Yes I used harley's we have 2 mini vans - pick up the 6th and drop off (someplace near airport he gave me directions) late the 7th

The transportation company we are using from Whittier to Denali has a 12 passenger van.
If you are driving, you need to know that the tunnel out is one way and you need special permission to go through it. I don't have all the details. If you wanted a driver and car/van email Kenny at aktimberwolf@acsalaska.net

www.alaskatimberwolftours.com and tell him that Kathy (with the party of 12 going to Denali on the Red Motorcoach) sent you. He is very interesting to talk to. RSSC contracts with his company for a lot of their transportation.

LOL Kathy, you don't need special permission to leave Whittier and drive through the tunnel, you just have to do so at the alloted times, which are pretty limited. It opens at 5:30 am and closes at 11:15pm.

Here is a link to a pdf file of last years schedule. I can't seem to find this years schedule yet. Maybe I can find an email address and ask for the 2006 tunnel schedule.

$450 a day from Avis is ridiculous!! How do I contact Harley's? We're only interested in transportation from port to airport, no site seeing etc. I'm not so sure that we want to drive ourselves...we'd have no idea where we're going. Open to any suggestions! Has anyone used RSSC's shuttle to Anchorage airport?

Marcie,

I would check with Kenny. He's very reasonable. He will do a run without any sightseeing.

Editing to add that his prices might be cheaper than renting a car. I asked him about transfers when we booked our coach to Denali. RSSC hires his buses for the transportation.

We got lucky, JoAnn, Frank and their friends and I have hired our own private driver, aka Mark. From what I understand, the drive is very easy with little to no traffic and very scenic. We also checked into tranfers for the 6 of us but it came to much more than our $254 for our rental car. But, we needed transportation from Whittier to Girdwood and then Girdwood to Anchorage the next day. Transfers from Whittier to Anchorage may be much cheaper.

The contact info for Harley's rentals is (907) 360-1960 or(907) 317-8500

Karen: Where are you eating lunch on the 6th in Girdwood???

Marti, not sure if Bob feels comfortable driving himself or if you want to line up a transfer instead?? I don't think Tom and I want to drive in an area we're not familiar with especially considering we have an early flight. Karen, too bad we can't hire your "private driver"....hehe!

Joanna, we are planning lunch at Chair 5 . They have a webcam and a fun menu. Here is the owner Spike :)




And then for dinner, we are planning on eating at the Double Musky Inn which gets rave reviews.

I have used Rad's transfer from Anchorage to Seward, and Vancouver to airport. It's just a big coach, same old, same old. I have also driven myself from Anchorage to Seward (first cruise). Driving in Alaska is a breeze compared to those California freeways, Marcie!

I agree with Olivia - I really enjoyed driving in Alaska. We did the same - drove from Anchorage to Seward - and it was very easy. We had a copy of the Milepost, but really didn't need it.

Marcie, I am sure Bob would be happy to drive us if we rent a car, but maybe taking RSSC transportation (assuming that it is available) might be easier. How long a drive is it?

I was told that once we get on the ship, we can arrange ground transportation from there. Does that sound logical? Can anyone confirm this?

Marti

Hi everyone!

I am arriving Tuesday afternoon on United around 1pm-ish and fly out directly on the 6th at about 12:44pm on Alaska.

Ngaire told me what the price of the RSSC airport transfer was but can't remember off the top of my head, $70 something?? She also said that the first "legal" departing flight they will book is 1pm so thought I was a bit tight, BUT, we all know that RSSC errs on the safe side, so 15 minutes earlier should be fine. I'm guessing the bus will get to the airport by 11:30am. Marti, yes you can buy an airport transfer while onboard the ship and they can very often book a private car for you. (Not sure about Alaska however as we will be some distance from the airport)

I'm also happy to share transport, but may just opt to take the bus as it's a no brainer.

I booked a big limo for our group of 11, and it is costing about $51 pp. for the transfer. www.auroralimousines.com We're just trying to figure out whether to take in some sights to kill time, because our flights to east coast are all red-eyes.

We rented a Ford Explorer and drove from Seward to Anchorage in '01; it was an absolute breeze! Then Mark and the boys had an Explorer out of Anchorage for their fishing trip last year and drove all around with absolutely no problems. The highway is simple, and the sights are beautiful.

Suzanne - We're flying out of ANC on Air Canada to Vancouver at 1410 on the 6th and will also just be taking the ship's bus unless there is a better alternative. Since your flight is a bit tight, maybe a private van or limo might also work for a few of us. That way, we wouldn't have to wait until the bus fills up, etc. We're quite flexible and would be happy to share spare with someone if there is a good alternative to the bus. (On this itinerary you can't blame us for snatching the few FF seats, right??) Cheers, Fred

Anyone else other than my group, Karen and JoAnn and their group flying out the 7th??? Karen we'll defintely meet you all for lunch at Chair 5 on the 6th - also, I have us booked night of the 6th at a new Homewood Suites about 3 miles from downtown Anchorage (got excellent reviews on Tripadvisor and we'll have our own transportation) BUT Kathy loves the Captain Cook Hotel right downtown but more $$$ my concern was Capt Cook has no a/c and it'd be my luck it'll be a hot Sept - we met people on SA who were on Rad Alaska 2005 2nd week of Sept and said it was hot hot hot unusual BUT -- any feedback?? PS Homewood has full b'fst and 5-7 cocktail hr (poor hotel they'll lose $ on my group) HS about $200 vs CC $280 per night -

We also booked a rental car with Harley's to pick up on the 6th. Grant talked to the guy who runs it and thought he was very nice. He's been doing this in Whittier for about 2 years, I think. Great to have an alternative to Avis with a reasonable one-way drop-off charge. So far, so good. We will be driving to Denali Park where one of my best friends lives and works, then we fly home in the wee hours Sunday morning (10th).

Dena

Dena,

You'd be welcome to join the group for any of our activities since we will be there the exact same dates - leaving the 9th

I emailed Kenny Timberwolf about pricing for the rest of you. Editing to add that if you are going to Anchorage, the more scenic and relaxing way to go is via the train.

Dena: Yes he is nice and chatty - I felt comfortable renting from him and told him he is discussed on internet -

Kathy, thanks, let's keep in touch on plans as the trip gets closer. It would be fun to coordinate some things while we are there. My friend is a scientist at the park, and a great source of information. She's a definite "insider" and a top-notch wildlife spotter to boot! Maybe she can guide the whole group on some activity in the area. Definitely let me know the plans for meals and activities and I'm sure we would love to join in on a few.

We will stay with her and so we need our own car to get around. (You might remember awhile back I asked if I could possibly join you on the bus - at the time it looked like Grant might not be able to make the trip due to work, but now it looks much better for him getting the time off.)

Looking forward to it! We have been wanting to go back to Alaska and MUSH is the perfect reason/excuse!

Dena

Dena, is the the same friend who has the Denali web cam?

Joanna, I stayed at Captain Cook hotel first time I went from rec's from cc. Nothing spectacular, just nice. Next time, had free forced overnight through Rad coming from the east coast to ANC. Don't remember the rooms in either place.

Olivia: Have decided there is nothing to remember in any Anchorage hotel - well nothing we'd like to remember (such as Pan Pacific in Vancouver) - Capt Cook seems fine but can you imagine a fluke hot spell with No AIR??? - maybe I am nuts about this issue but live in Florida -

Karen - yes, this is the friend with the webcam. Here's the link to "her" camera which is unfortunately not up until June.

Denali Air Quality Webcam

Andrea monitors and studies air quality at the park so as you can see there is air quality data on the web page. Her life there is very interesting and I'm pretty sure she would not live anywhere else. She would probably be very embarrased if she knew I was discussing her with my internet friends!

Dena

I'm happy to do whatever postcruise, as long as I make my flight to SEA!

Fred are you connecting in YVR or are you leaving a car in Vancouver and driving?

Dena,

We are doing the Cabin Night Dinner theater on Wednesday Night, Thursday we have the Tundra Wildlife Tour and we are eating at the hotel and on Friday we take the Goldstar Train back to Anchorage where we will all be staying. You and Grant are welcome to join us for any of our activities.

For those of you who are privately leaving Whittier through the tunnel, the schedule for leaving town is on the hour for a duration of 15 mintues. For coming into Whittier, it is on the half hour. Someone suggested that you arrive a few minutes early to queue up.

I emailed Kenny Timberwolf. His charge for the Mercedes Limo Van is $500 Whittier to Anchorage Airport. It seats 12 so that would be less expensive than and of the RSSC transfers.

aktimberwolf@acsalaska.net
www.alaskatimberwolftours.com

Marcie, the luxury van sounds like the way to go if we can get enough people to join us. $500 divided by 16 (Kathy, I checked his website, and it says the van will hold 16, not 12). So that comes to approximately $38 pp.

On the other hand, if there aren't enough people, it'll be a heck of a lot more than RSSC's bus.

How about a head count of anyone else who would be interested? From reading these threads, though, it sounds like most are staying over for a post-cruise excursion.

Just to be clear, this is only transportation from the ship straight to the airport. No out-of-the-way sightseeing.

Marti

Just out of curiosity, how much is the RSSC transfer?

Marti,
Thanks for looking into this. As of now is it just the 4 of us going directly to the airport?? I checked back on an old posting and the one way transfer on RSSC bus is $69 p.p. and arrives at the airport around noon. There is also a train (which takes longer) that is $107.p.p.
It is sounding like the RSSC bus may be the better way to go.

Marcie and Marti,

My friend, Carol is going direct to Airport, although I booked her on the train. When I emailed Kenny, he said 10 is best and he uses a trailer for luggage.

It's a 2 or 3 hour ride to the airport, I believe

Marcie and Kathy (and Carol), Ngaire told me some time ago that the train transfer would be out for us because we probably would not arrive in time for our flight. And our flight leaves an hour and a half AFTER yours. What time is Carol's flight?

Anyway, I am thinking the RSSC bus is the way to go. No hassle.

Perhaps mimosas will be served on the bus? :)

Marti

We took the RSSC bus from Seward to AK. It was mass confusion because they had a day room at the Hilton for some of the passengers and the busses stopped to drop off passengers with later flights. It was a long ride to get there and the scenery on the Kenai Peninsula beautiful. I think we had a flight at about 4 then and it was a long wait. The airport was modern, but on the rustic side.

Marti,

My flight is at 12:44. Ngaire thought it might be tight but doable if I took the RSSC bus.

RSSC won't book any air leaving before 1pm, but they are very cautious and leave a lot of wiggle room.

I'm happy to participate if we can make the numbers work. I figure we would need 8 people to make it comparably priced to the bus (we have to add tip, yes?)

Marcie,

We may be up to 8 with the two of you, Marti (2), Fred and Pat (2), me and possibly Carol. There may be more out there.

I can confirm Carol, if she's needed. She doesn't post to LCT, so I am making all her arrangements (except going and paying!)

Just interested to know...if you choose RSSC air, and flight from Anchorage to the east coast is not until after or near midnight after embarkation, what do they do with you after you get off the ship?

Same thing I wondered - I think Ngaire said the Rad transfer would take you on a tour (she can clarify I really don't remember) BUT I thought that is alot of time to kill (9 am till midnight)

Maybe that's the day room that Kathy was mentioning earlier.