Guides › Alaska › Fairbanks, Alaska
City guide

Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks is a home rule city and the borough seat of the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States. Fairbanks is the largest city in the interior region of Alaska and the second most populous city in the state.

Type City

Why go

  • City in Alaska, United States.
  • Served by Metro Field (MTX).

History

Fairbanks is a home rule city and the borough seat of the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States. Fairbanks is the largest city in the interior region of Alaska and the second most populous city in the state. The 2020 census put the population of the city proper at 32,515 and the population of the Fairbanks North Star Borough at 95,655, making it the second most populous metropolitan area in Alaska, after Anchorage. The Metropolitan Statistical Area encompasses all of the Fairbanks North Star Borough and is the northernmost metropolitan statistical area in the United States, located 196 miles by road south of the Arctic Circle.

Airports

Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) 6.2 mi to the centre
Fairbanks, AK, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 4 airlines (Astral Aviation, Era Alaska, Alaska Airlines, 40-Mile Air) · direct flights to 19 destinations incl. Fort Yukon, Anchorage, Bettles, Deadhorse, Galena… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 4 airlines, 19 direct destinations
  • Astral Aviation 8V (CNC, PAG) · 9 routes: Allakaket, Anaktuvuk Pass, Bettles, Fort Yukon, Galena, KBC, Lake Minchumina, Ruby, TAL
  • Era Alaska 7H (BE1, DH8, CNC) · 5 routes: Anchorage, Deadhorse, Fort Yukon*, Galena, Ruby*
  • Alaska Airlines AS (737-800, 73Q, 737-900, 73J, 737-700) · 3 routes: Anchorage, Deadhorse, Seattle
  • 40-Mile Air Q5 (CNA) · 1 route: HKB

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Metro Field (MTX) 3.7 mi to the centre
Fairbanks, AK, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Chena Hot Springs Airport (CEX) 49 mi to the centre
Chena Hot Springs, AK, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Livengood Camp Airport (LIV) 53 mi to the centre
Livengood, AK, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Gold King Creek Airport 45 mi to the centre
Fairbanks, AK, US
Outdoor
Lakloey Air Park 3.9 mi to the centre
Fairbanks, AK, US
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Metro Field (MTX); 33 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: FAI has direct flights to 19 destinations on 4 airlines (incl. Fort Yukon, Anchorage, Bettles, Deadhorse, Galena…).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Fairbanks, Alaska. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences