Cruise Transfers

Alaska Cruise Transfers

Your best options for connecting from your cruise ship to and from Anchorage, Denali, and beyond.

Transfer by Train

Operating Dates

~May 11 – September 14, 2026

COMPARE SCHEDULES

Transfer by Bus

Alaska Cruise Transfers to Whittier and Seward

Whittier is used by Princess Cruises, Holland America Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), while passengers on Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) use the port of Seward. There is no scheduled airline service to either Whittier or Seward, so nearly all these passengers travel between these ports and Anchorage by train or motorcoach.

Avoid flying into Alaska on the day your cruise departs. This allows time for unexpected airline flight or luggage delays and transfer delays in Alaska. If you need any assistance booking pre- or post-cruise hotels, tours and even complete Alaska land tour packages, we’re here to help.

Passengers embarking in Seward can take the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage at 6:45 AM and arrive in Seward at about 11:20 AM. Checked luggage with cruise tags will transfer to your ship. This is a great option if you want to explore Seward a bit, visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, or even take a Kenai Fjords cruise.

If you are disembarking in Seward, the scheduled Alaska Railroad train departs at 6:00 PM and arrives in Anchorage at about 10:15 PM. Many cruise lines offer private train options in both directions as well. Whether you are cruising northbound or southbound, if you have the time, consider spending at least one night in Seward before or after your cruise.

The Park Connection Motorcoach offers morning and afternoon departures in both directions between Anchorage and Seward. So, regardless of which direction you are traveling, we have a departure aligned with your cruise, as well as an option that would allow for extra time in Seward. Not only is the bus a quicker and less expensive mode of transportation, it will pick up or drop off at the cruise terminal on most ship days.

The Alaska Railroad departs Anchorage at 9:45 AM and arrives Whittier at 12:05 PM, making it a good option for passengers embarking in Whittier. The train from Whittier to Anchorage does not leave until 6:45 PM, so most disembarking cruise passengers take an earlier motorcoach option, scheduled transfer, or private cruise train if offered.

The Park Connection Motorcoach offers service to and from Whittier on most cruise ship days. Northbound departures leave Whittier at 9:45 AM and arrive Anchorage at 12:00 PM. Southbound departures leave Anchorage at 3:00 PM and arrive in Whittier at 5:00 PM. You can also ride the motorcoach from Whittier to Talkeetna or Denali Park (or vice versa) at a fraction of the cost of the train, and without the additional overnight in Anchorage. Many travelers use the bus for this leg, and then book the Anchorage return on the train, getting the best of both options.

For Whittier cruisers who want to see Seward, the Park Connection also offers a direct transfer between Whittier and Seward on most ship days.