How do I get to Seward Alaska?
Seward, Alaska is 120 miles south of Anchorage and can be reached by car, bus or train. Directions from Anchorage to Seward can be found here. Seward is one of the two major hubs for cruise ships departing from the Anchorage area. The vast majority of cruise lines depart from Seward, including Holland America Lines, Norwegian, Seabourn, Silversea and Crystal. Princess Cruise Lines departs from Whittier, the other major port on the Anchorage cruise lines.
How far apart are Anchorage and Seward?
Anchorage and Seward are 120 miles apart. They are connected by the Seward Highway, sometimes referred to as Highway 1, known as one of the most scenic highways in the world. Traveling via the Seward Highway you will pass through several other towns including Alyeska, Portage, Moose Pass, Crown Point, Primrose and Bear Creek.
How do I travel from Anchorage to Seward?
Anchorage and Seward are connected by both roads and rail. Numerous companies offer bus service between Anchorage and Seward. Most offers include direct pickup from Anchorage Airport or downtown hotels and transport directly to the Seward cruise terminal. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are also available in Anchorage.
For those who prefer to travel by train, Alaska’s famous railroad offers the Coastal Classic train daily during the summer. Many cruise lines also offer special train rides for passengers to make their transfer hassle-free.
How long does it take to travel between Anchorage and Seward?
A mountain landscape reflects on the waters of Alaska’s Turnagain Arm ** Note: Slight graininess, best at smaller sizes
It takes just over two hours to drive from Anchorage to Seward via the Seward Highway. The Alaskan railroad takes more than twice as long, about four hours, because the railroad tracks follow a larger radius for safety reasons.
What is there to see and do between Anchorage and Seward?
There are countless tourist attractions between Anchorage and Seward, giving you plenty to see and do en route to your cruise ship. The trip itself is one of the most scenic in North America, with gorgeous views of rural Alaska. There are numerous places along the Seward Highway where you can enjoy scenic views and photos.
The small town of Girdwood off the highway is a good spot for hiking or the Alyeska Tramway. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a great place to view bears, moose and other Alaskan wildlife in their natural habitat. Beluga Point is famous for its sights to view Beluga Whales and Dall Sheep. Exit Glacier, north of Seward, is a great spot for an easy near-glacier hike and photo shoot.
Seward itself is one of the most visited cities in Alaska and offers a wealth of things to see and do. These include wildlife day cruises, dog sledding, zip lining, kayaking, boating, fishing and more. Seward hosts the Seward Polar Bear Jump-Off Festival each January, when heroic swimmers in costumes and capes plunge into the freezing waters of Resurrection Bay to join the polar bear club.