How to get from Anchorage to Talkeetna

It is a short trip north from Anchorage to Talkeetna regardless of how you travel, and riding the railroad, taking a motorcoach, or driving yourself are all easy options. Most often, the choice comes down to your personal travel preference and where you are heading next.

3 hours by train | 2.5 hours by bus | 2 hours by car

You will find more details below, but if you are ready to book online, head to our Train & Bus Express Checkout.

Take the Train

The trip from Anchorage to Talkeetna takes about three hours onboard the Denali Star train. The train service departs Anchorage in the summer at 8:20 AM, arriving in Talkeetna at approximately 11:05 AM. You can choose from Adventure Class or the GoldStar Dome service from the Alaska Railroad, as well as the privately-operated Wilderness Express or McKinley Explorer dome railcars. The Wilderness Express is attached to the back of the Denali Star train, while the McKinley Explorer operates on its own slightly different schedule.

Ride the Bus

The Park Connection Motorcoach departs daily at 6:30 AM and 3:00 PM. Both trips take just under three hours. Drop offs are at either the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge or near downtown. Talkeetna is a town worth staying in overnight, but some folks do make a day trip out of it by traveling up on the bus and back on the train.

Drive Yourself

Anchorage is a good place to rent a car, and the 110 mile ride to Talkeetna is a quick one. Consider a scenic detour to Hatcher Pass. If you are traveling later in the summer and are feeling adventurous, choose one of our 4x4 car rentals and drive over the pass on your way north. There are no drop off options in Talkeetna, but you can drop off in Fairbanks with a 4x4 one-way drop option.