Fairbanks International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Fairbanks Airport is about 7 km from downtown, along Airport Way, the road that runs through the city: with little traffic the distance doesn't really matter, so the choice depends more on what you want to do than on the drive time. Travelers arriving on a night flight or chasing the northern lights without too much moving around find it convenient to stay along Airport Way or University Avenue, with free shuttles to the terminal. Those who want the Chena River under their window, the museums and the restaurants of downtown prefer to sleep in the city, a few minutes from the airport but closer to the evening life.

Airport area and Airport Way

Airport area · free shuttle running 24 hours on Airport Way or University Avenue, 5-10 minutes from the terminal

Best for: travelers arriving or leaving late and wanting to stay just minutes from the terminal

Pros

free airport shuttle at almost every property
minutes from the terminal, handy for night flights or returning from northern-lights tours

Cons

commercial strip area, not much to do on foot in the evening
some rooms along the main road pick up traffic noise

Recommended hotels in this area

Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks: free shuttle running 24 hours and an indoor pool, handy for arriving tired after a long flight
Sophie Station Suites: rooms with a kitchen and an in-house restaurant, 6 minutes from the terminal with a free shuttle running 24 hours
Aspen Suites Hotel Fairbanks: on Old Airport Way near the university, with a free shuttle to the terminal

See more hotels in this area →

Downtown and along the Chena River

City centre · free shuttle or 10-15 minutes by car from the terminal

Best for: travelers who want the riverside, the museums and the restaurants of downtown without straying too far from the airport

Pros

right on the Chena River, walking distance to downtown museums and restaurants
a handy base for the visitor center and trips around the area

Cons

fewer properties with a free shuttle compared to the airport area
limited hotel parking on weekends with events downtown

Recommended hotels in this area

Bridgewater Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham: on the Chena River right downtown, with a free shuttle to the airport despite the urban location
Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center: large downtown property with two restaurants, handy for those attending events or conferences

See more hotels in this area →

10th Avenue area, between the airport and Fort Wainwright

Neighbourhood · about 15 minutes by car from the terminal, less than 5 minutes from downtown

Best for: those visiting military family members at Fort Wainwright or wanting a central base between the airport and downtown

Pros

on a quiet side street despite the central location
just minutes from both downtown and Fort Wainwright

Cons

no free shuttle to the airport
older property compared to the chains in the airport area

Recommended hotels in this area

Clarion Hotel & Suites Fairbanks near Ft. Wainwright: a couple of steps from Fort Wainwright and less than 5 minutes from downtown, handy for visiting active-duty service members

See more hotels in this area →