Seward

Understand

Founded in 1903 as the ocean terminus of what is now the Alaska Railroad, Seward prides itself, not only on its natural beauty, but as Alaska's only deep-water, ice-free port with rail, highway and air transportation to Alaska's interior and major urban population centers.

Climate

Get in

By car

Seward is located 127 road miles south of Anchorage. The Seward Highway is a very scenic 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage to Seward, but can be slow in peak summer.

In 2017, the Alaska Department of Transportation announced a Milepost 75-90 Rehabilitation Project to make major safety improvements to a busy crash-prone section of the Seward Highway from Girdwood to beyond the Portage curve toward Turnagain Pass. In July 2015 a tour bus crash at Milepost 79 (Portage Glacier Road and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center) killed one man and critically injured several others, causing a 10-hour traffic jam. During the summer months, up to 15,000 vehicles use this 15-mile stretch of Seward Highway daily.

By train

The Alaska Railroad offers daily rail passage between Anchorage and Seward in the summer, May 13 to Sept 14. The trip between Anchorage and Seward -- the Coastal Classic -- is arguably its most scenic section, and you can take the train one-way. The train parallels the Seward Highway along the Turnagain Arm, but also heads up into the mountains away from the road, pass glaciers and alpine meadows you won't be able to see by car. Adventure Class (with shared access to older vista dome railcar) Round Trip/One Way fare: $178/$105 adults, $89/$53 children (2-11); GoldStar Service (New Dome Railcar) Round Trip/One Way fare: $363/$213 adults, $215/$126 children.

Passengers are required by TSA to check-in at the ticket window (an hour before at Anchorage, 30-45 minutes before at Seward) and show a government issued photo ID (for those age 18 and older) to receive boarding passes. If you have luggage (2 pieces max), it must be checked through to your destination. At depots, boarding for trains occurs 20-30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Southbound

• 6:45AM - Depart Anchorage Depot - 411 West 1st Avenue
• 11:05AM - Arrive Seward Depot - 410 Port Avenue (short walk to small boat harbor; about 1/2 mile to cruise ship dock)

Northbound

• 6PM - Depart Seward Depot
• 10:15PM - Arrive Anchorage Depot

By bus

The Park Connection, 1-800-208-0200, offers twice daily bus service between Anchorage and Seward in the summer, mid-May to mid-September. Check in 15 minutes prior; luggage 2 pieces max. In general, the trip by bus is faster than by train, but slower than by car.

Southbound AM

• 7AM - Depart Anchorage - Egan Center: $55
• 9:45AM - Arrive Seward Small Boat Harbor

Southbound PM

• 3PM - Departs Anchorage Museum: $65
• 5:45PM - Arrive Seward Small Boat Harbor

Northbound AM

• 10:30AM - Depart Seward Small Boat Harbor: $65
• 1:30PM - Arrive Anchorage Museum

Northbound PM

• 6:30PM - Depart Seward Small Boat Harbor: $55
• 9:30PM - Arrive Anchorage Museum

By ship

The Dale R. Lindsey Alaska Railroad Seward Intermodal Terminal ("cruise-ship dock" to locals), 913 Port Ave, is where cruise ships moor. Ships tie up directly to the dock, and no tenders are used to transport guests between the ship and shore. The Alaska Railroad uses this facility for freight.

From May to September, about 50 ships arrive and depart Seward's port as part of the popular 7-14 day Alaska cruises, round-the-world itineraries, and special charter cruises.

The ferries of Alaska Marine Highway call at Whittier, from where you should be able to take a train (or drive).

By plane

Anchorage airport is usually used to travel to the area.

Get around

Seward is a great place to walk around. For those needing a ride, here are some options.

• Summer Shuttle Bus, +1 907-224-4020, is operated daily by the city of Seward during the summer months when the cruise ships are in town. The shuttle runs a loop starting at the cruise ship dock to the Alaska SeaLife Center, and circulates approximately every 15-30 minutes. Free (tips appreciated)
• Tidewater Taxi +1 907-727-1929. Water taxi servicing Resurrection Bay, Kayakers Cove, Alaska State Park Cabins and elsewhere.
• Hertz of Seward, 907-224-4378. Rentals for a day or longer with one-way drop off in Anchorage available.
• Seward Bike Shop, 411 Port Ave., 907-224-2448, sewardbikeshop.com. Rents bikes by the hour or day. There is a bike path along the water from the harbor to the front of town.
• PJ'S Taxis, 907-224-5555.

Go next

Seward is a great gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. If you want to spend a bit more money to really get out there, consider staying at some of the wilderness camps in Resurrection Bay.

Seward is also one end of the Iditarod Trail, running for a thousand miles to Nome, mostly through wilderness via small settlements.

Wilderness Lodges

Sometimes you want to go someplace just a little more remote than a small town....if you do, consider staying at these wilderness lodges. You will need to take a water taxi or float plane to reach these, but they are truly stunning.

Towns

• Moose Pass, the first rural town on the Iditarod Trail, if going west
• Valdez, the next town on the Alaska Marine Highway, if going east