Renting a Car in Whittier, Alaska: A Cruise Passenger’s Guide

Whittier is one of the most unusual cruise ports in Alaska. It’s a turnaround port, which means one group of passengers is stepping off the ship to end their voyage while another group is lining up to board and begin theirs. It’s also a tiny town of a few hundred people at the end of a single-lane tunnel, so getting from the dock to the rest of Alaska takes more planning than most travelers expect. Whether you’re finishing a cruise or just starting one, a rental car gives you far more freedom than a fixed motorcoach or train schedule, and a little preparation makes the handoff from ship to car much smoother.

Why a Rental Car Makes Sense in Whittier

Most passengers leaving Whittier ride a cruise line motorcoach or the Alaska Railroad to Anchorage, and for many, that works well. But those options run on set schedules and set routes, and they take you to one place. Whittier itself has no taxis, no Uber or Lyft, and no public transportation, so once you’re off the ship, you’re either on a prearranged transfer or on your own two feet. A rental car changes the whole shape of your trip. You can stop at Portage Glacier on the way out, pull over for wildlife along Turnagain Arm, spend a night in Girdwood, or head north toward Talkeetna and Denali without worrying about connecting to anyone else’s timetable.

Understand the Tunnel First

Everything about getting in or out of Whittier runs through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a single-lane tunnel shared with the Alaska Railroad. Traffic alternates directions on a fixed schedule: vehicles heading into Whittier go through on the half-hour, and vehicles heading out leave at the top of the hour. The tunnel also closes overnight, and hours shift with the season, so a delayed ship or a missed window can leave you waiting until the next opening. A toll is charged for vehicles entering Whittier. Check the official tunnel schedule and current rates before sailing day, and build that timing into every plan below. The drive between Whittier and Anchorage covers about 60 miles and usually takes about 90 minutes, including the tunnel.

If You’re Disembarking: Know Which Terminal You’re Docking At

This is the part that catches the most people off guard. Whittier now has two cruise terminals, and they’re not close together. Depending on your cruise line, you’ll dock either at the original terminal near the train depot and downtown, or at the newer Glacier Creek Cruise Terminal, which sits roughly a mile and a half to two miles outside of town. Some travelers have found that written materials and even onboard guest services haven’t kept pace with the change, and still describe the ship as docking right across from downtown. Before you sail, confirm your terminal with your cruise line and look it up on Google Maps so you know what to expect when you step off the ship.

If you dock at the original terminal, you’re in good shape. The Avis Alaska office is a flat walk of about 0.4 miles, or roughly 7 to 10 minutes. Head east toward the harbor, cross the railway tracks at the designated crossing, and follow the boardwalk toward the Small Boat Harbor. Look for the red-and-white Avis trailer next to the Frisky Mermaid Café & Gifts.

If you dock at Glacier Creek, plan on a bit more effort. The walk into town is possible, and some travelers enjoy it, but it’s a long haul with luggage and not realistic for anyone with mobility challenges. Instead, look for the ticket stand inside the terminal for the Whittier Town Shuttle, a service started by residents in spring 2025 to bridge exactly this gap. At the time of writing, tickets were $10 per person, and the shuttle ran on cruise days with a small fleet, so expect several short trips and some waiting at the start of the morning, especially if a full ship is unloading at once. The shuttle can be flagged down throughout the day, but it only serves the downtown area and doesn’t go through the tunnel. Larger groups can also ask about a private van transfer at the terminal’s ground transportation desk.

Getting Your Group and Your Bags to the Car

Neither Avis nor the cruise lines operates a shuttle to the rental office, and there’s no luggage storage at the pier, so a little strategy goes a long way. Our best tip is to split the work: one driver heads to the Avis trailer alone to complete the paperwork and pick up the vehicle, while the rest of the group waits with the bags. The driver then circles back to the terminal’s loading zone to collect everyone. That way, nobody drags suitcases across railroad tracks or through a busy harbor.

If you’d rather spend the wait exploring, a few downtown businesses have offered to hold bags for a small per-bag fee, and some tour operators will store luggage for their own customers. Ask first, since policies change, and be patient and friendly with the shuttle drivers and shop staff; Whittier is a small community, and the people who run these services are doing their best on very busy mornings.

Make the Most of Your Time in Town

If you’ve got a few hours before your tunnel window, Whittier is worth the stroll. Everything downtown is within walking distance, and the setting is beautiful, with mountains rising straight out of the water. Pick up a map from the local chamber of commerce website to find nearby hikes, then fuel up at one of the coffee shops or restaurants, many of which also sell fudge, ice cream, and souvenirs. There’s a small museum near the Anchor Inn, about $5 per person, with a fascinating look at Whittier’s history, including its military past and the unusual building where most of the town’s residents live. The ground floor of that building is open to the public and includes a convenience store and a laundromat, which is handy if you’re finishing a week or two at sea. Spending a little money locally helps the town, and prices are reasonable.

If You’re Departing: Embarking in Whittier

Sailing out of Whittier takes the same planning in reverse. There’s no public parking at the pier, so you can’t leave a rental car near the ship while you cruise. Plan to return your vehicle to the Avis office at the harbor first, then walk or take the shuttle to your terminal. If you’re driving in from Anchorage, leave early enough to catch an inbound tunnel window with plenty of buffer, because you’ll need time to return the car, find your terminal, and check in before boarding closes. Ask about drop-off options when you reserve so there are no surprises on the day you sail.

Where to Drive Before or After Your Cruise

If your itinerary gives you a day or two on either end, the roads around Whittier are some of the best in the state. Portage Glacier is just outside the tunnel and makes an easy first stop. The Seward Highway is one of America’s great scenic drives, with mountain, glacier, and Turnagain Arm views around nearly every bend. Girdwood, about 45 minutes from Anchorage, is home to Alyeska Resort and a good place to spend a night. And Anchorage itself is your gateway to flights and longer day trips to Talkeetna and Hatcher Pass.

Reserve Before You Sail

Whittier’s rental office operates seasonally, and the cruise calendar drives demand, so booking ahead is the safest way to make sure a car is waiting when you step off the ship. See the full fleet, check the Whittier location page for details, or head to avisalaska.com and click Rent Now to start your reservation.