Question about excursion to Mendenhall Glacier

[screenname2004]

Is the excursion from the ship to Mendenhall Glacier more like a shuttle service from the ship to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center and back? If we have 2 or more in our party, would it be easier to get a taxi to and from the glacier?

[JT1962]

Yes, the basic “excursion” is usually just a shuttle bus that takes you to / from the Visitor Center. A taxi can do the same thing, and may be s cheaper option for 2 or more people. The city bus is cheapest, but drops you off 1.5 miles from the Visitor Center. A rental car is also recommended by some so you can explore other sights in the area.
 

Check the details if you book an excursion / tour, as many have a limited amount of time (1 to 1 1/2 hours) at Mendenhall before the return trip. This may be enough time for some, but does not allow time for some of the hikes available there. Some of the shuttle companies allow you to stay longer and catch a return shuttle that runs every 1/2 hour.  A taxi or rental car would give you the same flexibility on time at the glacier.
 

Here is a link that has multiple transportation options: 

 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=fseprd495443

[PACD_JG]

The taxi has to pay a "fee" to drop you off at the visitor center, and it's stupid expensive - $12 per person.  The taxi itself is reasonable at $30-35 one-way, but those fees are a no-go for me.  If you want to get to the entrance of the park, you won't need to pay the fee - but the entrance is about 1 mile walk to the visitor center.  If you're willing to do that, you may as well take a city bus to Loop road.

[kenrod]

We would like to see the Mendenhall Glacier on our own.  We would rather not pay for a tour, which seems to be about $40 - $45 per person.  We are a party of 7 and that is too rich for our blood.  We are aware that there is a $5 entrance fee to the Visitor Centre.  All we want is a shuttle bus to and from the glacier, but without the tour.  Is there a shuttle only available from the pier, and of so, what is the price?

 

We thought about hiring two taxis to take us there, but the message above was enlightening with the $12 pp fee to the visitor centre.

 

[PACD_JG]

1 hour ago, kenrod said:

All we want is a shuttle bus to and from the glacier, but without the tour.  Is there a shuttle only available from the pier, and of so, what is the price?

 

Yes, and that's the $40-45 per person shuttle bus. The shuttle takes into account this "$12 fee."  I even inquired because I'm able to get in free to National Parks...this fee seems like a way to earn revenue from tourists.

[JT1962]

The cheapest options will be to take the city bus, taxi, ( or possibly Uber / Lyft, if available) and be dropped off 1.5 miles away from the visitor center. Otherwise, the $ 45 per adult for the roundtrip shuttle only is probably the cheapest option. Most things in Alaska are 2-3 times what you would normally pay on a Caribbean cruise.

Edited April 16, 2022 by JT1962

[SightCRR]

You should search for youtube videos about the Mendenhall Glacier tours and see what it is like. Then decide if all seven want to do that. Also if there is one person that has a National Parks Pass that will save a little on 4 people. Juneau is a great spot to take whale watching tours and the dock for the whales and wildlife watching is very close to the glacier at about 30 min drive from cruise ship docks so look into doing both with a combo tour. May want to see if rental van is big enough for seven. We like the rentals in case it is raining and you can do things after the busses stop running without so many people if your cruise leaves JUN late. sightcrr

[screenname2004]

According to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5400800 , the day pass is $5 per person. Wonder how it becomes $12.

 

[PACD_JG]

6 minutes ago, screenname2004 said:

According to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5400800 , the day pass is $5 per person. Wonder how it becomes $12.

 

 

I'm going to bet it has something to do with the word that starts with a G.  After all, they're there to help...

[JT1962]

13 minutes ago, screenname2004 said:

According to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5400800 , the day pass is $5 per person. Wonder how it becomes $12.

 

From previous posts over the last several years, the answer seems to be because they can. It’s supply & demand and they will charge what people are willing to pay. They know it still can be cheaper than the $ 45 pp shuttles for a group, even with the $ 12 charge.

[Eaglecw]

4 hours ago, screenname2004 said:

According to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5400800 , the day pass is $5 per person. Wonder how it becomes $12.

 

If you have a "America the Beautiful" pass you and 4 of your best friends can get into the visitor center for free.  You can get the "America the Beautiful" pass here https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm?msclkid=1b221fa6be9a11ec81717fc7f50bd656 You can use the pass to also get into the Southeast Alaska discovery center in Ketchikan

[Eaglecw]

Why don't you rent a car and then drive out to the glacier then you can go out the Shrine of Saint Therese, https://www.shrineofsainttherese.org/?msclkid=c2ecbb8abe9c11ec879497ed3f6fab43 drive out to the end of the road and on the way back stop off at Auke Bay and when get back to Juneau stop at the fish hatchery. 

[travelbuds]

Without making arrangements ahead of time, is it easy to get a taxi at the MG Visitor Center to get back to the ship?

[Monica887]

When you go to the visitor center, how close can you get to the actual glacier? Wondering if it's worth the splurge for a helicopter and trek to walk on it. 

[SightCRR]

Here are two youtubes  to help. Even though these are ad ones they give you a good idea. 

Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska - YouTube

Mendenhall Glacier Guided Walk via Helicopter Tour - Juneau, Alaska - YouTube

We have used Costal in Juneau but make sure to check ship prices on the kids. 

sightcrr

[DaveOKC]

23 minutes ago, Monica887 said:

When you go to the visitor center, how close can you get to the actual glacier? Wondering if it's worth the splurge for a helicopter and trek to walk on it. 

I have never done the hike to the glacier, but I have heard that it is a bit of a trek.  Have done the helicopter landing and it was GREAT.  Probably the best excursion we have ever taken and something we will never forget.