Skagway Cruise Port Guide
The docks, walking times, the town bus, wifi, accessibility and getting back to the ship on time.
By Greg Peters, editor · Updated October 2026
Skagway is one of the easiest cruise ports in Alaska to explore on your own. The town is a compact grid, the docks sit at its south end, and Broadway, the historic main street, starts a few minutes from the gangway. The one thing that changes your day is which dock your ship uses, so start there.
The docks
Skagway has three main cruise docks along the waterfront, plus the state ferry dock that small ships sometimes use. The cruise schedule lists them by code; you can look up your ship's dock on In Port Today once the port assigns it.
| Dock | Code | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Dock, forward | RRF | The biggest ships berth on the Railroad Dock below the cliff on the east side. In recent seasons guests at the forward berth have been taken ashore by tender to the Small Boat Harbor because of the landslide risk above the pier. |
| Railroad Dock, aft | RRA | You walk off the ship, then ride a shuttle along the protected section of the pier to the foot of town. |
| Broadway Dock | BRD | The middle dock, at the foot of Broadway. You can walk straight into town. |
| Ore Dock | ORE | The west dock, rebuilt with a new cruise float. The port reported the electrical and water work substantially complete in May 2026. A flat walk into town. |
| Ferry dock | AMH | The Alaska Marine Highway dock, used now and then by smaller ships. |
Look up at the rock wall beside the Railroad Dock: crews have painted their ships' names and logos there for decades.
Walking into town
From the Broadway and Ore docks it is roughly a 9 minute walk to State Street and 5th Avenue in the middle of downtown, and less to the first shops on Broadway. From the Railroad Dock add the shuttle or tender first. Every place in our walking map shows minutes from the docks. Trains cross the road between the docks and town, so allow a few extra minutes when one is passing.
Buses and shuttles
The town's SMART bus runs a loop between the docks and downtown from 7 am to 9 pm when cruise ships are in port. Pay the driver: $3 each way or $5 for an all-day pass. An on-demand service runs year round from 8 am to 1 am, with fares of $5 to the Skagway River bridge, $10 to the end of the pavement on the Dyea or Liarsville road, and $15 to Dyea. Taxis meet the ships; ride-hailing apps are not something to count on.
Money, wifi and mail
- Money: cards are widely accepted downtown, and there are ATMs in town.
- Wifi: there is no free wifi at the docks. The public library offers wifi, and many cafes and bars share a code with customers.
- Phones: near the Canadian border your phone may connect to a Canadian network, so check your roaming settings before a train or Yukon trip.
- Mail: the post office is at 6th Avenue and Broadway.
- Information: the National Park Service visitor center is at 2nd Avenue and Broadway, at the edge of the historic district.
Accessibility
Downtown is flat, with curb cuts and smooth sidewalks on the main streets, and wheelchair users report that most shops are easy to enter. SMART buses have ramps. If you use a wheelchair and your ship is at the Railroad Dock, ask the ship how it handles the shuttle or tender before you go ashore.
Getting back on time
On busy days with four ships, the line for the Railroad Dock tender or shuttle back can take 30 to 45 minutes, so be at the pickup point at least an hour before all aboard. If you book a tour on your own, choose one that returns at least an hour before your ship leaves, and check our top-rated excursions for lengths and meeting points.
FAQ
Can I walk from the ship to town?
Yes from the Broadway and Ore docks. From the Railroad Dock you take a short shuttle or tender first, then walk.
Which dock will my ship use?
The port assigns docks close to each date. Check In Port Today for your date and confirm with your cruise line.
How much is the bus?
$3 each way or $5 for a day pass on the SMART bus, paid to the driver.
Do I need my passport ashore?
Not for Skagway itself. You do for tours that cross into Canada, such as Yukon trips; each tour in our excursion list says whether it needs one.
Is there free wifi?
Not at the docks. Try the public library or a cafe in town.
What if it rains?
It often does. See what to wear and our rainy day guide.
Sources
- Port of Skagway, Port Director Update, May 7, 2026
- Skagway Visitor Department: Getting around (SMART bus)
- Alaska Trippers: Skagway Cruise Port Guide (updated April 2026)
- Bucket List Guides: Skagway Cruise Port Guide 2026
- What's in Port: Skagway
- Cruzely: Skagway cruise guide (2022)
- Curb Free with Cory Lee: Skagway as a wheelchair user (2019)
Suggested Reads
The annual mile-by-mile guide to Alaska's highways, ferries and border crossings.
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Find it on Amazon →Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Skagway Times earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. More Gold Rush books →
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