Train to Whittier

[JoRoy218]

We took the land tour/cruise to Alaska a few years ago on the Coral. My least favorite part of the trip was on the train to Whittier. Very cramped, forced to sit at a table for four, no other choices, did not know these people, very little leg room. Couldn't wander around, everyone was up doing the same. Has anyone taken this route since or is Princess continuing to do dining car to Whittier? Planning another trip to AK and want to avoid that at all costs. Was a miserable 7 hrs enroute to the Coral. Would be so much nicer if they did the dome cars they used further north going to McKinley Lodge, etc. Any advice appreciated, thanks.

[reedprincess]

We took the land tour/cruise to Alaska a few years ago on the Coral. My least favorite part of the trip was on the train to Whittier. Very cramped, forced to sit at a table for four, no other choices, did not know these people, very little leg room. Couldn't wander around, everyone was up doing the same. Has anyone taken this route since or is Princess continuing to do dining car to Whittier? Planning another trip to AK and want to avoid that at all costs. Was a miserable 7 hrs enroute to the Coral. Would be so much nicer if they did the dome cars they used further north going to McKinley Lodge, etc. Any advice appreciated, thanks.

 

Where did you take the train from that took 7 hours? The distance from Anchorage to Whittier is only 60.5 miles or so...1.5 by car (giving time for one way tunnel) - take a shuttle, hire a car, cab, etc. The train from Anchorage is only an estimated 2-2,5 hours, and some of the cars are domed cars. Book independently to choose your car. Princess offers bus transfers - large coach bus, luggage travels underneath, again about 1.5-2 depending on tunnel, traffic, etc... There's independent shuttles also for smaller shuttle bus or van.. ********************, Whittierbus.com, alaskatrain.com, and so on...

[JVilleGal]

Fabulous trip, beautiful scenery!

 

 

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[Nhsaltshaker]

We took the land tour/cruise to Alaska a few years ago on the Coral. My least favorite part of the trip was on the train to Whittier. Very cramped, forced to sit at a table for four, no other choices, did not know these people, very little leg room. Couldn't wander around, everyone was up doing the same. Has anyone taken this route since or is Princess continuing to do dining car to Whittier? Planning another trip to AK and want to avoid that at all costs. Was a miserable 7 hrs enroute to the Coral. Would be so much nicer if they did the dome cars they used further north going to McKinley Lodge, etc. Any advice appreciated, thanks.

 

I also did that route years ago. This time my last land stop is Kenai, and it uses the bus instead of the train to the ship.

[JoRoy218]

Sorry, should have been more specific, the train was from Princess lodge at Denali, was approx 7-8 hrs. Very long uncomfortable ride, stuck at a "kitchen table" riding backwards. Would have loved to have the dome rail cars again, enabling us to enjoy the scenery and having comfort at the same time. Will investigate more thoroughly this time. Thanks for input.

[81Zoomie]

We did our own land portion prior to our cruise departing from Whittier. Flew into Anchorage, rented a car and drove to Denali. We rented a cottage for 2 nights and just visited "glitter gulch." We also drove to Seward and spent a day there and went to Girdwood for glacier dog sledding (awesome!). We ended our land tour back in Anchorage and even had time to pick up a few essentials at Costco and Walmart. We booked our own train seats to Whittier months before our cruise. We had lovely seats and were not in the Princess cars. We checked our luggage in with Princess prior to boarding the train just like everyone else. It was a lovely relaxing trip. We arrived at Whittier about noon and walked right on to the ship.

[5fathom]

We agree. The 7 hour trip from Denali to Whittier is tiring and the last couple of hours a little boring. Sitting at a table with people you do not know can be good or bad depending on compatibility. We much prefer Hollands coach type seating. When we finally arrived at Whittier the Princess people told us to stay on the train because three bus had arrived and they would get priority unloading. Cruise was great, embarkation a disaster.

[JoRoy218]

I like your style Zoomie! Will look into that option for this trip. Thanks.