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How to Get Around Alaska on Vacation: Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

Getting Around Alaska on Vacation

Three caribou with large antlers standing on a ridge in Denali National Park, Alaska, with panoramic tundra and mountain views in the background.
Caribou in Denali National Park wilderness

How to Get Around Alaska on Vacation: Planes, Trains, & Automobiles. Getting around Alaska is an adventure all on its own. With vast landscapes, towering peaks, and endless opportunities for exploration, the journey truly is as breathtaking as the destination. Whether you’re flying into Anchorage, riding the Alaska Railroad, renting a car, or hopping on a ferry, every option offers a unique perspective on America’s last frontier.


For most travelers, Anchorage—Alaska’s largest city—is the ideal starting point. From here, you can launch your journey north to Denali National Park, south to the Kenai Peninsula, or east into Wrangell–St. Elias.


🚗 Driving in Alaska

1. Plan Ahead

Map of the United States highlighting Alaska in yellow – the largest state in America and gateway to Denali National Park and Alaskan adventures.
Alaska is BIG plan ahead

Alaska is massive—twice the size of Texas—and navigating its road system requires planning. Use the “mile-a-minute” rule when estimating travel times (i.e., a 300-mile trip will take roughly 5 hours). Cell service can be spotty in remote areas, so download maps in advance.


2. Rent a Car

Rental cars and vans with Alaska license plates parked among fall foliage – transportation option for visitors exploring Denali National Park.
Rental cars in Alaska – flexible travel for Denali National Park visitors

Renting a car is the most flexible and recommended option. It gives you the freedom to pull over for moose or bear sightings, enjoy roadside views, and explore off-the-beaten-path communities.

  • Four-wheel drive: Not necessary for the main road system.

  • Remote travel: If you plan to venture onto gravel or remote roads, consider a 4x4.

  • Safety tip: Wildlife like moose, bears, and caribou often cross highways—always stay alert.

  • Taking the train to Denali, book your car rental here Keys To Denali OR make arrangements with our local shutter transport Denali Transportation Services.


🚂 Riding the Alaska Railroad

Alaska Railroad train traveling through Denali National Park in autumn, with golden fall foliage and riverside views – scenic rail journey in Alaska.
Alaska Railroad fall ride through Denali National Park

The Alaska Railroad is a bucket-list experience, connecting Anchorage to Seward, Talkeetna, Fairbanks, and Denali. With domed cars and relaxed seating, it’s one of the most scenic ways to see the state.

  • Timing: Expect train rides to take about twice as long as driving.

    • Anchorage to Denali → 8 hours by train vs. 4.5 hours by car

    • Anchorage to Seward → 4 hours by train vs. 2.5 hours by car

📍 Pro tip: If you only take one train ride, choose the Anchorage–Seward route. It hugs the Turnagain Arm and winds through coastal mountains before arriving in a year-round community where taxis and ride-shares are available.

If you take the train to Denali National Park, be aware you’ll need additional transport. The train depot is outside the main park entrance and about 15 minutes from McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café.

Transportation options from the Denali depot:

  • 🚘 Car rentals from Keys to Denali (1-800-683-1239)

  • 🚌 Shuttle services like Sheep Shuttle (907-683-7503) or Denali Transportation Services (907-522-5820)Reservations are essential—plan ahead before you arrive.


✈️ Flying in Alaska

Alaska Airlines plane on the runway with mountains in the background – convenient air travel option to start your Alaska vacation and reach Denali National Park
Alaska Airlines flight – gateway to Denali and Alaska adventure

Because of Alaska’s vastness, many communities are best reached by air. Alaska Airlines connects Anchorage with Fairbanks, Juneau, Sitka, and even smaller towns. For the truly adventurous, bush planes and flightseeing tours provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see glaciers, fjords, and wildlife from above.


⛴️ Ferry Travel: The Alaska Marine Highway

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries connect dozens of coastal communities, making it possible to reach places like Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau. The Inside Passage is especially beautiful by ferry, offering chances to see whales, glaciers, and fishing villages. Reservations are a must in summer, when travelers and locals alike rely on the system.


🚌 Bus Tours & Transit

Denali National Park bus tour driving along a scenic mountain road with snow-capped peaks and rugged wilderness in Alaska
Bus tour in Denali National Park – exploring Alaska’s wilderness

In Denali National Park, bus tours and the park’s transit system allow you to see wildlife and landscapes without driving. The road into the park is mostly closed to private vehicles, so buses are often the only way to reach the deeper interior.

In Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, public transportation is available, but in smaller towns and Denali, expect limited options. That’s where local shuttles like Sheep Shuttle come in handy.


🚴 Biking & Hiking

Hiker sitting on a rocky ridge overlooking the vast wilderness and mountains of Denali National Park, Alaska.
Hiking in Denali National Park – breathtaking mountain views

Once at your destination, slow down and explore Alaska on foot or bike. From short trails like Horseshoe Lake near Denali to multi-day backcountry treks, Alaska is a hiker’s paradise. In towns like Anchorage and Fairbanks, bike rentals let you explore greenbelts and river trails at your own pace.





🚢 Cruising Alaska’s Coast

Cruises are one of the most popular ways to see Alaska, especially if you want to focus on glaciers, fjords, and coastal towns. Departure ports like Whittier, Seward, and Homer are accessible by road or rail. Many travelers combine a cruise with a land tour for the best of both worlds.


🌟 Why Denali Should Be on Your Bucket List

Panoramic view of Denali National Park with green tundra, spruce trees, and snow-capped Alaska Range mountains in the distance.
Denali National Park tundra and mountain views

No trip to Alaska is complete without visiting Denali National Park & Preserve. Home to North America’s tallest peak, Denali (20,310 feet), the park offers:

  • 🐻 Incredible wildlife (grizzlies, Dall sheep, moose, and caribou)

  • 🏔️ Unmatched mountain views

  • 🚍 Scenic park bus tours into the wilderness

  • 🌌 Northern Lights (late season)

Standing beneath Denali’s towering summit is a humbling, unforgettable experience.


McKinley Creekside Café & Bakery in Denali National Park, Alaska – locally owned log cabin restaurant offering homemade meals and baked goods.
McKinley Creekside Café & Bakery – dining near Denali National Park

For travelers looking for authentic, locally owned lodging, McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café is the perfect choice. Just 15 minutes south of the Denali Park entrance, this boutique property offers:

  • Cozy cabins along Carlo Creek, perfect for couples, families, or groups.

  • Three vacation houses for larger gatherings.

  • Onsite Creekside Café & Bakery, winner of multiple Best of Denali awards, serving hearty breakfasts, homemade baked goods, Alaskan seafood, and daily dinner specials.

  • Locally owned & women-owned, ensuring warm hospitality and personal touches you won’t find at chain hotels.

Guests rave about the rhubarb muffins, baked halibut, and giant cinnamon rolls. Whether you’re starting your day with coffee on the creekside deck or ending with a glass of wine under the midnight sun, Creekside makes your Denali trip unforgettable.


✨ Final Thoughts: Take the Journey Slowly

Traveling through Alaska isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about savoring every mile. From moose on the roadside to glaciers outside your window, transportation here is part of the adventure.

So whether you’re driving the open road, riding the rails, flying over glaciers, or relaxing at McKinley Creekside Cabins, remember this: in Alaska, the journey is as incredible as the destination.

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