Fairbanks, AK help!

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nateh

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Headed to Fairbanks this summer - first time to Alaska! I'm on a budget (found RT from SLC for $118!) so I'm trying to keep costs down. Doesn't seem like the cheapest place in the world. Apparently there are no rental cars available either!?? I'd love to just rent a campervan or something like an overlanding vehicle instead of a car + hotels. Anyone have any tips for doing this? Would love some local insight on how to make this fun and affordable. Too bad I can't just bring my Land Rover up with me...
 
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Murphy Slaw

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Alaska is expensive. My son was working up there and he told me prices that were hard to believe.

But he was making good money.

Guess everything is relative...
 

Boort

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Headed to Fairbanks this summer - first time to Alaska! I'm on a budget (found RT from SLC for $118!) so I'm trying to keep costs down. Doesn't seem like the cheapest place in the world. Apparently there are no rental cars available either!?? I'd love to just rent a campervan or something like an overlanding vehicle instead of a car + hotels. Anyone have any tips for doing this? Would love some local insight on how to make this fun and affordable. Too bad I can't just bring my Land Rover up with me...
@nateh

For the rental car situation. Before the virus I was planning a trip to Fairbanks myself found that renting a full size pickup was generally more available and lower cost than renting a car. For the time of my planned trip a 13 day pickup rental was $650+ insurance. Note they could not promise that we'd get 4 wheel drive but offered to try. I think I had mine booked through either Budget or Enterprise.

If you are not opposed to airB&B / VBRO I can say that Jon treated us well when we had to cancel our trip. His place is a 90 miles South of town and was to make a great base camp for our trip. The property info in case you are interested: EXCLUSIVE AND BEST AURORA/WILDLIFE VIEWING AND FISHING IN ALASKA! - Deltana

There are also places in Fairbanks where you can rent outdoor equipment so you don't need to fly as much up. We had some stuff reserved at alaskaoutdoorgearrental.com. though I understand that for summer gear it may be less expensive to hit the Malwart then donate what ever you don't take back to a local thrift before heading home.


Boort
 
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nateh

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Thanks everyone! I check almost every day and there are literally zero available cars/trucks/vans/etc. Zero RVs available on Outdoorsy. I think I may have to go the Uhaul route....
 
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Tundracamper

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I know this is an older thread. But, when we landed in Anchorage on Saturday, our car rental company had a sign noting they were sold out. Also, they would not let us keep the car any longer than our original reservation- subject to a $500 per day fine! As a side note, I have seen plenty of parked u-hauls, though that doesn’t mean anything.

I’m also curious how the OP made out.
 
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bgenlvtex

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Unfortunately the only thing I’ve found at a reasonable price is a Uhaul box truck that we’re going to have as our “RV” for the weekend! $20/day and $1/mile. Let’s hope it works!
$1 per mile

THAT is going to turn into a massive number