Overview
Fairbanks sits deep in Alaska's interior, roughly 190km south of the Arctic Circle, and is one of the finest places on earth to watch the northern lights. It is a compact, welcoming city that works brilliantly as a base for hot springs, dog-sledding, Denali National Park and the summer midnight sun. For UK travellers it is a genuine long-haul trip with at least one change of plane, but the reward — dark, active winter skies or 24-hour daylight in summer — is hard to beat.
Best time to fly to Fairbanks
For the aurora, travel between late August and mid-April, when the nights are long and skies are dark; the weeks around the September and March equinoxes are especially popular. Winter is bitterly cold, frequently -25C or lower, so pack serious thermal layers. Summer (June to August) brings mild days, wildflowers and easy access to Denali, and is the busiest and most expensive season. The spring and autumn shoulder weeks often bring better value — check the When to book chart above.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights to Fairbanks from the UK; every routing connects in North America. The most common path is London to Seattle with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic or Delta, then a domestic flight to Fairbanks with Alaska Airlines, which is the dominant carrier here. Other sensible connections run via Anchorage, Chicago, Dallas or Minneapolis with American, United or Delta. Allow around 15 to 20 hours in total including the layover; the London to Seattle leg alone is about 9.5 hours, with a further 3.5 hours or so on to Fairbanks.
Things to do in Fairbanks
Fairbanks pairs frontier history with easy access to wild landscapes. A few highlights:
- Chena Hot Springs Resort: Soak in natural geothermal pools about an hour from the city, with strong aurora viewing and an ice museum.
- University of Alaska Museum of the North: Striking architecture and excellent exhibits on Alaskan wildlife, Native cultures and the science of the aurora.
- Running Reindeer Ranch: Walk through the boreal forest alongside a herd of tame reindeer.
- Pioneer Park: A riverside heritage park with gold-rush buildings, small museums and a summer salmon bake.
- Gold Dredge 8: Ride a narrow-gauge train and pan for real gold on a historic mining site.
At Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
The airport lies about 6km (4 miles) south-west of downtown, a 10 to 15 minute drive. Options into the centre include metered taxis, a limited number of rideshare cars, hotel courtesy shuttles and the MACS Transit public bus. Many visitors hire a car at the terminal, which is the most practical way to reach Chena Hot Springs or Denali; winter hire cars come fitted with engine block heaters.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Fairbanks
- Book roughly three to six months ahead for summer and aurora-season travel, when seats sell out early.
- Fly midweek and, if your dates are flexible, avoid the September and March equinox peaks.
- Price the journey as two parts — a UK to US gateway plus an Alaska Airlines add-on — and compare that against a single through-fare.
- Use the price charts on this page to track fares and set your budget before you commit.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism but must hold an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Programme before departure, valid for stays of up to 90 days; your passport should be valid for the length of your stay. The currency is the US dollar, so plan how you convert your pounds and carry a card that works well abroad. No special vaccinations are required; bring proper cold-weather clothing in winter and insect repellent for the summer months.
