Bus or train from Anchorage to Denali...Which would you recommend ??

Just wondered if anybody had taken either or both types of transport and could share their views on both or either.

I understand the bus is cheaper and quicker but wondered if there is any train advantages. i.e. viewing places, scene, wildlife etc.

Thank you

Lou

Or take the train one way and the bus the other.

Keep in mind that the train depot is IN the park, so you would need to find lodging that will pick you up at the depot, as well as provide shuttle service to/from the park each day. The bus drops off at 3 or 4 Denali hotels.

Either way, without a car you're pretty much limited to staying at one of the big cruise hotels.

I have done both. On this segment, the routes are very similar with parallel common views. You do have the docents on the train that give excellent commentary. Cruise tours- have commentaries on both. But, independent bus transits don't. Wildlife is not common on either and pure chance.

We found the views from the train to be much better especially when you go through Hurricane Gulch. The commentary is brilliant and you can get up & move around to see things better). We wanted to take photos which we found fairly easy on the train but next to impossible on the bus ( we travelled to Denali on the train & back to Seward on the bus so experienced both options).

We also found that you could get snacks at any time on the train & meals at sensible times whereas on the bus you just got three stops - the one for 'lunch' at 10:30 in the morning then one for ice cream & one just for the rest rooms.

Would you consider renting a car and driving yourself? You can move at your own pace, see what you want see when you want to see it and have more options in dining, lodging and sightseeing.

We bused from Whittier to Talkeetna and trained from Talkeetna to Denali and back to Anchorage. Trains are relaxing but expensive. If I do again I might rent a car.

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