Getting Here and Around

The Yukon is accessible by air, road and water. Once here, visitors have a variety of options to explore the region. 

Getting Here by Air

There are multiple daily scheduled flights to and from the Yukon. Access is via the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International airport which is located just 10 minutes from downtown Whitehorse. There are from three to five flights per day from Vancouver (varies seasonally) and additional scheduled connections from other cities – see below for details. Most downtown hotels offer airport shuttle services and taxis are also available at the airport. Most lodge stays will also arrange transport.   

Air North, Yukon’s Airline
Air North, Yukon’s Airline offers daily services to Whitehorse from Vancouver, regular services from Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Victoria and seasonal service from Toronto and Ottawa via Yellowknife. They also operate regular year-round flights to Dawson City, Old Crow and Inuvik.

Air Canada
Air Canada offers daily services between Whitehorse and Vancouver. They also provide international service to Canada from the USA, Europe, Mexico and Asia/Pacific through Vancouver.

Westjet
Westjet offers seasonal service from Calgary to Whitehorse from late June to early September. They also provide international connections through Calgary on many international partner carriers.

Condor
Condor operates a weekly direct service from Frankfurt, Germany to Whitehorse from late May to mid September.

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Getting Here by Road

The Yukon is accessible by road from both British Columbia and Alaska. 

Self-drive car or RV 
The Yukon is a multi-day drive from Vancouver via either the Stewart Cassiar Highway (Hwy #37) or the Alaska Highway (Hwy#1). Visitors can drive from Alberta via the Alaska Highway.  Both routes offer stunning scenery and plenty of things to see and do along the way. At close to 2,400 kilometers (one-way!), visitors should plan their time accordingly to ensure they make the most of the journey.

One-way car and RV rentals may be available at certain times of the year. However, one-way drop fees will generally apply and you will need to contact the rental company, or your preferred tour operator/wholesaler directly for details.

In the spring or fall, some RV operators offer discounted rates and waive one way fees for repositioning trips. It should be noted that car or RV hire is available in Whitehorse but not from any other Yukon community.

From Alaska, the Yukon is accessed via the Alaska Highway (Hwy #1), the Haines Road (Hwy #3) or the Top of the World Highway (Hwy #9). One-way rentals are not permitted between the US and Canada. 

Bus
Guests can also travel to the Yukon on an escorted motorcoach tour – several companies offer itineraries. We recommend you check with your preferred tour wholesaler for options. 

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Driving Distances to Whitehorse, from:

Vancouver, BC: 2,375 km / 1,484 mi

Prince George, BC: 1,622 km/1,014 mi (via Stewart-Cassiar Highway)

Prince George, BC:1,824 km/1,140 mi (via Alaska Highway

Calgary, AB: 2,317 km / 1,448 mi

Edmonton, AB: 2,038 km / 1,274 mi

Fairbanks, AK: 965 km / 603 mi

Anchorage, AK: 1,134 km / 709 mi

Getting Here by Sea

Although the Yukon is mostly land locked, it’s only two hours from the Alaskan coastal community of Skagway. One of the most scenic ways to arrive in the Yukon is via a coastal journey from Vancouver on a cruise ship, or via the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system.  

Ferry
The Alaska Marine Highway system offers several options for the independent traveller to get to the Yukon. They can take the ferry from Bellingham, Washington to Skagway, Alaska or join the ferry in Prince Rupert, BC. If choosing the latter, visitors can get to Prince Rupert either by road or with BC Ferries from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. Both ferry services offer passenger and vehicle transportation and operate year-round. Passengers arriving in Skagway without a vehicle can transfer by bus or bus/rail combination to Whitehorse. 

Cruise Ships
During the summer and early fall, many cruise ships operate along the British Columbia/Alaska coastline, also known as the Inside Passage. Combining an Inside Passage cruise with a land tour of the Yukon and Alaska by coach is an extremely popular choice for visitors. Holland America Line is one of our major tourism partners and offers a selection of cruise/tour options that include the Yukon.

Getting Around the Yukon

Whitehorse is the transportation hub of the Yukon. From there visitors can choose to explore the rest of the territory by air, self-drive in a car or RV, or on an organised tour. It is also possible to tour the Yukon by motorcycle and bicycle. 

By Car or RV

One of the most popular ways to explore the Yukon is on a road trip. There are seven scenic driving routes that cover most of the Yukon. There is no such thing as “traffic” anywhere here although we can’t guarantee that your clients won’t have to wait while a herd of elk cross the road. Vehicle rentals are from Whitehorse, which also offers facilities to stock up on food and other essentials before departing.

Once on the road, many Yukon communities have complete RV service stations and there’s a gas station in every town. There are government and private campgrounds throughout the Yukon as well as a wide selection of accommodation options. All primary Yukon highways are well-maintained, have good grades and wide shoulders. Most roads are open year-round.

If you have clients wanting to get off the beaten path and drive the Dempster Highway by car, both Budget and Driving Force (4 x 4 or SUV’s only) allow their vehicles to be driven on the Dempster.

Secondary roads such as the Dempster Highway or Canol Road require drivers to carry extra containers of fuel. These roads are hard-packed gravel and road conditions are variable.

Below are links to the RV and car rental companies represented in the Yukon, or you can contact your preferred tour wholesaler. 

Fraserway RV Rentals 

CanaDream RV Rentals 

Driving Force Vehicle Rentals 

Budget

Whitehorse Subaru 

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By Air

Air North, Yukon’s Airline offers scheduled service between Whitehorse, Dawson City and Old Crow in the Yukon, and Inuvik in the Northwest Territories.

Local flightseeing and charter services are available in Whitehorse. Visitors can view the Kluane Icefields by air on a local flightseeing tour starting from Haines Junction, Burwash Landing or from Whitehorse. 

By Train

The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway operates between Carcross, Yukon and Skagway, Alaska. There are numerous day tour options available including round trips from Skagway and rail/motorcoach combinations from Whitehorse.

Built in 1898 to service the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railway is now an Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. From Skagway, the track climbs 3000’ in just 20 miles, through tunnels and across trestle bridges with stunning scenic views.

Passports are required as these tours cross the US/Canadian border. 

By Bus

For independent travellers there are several shuttle services available.

Scheduled Tours and Packages

Tour operators in the Yukon offer a wide range of motorcoach, bus and passenger van tours, many of which also include Alaska. Escorted tours are available both summer and winter and durations range from a few hours or days to multi-week journeys.

In addition to road touring, Yukon tour operators offer a broad selection of touring options that explore waterways, hiking and biking trails right across the Yukon.

For the most up to date tour options check with your preferred Canada tour wholesaler or for information on local operator packages visit Vacation Packages.

Travel Visa Information

Most travellers need either an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visa to visit Canada, depending upon their citizenship.

As of March 15, 2016, travellers with passports from eTA-required countries who enter Canada by air will need an eTA.

The authorization is electronically linked to the traveller’s passport and is valid for five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

Applying for an eTA is done online, costs $7 Canadian dollars and takes just a few minutes. Most eTA-eligible applicants will get their authorization within minutes of submitting the online form.

U.S. citizens do not need an eTA to enter Canada.

For a list of eTA and visa requirements by country please visit the Government of Canada’s website.

Basic requirements (as per Government of Canada website):
To visit Canada, travellers will need to meet some basic requirements, such as:

  • Have a valid travel document, such as a passport,
  • Be in good health,
  • Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions,
  • Convince an immigration officer that they have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take them back to their home country,
  • Convince an immigration officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their visit, and
  • Have enough money for the duration of their stay.

How long can my client stay in Canada as a visitor?
Most visitors are allowed a six-month stay from the day they enter Canada, but this will be decided by a border services officer at the port of entry. If the officer authorizes a stay of less than six months, they will indicate in the traveller’s passport the date by which they must leave Canada.

For more detailed information visit the Government of Canada’s website

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About
the Yukon

The Yukon is one of the last pristine wilderness areas left on earth. With a rich cultural heritage, fascinating gold rush history, legendary road trips, breathtaking scenery in every direction, trails to hike and rivers to paddle, all wrapped up with our warm Northern hospitality, this is a place your clients will love. Oh, and did we mention the glorious midnight sun and magical northern lights which are such a bucket list item for so many travellers?