Getting from Anchorage to Whittier

[Sarahg0915]

Most likely we will be flying into Anchorage for Princess' southbound inside passage cruise (who else is waiting for 2026 openings to book?!?!). This is our first trip to Alaska. What is the best way to get to Whittier - train, rental car, other options? Or (and please humor me) is there an airport closer to Whittier than Anchorage? We're coming from the East Coast.

 

Whittier hotel recommendations also appreciated. Thanks! 

Edited July 16 by Sarahg0915

[oaktreerb]

Have you thought about staying overnight in anchorage and using the ship transfer to the port?

[AKStafford]

Anchorage will  be the airport.

Flying in the day before the cruise is a good idea. Flying in the week before to explore is an even better idea.

A rental car is a good choice, but there'll be a one-way drop off fee that might be rather shocking. If you take the Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery train you can include a Prince William Sound glacier cruise before boarding your ship.

[Coral]

I would encourage you to fly in a few days early, visit Seward (train or rental car) for 2 nights or so. Then go back to Anchorage, spend the night and take the bus transfer to Whittier. Then, do 26 Glacier Tour https://phillipscruises.com/26-glacier-cruise/ before catching your cruise.

 

Anchorage is the closest airport.

Edited July 16 by Coral

[zqvol]

Hotel will be in Anchorage. Nothing in Whittier, or really between Anchorage and Whittier (with a couple of exceptions). 

[Sarahg0915]

Thanks, all! Looking into each suggestion, I appreciate it.

[dreams_of_travel]

Another vote for the train.  Beautiful scenery on the way, and no risk of a traffic jam through the tunnel. 

[Jnsplace1]

Another vote on the train.  They do a great job with those trains, and well the state is big.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.  🙂

[peety3]

Train if you can, Princess bus if you can't. It's a very unique trip from Anchorage to Whittier so no matter what you do, have a plan. It is not something you can "wing it".

[Nodakrulz]

We did the Alaska Cruise Transfer bus (ACT Big Bus) this past weekend from Whittier to Anchorage.  They dropped us off right at our hotel (our luggage was loaded in the bottom of the bus).  You can choose direct transfer, stop at Wildlife Conservation center (fun little stop), or a longer tour.  They also do this in reverse with picking up at hotels in Anchorage.  The price wasn't bad either!  The highway runs next to the train tracks for most of the trip- so the scenery will be similar.  Just another option for you to consider when making the best decision for your vacation. 

[LeeW]

Glacier Discovery rail leaves Anchorage station at 945 and arrives just after noon in Whittier.  Think the Phillips 26 Glacier cruise leaves at 1230 (it is possible that they coordinate their departure to the rail arrival, contact them).  The cruise gets back at around 6, so easy to get on a ship in time for dinner.  Note that rail stop, Phillips and cruise docs are within a few hundred feet of each other and easy to drop luggage there.

 

When we took the train to Seward, we checked our luggage in Anchorage and they delivered it to the ship.  That train leaves at 645 am, so we walked downhill from the Hilton to the rail station.  Highly recommend Hilton - food good, nice swimming pool, easy access to rail and downtown.

[Coral]

2 hours ago, LeeW said:

Glacier Discovery rail leaves Anchorage station at 945 and arrives just after noon in Whittier.  Think the Phillips 26 Glacier cruise leaves at 1230 (it is possible that they coordinate their departure to the rail arrival, contact them).  The cruise gets back at around 6, so easy to get on a ship in time for dinner.  Note that rail stop, Phillips and cruise docs are within a few hundred feet of each other and easy to drop luggage there.

 

When we took the train to Seward, we checked our luggage in Anchorage and they delivered it to the ship.  That train leaves at 645 am, so we walked downhill from the Hilton to the rail station.  Highly recommend Hilton - food good, nice swimming pool, easy access to rail and downtown.

Yes they do coordinate their departure to the rail arrival:

 

https://phillipscruises.com/getting-to-us/

[ChemistBabe]

We took the Alaska Big Bus transfers.  Cheaper than Princess transfers and totally convenient.

 

Rental cars aren't really a choice.

 

Edited July 25 by ChemistBabe

[jean-lynd]

We did the Whittier to Anchorage transfer with Princess that included the Wildlife center on Saturday and really enjoyed it. I'm sure they offer the same transfer in reverse. I stongly recommend using one of the transfers offered by the cruiseline. About an hour after we arrived in Anchorage there was a fatal accident on the road to Whittier and it was closed for about 5 hours. The ship was supposed to leave at 4 but it didn't leave until 10. The Princess hospitality center and the Captain Cook Hotel conference rooms were full of people waiting to head to the ship. I know all of those people made it to the ship. I'm not sure how this was handled for people that didn't make their arrangements with the cruiseline. Hopefully, they all made it as well but I don't know how easy it would be for them to communicate with Princess. The Captain Cook has princess staff on site and so does the hospitality center so they could get information directly and not try to reach someone on the phone. Hopefully, nothing like this will ever happen again but you never know.