Post Transfer Option From Seward to Anchorage?

[clydesdalecharlotte]

Hello Everyone,

I am trying to decide what sort of service we want to take from Seward to Anchorage for our may 2012 trip. I am curious if any of you can provide back on either of these companies… Aurora Limosenes and Alaska Cruise Connect.. The limo company charges $389 and the small tour bus charges $40 per person.. The tour bus does include numerous stops at photo points and the Wildlife Conservation Center.. it’s a total of 4.5 hours, whereas the limo would be like the 2.5 hour trip… My husband is 6’5” and has a concern with the comfort of the bus… he is afraid the leg room might be sparse and we will end up being cramped the entire way. Has anyone heard off or used any of these two services? Here is a phot of the bus they used, if you've ridden on one these buses if you can give feedback on the seat space i'd love it. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks so much
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-129858372822676_2187_1595745

[tourguide97]

When I went to Alaska thru Regent September 2009, included transfers were by Rail. I assume that is still offered by Regent.

[nana541]

Recently I learned the rail schedules from Seward to Anchorage had changed making that option a good one any more.....but you can go on line and check those schedules as they are up for next summer.

[RachelG]

Haven't heard of or used either company, but another option would be getting a rental car. One way rentals are a bit expensive in Alaska, but would definitely be cheaper than the limo company. You wouldn't have to worry about leg room, and you could stop whenever, wherever, you like. We have done this in the reverse direction with no problems. Roads are very good.

[clydesdalecharlotte]

When I went to Alaska thru Regent September 2009, included transfers were by Rail. I assume that is still offered by Regent.

Unfortunatly Regent isn't offering the train this year, i was livid when I heard that as we were told it was a must do. Instead they are putting everyone on a motorcoach. I opted out of the hotel/air as the credit was so high compared the price we did pay. So we are on our own to get transfers or use Regents pricy motorcoach at $119 per person.

[clydesdalecharlotte]

Haven't heard of or used either company, but another option would be getting a rental car. One way rentals are a bit expensive in Alaska, but would definitely be cheaper than the limo company. You wouldn't have to worry about leg room, and you could stop whenever, wherever, you like. We have done this in the reverse direction with no problems. Roads are very good.

I did think about the Rental car option as well. However, it looks like a half day rental is $265.. then the price of gas.. for that price I think we would save the hassle and just do the limo.. but just out of curisotiy.. what is parking like in Anchorage? is there plently of places to park? do you have to pay for parking?
I live in Washington State, one trip into Seattle costs us a fortune in parking, thats why I ask lol

[Mark_T]

Recently I learned the rail schedules from Seward to Anchorage had changed making that option a good one any more.....but you can go on line and check those schedules as they are up for next summer.

Doesn't look like anything much has changed on the scheduled rail times, but Regent didn't use the scheduled service, they had a special train that ran later to allow for same day arrivals at the airport.

Personally I'd still recommend the train, just use the scheduled service instead of the Regent transfer.

[MooseRCute]

Louise,

Parking in downtown Anchorage will cost you. Street parking requires feeding the meter and the majority of large parking lots are a by-the-hour charge. I wish I could say it was easy but if I'm being honest I find it to be a bit of a hassle...and I live here. But that just might be me. I avoid parallel parking like the plague, lol! :D

With that being said, though, downtown offers some wonderful shops, restaurants and The Anchorage Museum.

[jhp]

I have used Aurora limos and service was great, and we were a day late coming into port due to a pod problem on the Mariner. Driver knew about it by the time I was able to reach him by phone. But we were a group of 9, so the price was about the same as taking a bus.

[RachelG]

Haven't had any parking problems in Anchorage, but we don't spend a lot of time downtown. We visited the wildlife refuge, where you really need a car to move around. And we usually eat in Alyeska, where there is not charge for parking anywhere as far as I am aware.

[cruiseej]

what is parking like in Anchorage? is there plently of places to park? do you have to pay for parking?

My one trip to Anchorage with a car for two days, I don't recall parking being an issue. You may need to feed a meter or two, but it wasn't a problem -- although I never spent a whole day in the city. I remember doing a trip around a block for paring once, but street parking wasn't too big a problem. (I might feel differently if I lived there and had to deal with it every day!)

I greatly enjoyed having a car to do the drive between Seward and Anchorage, including short side trips to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Portage Glacier.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e185/jacobse/Alaska%202009%20Photos/Turnagain.jpg

(I did it roundtrip on my first visit to Alaska, for a conference, and one-way when I returned a year later with family following our Regent cruise.) Being able to stop where we wanted was great; I think I would have been a frustrated photographer had I taken the train!

-- Eric

[RachelG]

Now that is a GREAT picture, Eric.

[cruiseej]

Now that is a GREAT picture, Eric.

Thanks. I nearly missed my flight home the day I was driving back from Seward and shot that. There are lots of nice roadside pullouts looking out over the sounds, but as the water became still, I couldn't believe how nice it was. I stood there shooting, walking around to try different angles -- and then remembered I had to hightail it to the airport to be on time! It's the only time I've had a rental car when I haven't had time to find a gas station outside the airport to fill up the gas before returning the rental car... so these pictures cost me! ;)

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e185/jacobse/Alaska%202009%20Photos/Turnagain2.jpg

-- Eric