Whittier to Alaska by rental car

[Bubbs33]

We sail on the Island Princess July 2019. Its our first cruise ever  I have researched options to transfer from Whittier to Anchorage and we have decided on a car rental.  . We disembark at Whittier and currently have a car rental reservation with Avis in Whittier for 8am. I understand the Avis offices opens at 8am. I also understand the tunnel opens for northbound traffic on the hour for 15min.  So is it reasonable that we would be able to disembark before 8am, walk to Avis (8 Harbour St) and once loaded be in line for the tunnel for 9am to 9:15 access? I have research the route to Anchorage and possible sightseeing along the route. Any insights on this itinerary (we won't have time for all of it) would be appreciated.  Our flight leaves at 15:45.

Google map of route from Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal to Airport Terminal Departures
https://goo.gl/maps/LRwHCqbfRmL2

Whittier Tunnel

https://girdwood.com/item/whittier-tunnel/

Begich Bogg Visitos Centre
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recarea/?recid=71946

Byron Glacier Trail
https://glaciercitygazette.net/byron-glacier-trails-beauty/

Alaska Wildlife Centre
https://www.alaskawildlife.org/

Mt Alyeska Tram
https://www.alyeskaresort.com/resort/about-aerial-tram

http://www.alaska.org/detail/alyeska-tram

Beluga Point
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewinglocations.belugapoint

Potter Marsh

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm%3Fadfg=viewinglocations.pottermarsh

 

Thank you for your comments.

[wolfie11]

The tram would be weather-dependent and the whales at Beluga Point tide dependent, but it sounds like a good plan.  You need to be at the airport by 1330 to return car, check in, etc, so you won’t have a lot of time.  Allow 1.5 hours driving time from Whittier to the airport.

 

 You shouldn’t have any problem picking up the car.  Whittier is about 8 blocks long.

[SuperCrewBear]

The Wildlife Center is nice and if you haven't seen a bear, musk ox or caribou in person you should be able to get a look.  It's only about 10 miles once you get through the tunnel.  I think you should kind of play it by ear once you're past the tunnel.  You're only going to have about 4-1/2 hours (including travel time) until you need to be to the airport by 1:30 PM.  There are several good photo op locations as you're hugging the coast between the Wildlife Center and Anchorage - expect about 60-90 minutes there to see some things.  The best advice I can give is to allow about twice the amount of time as you would normally expect - mostly because of wanting to stop for pictures and such.  A wreck or construction might hold you up too.  Potter Marsh is a cool spot for seeing some of the water fowl and is just as you're getting to the south edge of Anchorage - maybe a 30 minute stop.  If you can check this link for construction along your route the morning you arrive to Whittier:  Alaska 511 Traveler Information

 

Good luck!  You're going to love Alaska!  The best first cruise you could choose! 🙂

Edited November 24, 2018 by SuperCrewBear

[Budget Queen]

You have time for your list.   There are multiple pull offs,   just keep an eye out and pull over as you wish.    Don't "schedule"   them.   :)     Belugas are rare and salmon dependent.   Of hundreds of drives on the Arm-  I've seen them 4 times.  :)    

[masterdrago]

You might want to look at your date there and check if you can witness a Bore Tide and have a better chance of seeing beluga. Basic info is here but you will need to research next years tide times. One works out perfectly for our arrival after picking up our rent car in Anchorage next May.

[Budget Queen]

The "better"  chance of seeing  belugas  is high tides- AND salmon-   which aren't running until about mid July  through August.     Not  a common occurrence.

 

Bore tide=      It is a wall of water,   and frankly  not really all that exciting.    Only  lasts seconds.   Better if there are some surfers to watch riding it.   :)     I know my pull offs that I want,   so,  if a priority,   you might want to do a run by earlier-   it's an incredible drive anyway.