Traveling around Alaska
by bus is a great option for the independent
traveler on a budget. Let an experienced driver-guide
deal with the long distances, while you relax
in a comfortable, modern coach or van. Most
vehicles offer plenty of leg room, big picture
windows, and space to stow extra gear. Hop-on,
hop-off service may be available, great for
flexible scheduling.
You’ll find numerous bus routes branching
out from Anchorage, offering connections to
destinations around the state. Here’s
our list of companies, separated by route,
followed by a handy comparison table:
Company |
Routes & Times |
Important
Features |
Pros |
AK Direct |
- Anchorage ~ Fairbanks (charter)
- Whitehorse & Haines ~ Fairbanks
- Whitehorse & Haines ~ Anchorage
- 2 days/wk in winter; 3 in summer
|
- One check-in, one carryon allowed
- 15- and 21-passenger vans w/ reclining
seats, just as comfy as big coaches
- Frequent restroom stops (1.5-2 hours)
- Reservations required
|
|
| |
AK Park Connection |
- Denali ~ Seward ~ Anchorage
- Mid May-Mid-Sep, daily departures
|
- Two check-ins, one carryon
- Deluxe motorcoaches w/comfortable
seating, plenty of leg room, large
picture windows, PA system
- Only same-day service between Denali
and Seward
- Seward/Anch express
- Museum admission incl.
- Advanced reservations required (45
days)
|
- Deluxe motorcoaches
- Two daily departures btw Anch/Seward
|
| |
AK Trails |
- Anchorage ~ Denali ~ Fairbanks
- Fairbanks ~ Valdez
- Fairbanks ~ Dawson City, Yukon
|
- Extra room for gear and luggage
- Flag-stop service all routes; tickets
valid entire season
- 4-seat min on Richardson Highway
Route before confirmation; NO
cancellations
- Same-day connection btw Anchorage/Fairbanks
and Denali backcountry lodge buses
|
- Cheapest fare btw Anch/Denali
- Scheduled Anch/Fbks service
- Only same-day connection btw Anchorage/Fairbanks
and Denali backcountry lodge buses
- Two daily departures btw Anch/Denali
|
| |
Homer Stage
Lines |
- Homer ~ Anch/Seward
- Charters available, more runs as
necessary
- Homer/Anch
- June-Aug: daily
- May-Sep: Mon, Wed, Fri
- Oct-April: Mon & Thu to Anch;
Tue & Fri to Homer
- Homer/Seward
- Mid May-mid Sep: Mon-Sat
|
- Two check-ins, one carryon
- 15-passenger van w/trailer
|
- Homer-based service to Kenai Peninsula
and Anchorage
|
| |
Seward Bus
Lines |
- Seward ~ Anchorage
- Daily in summer
- Mon-Sat in winter
- Anchorage ~ Whittier
- Summer service; only on cruise days
|
- Two check-ins, one carryon
- 14-passenger bus or 22-passenger
van
- No deposit or cancellation fees
- Cheaper than rates charged by cruiselines
|
- Cheapest fare btw Seward/Anch
- Year-round service to Seward
- Cruise-day service to Whittier
- Cheaper than cruiseline transportation
- No-hassle cancellation
- Large motorcoach available
|
| |
