Car rental return in Whittier

[Lisa Waverley]

We are leaving out of Whittier on Princess and I would like to rent a car for our travels around Anchorage, Kenai etc for the 5 days beofre the cruise. Is there any reental car return in Whittier? I am turning up a blank on all the searches I am doing. What is the best way to do this?

[mscloyd]

I've been working on the same thing for months. So far, there is no car rental in Whittier, but rumors that there might possibly be one. We are trying to get from Whittier to Seward without having to go to Anchorage first. The only way I've found is a transport called Seward-Whittier Express and then rent a car in Seward and return it in Anchorage. But the transfer is $50 each and a one-way car rental in $200+ per day. I'll post if I find out anything new.

[AlaskaLivin]

I've lived in AK for almost 30 years. The best thing to do is get your car at the airport, then retun it there the night before your cruise and get a next morning transfer with the cruise line. There is no return for rental cars in Whittier at this time, nor is it anticipated. it took years of ships arriving in Seward for Hertz to even open there and Whittier is a VERY small town. Now you can do a train option from Anchorage to Whittier for $49 pp with the Alaska Railroad. (10:00 AM) (not the $89 train with Princess at 2:00 PM). If you take this morning train, you can combine it with a morning cruise out of Whittier, that is scientific in nature, and is very different from what tha big cruise lines offer. That is $79 pp. Just some ideas. Hope they help.

 

Corky in Alaska

[lmcd]

I recently received an e-mail from Rick A. Holnbaum, city Manager, that said Avis has no opened a car rental office in Whittier. He also indicated there were additional transportation options between Anchorage and Whittier and Seward and Whittier.

A new website with links is available. www.ci.whittier.ak.us

To get the details on the options you could use the website to contact Rick with your questions. Many more options are listed in his e-mail to me.

 

Larry

 

Fantasy 08/99

Ecstacy 05/00

Westerdam 04/01

Legend of the Seas 08/02

Zaandam 04/03

Carnival Spirit 08/03

[AlaskaLivin]

Here is a new service opening this year on Mon, Sat and every ohter wed. for the cruise ship passengers.

http://www.polarexpressak.com/rates.html

 

Corky in Alaska

[mpk]

... opened a car rental office in Whittier...

 

That's good news But nothing is showing up on Avis' system yet. I've looked before, and I just looked again moments ago.

[mscloyd]

I called Avis about a Whittier location and they know nothing about it - yet! I'm still hopeful!

[lmcd]

I also checked Avis. That is why I indicated that you need to check directly with Rick in Whittier thru their website. It is a brand new office and sometimes this small local offices do not get connected into the national websites quickly.

 

Larry

 

Fantasy 08/99

Ecstacy 05/00

Westerdam 04/01

Legend of the Seas 08/02

Zaandam 04/03

Carnival Spirit 08/03

[lmcd]

The phone no for the Whittier Avis office is

907-345-2829. This is from the e-mail from Rick Holnbaum, Whittier city manager.

 

Larry

 

Fantasy 08/99

Ecstacy 05/00

Westerdam 04/01

Legend of the Seas 08/02

Zaandam 04/03

Carnival Spirit 08/03

[lmcd]

If someone will provide the instructions on how to copy an e-mail into a reply, I will copy the entire e-mail from Rick Holnbaum. There is a lot more info than just the Avis office.

 

Larry

 

Fantasy 08/99

Ecstacy 05/00

Westerdam 04/01

Legend of the Seas 08/02

Zaandam 04/03

Carnival Spirit 08/03

[Lisa Waverley]

Thanks for all the replies and different options. It really does seem like Whittier is a one-moose town.

 

Larry, have you tried opening a window for your reply and then copying and pasting the body of the e-mail into that window. I would love to know the rest of the information.

[mpk]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Whittier Avis office is 907-345-2829.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

The number rings and goes to the voicemail of someone named "R.C.", no company name. Maybe the office isn't open yet.

 

Larry, was there anything in the city manager's mail about when they would be up and running?

 

[This message was edited by mpk on 04-27-04 at 01:41 PM.]

[lmcd]

I can copy the e-mail and open the reply window, but I cannot find a way to paste the e-mail into the reply.

 

R.C. is listed in the e-mail as the probable manager of the AVIS office.

 

Seward Bus lines is listed as offering transportation between Anchorage and Whittier as well as between Seward and Whittier.

 

www.ic.whittier.ak.us is the new website for Whittier. Has links to several items of interest to tourist.

 

I'll keep trying to get the e-mail in its entirety posted.

 

Larry

 

Fantasy 08/99

Ecstacy 05/00

Westerdam 04/01

Legend of the Seas 08/02

Zaandam 04/03

Carnival Spirit 08/03

[mpk]

In the reply window, right click the mouse in the message box. "Paste" should be lit up and selectable. If it is dimmed out, it is because nothing has been cut or copied yet.

[AlaskaLivin]

Here is Whittier's page with Rick's Bio and an e-mail. There is lots of info here.

 

http://www.ci.whittier.ak.us/city%20manager.html

 

Corky in Alaska

[AlaskaLivin]

Here is one last page that has web cam etc. This may give more info for you.

 

http://whittierforum.yukontel.com/index.htm

 

Corky in Alaska

[lmcd]

This is the entire e-mail from Rick, city manager. Thanks for the right click info.

 

Larry

 

R.C. Collins at 907-345-2829. –POTENTIAL car rental manager

 

There is no scheduled airport service to Whittier state owned airport.

 

Yes, we have a rental car service it is new with Avis.

We have shuttle buses also to go to Seward and or Anchorage and returns

to Whittier. Seward Bus Lines.

We have gorgeous condo suites that overlook the mountains, glaciers and

waterfalls.

Ranging from 98 to 135.00 per night. There is no formal airport but

there is a landing strip for helicopters and small planes and sea

planes. Fishing and Sightseeing day trips. And 10 really nice places

to eat. Wharf side. June Miller from June's Whittier Condo

Ste's Bread N Butter charters. We have been around for 20 years. June

June Miller [junebbak@yahoo.com]

 

The City of Whittier has a website at www.ci.whittier.ak.us

<http://www.ci.whittier.ak.us/>

It is a brand new website that we are still working on but it does have

some good links to check out.

 

Also worth checking out is the Alaska Railroad Corp. and Alaska Marine

Highway System websites.

 

Seward Bus Lines

3335 Fairbanks St.

Anchorage, AK

907-563-0800

 

Whittier to Anchorage Connection:

Reservations and payment in advance are required. You are allowed 2

pieces of luggage and 1 carry on. Additional luggage is $5.00 each.

Our bus or van with “Seward Bus Lines†on the side will be waiting in

the area of the cruise ship dock. We do have airport drop off service

for an additional $5.00 per person. Our normal drop off is at our

depot, address below. Passage can be secured by phone or email with

Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

 

Summer Schedule: Ship days only with prior reservations and payment.

Starting May 15, ships will dock Monday and Saturday one week and the

next week Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The last ship will be Monday

Sept 13.

Winter Schedule: Not established

 

Anchorage to Whittier

Depot: 3335 Fairbanks St

Check in: 6:00 am

Depart: 6:30 am

Tunnel: 8:30 am (15 minute openings)

Arrive: 8:45 am

Charges: $40.00 ow

Children: 8 years and under ½ price (small children are required to be

in a car seat)

Animals: $25.00 (in kennel)

Bicycle: $25.00

 

Whittier to Anchorage

Depot: Whittier dock area

Dock pick up: 9:00 to 9:30 am

Tunnel: 10:00 am (15 minute openings)

Arrive: 12:30 pm

Charges: $40.00 ow

Children: 8 years and under ½ price (small children are required to be

in a car seat)

Animals: $25.00 (in kennel)

Bicycle: $25.00

 

No other service to Whittier on those days

 

Refund Policy

100% 30 days in advance

50% 30 days to 24 hours in advance

0% 24 hours or less

 

E mail: sewardbuslines@acsalaska. <mailto:sewardbusline@acsalaska.> net

web site: www.sewardbuslines.com

Ground transportation from Whittier to Anchorage (2004)

 

As the 2004 cruise ship season approaches two companies, Princess and

Carnival, are moving their northern terminus to Whittier. Many

passengers are curious about different modes of transport from Whittier

to Anchorage –several possibilities appear below:

 

* Grandview (train) – Princess charters a train from the Alaska

Railroad Corporation, tentatively scheduled to depart Whittier at 8:40

am, traveling to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and

returning to Whittier. Please contact Princess to purchase seats on

this train.

* Glacier Discovery (train) option 1 – travelers seeking a little

adventure at the end of their cruise may depart Whittier on this train

at 12:20 pm. From Whittier the train travels south to Spencer for lunch

on the shores of iceberg-filled Spencer Lake. Following their repast

guests may embark upon a raft trip through the lake and down the Placer

River (advance reservations required) or continue sightseeing on the

train as it ventures to Grandview Valley and back before a motorcoach

transfer to downtown Anchorage, arriving at 6:45 pm (drop-off in

Girdwood available). Please contact the Alaska Railroad Corporation

(ARRC) at www.AlaskaRailroad.com, 907-265-2494 or 1-800-544-0552 for

more information.

* Glacier Discovery (train) option 2 – After its trip to Spencer

and Grandview the Glacier Discovery returns to Whittier before

proceeding to Anchorage. Departure from Whittier is at 6:45 pm arriving

in downtown Anchorage at 9:15 pm (Girdwood drop-off available). Please

contact the ARRC at www.AlaskaRailroad.com, 907-265-2494 or

1-800-544-0552 for more information.

* Taxi and bus service – neither taxi nor regularly scheduled bus

service is available to or from Whittier. Cruise ship companies do

provide bus service for their passengers and the Magic Bus, a local

company, provides charter bus services with tours and lunches. For

information about the former please contact your cruise ship company,

for information about the latter please contact the Magic Bus at

www.theMagicBus.com or 907-268-6311.

 

Please note that, while the new cruise ship dock in Whittier is only

about one-third of a mile from the Alaska Railroad platform, luggage

transfer service between the two is not available at this time. ARRC

officials are working with local vendors to see if the service may be

developed.

 

 

Please add Magic Bus on your link page.

 

I am a member of the Whittier Chamber, on the map...and people are

looking for affordable ways to get to your city and we wish to help.

 

www.themagicbus.com

info@themagicbus.com

 

 

Rick A. Hohnbaum, City Manager

 

Fantasy 08/99

Ecstacy 05/00

Westerdam 04/01

Legend of the Seas 08/02

Zaandam 04/03

Carnival Spirit 08/03

[mpk]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>–POTENTIAL car rental manager<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Thanks for info, Larry. That explains everything. I guess the branch is not up and running. Looks like they're still staffing.

 

I hope they will go online soon If not, they may miss a lot of business from people that will find other means to ANC.

[Lisa Waverley]

I spoke to Rick last night. He said the Avis office should be open by the end of this week.

 

He was really nice. If Alaskans are as nice as some of the people I have had dealings with while trying to make my reservations, this should be a great trip.

[luv2cruise450]

Thanks to all who posted with info about this since we will be flying into Anchorage a few days before boarding the CCL Spirit in Whittier. We've been trying to figure out the best way to get to Whittier since there are 4 of us. Will keep checking to see when the Whittier branch for Avis will open...we don't cruise 'til Sept 1. I think that my husband has already reserved a car from Hertz at the Anchorage airport for the few days that we will be there but if Avis is the one that has a branch in Whittier...maybe we'll have to consider that instead. Again...thanks for all the info!

Happy sailing to all!

 

Victoria III 4/99 (Yangtze River)

Maasdam 5/00 (W.Med) & 11/01

Veendam 10/00

Zaandam 5/01 (Alaska cruisetour)

Millenium 12/01 & 10/03 (transatlantic)

Amsterdam 5/02 (transcanal)

NCL Star 12/02 (Hawaii)

CCL Paradise 3/03

Noordam 4/03 (transatlantic)

NCL Dawn 8/03

Regal Princess Elaine 3/04 (Yangtze River)

 

[Christi B]

Thanks so much for all the information! We are going on the Princess cruise North - Vancouver to Whittier. We bought the tickets to get to Anchorage but we'd like to go to Seward. I heard there was a rental car but didn't think there would be much. We have only the day of the cruise and the next and wanted to go to Seward. We were looking at tours there before but "you can't get there from here." Not at the right times anyway. I'm definitely looking at those van lines now and trying to take the wildlife train from Seward to Anchorage. I don't even know how I got here!

[mpk]

It's still not showing up on Avis' website. I hope this one doesn't evaporate....

[rduke]

ChristiB- check out www.polarexpressak.com their shuttle service might give you some more options to consider

 

www.geocities.com/warrnhu/wars/knight8.gif

Cunard Princess 9/83

Big Red Boat 10/95

Conquest 3/03

Spirit 8/04

 

 

 

 

[Budget Queen]

It probably won't show up on the web site. Call them direct.

[whenzuc]

We are four people who will be in Anchorage beofre our Princess tour begins. We are taking a limo to Whittier for less $ than the cost of the Princess rail. Email me with questions- I got the limo service from the Capt Cook hotel concierge.whenzuc@aol.com