Bus or train from Whittier to Anchorage

[kleven]

We are planning our first trip to Alaska for May next year on Island Princess. We are having a hard time deciding whether we should go by bus or train from Whittier to Anchorage where we will spend one night before flying home. What would you do?

[West Coast]

The 'public' train leaves Whittier to Anchorage around 6pm. However, Princess does charter a train that leaves around 11am. If you are thinking about doing the Princess charter, I would recommend booking it in advance (through your TA). We are travelling in May and it is sold out/closed. There is not even a wait list. I think the cost of the Princess charter is around $70 pp. I'm not sure how much there is to do in Whittier but not sure if it's worth it to wait until the 'public' 6pm train.

 

RE: bus - I think the Princess transfer is about $55 pp. You can get van service for arount $45 pp.

 

There's lots of info on the ports of call board for 'Alaska'.

[kkorman]

I took the train on my own at about 10:30 AM. It was $51. It is an easy walk or cab ride from anywhere in the main downtown area. I walked from the Marriott.

[Shirleya53]

RE: bus - I think the Princess transfer is about $55 pp. You can get van service for arount $45 pp.

 

How do you arrange for the van service?

[Budget Queen]

STRONGLY consider adding more days- you are missing an excellent touring opportunity. :) Few people frequently travel to Alaska. :) Anyway- it won't make ANY difference if you take the train or bus- the routes are the SAME on this portion. The rail if you take the contracted Princess train drops off at the airport, as mentioned- the regular run of the ARR leaves around 6pm and costs $49. Whittier is excellent for glacier cruises - consider one if of interest? For clairfication- Anchorage is a BIG spread out city. There is far more to it than the downtown area. You will see far more with a car. Request their visitor guide http://www.anchorage.net Independent bus from Whittier/Anchorage http://www.polarexpressak.com/rates.html

[ceejay_San Angelo]

We're paying $99 pp for Princess rail from Whittier to Anchorage. Is there significant "WOW" from riding the train? A $50 difference in cost is significant.

[kkorman]

We're paying $99 pp for Princess rail from Whittier to Anchorage. Is there significant "WOW" from riding the train? A $50 difference in cost is significant.

 

Not worth that much!

I paid $51 to get from ANC to Whittier on my own on the train. Will you be arriving the same day? If so, just take the bus and save the $100. If not, book it yourself.

[NCtom]

Princess has a $55 per person transfer fee from Whittier to the Anchorage Airport. (I just checked my invoice to verify the amount.) Princess says it has several buses scheduled. The earliest flight should not leave before 11 AM from ANC.

 

If you want to arrange your own travel, check out the following websites:

 

http://www.polarexpressak.com/schedule.html

 

http://www.alaskatravel.com/printer/p-railroad-anchorage-whittier.html

 

http://www.auroralimousines.com/

 

Make sure you check the date of your travel against the transport schedules. Also note the little warning about delays in a tunnel between Whittier and Anchorage.

[Budget Queen]

There are NO "delays" in the tunnel. It is open on a schedule, about 15 min. per hour each direction. AGAIN- there is NO scenery difference between the rail or bus on the Whittier- Anchorage portion. The train takes about 30 minutes longer and only one run, buses run nonstop. The cruise contracted rail goes to the airport, the regular run of the ARR goes to the depot and leaves around 6pm.