Getting to Whittier: Your Complete Transportation Guide

Getting to Whittier for your Alaska cruise requires understanding one piece of infrastructure that has no equivalent anywhere else in North America: the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. Once you understand how the tunnel works and plan around its schedule, getting to Whittier is straightforward—even enjoyable. Here's everything you need to know.

Understanding the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel

The 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the only road access to Whittier, and it operates as a shared vehicle and rail bore. Because it's a single tunnel serving both purposes, traffic alternates directions on a published schedule. Vehicles traveling toward Whittier are permitted at specific times, and vehicles leaving Whittier are permitted at other times. The cycle repeats approximately every 30 minutes.

Before driving to Whittier on any date, check the current tunnel schedule at the Alaska DOT website (dot.alaska.gov) and plan your arrival at the tunnel entrance to coincide with a scheduled "into Whittier" opening. The toll is $13 for passenger vehicles (paid at the entrance booth). Arrive a few minutes before your scheduled opening—queues form on busy summer days. The tunnel itself is well-lit and navigable; the walls are rock, and the 2.5-mile length takes about 5–10 minutes to traverse at the permitted speed.

Missing your intended opening means waiting 30–40 minutes for the next one. This is rarely a crisis, but on embarkation day with a specific ship departure time, allow an extra 30 minutes of buffer to ensure that a missed opening doesn't cause any stress.

Option 1: Driving from Anchorage

The most common independent approach is driving from Anchorage. Total driving time from Anchorage to Whittier is approximately 60–75 minutes under normal summer conditions:

Take the Seward Highway (Route 1) south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm—this is beautiful driving with views of Cook Inlet, mountains, and occasionally beluga whales in the arm. After approximately 45 miles, turn at the Portage Glacier Road exit toward the tunnel. The tunnel entrance is approximately 5 miles from the Seward Highway turnoff. Through the tunnel and 11 miles of road brings you into Whittier.

For the return journey after your cruise, check the tunnel schedule again—departing Whittier openings are also on a schedule. Your cruise line will provide guidance on disembarkation timing that accounts for the tunnel schedule.

Option 2: Alaska Railroad Transfer

The Alaska Railroad provides passenger rail service from Anchorage to Whittier, passing through the same tunnel (the tunnel was originally built for rail, with road access added later). The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. Holland America and Princess Cruises operate glass-domed railcars on this route as part of their Alaska land packages—the dome cars offer panoramic views of Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountains that are spectacular on clear days.

The Alaska Railroad option is most common for travelers on cruise line land packages, where transfers are pre-arranged and included. If you're traveling independently, standard Alaska Railroad service from Anchorage to Whittier can be booked at alaskarailroad.com. The combination of the scenic rail journey and the tunnel passage makes the Alaska Railroad the most atmospheric way to reach Whittier.

Option 3: Cruise Line Motorcoach Transfer

Princess Cruises, Holland America, and other operators offer motorcoach transfers from Anchorage to Whittier on embarkation day. These are organized and timed around tunnel openings and ship departures. Cost is typically $60–80 per person. If you prefer not to drive or navigate the tunnel independently, the cruise line motorcoach is the most worry-free option.

Option 4: Private Van and Charter Services

Several Anchorage-based transportation companies offer private van transfers to Whittier. These are useful for small groups or families with extensive luggage, and drivers are experienced with tunnel timing. Rates typically start around $150–200 for the vehicle, depending on group size.

Parking in Whittier

Parking is available near the cruise terminal for the duration of your cruise. Given the tunnel toll and round-trip timing requirements, some travelers prefer to leave their car in Anchorage (or at a Park and Ride near the tunnel) and take the train or motorcoach, returning the same way. If parking for a week or longer, calculate costs and consider whether leaving the car in Anchorage makes more sense financially and logistically.

Embarkation Day Timing Advice

Plan to arrive in Whittier approximately 2.5–3 hours before your ship's scheduled departure. Factor in: tunnel timing (leave a 30-minute buffer for a possible missed opening), driving time from Anchorage (60–75 minutes), and the embarkation process itself. A mid-morning departure from Anchorage is generally right for afternoon sailings.

Whittier logistics are manageable once you know the system. Ben's Travel helps clients plan their complete Alaska itinerary, including tunnel timing, Alaska Railroad bookings, Anchorage hotels, and all the details that make a Whittier cruise departure seamless. Contact Ben's Travel today.