How to get from Anchorage to Whittier cruise port before a cruise (train, shuttle, cruise transfer, tours)

Hi there!

If you’re doing a one-way southbound cruise from Whittier to Vancouver, you’ll fly into Anchorage Airport.

Then from Anchorage, you’ll need to arrange transportation in order to get to Whittier cruise port to start your cruise.

There is no public transportation between Anchorage and Whittier.

It’s a good idea to arrive in Anchorage at least a day before your cruise starts in case of potential flight delays. Most people who arrive early stay overnight in Anchorage and then head to Whittier on the day of the cruise.

Also if you’re flying across the country, note that there is a 4 hour time difference between the East Coast USA and Alaska.

 

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I have been on a Princess cruise that started in Whittier. I arrived to Anchorage 2 days before my cruise and then did the train + glacier tour combo on the day of the cruise! (I call this a combo, but I booked it separately.)

In short, you can get from Anchorage to Whittier cruise port before your cruise by train or shuttle.

There are cruise transfers from Whittier cruise port to Anchorage that also includes a very-Alaska stop along the way, like the pre-cruise transfer from Anchorage to Whittier that comes with wildlife stop.

Now, here’s a little bit more about your transportation options, including how I did it!

 

 

 

Glacier Discovery train from Anchorage (Alaska Railroad)

You can have a fun Alaska experience before you even start your cruise!

There is a scenic train ride that you can do from Anchorage to Whittier on the morning of your cruise!

Once you are in Whittier and step off the train, the cruise ship will practically be right in front of you!

The Anchorage to Whittier route is called the Glacier Discovery train.

This Alaska Railroad train is a morning departure, and it gets to Whittier around noon. You can get on the cruise ship immediately upon arrival to Whittier. BUT…

If you do the train ride, you must consider doing the 26 glacier tour before you do get on the cruise ship!

This is a boat tour through the tour company called Phillips Cruises that leaves right next to the cruise ship (literally!), and the tour is coordinated with the train timing.

So you can do an Alaska glacier excursion in Whittier before you even start your cruise!

Since the tour starts right next to the cruise port, you can either drop off your luggage at the port before you start the tour, or you can store your luggage with the tour company during the tour.

I was able to do the 26 glacier tour before a cruise with a cruise ship departure time of 8:30pm.

 

You can read the 26 glacier tour reviews: reviews at viator and reviews at getyourguide

 

👆 I did a glacier tour before my cruise from Whittier cruise port!

 

👆 You can see the glacier from inside the boat too.

 

👆 I took the train from Anchorage to get to Whittier.

 

👆 My train ride from Anchorage to Whittier. Watch my video of taking the train in the opposite direction.

 

 

The train that goes between Anchorage and Whittier is the Glacier Discovery train. Plan your Whittier train trip:

• Train schedule (9:45am departure from Anchorage)
• Cost of train tickets
• Availability calendar

 

Read the reviews of the Whittier glacier tour:

• glacier tour reviews on viator
• glacier tour reviews on getyourguide

 

I’ve done the 26 glacier tour 2 times. You can see some of my pictures on my post about Whittier excursions.

 

 

Cruise shuttle from Anchorage

The easiest way to get to Whittier cruise port from Anchorage without any hassle is to take a cruise shuttle.

ACT is a popular shuttle for cruise ship transfers between Anchorage and Whittier. This company also offers a tour + transfer option, or you can do a direct transfer. Even with the direct transfer, you’ll get a narrated guide.

The cheapest way to get from Anchorage to Whittier cruise port will be the direct transfer without a tour.

 

Anchorage to Whittier cruise transfers:

• Anchorage to Whittier Bus Direct Narrated Transfer
• Anchorage to Whittier Bus Tour with Wildlife Park

The “wildlife park” is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

See all of the ACT Big Bus Anchorage Whittier transfer options

 

Read the reviews of the transfer:

• ACT Big Bus on google maps

 

Another Anchorage to Whittier shuttle option: The Park Connection is another cruise ship transfer bus company.

 

👆 You can choose a shuttle transfer from Anchorage that includes a stop to see the animals of Alaska.

 

👆 You can walk to see the animals of Alaska!

 

 

 

What is the latest flight time you can arrive at Anchorage airport for a cruise that starts in Whittier?

Check your cruise line to confirm, but for a Princess cruise that starts in Whittier, the official recommendation is for your flight to arrive at Anchorage airport before 3:30pm. This is based on a cruise ship departure from Whittier at 8:30pm as listed on your Alaska cruise itinerary.

You can see your Whittier cruise ship departure time by logging into your Princess account, then: my account > manage this booking > itinerary

But, you should know that an afternoon flight arrival on the day your cruise starts is considered VERY risky!

Even a flight with a morning arrival into Anchorage can be considered risky.

It’s a very good idea to arrive to Anchorage at least one day before, as this will give you some buffer time in case there are flight delays. You don’t want to miss your cruise because of a flight delay!

 

Official flight guidelines for a Princess cruise that starts in Whittier, as of spring 2025 according to princess.com:

Embarking Passengers:

For voyages departing Whittier, the latest flight arrival into Anchorage is 5 hours prior to ship’s departure.

See the current recommendation for flights before a Princess cruise.

 

 

How to find cheap(er) flights to Anchorage

I like to search for flights on kayak.com to see which airline offers the most favorable flight (taking into consideration cost, transfers, and departure/arrival time), and then book directly with the airline.

 

 

Hotels in Anchorage

It’s always a good idea to fly in at least one day before your cruise, in case there are any flight delays.

It’s not cheap, but one of the Anchorage hotels that’s commonly recommended in cruise facebook groups is the Hotel Captain Cook.

 

If you’re just looking for a hotel that’s closest to Anchorage airport after you fly in, one of the best hotels near the airport is Comfort Suites Anchorage International Airport. They do offer a free airport shuttle. You can call them to find out the details for how the shuttle works at (907) 243-8080. For free airport shuttles in general, it’s common to call them when you arrive at the airport to find out how long of a wait it will be.

 

When I was in Anchorage, I’ve stayed at Arctic Fox Inn and Base Camp Anchorage.

I chose the Arctic Fox Inn when I had an early morning train from Anchorage. It was like a 10-15 minute walk to the Anchorage train station (Anchorage Depot), so I walked there. People will say it’s not in the best area of town, but overall I found it to be fine.

 

You can also try looking for a vrbo in Anchorage.

 

HAPPY GETTING FROM ANCHORAGE TO WHITTIER!