Turnagain Arm & Beluga Point
Follow the coastal highway and pause at Beluga Point to look for Dall sheep and eagles. Wild sightings are never guaranteed.
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Seward Cruise Port Guide
Seward Cruise Port:
The New Terminal, the 127-Mile Drive, and How to Get There from Anchorage
Seward is approximately 127 miles south of Anchorage at the end of the Seward Highway. Allow two and a half to three hours without stops, and more for traffic or weather. Our sightseeing transfer takes seven hours, making the journey part of your Alaska visit. Confirm your ship's terminal and boarding deadline before choosing your transport.
Seward at a glance
- Dock name
- Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal
- Address / landmark
- Address / landmark: not yet supplied
- Distance from downtown Anchorage
- Approximately 127 miles
- Drive time without stops
- Approximately 2.5–3 hours; allow more time for traffic, weather and road conditions
- Distance from Anchorage airport (ANC)
- Distance from Anchorage airport (ANC): not yet supplied
- Rail option
- Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic: May 14–September 12, 2027. Anchorage 6:45 a.m. → Seward 11:20 a.m.; Seward 6 p.m. → Anchorage 10:15 p.m. Adult one-way from $133 Adventure Class or $289 GoldStar; confirm when booking.
- WAT transfer price and duration
- Anchorage to Seward: 7 hours, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., from $247 per person. Seward to Anchorage: 7 hours, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., from $247 per person. Private transfer from $767 per party (not the private sightseeing tour).
- WAT pickup point at this port
- Seward cruise port or your Seward lodging; confirm the exact meeting point when booking.
The new terminal
The Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal formally opened on June 4, 2026. The Alaska Railroad reports approximately 41,500 square feet of enclosed space, 27,000 square feet of covered outdoor areas and direct rail connectivity. It replaces the passenger dock built in 1965.
Check your cruise line's joining instructions for your terminal and boarding arrangements. Tell us your ship when booking so we can confirm where to meet you or drop you off.
For the terminal redevelopment information, see the Alaska Railroad's Seward passenger dock project. Confirm current arrangements for your sailing rather than relying on an older map or terminal photo.
Alaska Railroad terminal opening report ↗Every way to get from Anchorage to the Seward cruise port
| Option | Time | Cost | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise line motorcoach or charter train | Confirm with your cruise line | Set by your cruise line | Cruise-line-arranged transport to the pier | Ask your cruise line about tight connections or same-day flights |
| Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic | 4 hours 35 minutes, 6:45 a.m.–11:20 a.m. | Adult one-way from $133 Adventure Class / $289 GoldStar | Published daily service May 14–September 12, 2027; return leaves Seward at 6 p.m., reaching Anchorage at 10:15 p.m. | Travellers who prefer a rail journey; check boarding time |
| Rental car | Approximately 2.5–3 hours without stops | Rental, one-way fees and parking | Independent travel; confirm one-way returns and parking | Travellers who want their own schedule |
| Welcome Anchorage transfer tour | 7 hours, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | From $247 per person | Hotel, airport or lodging pickup; luggage aboard; Beluga Point, AWCC, Portage Valley and Summit Lake Lodge; entrance fees included; maximum 11 guests | Guests who want a day of sightseeing before boarding |
| Welcome Anchorage private transfer | Arrange timing when booking | From $767 per party | Your party only; luggage from pickup to drop-off. Arrange sightseeing separately | Families and groups needing their own timing |
A private transfer is not the same as a private sightseeing tour. Contact us to confirm the itinerary and price that suit your party.
Rail figures are from the published 2027 Alaska Railroad schedule ↗ and fare table ↗, checked October 24, 2026. Confirm availability, fares and times when booking.
The drive is the point
Wildlife & Portage Valley
Visit the 250-acre Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, with admission included, then explore Portage Valley's glacier views. The Byron Glacier walk is self-guided and optional.
Kenai Mountains & Summit Lake
Continue into the Kenai Mountains, with a comfort stop at Summit Lake Lodge for coffee, snacks or a short walk beside the lake before reaching Seward.
We take seven hours and stop along the way. Choose a direct transfer if reaching the pier quickly matters more than sightseeing; choose the tour when your sailing schedule leaves room to enjoy the journey.
Getting off the ship in Seward
Our Seward to Anchorage tour picks up at the cruise port or your Seward lodging at 9 a.m. and runs approximately seven hours, ending around 4 p.m. The northbound itinerary includes Seward highlights, Summit Lake Lodge, the Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Valley, an optional lunch in Girdwood, Turnagain Arm and Potter Marsh, followed by drop-off at your preferred Anchorage location. Lunch is paid separately, and your luggage travels with you.
Contact us with your flight details before booking an airport drop-off. A 4 p.m. tour finish is not a safe flight-departure cutoff. We can discuss whether a sightseeing tour or private transfer fits your plans.
A free day before or after your Seward cruise
Make the transfer your day out
Explore wildlife, glaciers and mountain scenery on your way to or from your ship.
Anchorage to Seward ↗Seward to Anchorage ↗Spend a day in Seward
Ask us about a Kenai Fjords day cruise, downtown Seward or the Alaska SeaLife Center. We do not operate the fjords cruises; confirm their schedules with the operator and allow enough time before boarding your ship.
Ask about your plans ↗Explore Anchorage before your cruise
Stay in Anchorage and choose a full day tour before your transfer day.
See all tours ↗If you want a fjords cruise as well as the drive from Anchorage, consider arriving in Seward the day before. Do not assume both will fit before your ship's all-aboard deadline.
Seward 2027 ship schedule
Schedule from the published 2027 cruise line schedules, last checked 2026-10-24. Ships change schedules — confirm your sailing with your cruise line.
| Date | Ship | Cruise line | Arrives | Departs | Dock | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-05-14 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-05-21 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-05-28 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-06-04 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-06-11 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-06-18 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-06-25 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-07-02 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-07-09 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-07-16 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-07-23 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-07-30 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-08-06 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-08-13 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-08-20 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-08-27 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-09-03 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes | ||
| 2027-09-10 | Anthem of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal | Yes |
Questions about the Seward port
Where exactly do you drop us at the Seward terminal?
Our Anchorage to Seward tour ends at the cruise terminal or your lodging in Seward. Tell us your ship when booking and confirm the exact terminal drop-off point with us.
How early should we be at the pier?
Our Anchorage to Seward tour guarantees arrival at least three hours before your ship's departure. Your cruise line's all-aboard time is the hard deadline; tell us your sailing details before booking.
Is the train better than the transfer?
They offer different experiences. The Coastal Classic is a rail journey to Seward; check the railroad's timetable and fare for your travel date. Our seven-hour transfer tour includes stops at Beluga Point, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Valley and Summit Lake Lodge. Choose the option that fits your interests and boarding deadline, and contact us if you are unsure.
Can we stop in Girdwood for lunch?
The Seward to Anchorage tour includes an optional lunch stop in Girdwood, paid separately. The Anchorage to Seward itinerary is different and includes a comfort stop at Summit Lake Lodge; do not assume it includes the same Girdwood stop.
What happens to our luggage?
Your luggage travels with you from pickup to drop-off, including airports. It does not go separately to your cruise cabin.
