MichelleVA Posted February 10, 2009 #1 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Just book Sapphire Princess on 5/16 for my family of 4. I'm thinking to book a car rental from Whittier port to Anchorage airport. Is it a good idea or no? thanks, Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARRTrain Posted February 10, 2009 #2 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Avis is the only game in Whittier and there will be a big 1 way drop off fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn n Steven in SC Posted February 10, 2009 #3 Share Posted February 10, 2009 We were toying with that idea, too. If we take the train into Anchorage, can we rent a car near the station or wherever the trains come in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichelleVA Posted February 10, 2009 Author #4 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I just check the price on Avis website, $99 (one day rental)+$33.6(taxes) +$125 (one-way fee) ==total of $257.60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMoney Posted February 10, 2009 #5 Share Posted February 10, 2009 We were toying with that idea, too. If we take the train into Anchorage, can we rent a car near the station or wherever the trains come in? Not so much. Most ANC rentals are either 1) at the airport (which is a good distance from the train station) and scattered throughout midtown ANC. There's probably something relatively close, but you'd have to do some research. It's not like they have offices at the train station. You could easily just grab a cab at the train station and have them take you to whatever rental car place you choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted February 10, 2009 #6 Share Posted February 10, 2009 We were toying with that idea, too. If we take the train into Anchorage, can we rent a car near the station or wherever the trains come in? The train from Whittier to Anchorage is in the evening, and no car rental offices will be open in the downtown area that late. Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise all have downtown offices. If you're arriving on the weekend, they will have limited hours on Saturday, and most will be closed Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted February 10, 2009 #7 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I just check the price on Avis website, $99 (one day rental)+$33.6(taxes) +$125 (one-way fee) ==total of $257.60 By the time you pay for transfers for 4 people, you will have spent close to the same amount of money as for the rental car. The advantage of the car rental is that you can make stops along the way, and you'll have the car available for sightseeing and dining in Anchorage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichelleVA Posted February 10, 2009 Author #8 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Here's my alternative plan: shuttles from Whittier (9:30am) to Anchorage (11:30am) for $35/p. Then rent a car ($40/day) from anchorage airport to sightseeing around anchorage for 4, 5 hours before flight back to VA....is it a good idea?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted February 10, 2009 #9 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Here's my alternative plan: shuttles from Whittier (9:30am) to Anchorage (11:30am) for $35/p. Then rent a car ($40/day) from anchorage airport to sightseeing around anchorage for 4, 5 hours before flight back to VA....is it a good idea?? How much is your $40 rental car after taxes? (Or maybe that is with taxes.) You would miss being able to stop along the way to Anchorage if you take the shuttle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted February 11, 2009 #10 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Here's my alternative plan: shuttles from Whittier (9:30am) to Anchorage (11:30am) for $35/p. Then rent a car ($40/day) from anchorage airport to sightseeing around anchorage for 4, 5 hours before flight back to VA....is it a good idea?? This is eating up valuable time in my opinion with your extremely short time. What time is your flight??? I would do the one way rental. You will be out the 9am tunnel. Stop at Portage Glacier Visitor Center, Wildlife Conservation, Girdwood, ad lib stops. Then depending on time and interests your places in Anchorage. http://www.anchorage.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenish Posted February 11, 2009 #11 Share Posted February 11, 2009 For what it's worth, we used the downtown Avis office last summer. They were open until 5pm on Sunday. They were a 10 minute walk from our B&B (Arctic Fox) and a block from the Weekend Market. A 4 day rental was hundreds of dollars less than the airport using a discount code my employer allows us to use. Cars can be dropped off at the airport with no drop charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichelleVA Posted February 11, 2009 Author #12 Share Posted February 11, 2009 This is eating up valuable time in my opinion with your extremely short time. What time is your flight??? I would do the one way rental. You will be out the 9am tunnel. Stop at Portage Glacier Visitor Center, Wildlife Conservation, Girdwood, ad lib stops. Then depending on time and interests your places in Anchorage. www.anchorage.net Our flight is 5:30pm. Seems like the rental car will be better choices for sightseeing...Do we need to book tours for going to those stops (Portage Glacier Visitor Center, Wildlife Conservation, Girdwood, ad lib stops) ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted February 11, 2009 #13 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Our flight is 5:30pm. Seems like the rental car will be better choices for sightseeing...Do we need to book tours for going to those stops (Portage Glacier Visitor Center, Wildlife Conservation, Girdwood, ad lib stops) ? Not unless you want to go on a Portage Glacier boat trip. Even then you can probably just show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel Mom Posted February 11, 2009 #14 Share Posted February 11, 2009 It was a nice drive, but worth it because we had 5 people to split cost. with 2...I would take other transport. The stops are nice... Avis is extremely close to princess ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted February 11, 2009 #15 Share Posted February 11, 2009 The one way rental would be my choice given your circumstances. It’s expensive but allows you much more flexibility. Since you’re traveling with an 18 month old and a 4 year old you’ll be able to stop as you want along the way and you will be driving along one of the most scenic drives in the state. It will alleviate a lot of inconvenience and maximize the short remaining time you have in Alaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted February 12, 2009 #16 Share Posted February 12, 2009 With the 5:30pm flight, I only recommend the car rental despite the cost. Wasting time using shuttles is a poor choice, in my opinion. You need to consider being at the airport around 3:30pm, so your time is extremely limited. No you don't need reservations for any of your list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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