Late arrivals and cruise crew often grab a KTN water taxi
The water taxi fills the gap when the Ketchikan airport ferry schedule doesn’t match your flight times. Ketchikan International Airport (KTN) sits on Gravina Island across from town, and the standard public ferry runs on fixed intervals. Water taxis step in for odd-hour flights, delayed Alaska Airlines arrivals, or when you need to land directly at a specific downtown marina instead of the main airport ferry terminal on Tongass Narrows.
Service is on demand, not a set timetable, so you call ahead from the terminal in T to line up a ride for a set time. Several local operators work the channel between Gravina Island and the city side, often using small covered boats that can handle a handful of passengers plus luggage. Rides typically take around 5–10 minutes dock to dock, about the same as the public ferry crossing, but you skip waiting for the next scheduled sailing and can head straight to a chosen dock.
Fares vary by operator and distance, but you’re usually looking at a base rate per trip plus a per-person charge, so a solo traveler pays more per head than a group of four. Many boats can drop at harbors beyond the main ferry dock, such as smaller city marinas used by fishing crews, which is why seasonal workers and cruise staff often split the cost. Ask for a quote before you confirm, and compare it to the standard airport ferry round-trip fare if budget is tight.
To use a water taxi on arrival, collect your bags at KTN, then call a local operator using numbers posted near the terminal information boards or pre-saved from your hotel or tour operator. They’ll tell you which dock on the Gravina side they serve and how many minutes until pickup. On the town side, they can often drop you closer to specific addresses along Tongass Avenue, cutting down on additional taxi or shuttle time after you hit the city pier.
For departures, work backwards from your flight time at KTN and book a pickup slot to reach the airport at least 60–90 minutes before boarding, especially for morning Alaska Airlines runs. Build a buffer for weather; Tongass Narrows can get choppy in wind and rain, so having a 15–20 minute cushion over the normal 5–10 minute crossing keeps the stress down if conditions slow the boat.