Advantages of Taking the Train and the Bus

Combining the Alaska Railroad and the Bus

Wondering why motorcoach segments are listed alongside Alaska train segments?

  • The Park Connection serves most primary rail belt destinations including Seward, Whittier, Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali Park.
  • The Park Connection is faster and cheaper compared to the train, giving travelers a way to stretch their budget and travel a bit quicker through Alaska. Plus, the scenery is different, which is why we say go one way by train, and one way by bus.
  • The Park Connection is the only way to travel between Denali Park or Talkeetna and Seward or Whittier in one day.

This last point is especially helpful when planning a complete Alaska itinerary. Say you’re in Seward, having either traveled down from Anchorage by train, or arrived by cruise ship. To travel north to Talkeetna or Denali Park by train would require an overnight in Anchorage, while the trip by bus can easily and economically be done in a day. You can then return to Anchorage by train at the end of your trip. This is such a popular option that it’s become one of our top train vacations.