Train or Bus on Alaska Tours?

[pdcsgirl]

Does Princess use trains between Fairbanks, Denali and Talkeetna? I thought yes, based upon the maps in the 2017 brochure that shows rail lines, and, at least for the Connoisseur ones, it advertises "Princess rail service". But the description of the tours on their website (e.g. Connoisseur 0B6) refers to "Motorcoach", except the "Direct to the Wilderness train (the McKinley Express?) from Talkeetna to Whittier. And I've seen review where folks refer to buses.

 

Anyone booked for this summer and know for sure what they are riding?

 

Thanks.

[RRFPresident]

We did the Connoisseur tour last August. We rode a motorcoach (bus with two separate seats next to each other going down each side of the bus with bathroom facilities on board) each time we moved to a different town except for the ride from Denali into McKinley where we rode the glass domed train and then boarded another motorcoach for the short ride to the lodge. We did the 8 day itinerary so we went from Fairbanks to Denali to McKinley to Kenai and then finally by motorcoach to Whittier to board the ship. The only school bus style transportation you would encounter is the tour through Denali park itself.

[nukesubsailor]

We did the Connoisseur tour last August. We rode a motorcoach (bus with two separate seats next to each other going down each side of the bus with bathroom facilities on board) each time we moved to a different town except for the ride from Denali into McKinley where we rode the glass domed train and then boarded another motorcoach for the short ride to the lodge. We did the 8 day itinerary so we went from Fairbanks to Denali to McKinley to Kenai and then finally by motorcoach to Whittier to board the ship. The only school bus style transportation you would encounter is the tour through Denali park itself.

 

We took the same tour in July of 2014 and our transportation was the same as you describe. Our tour escort explained to us, when we referred to our ride as a bus, that "a motor coach is a bus with a restroom onboard."

[pdcsgirl]

Thanks to both of you. I thought my kids would do better on trains, but I read somewhere that it is faster to travel by bus. So maybe more buses is good.

[rockdoctor]

We took the same tour in July of 2014 and our transportation was the same as you describe. Our tour escort explained to us, when we referred to our ride as a bus, that "a motor coach is a bus with a restroom onboard."

 

That's interesting. Our tour escourt told us a motor coach was a vehicle driven by a Coach Commander rather than a mere bus driver. Seriously, from manage booking, select Booking Summary, select Print Luggage Tags, select Travel Summary, download and print. You have a PDF of what your going to be doing on the CruiseTour.

[pdcsgirl]

That's interesting. Our tour escourt told us a motor coach was a vehicle driven by a Coach Commander rather than a mere bus driver. Seriously, from manage booking, select Booking Summary, select Print Luggage Tags, select Travel Summary, download and print. You have a PDF of what your going to be doing on the CruiseTour.

 

I don't have that option because I haven't booked yet. Looking at 2017.

[cruiserny]

Different cruisetours use either a train or bus between Fairbanks, Denali, Talkeetna, and Whittier. You need to look at the individual cruisetour descriptions to see which legs of your tour will be on a bus or train.

[Northern Bob]

Does Princess use trains between Fairbanks, Denali and Talkeetna? I thought yes, based upon the maps in the 2017 brochure that shows rail lines, and, at least for the Connoisseur ones, it advertises "Princess rail service". But the description of the tours on their website (e.g. Connoisseur 0B6) refers to "Motorcoach", except the "Direct to the Wilderness train (the McKinley Express?) from Talkeetna to Whittier. And I've seen review where folks refer to buses.

 

Anyone booked for this summer and know for sure what they are riding?

 

Thanks.

 

We are doing a three day land tour prior to our Southbound cruise starting in Fairbanks. We will be on motor coaches from Fairbanks to both of lodges in Denali and then the train from Talkeetna to Whittier and due to arrive about two hours prior to sailing.

 

Northern Bob

[LeeW]

Thanks to both of you. I thought my kids would do better on trains, but I read somewhere that it is faster to travel by bus. So maybe more buses is good.

 

True. Even when you ride the train you get a bus to the train and then wait for the train to arrive. Alaska trains don't travel on the kind of schedule you see on commuter lines. More like Air Micronesia in the Pacific. Bus goes directly from one lodge to the next.

 

But you can get food/bar service on the train. Seating is actually less comfortable than a bus. Routes are different as well, so if you go on a train once you might want to try the bus the next time.

[pdcsgirl]

True. Even when you ride the train you get a bus to the train and then wait for the train to arrive. Alaska trains don't travel on the kind of schedule you see on commuter lines. More like Air Micronesia in the Pacific. Bus goes directly from one lodge to the next.

 

But you can get food/bar service on the train. Seating is actually less comfortable than a bus. Routes are different as well, so if you go on a train once you might want to try the bus the next time.

 

Very helpful. Thanks.

[Thrak]

I will just go on the bus when that's what Princess tells me to do and go on a train when that's what Princess tells me to do. :) They spell it out pretty plainly in the itinerary.

 

We take a bus from Fairbanks to Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge

 

COACH: FAIRBANKS TO DENALI

Motorcoach: Fairbanks to Denali Travel time is approximately 3 hours (121 miles).

 

 

Then it's a bus again to the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge

 

COACH: DENALI TO MCKINLEY

 

 

Then we take another bus to the Rail Depot

 

TRANSFER: LODGE TO RAIL DEPOT

 

Transfer: McKinley to Talkeetna Travel time is approximately 1 hour (50 miles).

 

 

Then we go by train to Whittier

 

RAIL: TALKEETNA TO WHITTIER

 

Direct to the Wilderness Rail: Talkeetna to Whittier Travel time to Whittier is approximately 5 hours (174 miles). The train is scheduled to depart Talkeetna at 1:30 p.m. arriving in Whittier at 6:30 p.m. Please have your cruise documents and passport in your possession and ready for your arrival in Whittier. Also, please note that luggage storage on the train is limited to the area immediately under your feet.

 

After that we board ship for Vancouver

Edited April 11, 2016 by Thrak

[pdcsgirl]

I will just go on the bus when that's what Princess tells me to do and go on a train when that's what Princess tells me to do. :) They spell it out pretty plainly in the itinerary.

 

We take a bus from Fairbanks to Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge

 

COACH: FAIRBANKS TO DENALI

Motorcoach: Fairbanks to Denali Travel time is approximately 3 hours (121 miles).

 

 

Then it's a bus again to the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge

 

COACH: DENALI TO MCKINLEY

 

 

Then we take another bus to the Rail Depot

 

TRANSFER: LODGE TO RAIL DEPOT

 

Transfer: McKinley to Talkeetna Travel time is approximately 1 hour (50 miles).

 

 

Then we go by train to Whittier

 

RAIL: TALKEETNA TO WHITTIER

 

Direct to the Wilderness Rail: Talkeetna to Whittier Travel time to Whittier is approximately 5 hours (174 miles). The train is scheduled to depart Talkeetna at 1:30 p.m. arriving in Whittier at 6:30 p.m. Please have your cruise documents and passport in your possession and ready for your arrival in Whittier. Also, please note that luggage storage on the train is limited to the area immediately under your feet.

 

After that we board ship for Vancouver

 

So very helpful..thank you! Does your itinerary say how long the ride is from Denali to McKinnley?

[cruisequeen4ever]

It could be all bus, or it could be part bus, part train. Consult your specific tour for details. I recommend doing a tour (if you haven't already booked) that includes the train as much as possible because the scenery is spectacular, it's much more comfortable than the bus, and is a relaxing way to see Alaska.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Sanpan]

So very helpful..thank you! Does your itinerary say how long the ride is from Denali to McKinnley?

 

We did the princess cruise tour about 4 yrs ago. It may have changed some but the ride from Denali on the train was either 7 or 8 hrs. I was dreading it but we had a Princess guide the entire time telling you what to look out for and providing you with tidbits of history and information the entire way. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Loved, loved loved it. I also purchased a booklet (I think on the train--$5) that was like a mile marker with the entire route so I was able to follow along if I wanted. Also, it was great to be able to move around the train and go to the very last car and look out. It's a different perspective than being on the road. We travelled through a few communities, saw homesteads, tressel bridges. I hope you decide on the train. Geeez I need to plan another cruise tour to Alaska. :D

[Rancher Dave]

personally I'd pick trains as much as possible because the scenery is incredible along the tracks. Not seeing other cars and that mess is a pleasant bonus. Been on the train tracks along the Southern routes and to Denali and back. Roads along much of the same area as driver and passenger and hands down would do the train if it fit my travel schedule.

 

Trains just add to the overall cruisetour experience.

 

(At this point I mostly fly where I am going in Alaska, do what I am doing and fly or drive on. Most of the places I go now are not on the typical cruise port of call list.)

[pdcsgirl]

We did the princess cruise tour about 4 yrs ago. It may have changed some but the ride from Denali on the train was either 7 or 8 hrs. I was dreading it but we had a Princess guide the entire time telling you what to look out for and providing you with tidbits of history and information the entire way. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Loved, loved loved it. I also purchased a booklet (I think on the train--$5) that was like a mile marker with the entire route so I was able to follow along if I wanted. Also, it was great to be able to move around the train and go to the very last car and look out. It's a different perspective than being on the road. We travelled through a few communities, saw homesteads, tressel bridges. I hope you decide on the train. Geeez I need to plan another cruise tour to Alaska. :D

 

But on the bus I can't believe that it's 7 or 8 hours from the Denali lodge to the McKinnley lodge.

[LeeW]

But on the bus I can't believe that it's 7 or 8 hours from the Denali lodge to the McKinnley lodge.

 

It was pretty long. As I recall we took a back road beyond McKinley Lodge kind of along the south side of the mountain and then over a pass before joining the main road an hour south of Denali. Didn't get there until maybe 3 PM.

[wishfulone]

The domed train between Whittier and Talkeetna has cafe style seating - two facing forward and two facing backwards with a table in between. If anyone in your party gets travel sick facing backwards you should speak to the tour escort as soon as you board. If you're going on the ship first (highly recommended) inform them at the Passenger Services Desk (perhaps ask to see the Customer Services Officer) when you board and ask that your request to face forward be sent to the tour escort.

 

The train is great with fabulous personalised commentary and the connoisseur tour includes great food. We did cruise/tour OA last year and had a great trip.

 

Be sure to do the Princess shore excursion from Skagway to the Yukon up on the train, coach & lunch in the Yukon then coach back home on the opposite side of the valley. You won't regret it.

[Northern Bob]

But on the bus I can't believe that it's 7 or 8 hours from the Denali lodge to the McKinnley lodge.

 

Here is what our says on our Itinerary:

 

COACH: DENALI TO MCKINLEY

Motorcoach: Denali to McKinley Travel time is approximately 2 1/4 hours (112 miles).

 

No. Bob

Edited April 15, 2016 by Northern Bob

[pdcsgirl]

Here is what our says on our Itinerary:

 

COACH: DENALI TO MCKINLEY

Motorcoach: Denali to McKinley Travel time is approximately 2 1/4 hours (112 miles).

 

No. Bob

 

That's more like it!