Category Archives: Anchorage Travel

Questions that involve Anchorage.

Towns Between Anchorage And Denali

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Q: Are there interesting towns or communities to visit between Anchorage and Denali National Park?

A: Of course! Alaska has tons of interesting little towns nearly everywhere you go, and the stretch from Anchorage to Denali is no exception.  The towns you will pass on your way to Anchorage, (or at least pass close to) are: Continue reading →

Whittier Tunnel Schedule?

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Q: What is the schedule for the Whittier Tunnel?

A: The Whittier Tunnel (Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel) Summer Schedule for 2011:
The tunnel’s summer season is from May 1st, to September 30th, and is open 7 days a week from 5:30 am to 11:15 pm. The tunnel is one-way only, so traffic must alternate; generally the directions switch every 15 minutes, so it is not usually a long wait to get through the tunnel. Trains share the tunnel as well, so scheduled and unscheduled trains can cause additional delays of 15-30 minutes.

There is a toll charged for traveling through the tunnel.If you are in a normal class a passenger vehicle, not pulling a trailer, an RV not pulling a trailer, or on a motorcycle the fee is $12.00 per vehicle.

To ensure smooth operation, Please plan on arriving to the staging area, 10 minutes before the scheduled opening.

Here is the full Whittier Tunnel Schedule:

TIME DIRECTION
5:30 – 5:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
6:00 – 6:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
6:30 – 6:45 am * Bear Valley to Whittier
7:00 – 7:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
7:30 – 7:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
8:00 – 8:15 am * Whittier to Bear Valley
8:30 – 8:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
9:00 – 9:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
9:30 – 9:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
10:00 – 10:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
10:30 – 10:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
11:00 – 11:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
11:30 – 11:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
12:00 – 12:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
12:30 – 12:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
1:00 – 1:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
1:30- 1:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
2:00 – 2:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
2:30 – 2:45 pm * Bear Valley to Whittier
3:00 – 3:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
3:30 – 3:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
4:00 – 4:15 pm * Whittier to Bear Valley
4:30 – 4:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
5:00 – 5:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
5:30 – 5:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
6:00 – 6:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
6:30 – 6:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
7:00 – 7:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
7:30 – 7:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
8:00 – 8:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
8:30 – 8:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
9:00 – 9:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
9:30 – 9:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
10:00 – 10:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
10:30- 10:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
11:00 – 11:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley

*Oversize vehicles are allowed only on Monday through Thursday at these times.

Motorcycle helmets must be worn in the tunnel, and convertible vehicles must have the top in place.

What car necessities should I have during travel from Anchorage to Denali?

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Q: What car necessities should I have during travel from Anchorage to Denali?

A: We at Alaska Denali Tours feel it is necessary to keep you safe and by giving you these tips on traveling in a personally owned vehicle or rental car on your way to and from Denali: Continue reading →

Travel From Anchorage To Fairbanks

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Q: How long does it take to travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks?

A: Well, travel time of course depends on your chosen mode of transportation. If you are traveling on the Alaska Railroad it will take some time; it’s a scenic route, and accordingly – the train travels at a leisurely pace.  The travel time from Anchorage to Fairbanks aboard the Alaska Railroad is about 12 hours. The train departs at 8:15 am, and arrives at 8:00 pm (2011 season).

If you are looking to get there a little faster, you should rent a car in Anchorage. You can usually get there in about 8 hours, if the roads aren’t too busy, and you don’t make too many stops.

Anchorage to Denali by Train

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Q: Is there any way to travel round trip from Anchorage to Denali in one day aboard a train?

A: No. You cannot travel round trip from Anchorage to Denali in one day aboard a train. Unlike trains in the big cities in lower 48 states, Alaska Railroad does not operate high speed trains. Traveling aboard Alaska Railroad is a scenic experience unlike any other. The train leaves from Anchorage at 8:15 AM and it arrives Denali at 3:45 PM. If you are interested in experiencing Alaska Railroad, you have to stay overnight in Denali. We would recommend staying at Denali Cabins. Denali Cabins also provides complimentary shuttle service to and from Denali Train Depot. Alaska Railroad leaves from Denali to Anchorage at 12:20 PM. Instead of experiencing train travel, if you want to travel round trip from Anchorage to Denali in one day, you have the option of traveling Anchorage Denali Express, or simply renting a car. It is approximately 4 to 5 hours drive from Anchorage to Denali. Anchorage Denali Express leaves from Anchorage at 7:30 AM and arrives Denali by noon, and leaves from Denali at 2:30 PM and arrives Anchorage by 7:00 PM.