How to Get to Bethel, Alaska

Have you ever wondered how to get to Bethel, Alaska? Bethel is not connected to roads, therefore you cannot just pull out your atlas and start driving. In fact, there are several things you'll need to do before you are actually ready to start your trip. This article will tell you all you'll need to know to assure a fun trip to Bethel, Alaska!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Atlas or map of Alaska
• Pen and paper for notes

1. There are NO roads that lead to Bethel, Alaska. You MUST get to Bethel by air carrier. If you are positive you're ready to head to "bush" (meaning very, very, very rural) Alaska, proceed to step 2.
2. Go online to a travel website or the Alaska Airlines website (http://www.alaskaair.com). Once there, find a flight from an airport near you to Bethel, Alaska (airport code: BET). Please note: ALL flights to Bethel MUST go through Anchorage, Alaska. There are two to four flights per day into Bethel, depending on the day. The earliest flight arrives in Bethel between 7:00 am and 9:00 am. The last flight of the day departs Bethel between 8:00 pm and 9:30 pm.
3. Enter the airport code for an airport near you. This is your departure airport. Your arrival airport will, of course, be Bethel (BET). Also, enter the date you want to depart from your airport and the date you want to return. Some travel sites allow you to see the prices for one or two days before and after the dates you have chosen which allows you to do some comparison shopping.
4. Welcome to Bethel, Alaska sign near the Bethel Airport. Once you have found the perfect itinerary, purchase your airline ticket. Congratulations! You are now one of only a few people privileged to get to visit Bethel, Alaska!

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to pack the right clothing for the time of year you will be visiting. Winters demand parkas, hats, gloves and snow boots. Summers demand much less but be prepared for temperatures that could be as cool as 40 degrees or as hot as 80 degrees.
• Your flight to Bethel will require you to change planes as least twice, maybe even three or four times. Know this in advance so you can bring something to do during the layovers.
• You'll want to take a day trip, in a boat, on the Kuskokwim River if you're visiting in the summer. Just remember to bring your sunglasses, though, since during the summer, it's light all night long.
• Bethel also sees 19 hours of darkness during the winter. Be prepared for this if you are planning a winter visit. Somebody is sure to be available to take you out on a snowmachine trip during the winter. Be sure and offer to pay the cost of their gas and maybe lunch or dinner!
• Come prepared to learn a lot about this part of the world. Leave with a better understanding of life!
• Winters in Bethel can see temperatures and wind chills as low as 65 degrees, or colder, below 0. Dress accordingly. Winter can be harsh but it is a great time to visit as there is always something going on. Local winter favorites are the Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race, in January, and the Camai Dance Festival at the end of March.
• You can buy most anything in Bethel but remember that the cost of living here is very high. For example, a gallon of milk, with tax, is currently at $10.17, a 12 pack of soda pop can cost anywhere between $9.75 and $12.75 and gasoline is between $6.04 and $7.98 per gallon.
• The adventure that is Bethel is waiting....are you ready?