 min$15 per person
Map of Skagway
Climate
Average daily temperatureCool summers: average temperatures of about 14-15 °C from June to August and -4 °C in January. Summer is fairly dry, with about 40 mm of rain in July; it gets wetter from September. May to August are the best months.
Cruises from Skagway
Seattle· at sea ·SitkaSkagway· at sea ·Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)Ketchikan· at sea ·
Victoria (British Columbia)SeattleSeattle· at sea ·KetchikanIcy Strait Point (Hoonah)SitkaSkagwayJuneau· at sea ·Victoria (British Columbia)SeattleSeattle· at sea ·KetchikanSitkaSkagwayIcy Strait Point (Hoonah)Juneau· at sea ·Victoria (British Columbia)SeattleSeattle· at sea ·KetchikanJuneauSkagwayIcy Strait Point (Hoonah)Sitka· at sea ·· at sea ·· at sea ·VancouverSeattle· at sea ·Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)JuneauSkagway· at sea ·Ketchikan· at sea ·Victoria (British Columbia)SeattleSeattle· at sea ·SitkaSkagway· at sea ·JuneauIcy Strait Point (Hoonah)Ketchikan· at sea ·Victoria (British Columbia)SeattleNo cruises match these filters. Try another month or clear the filters.
Tips for your call
- Which dockShips use the Broadway Dock, the Ore Dock or one of the two Railroad Dock berths. Check the ship's daily programme.
- Railroad DockIt is closed to pedestrians because of rockslides. At busy times there are queues for the shuttles or boats back to the ship: return early.
- Train ticketsSummit excursion: adults $155, children $77.50, no passport needed. Trips to Fraser, Bennett or Carcross cross into Canada and need a passport.
- National parkEntry to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is free. The visitor centre, in the old railway depot, offers 25-minute ranger talks; there are no ranger-led walks.
- Chilkoot TrailYou can hike the first part from Dyea, but in 2026 the full trail to Canada is closed: the border on the pass is not an official crossing.
- WeatherSkagway is drier than other Inside Passage ports, but it can be cool and windy. Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket.
Accessibility
Broadway and the historic district are flat. The national park visitor centre and its museums are wheelchair accessible, and the SMART bus helps visitors with reduced mobility. The White Pass railway has a few lift-equipped cars: ask when booking.
In pictures
