I travel to Alaska several times a year "on the cheap." Granted, I sometimes tent camp but it is not always to save money - Wonder Lake campground in Denali NP is one of the most scenic and serene places in the US.

By far the most important factor for visiting Alaska on the cheap is advance planning. For example, the last two summers and for June 2009 I have had an economy rental car for under $100/week plus taxes ($125 total including all mandatory fees). How? I book 11 to 11-1/2 months in advance and use Enterprise on E. Intl Airport Blvd in Anchorage (15 minute and $15 taxi ride each way from the ANC airport).

I have my itinerary lined up at least 12 months in advance so I can book the car and the flights as soon as possible. Right now I am thinking about my summer 2010 itinerary.

I begin looking for hotel deals as soon as my itinerary is set. Two summers ago I got a hotel in Anchorage through Hotwire for $50/night plus fees. Used that hotel 3 times on various trips through Anchorage. Last summer I got a 2-bedroom suite at the Homewood Suites for $72/night. Next summer I have another Extended Stay for $68/night plus taxes.

I have stayed in hostels before. The hostel near Denali is very nice and has a kitchen so you can make some of your own meals.

As was mentioned, cabins are another great option. I am staying in a cabin near Talkeetna and one near Willow (both between Anchorage and Denali) for something like $50/night.

Look into the two coupon books that are like "entertainment" for Alaska - Toursaver and Northern Lights. Toursaver costs twice as much but it has some coupons like 2-for-1 flightseeing that can easily pay for the extra cost.

Look into B&B's. I have seen B&B's in Anchorage and Seward for under $100 even in the high season.

Don't consider one-way car rentals or seeing too much of Alaska at one time. Your plan to go from Fairbanks to Juneau is not a cost-effective way to do this. Juneau is a long way from Fairbanks, and requires a ferry or an airplane to get there from Fairbanks. Concentrate on one area of Alaska (like south central - Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula, Denali, etc - or southeast Alaska).

Look into using points for hotel stays in the larger cities. Two summers ago I paid $200 for 20K Priority Club points then turned around and used the 20K points for 2 nights at the HI Express in Seward. Rack rate at that hotel in the summer? $250/night. Unfortunately now that hotel requires 25K points/night so the "deal" is no longer available. But next summer I am using points for HI and SpringHill Suites in Fairbanks.

Generally I plan on $100/day for my trips to Alaska. No matter what I do or where I stay, it almost always costs this amount. This is for everything from lodging, rental car, tours, gas, food, etc. Some of the lodging is usually camping, some hotels, cabins, B&B or hostels. So it would definitely cost you more if you have no camping in the itinerary. And I rarely eat out (maybe once on a 7 day trip, a couple of times on a longer trip). And I rarely pay for my flights to Alaska. I use my miles to get there. I often try to maximize my miles by taking advantage of the free domestic stops that DL and AA allow on award tickets. Once I flew to both Anchorage and King Salmon (for Katmai NP) on one ticket. Last summer I flew to both Juneau and Gustavus (for Glacier Bay NP) also on one ticket.

Another very reasonable option can be an Alaskan cruise. I have seen 7-night Alaskan cruises for under $500/person recently. This takes care of your food, lodging and transportation. Then plan your time in the ports wisely. Great inexpensive options in most ports. For example: Ketchikan - hiking or the public bus to Totem Bight totem pole park. Juneau - $14 round trip shuttle bus to Mendenhall Glacier, see visitor center there, hike, museums. Skagway - rent a car for under $100 and drive to Emerald Lake or several activities with the National Park Service there. Sitka - raptor center, National Historic Park and more. Just don't get all wrapped up in the hype of the cruise itself. I am off the ship pretty much from when they dock until they pull the gangplank. If you consider a cruise, your first priority should be the itinerary, then other considerations.

Alaska is by far my favorite destination in the US. I leave next Thursday for 5 nights there. And I am going back again in May, June and maybe in August or October. Each trip has a relatively specific focus - March is Northern Lights, Ice Art Championships, dogsledding and Iditarod with my niece. May is to drive partly into Denali before the shuttle buses start and going to a festival in Homer, June is a fairly whirlwind 2 week trip with my nephew throughout south central AK, October would be Barrow to see polar bears.

Jackal has some great ideas so if you post some more specific questions, I am sure he, I or others could help you further.

John