KetchikanAlaska
Boats moored in one of Ketchikan’s harbours under low cloud

Where to Stay in Ketchikan

Downtown for the sights on foot, the West End for the ferry and airport — our shortlist, with live rates.

Most visitors sleep on a ship, so Ketchikan has only a small number of hotels — and in summer they fill up with fishing parties, ferry passengers, seasonal workers and travellers starting or ending a cruise. If you need a room between June and August, book early.

There are two practical areas. Downtown and Creek Street put you within a walk of the sights, restaurants and cruise berths. The West End and North Tongass Highway, two to five miles north, are closer to the Alaska Marine Highway terminal and the airport ferry, with easier parking. Every link below goes to Trip.com with live prices and availability.

Where to stay

Downtown & Creek Street

Stay here to explore on foot and to enjoy the town in the evening, after the ships have sailed.

Cape Fox Lodge

★★★ Ketchikan
8.8 47

Ketchikan’s best-known hotel, on a bluff directly above Creek Street with wide views over the town and the Tongass Narrows. Owned by the Native corporation of Saxman, with totem poles and Native art throughout.

  • Above Creek Street, linked by a hillside tram
  • Restaurant with harbour views
  • Totem poles and Native art on site
See rates & availability

Inn at Creek Street

★★ Ketchikan
9.4 95

Characterful rooms in historic buildings around Creek Street and Thomas Basin — as central as it gets, and very highly rated by guests.

  • Steps from Creek Street
  • Historic buildings by the harbour
  • Outstanding guest scores
See rates & availability

Gilmore Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

★★★ Ketchikan
7.7 104

A 1920s hotel on Front Street facing the cruise berths, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Simple, well-located rooms, some with waterfront views.

  • Opposite the cruise docks
  • Historic 1927 building
  • Restaurant on the ground floor
See rates & availability

West End & North Tongass (ferry and airport side)

Handy for early ferries and flights; you will want the hotel shuttle, a taxi, the bus or a rental car to reach downtown.

The Landing Hotel

★★★ Ketchikan
8.6 99

A long-established full-service hotel across the road from the Alaska Marine Highway terminal and close to the airport ferry, with two places to eat on site.

  • Opposite the state ferry terminal
  • Restaurant and pub on site
  • Close to the airport ferry
See rates & availability

My Place Hotel – Ketchikan

★★ Ketchikan
8.2 62

A newer hotel on Tongass Avenue with kitchenettes in every room — practical for longer stays, fishing trips and early ferries.

  • In-room kitchenettes
  • Modern, well-kept rooms
  • Near the ferry terminal and shops
See rates & availability

Black Bear Inn

★★★ Ketchikan

A small waterfront inn on the North Tongass Highway with individually furnished rooms and views across the Narrows — a quiet, homely alternative to the hotels.

  • Right on the water
  • Small and personal
  • Best with a rental car
See rates & availability

Super 8 by Wyndham Ketchikan

★★ Ketchikan
6.0 94

A no-frills budget option near the shopping area north of downtown, usually the cheapest hotel room in town. Guest scores are average, so set expectations accordingly.

  • Lowest prices in Ketchikan
  • Breakfast often included
  • Near shops and the bus route
See rates & availability
All Ketchikan hotels on Trip.com

Which area is right for you?

Area Good for Less good for Price level
Downtown & Creek Street Sightseeing on foot, restaurants, pre- or post-cruise nights Parking; daytime crowds on ship days $$–$$$
West End (ferry terminal) Alaska Marine Highway, airport ferry, shops Walking to Creek Street (about 2.5 miles) $$
North Tongass Highway Waterfront quiet, fishing lodges, Totem Bight Travellers without a car $$–$$$

Booking tips

  • Summer rates are much higher than winter ones, and the best rooms go months ahead.
  • Ask about courtesy shuttles to the airport ferry, the ferry terminal and downtown — several hotels offer them.
  • Coming to fish? Lodges such as Salmon Falls Resort, about 17 miles north of town, sell packages with boats and guides; it was not bookable on Trip.com when we checked, so contact it directly.
  • Public-use cabins and campgrounds in the Tongass National Forest, including at Ward Lake, are booked through the US federal recreation reservation system.
We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. We do not accept payment for inclusion, and we have no licence to use the hotels’ own photos, so cards are text-only.
Plan your day

Fjords, totems and salmon — make the hours count

Seats on floatplanes, crab boats and bear-viewing trips are limited and sell out on busy ship days. Compare the best Ketchikan excursions and book in a couple of taps.

Browse Ketchikan tours Compare our picks
Good to know

Where to stay: FAQs

What is the best area to stay in Ketchikan?

Downtown, around Creek Street, if you want to walk to the sights and restaurants. Choose the West End if you have an early ferry or flight.

Are there hotels near the Ketchikan cruise port?

Yes. The downtown hotels on our list are all within about a 10–15 minute walk of the downtown cruise berths; one faces the docks directly.

Is there a hotel at Ketchikan airport?

Not on Gravina Island itself. The nearest hotels are on the town side, a short ride from the airport ferry landing, and several run shuttles.

Do I need to book Ketchikan hotels in advance?

For June to August, yes — the town has few rooms and they sell out. Outside the season you can usually find a room at short notice.