Getting Around Juneau

Woohoo! You’ve finally arrived in Juneau, and you’re wondering how in the world do I get around town? Believe it or not, Juneau is the largest port city for cruise guests, though you may not believe it when you make it there. It’s still small and charming, despite it being the capital of Alaska! By foot, shuttle, taxi, or tour, we’ll talk about how you’ll navigate through the biggest little city, with tips to help you during your time in Juneau.

Getting Around Town

First things first, the entire breadth of Juneau can be covered by foot, so I recommend walking if you’re wanting to see the many historic buildings and incredible sights. Get your comfy sneakers or hiking boots out and explore! You can walk from the shops near the water, up to the state Capitol, and through the cute neighborhoods! But please know that you cannot walk to Mendenhall Glacier from downtown.

To get to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on your own, you can rent your own car, call a taxi, and even Uber! You can also purchase tickets for The Glacier Shuttle. Juneau has its own public transport that will take you through downtown! The Capital Transit has a Ride Free Zone will take you from the Marine Parking Garage, down Franklin Street and around to the Downtown Transportation Center. You’ll pass The Juneau-Douglas City Museum, Dimond Courthouse, the Capitol, and more! However, I would not recommend using this method of transportation to get to the Mendenhall Glacier because it can take around 1.5 hours to get there, and the closest stop to the Visitor Center is 1.5 miles away. 

Shuttles in Juneau

Glacier Shuttle (907) 723-9209
Capital Transit (907) 789-6901 (not best for transportation to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor’s Center)

Taxis in Juneau:

Glacier Taxi & Tours (907) 296-2300
Alaska Taxi & Tours (907) 321-2329
Dlux Rides LLC (907) 586-2121

The Cruise Docks & Their Landmarks

If you’re arriving in Juneau via cruise ship, your journey through this city starts on the docks. Downtown Juneau is centered around the cruise docks which you'll see as soon as your ship ties up! 

Franklin Dock & Mt. Roberts Tram

Most cruise ship docks will arrive at the Franklin Dock which lines up directly with downtown Juneau. The most important landmark here, especially for those taking part in tours and excursions, is the Mt. Roberts Tram. Nowadays, this is called the Goldbelt Tram, but old habits die hard, and most locals still call it the Mt. Roberts Tram. But, anyway, this is located on the southern end of the Franklin dock, and you can’t miss it –a large red/brown building with tram cables out the back. This building is a main meeting location for the majority of tours that happen in Juneau. This landmark is also where the shuttles pick up and drop off from AJ Dock (don’t worry, we’ll talk about AJ Dock shortly!) Here, you’ll see many shuttle buses, tour buses, and tour guides holding signs for their respective tours for pick up! Feeling lost or can’t find Mt. Roberts Tram? Ask any local and they’ll point you in the right direction! 

Mt. Roberts Tramway over Juneau Alaska | Photo by Sonny SideUp

Maybe your tour doesn’t start for a bit or you have time after your tour to enjoy more? Try the tram, too! Tickets are $50 per adult and $35 per child, and it is a self guided experience.The tram will take you up to an elevation of 3,819 feet in 6 minutes, and once you reach the top, you’ll have stunning views of the city, Gastineau Channel, and Douglas Island! You can have a meal at Timberline Bar & Grill, catch a showing of ‘Seeing Daylight’ which is a film about the native Tlingit people and their history/culture, or enjoy a great hike!

Maybe you’re meeting at the Parking Garage? This is located on the northern end of the Franklin Dock. Here you’ll see kiosks with tour operators selling same day tours, tour guides greeting you for pick up, and many beautiful totem poles. On the north side of the dock there is also Marine Park where the iconic mural is located across the street! Sometimes, there are also food trucks from great local vendors. 

AJ Dock & Shuttle

If your ship is arriving at AJ Dock, not to worry! This dock is normally used when the Franklin dock has reached their capacity. AJ Dock is located ~1 mile south of the Tram, and is just a quick 5 minute shuttle ride to and from the Franklin Dock/downtown Juneau. This shuttle costs $3 per person and runs every 15 minutes. 

Can’t miss Landmarks

Okay, so now you have your bearings a little bit about where you’re starting, what about some of the landmarks to help me know where I am and where I’m going?

The S. Franklin Street thoroughfare is packed with food, history, and sights. Quite possibly the most famous landmark here is The Red Dog Saloon, and you’ll find a gun that Wyatt Earp once checked into the Saloon and never claimed! Live music is played lending to a really fun, boisterous time guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. Of course there’s delicious food like crab legs, and drinks, like the Duck Fart!

Continue walking down Franklin Street and you’ll find a Sundial at the intersection of Franklin and Front Street. This Sundial honors the lives of fishermen lost at sea, and it overlooks The Alaskan Hotel & Bar. Once a beautiful, stately hotel, it became a hotbed of nefarious deeds. Many still come here for a drink and maybe even a supernatural experience in the hotel!

Just a brief walk away is the Alaska State Capitol Building. This is located at 4th Street and Main, and right out front is a replica of the Alaska Liberty Bell!

Main Takeaways

You can walk around Juneau EASILY, and I highly recommend you do so! You can certainly take taxis and shuttles as well Regardless of where your ship docks you’ll be able to get to downtown Juneau in a flash. And the main meeting locations, like the Mt. Roberts Tram or the Parking Garage, are easy to find and quick to get to. Many of the highlights of Juneau are within the city limits as well. Regardless of how you choose to explore Juneau, you’ll absolutely love the sights and the community!