How to get from Whittier to Talkeetna

If you are looking for information on traveling from Whittier to Talkeetna, chances are you're arriving on a cruise from Vancouver. Traveling up to Talkeetna on the day you disembark can jump start your Alaska land tour and help you make the most efficient use of your time. Most of our guests utilize the Park Connection Motorcoach for this trip, but renting a car is an option as well.

8 hours by bus | 4 hours by car

More details on your choices are below, and you may want to check out our cruise transfers page as well. Or, if you are ready to book bus or train seats now, please follow this link for our Train & Bus Express Checkout.

Take the Bus

The Park Connection picks up at the Whittier cruise ship terminal at 9:45am only on ship days. The first part of your journey will take about two hours as you travel from Whittier, through a two-mile long tunnel, and then along the scenic Turnagain Arm to Anchorage. Next, you will have a few hours of free time in Anchorage for lunch. At 3:00 PM, you will continue north to Talkeetna, traveling about 115 miles and arrive at approximately 5:30 PM.

Ride a Train

The Alaska Railroad does not have scheduled same-day service from Whittier to Talkeetna. To take the train, you would need to overnight in Anchorage between the two segments, or purchase a cruise tour package from the cruise line that often operates a special train from Whittier to Talkeetna on ship days.

Drive Yourself

If you would like to pick up a rental car in Whittier and drive to Talkeetna, check out this special on our Whittier car rental page. You can ride the Park Connection Motorcoach to Anchorage for free, and then pick up a premium 4x4 rental car at the Anchorage airport and continue north to Talkeetna. Return the car to Anchorage or Fairbanks when you are done.