How to get from Talkeetna to Anchorage

It is a quick trip from Talkeetna to Anchorage, just two hours by car, two and a half hours by bus, or about three hours on the train. There are several departures per day for both the bus and train options, giving you plenty of flexibility. You can even make a day trip from Anchorage to Talkeetna with plenty of time to take a flightseeing trip to Denali and explore this quintessential Alaskan small town. If you take the bus up and return by train, you will have almost eight hours in town, and there are plenty of other activities as well. On a clear day, the views of Mt. Denali from Talkeetna are breathtaking.

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

Keep reading for additional details, but if you are ready to book online, try our Train & Bus Express Checkout.

Ride the Train

The Denali Star train departs Talkeetna southbound at 5:00 PM and gets into Anchorage around 8:00 PM during the summer. You can choose from the Alaska Railroad's Adventure Class or GoldStar Dome, or try the Wilderness Express dome railcars, which are privately operated and generally make up the last two cars on the train. You can also take a separate dome train which runs on an earlier schedule called the McKinley Explorer.

Take the Bus

With the Park Connection Motorcoach, you have your choice of an 11:00 AM departure that gets you into Anchorage around 1:30 PM or a 5:45 PM departure that gets in around 8:30 PM.

Drive Yourself

It is an easy drive from Talkeetna to Anchorage, just over 110 miles. Consider a detour to Independence Mine at Hatcher Pass. In fact, if you are traveling in July or later, consider renting a 4x4 car or van and driving over the scenic and rugged Hatcher Pass road. Regardless, be sure to check out our rental car selection, including one-way rentals from Fairbanks to Anchorage.