Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Juneau

Accommodation

$40-80 per night

Budget hostels, basic guesthouses, or vacation rental shared rooms in downtown area or nearby neighborhoods

Food & Dining

$25-50 per day

Grocery shopping and self-cooking, food trucks, casual cafes, and local lunch counters

Transportation

$5-15 per day

Capital Transit public buses, walking, occasional taxi for airport transfers

Activities

$10-30 per day

Free hiking trails, self-guided downtown walks, occasional museum entry, free visitor center activities

Shop for groceries and prepare meals in accommodations with kitchens - typically saves 60-70% compared to restaurant dining

Use Capital Transit buses instead of taxis for local transportation - usually 80-90% cheaper than ride services

Take advantage of free hiking trails and self-guided activities instead of paid tours - can save $50-100 per day

Book accommodations well in advance during cruise season for 20-40% better rates

Visit during shoulder seasons (April-May, September) for 25-35% lower accommodation and tour prices

Pack layers and rain gear to avoid purchasing expensive outdoor clothing in tourist shops

Look for combination tour packages rather than booking activities separately - typically 15-25% savings

Only eating in downtown tourist areas near cruise docks - typically 50-100% markup compared to local neighborhoods

Relying entirely on taxis and ride services instead of public transit - can triple transportation costs

Booking last-minute accommodations during cruise season peak times - often 100-200% higher than advance bookings

Purchasing outdoor gear and souvenirs in tourist shops rather than bringing essentials or shopping at local stores