Menderhall Glacier excursion recommendations

Need advice - we will be on Princess Ruby in June. Should we do Princess or private tour. Thank you

We went to Mendenthal on our own. I don't think you really need a tour for it. There are shuttle buses available all day that go back and forth to the glacier. Once you are there, it is easy to just wander around yourself, to the falls and back. If you google Juneau tourism, you should be able to find information on these buses (cost and frequency and where they start and stop). Unless, of course, you are wanting to get right on the glacier itself, then you would need a tour group of some sort.

Need advice - we will be on Princess Ruby in June. Should we do Princess or private tour. Thank you

Neither - unless it's a tour package that includes other stuff you also want to see that would be more hassle independently. If you're just looking to visit Mendenhall - there are dirt-cheap public buses with stops close by (~1 mile on foot IIRC), shuttle buses that will take you right to the visitor centre parking area (from $20pp), and a cab will run ~$35 each way so if you split with another couple, or are travelling in a group, this could be your best value option (totally flexible timing, minimal walking).

NB: visitor centre fee of $5pp May-September, which is usually collected by the shuttles & cabbies. If you do walk up from the transit bus stop in theory you don't have to pay, I believe that there are some free trails still, but you won't be able to use the visitor center with it's exhibits, toilets etc. or several trails.

All of these are better than a ship tour or private tour that just goes to Mendenhall for the simple reason that you can stay as long as you like instead of being stuck with the timing of the tour (e.g. I see Viator are reselling a $59 tour that gives only 1.5 hours before returning - enough if you just take a few photos, but not if you want to walk anything but the shortest trails). You'll get chat from a guide on one of those tours - but you get that from shuttle drivers and cabbies too, and odds are it's all info you can also get at the visitor centre anyway!

If you're doing a whalewatch, most companies don't include a free drop at Mendenhall anymore since the visitor fee was brought in, but you may be able to request a stop if you pay the $5pp, and some combo tours of whalewatch & glacier are still available.

Thank you for the information

Renting a car is simple and also offers you multiple additional options. What are you doing at Mendenhall? Here is the fee schedule. - has noting to do with how you get there- if it's accessed.

Neither - unless it's a tour package that includes other stuff you also want to see that would be more hassle independently. If you're just looking to visit Mendenhall - there are dirt-cheap public buses with stops close by (~1 mile on foot IIRC), shuttle buses that will take you right to the visitor centre parking area (from $20pp), and a cab will run ~$35 each way so if you split with another couple, or are travelling in a group, this could be your best value option (totally flexible timing, minimal walking).

 

NB: visitor centre fee of $5pp May-September, which is usually collected by the shuttles & cabbies. If you do walk up from the transit bus stop in theory you don't have to pay, I believe that there are some free trails still, but you won't be able to use the visitor center with it's exhibits, toilets etc. or several trails.

 

 

All of these are better than a ship tour or private tour that just goes to Mendenhall for the simple reason that you can stay as long as you like instead of being stuck with the timing of the tour (e.g. I see Viator are reselling a $59 tour that gives only 1.5 hours before returning - enough if you just take a few photos, but not if you want to walk anything but the shortest trails). You'll get chat from a guide on one of those tours - but you get that from shuttle drivers and cabbies too, and odds are it's all info you can also get at the visitor centre anyway!

 

If you're doing a whalewatch, most companies don't include a free drop at Mendenhall anymore since the visitor fee was brought in, but you may be able to request a stop if you pay the $5pp, and some combo tours of whalewatch & glacier are still available.

We have a party of 4. It sounds like a cab is the way to go. No waiting in line for the shuttle. One of our group had knee replacement last year so the bus might be too much additional walking if we take a short hike.

Is the tram worth it for the view?

Thanks!

Hi thanks for all the replies. We have decided to take a whale watch excursion with Harv and Marv at 3 pm. Before that we will take a bus to Mendhall Glacier and maybe walk thru the Nugget Falls.

Sandi

We have a party of 4. It sounds like a cab is the way to go. No waiting in line for the shuttle. One of our group had knee replacement last year so the bus might be too much additional walking if we take a short hike.

Is the tram worth it for the view?

Thanks!

4 peeps a cab is almost certainly going to be cheapest non-transit option for you, and most flexible. Tram - wait and see what the weather's like. if it's a nice clear day and you generally like 'views from above' go for it (you can hike up if you're in good shape, but I wouldn't try it with a dodgy knee!)