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How to Get to Seward Alaska

a large body of water with a mountain in the background

Seward, Alaska is located 120 miles south of Anchorage and can be reached by car, bus, or train. Driving directions from Anchorage to Seward can be found here. Seward is one of the two major hubs for cruise lines departing the Anchorage area. The vast majority of cruise ships depart from Seward, including Holland America Lines, Norwegian, Seabourn, Silversea, and Crystal. Princess Cruise Lines departs from Whittier, the other major port for Anchorage-area cruise lines.

How Far Apart Are Anchorage and Seward?

a close up of a snow covered field

Anchorage and Seward are 120 miles apart. They are connected by the Seward Highway, sometimes referred to as Highway 1 and known as one of the most scenic highways in the world. If you are traveling via the Seward Highway, you will pass through several other towns, including Alyeska, Portage, Moose Pass, Crown Point, Primrose, and Bear Creek.

How Can I Travel from Anchorage to Seward?

a body of water with a mountain in the background

Anchorage and Seward are connected by both road and rail. There are numerous companies offering bus connections between Anchorage and Seward, with many offering direct pick-up from either the Anchorage airport or downtown hotels and going straight to the cruise ship terminal in Seward. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are also available in Anchorage.

For those who prefer train travel, the famous Alaska Railroad boasts daily service in the summer via its Coastal Classic train. Many cruise ship companies also offer special rail charters for passengers to easily make their transfers.

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

A mountain landscape reflects on the waters of Alaska’s Turnagain Arm ** Note: Slight graininess, best at smaller sizes

Traveling to Seward from Anchorage takes just over two hours via the Seward Highway. The Alaska Railroad takes roughly twice as long, four hours, due to the fact that the train tracks follow a more roundabout route for safety reasons.

What is There to See and Do Between Anchorage and Seward?

a house with trees in the background

There are countless tourist attractions between Anchorage and Seward, giving you plenty to see and do while en route to your cruise ship. The trip itself is one of the most scenic in North America, offering views of rural Alaska at its finest. There are numerous locations on the Seward Highway that allow for scenic views and photography.

The small town of Girdwood along the highway is a good place to go hiking or ride the Alyeska Tramway, while the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is an excellent location to observe bears, moose, and other Alaskan wildlife in their natural settings. Beluga Point is famous as a location for sightseeing beluga whales and Dall sheep, while Exit Glacier just north of Seward is a great place to easily hike up close to a glacier and take pictures.

Seward itself is one of the most-visited towns in Alaska and offers a wealth of things to see and do. These include wildlife day cruises, sled dog kennel tours, ziplining, kayaking, boating, fishing, and much more. Seward is also home to the Seward Polar Bear Jump-Off Festival every January, where heroic swimmers in costumes and capes dive into the freezing waters of Resurrection Bay for a shot at joining the Polar Bear Club.

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