How to get from Talkeetna to Seward

Talkeetna and Seward are two of our favorite Alaska destinations. Talkeetna is a great way to experience the southside of Denali National Park and is the perfect complement to a two night stay up north near the entrance to Denali Park. Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, and it is a popular destination for a night or two for guests on land tours as well as pre-cruise tours departing from Seward. The Park Connection Motorcoach is usually the best choice for same-day travel from Talkeetna to Seward. It is the only same-day scheduled transportation option, and taking the train from Talkeetna to Seward requires an extra overnight in Anchorage. It is also an easy and scenic drive if you have a rental car.

7 hours by bus | 5 hours by car

Keep reading for additional details, or if you are ready to book, please visit our Train & Bus Express Checkout page.

Take the Bus

The Park Connection Motorcoach departs Talkeetna at 11:00 AM for the short two-and-a-half-hour trip to Anchorage. Here you will have an hour or so layover to have lunch. You will depart again at 3:00 PM arriving in Seward around 5:45 PM. If you are departing by cruise ship, we can drop you off right at the ship. Otherwise, we will drop you off at the Seward Windsong Lodge or the Small Boat Harbor.

Ride the Train

There is not a same-day train option from Talkeetna to Seward, so you would need to overnight in Anchorage along the way. Many travelers will take the bus from Talkeetna to Seward and return to Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic train.

Drive Yourself

It is about 240 road miles from Talkeetna to Seward, around five hours of driving. The route is quite scenic and takes you through Anchorage and past the town of Girdwood, so plan on some time for lunch and a few sightseeing stops along the way. You generally cannot pick up a rental car in Talkeetna. If you need to drop off your car in Seward, check with Hertz or visit our Seward Rental Car page for a unique, special offer. You can pick up a premium 4x4 car rental in Anchorage or Fairbanks, drop off the car in Anchorage when you are done with your land tour, and ride the Park Connection Motorcoach to Seward for free.