Q: We arrive in Whittier via a cruise and would like to get a train to Denali National Park that same day. Is it possible to travel by train? If not, can we get a bus to Anchorage and then pick up the train on the same day?

A: The Alaska Railroad only operates one train to Denali from Anchorage per day and it departs at 8:15 AM, so there is no way to connect to this train via cruise arrival. The only way to get from Whittier to Denali in one day is by the Park Connection motorcoach. I would recommend taking the motorcoach going to Denali, then ride the train on your return to Anchorage. Alternatively, you can spend the night in Anchorage, and then take the train from Anchorage to Denali the following day.

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Q: Are your tours for a group of people or a couple of people at one time? How do you get from one point to another?

A: Most of our tours are considered self-guided tours. This means that you are traveling as an individual throughout your trip. This allows you to customize your trip exactly how you want. Your tours and transportation will be with other independent travelers. We provide very detailed information on your trip 45 days in advance by mail. It will have all of the addresses, phone numbers and information on what to do when you arrive. All of the hotels we work with will offer courtesy shuttles to and from the rail depot and to and from the airport. For any of the scheduled activities they will either depart from your hotel or the hotel will provide a shuttle to get you where you need to be for the tour.

We do offer a few escorted tours. These would be as a group moving together, with a driver, as well as a tour guide to assist throughout the tour.

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Q: We arrive in Seward on the train at 11:05am. Our cruise leaves at 8pm. Is there a place to store luggage during the day?

A: Unfortunately there are no lockers at the rail depot in Seward. I would recommend taking a boat tour through the Kenai Fjords National Park for the day because the tour companies store luggage for you while you are on their tour. You would get to see the national park up close on a smaller boat (you don’t really see it on your cruise).
Another option would be to take a taxi from the depot to the cruise ship and drop your luggage off there. You would then be free to visit the town of Seward. For other tour options please visit our Seward tours page. If you want a transfer direct to the cruise ship, consider taking the Park Connection motorcoach service from Anchorage.

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Q: Is weather in Fairbanks late December and early January too bad for travel there? Are hotels open? I would like to see northern lights & take a dog sled tour.

A: We specialize in summer travel but I can provide some information that may be helpful. Fairbanks is a unique winter destination and can be fun as long as you are prepared for the cold!

There are plenty of hotels open year round in Fairbanks. For trips specifically to view the northern lights I would recommend contacting the Northern Alaska Tour Company. They do trips throughout the winter for northern lights viewings. As for other information about Fairbanks, tours and weather I suggest you visit the website of their visitor center.

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Q: Are there fast food restaurants in most towns?

A: Alaska does have some fast food chains. Anchorage and Fairbanks offer the most variety of fast food restaurants. Subway is the only fast food chain represented in Denali,Seward and Valdez. Talkeetna and Copper Center do not offer a fast food chain.

For a listing of restaurants and dining options you can go to the local visitor center sites. They will have guides for you to view on dining in these areas.

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Q: Is there rail transportation from Seward to Skagway?

A: Unfortunately there is no rail service between Seward and Skagway. The Alaska Railroad travels between Fairbanks, Denali, Talkeetna, Anchorage, Whittier and Seward. In Skagway itself there is a rail day tour called the Whitepass Yukon rail but it does not connect with the Alaska Railroad.

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Q: I want to drive across the Denali Highway in July. It’s unpaved. Are there any rental agencies in Anchorage that allow renters to take a vehicle on this unpaved road?

A: Unfortunately, there are no car rental agencies that I am aware of that allow travel on the Denali Highway. You must have a private vehicle or risk paying for any damage/towing fees that may occur along that road. Limited services are available on the Denali Highway. I would recommend just going up and around through Fairbanks on the paved road to avoid the possibility of incurring vehicle damage or getting stranded for a long period of time.

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Q: I heard that there are no tours operating to Prudhoe Bay in 2012. Is this true?

A: No! We still offer tours to Prudhoe Bay. It is a two-night, three day trip that travels via air and the Dalton Highway and includes a tour of the Prudhoe Bay oil fields. Holland America and Princess Cruises are not offering tours to Prudhoe Bay in 2012 due a hotel closure. The tour we offer uses different accommodations, so it will operate next summer.

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Q: To get to Alaska from the lower 48 is one required to travel by airline?

A: Flying to Alaska is the most popular and quickest way to get to Alaska, but it is not your only option. We recommend taking a 7-day Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Other options include driving to Alaska on the Alcan Highway through Canada or driving to Washington and taking the ferry on the Alaska Marine Highway.

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Q: Is there a cruise that departs from Seattle, Washington?

A: There are roundtrip Alaska cruises that depart and return to Seattle. However, for the best overall Alaska cruise experience, I would recommend a Gulf of Alaska Glacier Cruise which departs from Vancouver, Canada. A roundtrip Seattle cruise provides a limited experience of Alaska’s vast grandeur.

A 7-day Gulf of Alaska Cruise includes the Inside Passage, and in most cases, Glacier Bay as well as either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord. When combined with a customized pre or post cruise land tour to some of Alaska’s most spectacular destinations such as Denali National Park or Kenai Fjords National Park, you will experience the best of Alaska.

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