How to get from Seward to Denali
The best way for most travelers to get from Seward to Denali Park in one day is by the Park Connection Motorcoach, as the railroad does not offer same-day service. It is a long trip, so we highly encourage our guests stop for a night in Talkeetna before continuing on to Denali Park the next day. However, making the trip in one day can be a very efficient option for those on a tight schedule, and it is popular for guests disembarking cruise ships in Seward.
10 hours by bus | 8 hours by car
See additional details below, or if you are ready to book the bus online, just go to our Train & Motorcoach Express Checkout.
Take the Bus
You will leave Seward mid-morning on the Park Connection Motorcoach, first heading to Anchorage along a spectacular National Scenic Byway. In Anchorage you will have an hour or so layover to stroll through downtown and grab a bite to eat. In the afternoon, continue north with a quick stop in Talkeetna along the way, arriving in Denali at around 8:30 PM. Follow this link to visit our Seward to Denali Park bus page.
Ride the Train
Same-day train service from Seward to Denali Park is not available on the Alaska Railroad. An extra overnight is required in Anchorage, so it is usually more efficient for travelers to take the bus north to Talkeetna and Denali and then return by train. See this page to learn about other advantages of combining the bus and train.
Drive Yourself
It is over 360 road miles from Seward to Denali Park, so we advise breaking up your stay in Girdwood, Anchorage or Talkeetna. If you need to get there in just one day, plan on eight hours of driving with additional time for scenery stops and food breaks. You can usually get one-way rentals with a Seward pickup from the local Hertz franchise, but also check out the special on our Seward rental car page. When you book directly with Alaska Tour & Travel, you can take the Park Connection Motorcoach from Seward to Anchorage for free, and pick a premium 4x4 car rental with a return in Anchorage or Fairbanks.