By Jason Anderson · Updated · 5 min read
Most Alaska cruises depart from either Seward (about 125 miles and three hours south of Anchorage) or Whittier (about 60 miles and 90 minutes, through a single-lane tunnel). A private transfer with The First Class Driver runs from $1,150 to Seward and $690 to Whittier, gratuity included, door to port with luggage handled.
Which Alaska cruise port am I leaving from?
Check your cruise line and itinerary. Many Princess and some Holland America sailings use Whittier; Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silversea and many others use Seward. Your boarding pass or cruise documents name the terminal. If it's unclear, send us your ship and date and we'll confirm and quote the right transfer.
The drive to Seward
Seward is the longer, simpler drive — a straight shot down the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm and through the Kenai Mountains, roughly three hours with no tunnel to time. It's one of the most scenic drives in North America, with beluga whales, Dall sheep and hanging glaciers along the way. By private car you can stop for photos; the shuttle and train can't.
The drive to Whittier (and the tunnel)
Whittier is closer but reached only through the 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel — the longest highway tunnel in North America — which is single-lane and alternates direction on a published schedule. Miss your window and you wait. We plan every Whittier pickup around the tunnel times so you reach the port relaxed. The tunnel toll is $13 for the Black SUV ($38 for the Sprinter Van, or $27 with a cargo trailer).
Private transfer vs shuttle vs train
A shared shuttle is cheapest but runs on its own schedule with multiple stops; the Alaska Railroad is scenic but fixed and slow to board with luggage. A private transfer leaves when you do, collects you from your hotel or the airport, handles every bag door to port, and arrives fifteen minutes early. On cruise day, the certainty is usually worth the difference.
| Seward | Whittier | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Anchorage | ~125 miles | ~60 miles |
| Drive time | ~3 hours | ~1.5 hours |
| Tunnel? | No | Yes — single-lane, scheduled |
| Private transfer (up to 6) | From $1,150 | From $690 (+$13 SUV toll) |
| Scenery | Turnagain Arm + Kenai Mtns | Turnagain Arm + tunnel + sound |
Anchorage to Seward vs Whittier at a glance
Common questions
How early should I leave Anchorage for my cruise?
We build pickup around your boarding window and (for Whittier) the tunnel schedule, arriving fifteen minutes early. Most travelers leave Anchorage three to four hours before boarding.
Can you pick us up from the airport for a same-day cruise?
Yes — we collect you from Ted Stevens Anchorage International or your hotel and go straight to the terminal.
Do you do the return trip after the cruise?
Yes. Post-cruise, we take you from Seward or Whittier back to Anchorage or directly to the airport.