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Juneau vs Ketchikan

Two cruise ports, side by side, from our port guides' data. Data last checked: Oct 2026

The short answer

Both are rated Easy for exploring on your own.
Walk to town or the main sights: Juneau right by the pier (from at least one pier); Ketchikan right by the pier (from at least one pier).
Getting ashore: ships dock at both.

Juneau

📍 Alaska, USA

Easy

Ketchikan

📍 Alaska, USA

Easy

Side by side

	Juneau	Ketchikan
Explore-on-your-own rating	Easy	Easy
Country	Alaska, USA	Alaska, USA
Dock or tender	Dock	Dock
Where ships dock	Downtown berths on S. Franklin Street (AS, CT and Franklin docks) AJ Dock (about 1–1.5 miles south; shuttle)	Berths I–IV along the downtown waterfront Ward Cove (about 7 miles north; mainly Norwegian ships; free shuttle about 20 minutes)
Getting to town	Downtown berths put you right on S. Franklin Street, with shops, restaurants and tour pickups steps away. From AJ Dock, take the shuttle (free or about $5 all day, depending on line) or walk about 25–30 minutes through an industrial area.	The four downtown berths are right in town. Creek Street, the historic boardwalk, is at the north end, nearest Berth IV.
Getting around	Mendenhall Glacier is about 12–13 miles out. Private glacier shuttles from the terminal take about 30 minutes each way, and permits are limited, so book ahead. The Capital Transit city bus is $2 but can take up to 1.5 hours each way, including a 1.5-mile walk from the nearest stop.	A free downtown shuttle runs about every 20 minutes. Borough buses cost $2 each way (exact cash): Silver Line North goes to Totem Bight State Park and Silver Line South to Saxman Totem Park.
Beaches	No swimming beaches. Try the Mendenhall Lake shore or Sandy Beach (Douglas) for a walk.	No swimming beaches. Rotary Beach is a scenic stop on the south bus route.
Top sights	Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls trail Whale-watching in the channel (tour) Alaska State Museum Mount Roberts Tramway (check status; one source reports it closed)	Creek Street boardwalk Totem Heritage Center Totem Bight State Park (bus) Saxman Native Village totems (bus) Misty Fjords (floatplane or boat tour)
Currency	U.S. dollar.	U.S. dollar.
Back on time	Glacier trips take about 3 hours round trip. Be back 30 minutes before all-aboard; from AJ Dock add shuttle time.	Buses run hourly, so missing one costs an hour. Be back 30 minutes before all-aboard.

Fares and times are as reported by the sources on each port page and change often. Always confirm with your cruise line.

Why the ratings differ

Juneau: You dock in town and glacier shuttles are simple to book. Just book them before you arrive.

Ketchikan: Walkable town at the pier, a free shuttle, and $2 buses to totem parks.

Quick answers

Is Juneau or Ketchikan easier to explore on your own?

Both are rated Easy for exploring on your own. You dock in town and glacier shuttles are simple to book. Walkable town at the pier, a free shuttle, and $2 buses to totem parks.

Do you tender or dock in Juneau and Ketchikan?

Juneau: Dock. Ketchikan: Dock.

How far is town from the ship in Juneau and Ketchikan?

Juneau: Downtown berths put you right on S. Ketchikan: The four downtown berths are right in town.

When should I head back to the ship?

Juneau: Glacier trips take about 3 hours round trip. Ketchikan: Buses run hourly, so missing one costs an hour.

Juneau port guide → Ketchikan port guide → More comparisons