By Jason Anderson · Updated · 5 min read
Whittier sits about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, roughly 90 minutes by road, and is reached only through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. The tunnel is one lane and switches direction on a published schedule, so the most important part of a Whittier cruise day is timing your arrival to the tunnel window and your boarding time.
Getting there: the Anton Anderson tunnel
Whittier is connected to the road system by the 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in North America. It is single-lane and shared with the Alaska Railroad, so traffic alternates direction on a set schedule with limited openings each hour. Plan around the schedule and you arrive relaxed; miss the window and you wait for the next opening. We build every Whittier pickup around the tunnel times and your boarding deadline so the timing is never a worry.
At the terminal
Whittier is a compact port town, so the cruise terminal is close to the tunnel exit and easy to reach once you are through. Princess and some Holland America sailings use Whittier. Porters handle cruise luggage at the pier, and your chauffeur brings you and your bags door to port and unloads at the drop-off, so there is no long walk with suitcases.
Flying in and sailing the same day
Many travelers land at Ted Stevens Anchorage International and head straight to Whittier the same day. It is doable, and we do it often. We monitor your inbound flight, adjust the pickup for delays, and time the drive to the tunnel so you reach the ship with margin. We recommend leaving Anchorage about three to four hours before boarding to absorb the tunnel schedule and any weather.
How a private transfer to Whittier works
A private Black SUV transfer to Whittier is a flat $690 for up to six passengers, gratuity included, plus the $13 tunnel toll ($38 for the Sprinter Van, or $27 with a cargo trailer). You are collected from your Anchorage hotel or the airport, every bag is handled, and the drive down Turnagain Arm becomes part of the trip rather than a logistics problem.
Common questions
How long does the drive from Anchorage to Whittier take?
About 90 minutes for the 60 miles, plus the tunnel wait built into your schedule. We plan the pickup so the tunnel window and your boarding time both line up.
How much is a private transfer to Whittier?
A flat $690 for up to six in the Black SUV, gratuity included, plus the $13 tunnel toll. The 11-passenger Sprinter Van is quoted separately.
Can you get us from the Anchorage airport to a Whittier sailing the same day?
Yes. We monitor your flight and time the drive and tunnel so you reach the port with margin. Leaving Anchorage three to four hours before boarding is the safe window.