Alaska Currency: The 49th State and the USD
Is the currency of Alaska the same as the rest of the United States? Is Alaska currency the equivalent of Canadian dollars?
Owing to Alaska’s remote location, separated from the Lower 48 by Canada, many people believe that the currency of Alaska is actually the Canadian Dollar.
However, despite the state’s close proximity to the Yukon and British Columbia, Alaska uses the U.S. Dollar which is not the equivalent of Canadian dollars.
We lived all over Alaska and are currently in the process of buying real estate in the southcentral region, and we can testify that nowhere we’ve ever been accepts Canadian dollars.
Now that you understand that Alaska uses the U.S. dollar, let’s explore the reasons behind this choice and the historical context of the government’s decision to assume the USD as Alaska’s currency!
What Currency is Used in Alaska?
Alaska uses the United States Dollar and has for as long as it has been a state. At no point has Alaska used the Canadian Dollar.
Given the state’s proximity to Canada and its strong economic ties, it’s not uncommon to find a Canadian coin or two mingling with your change, much like discovering a British pound or some Euro coins after a trip to an arcade.
This doesn’t mean that anywhere in Alaska is likely to knowingly accept any Canadian currency, so it’s important to arrive with U.S. dollars on hand either in the form of cash or card.
Alaska Currency Symbol
Any common currency converter will show you this symbol ($) for the United States Dollar.
On occasion, you may also see it with two vertical lines down the center of the “S”. This symbol always comes before the number value.
For instance, prices are always presented as $1 or $2,500, never as 1$ or 2,500$.
Commas, when used in USD, also dictate the thousandths place. For example, $2,500 indicates two thousand and five hundred dollars in USD.
While in other currencies, the comma may indicate a decimal point, which in this case would be two dollars and fifty cents. A very big cost difference!
This is something to keep in mind when making local transactions either with cash or a credit card.
Alaska Currency to USD
Since Alaska uses the USD, there is no currency conversion to be done between Alaska and the rest of the U.S.
Alaska Currency to INR
Indian Rupees are quite weak against the currency in Alaska (USD), so converting your dollars to rupees will be a good exchange for you.
However, exchanging rupees for USD will work against you due to the large difference in spending power.
You can check the current USD to INR exchange rate here.
Alaska Currency to Naira
Nigerian Naira is a considerably weak currency, so converting your money from USD will be well in your favor.
You can check the current USD to NGN exchange rate here.
Alaska Currency to PKR
Pakistani Rupees are also quite weak, so converting from U.S. dollars will give you a lot of purchasing power.
You can check the current USD to PKR exchange rate here.
Alaska Currency to Peso
With Alaska using the U.S. Dollar, the exchange rate for the Mexican Peso will also be in your favor thanks to its weakness against the dollar.
You can check the current USD to MXN exchange rate here.
Alaska Currency Rate
The currency rate in Alaska is aligned with the rest of the U.S.
Thus, if you are traveling from another country and plan to carry foreign currency, it’s advisable to check the exchange rate for the USD prior to your arrival.
Exchanging your money in your home country rather than at the U.S. airport where you arrive could save you a considerable amount in the long run, if you find the exchange rate is best at home.
National rates often change without notice, so it’s a good idea to arrive with some currency on your person for your trip prior to taking any tours, cruises, etc.
When staying in a lodge or hotel in Alaska—or in most parts of the U.S.—you’ll typically find that major credit cards are accepted. If not, the staff can often direct you to a reputable bank or currency exchange center.
FAQ: Alaska Dollar
In this last section, we’ve provided some information on what currency is accepted in Alaska, the value of the USD, and how you can come to Alaska financially prepared.
Does Alaska Have Its Own Currency?
No, fortunately for travelers, Alaska uses the same currency (USD) as the rest of the United States. It does not have its own currency.
Can I Use Canadian Dollars in Alaska?
No, Alaska does not use or accept Canadian Dollars, so you’ll need to come prepared with local currency.
As the 49th state of the U.S., Alaska exclusively uses the United States Dollar as its official currency.
How Much is $1 in Alaska?
$1 in Alaska is the equivalent of $1 in California, Colorado, Maine, and the rest of the Lower 48.
Since Alaska uses the same currency as the rest of the United States, it doesn’t matter if you travel to Anchorage or Skagway, the same currency will be used between Alaska and the other 49 states in the country.
Should You Bring Cash to Alaska?
Yes, you should bring cash to Alaska with you, even if it’s just $150 for a 7+ day trip.
You can always get more from a local ATM, but some shops in rural towns only accept cash. Additionally, cash is best for tipping your tour guides for everything from northern lights hunting to bear viewing.
Many items you find across most stores will accept major credit cards including Visa (though MasterCard has caused us problems in the past).
You’ll just want to check your personal card’s foreign exchange fees if you’ll be traveling from outside of the U.S.
Does Alaska, USA Do Currency Exchange?
Yes, you can easily exchange your money for USD in most major cities in Alaska including Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks.
Money exchange locations will become less common outside of the cities. Therefore, it’s wise to acquire however much you think you’ll need for your trip either before you depart from your home country or when you arrive at a major airport.
Is Alaska Cheap or Expensive?
Alaska is quite expensive when compared to other tourist destinations across the U.S. Our first trip to Alaska was about 7 days long and consisted of Airbnbs and local cabin rentals, a rental car, a Kenai Fjords Tour, a bear-viewing tour, and bicycle rentals in Denali National Park.
This trip cost us over $4,500 and we were eating some of our meals directly from the local supermarket.
On average, a one-week trip to Alaska for two people can cost around $5,000. This includes transportation, accommodations, a tour or two, and food. However, the cost can vary greatly depending on several factors such as the time of year, type of accommodations, and activities you choose.
Alaska’s summer season between June and August is the most expensive time to visit since it’s the best time for wildlife-viewing and fishing.
If you want to visit on a budget, you can opt to visit in the off-season, eat most of your meals from the local grocery store, and limit your tours and excursions.
Whether you’ll be enjoying traveling via the Alaska rail or via a rental car going destination to destination, having some Alaska currency with you is essential.
We typically suggest having at least $100 USD or so to get started, then exchanging more as needed throughout your trip!
