DRIVE AND CRUISE ADVENTURES

Drive to Whittier on the scenic Seward Highway. This easy 63-mile drive from Anchorage offers lots to see on the way. Be sure to check out the local attractions on your drive, from numerous photo stops along the famed Turnagain Arm to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Glacier, and the longest tunnel in North America, or join up with one of our popular transportation packages!

The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is locally known as the Whittier Tunnel. This World War II-era rail tunnel was expanded in 2000 to provide access for trains and cars. Today, the Tunnel is North America’s longest shared rail and vehicle tunnel operating on a strict schedule rotating one-way traffic every 30-minutes. Arrive on the half-hour for access through the tunnel going to Whittier. The tunnel opens on the hour for traffic leaving Whittier.

If driving from Anchorage, use the tunnel schedule times from Bear Valley to Whittier. Use the 10:30 AM tunnel for the 26 Glacier Cruise and the 11:30 AM tunnel for the Glacier Quest Cruise. The tunnel access is available from 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM and again at 11:30 AM – 11:45 AM. Please allow time to pay the tunnel toll and get in line before the tunnel access times. More information is available for the Whittier Tunnel here: www.dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel.

Phillips Cruises and Tours cruises depart from the Cliffside Marina at 100 W Camp Rd. Our office is open starting at 10:00 AM daily to purchase tickets or check-in for your cruise. All guests must be checked in with a valid boarding card and on board the cruise at designated times. Being late may cause the cancellation of reserved seats and/or an entire reservation.

Tips for driving to Whittier

How long is the drive?
We recommend 1.5 hours from Anchorage to Whittier.

How does the tunnel work?
We recommend taking the tunnel from Anchorage/Bear Valley to Whittier at 10:30 AM for the 26 Glacier Cruise and at 11:30 AM tunnel for the Glacier Quest Cruise. More information is available for the Whittier Tunnel details: www.dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel. After your cruise, the tunnel is open at the hour to depart Whittier. The last opening occurs at 11:00 PM.

Where is Phillips Cruises Whittier Office?
Phillips Cruises and Tours day cruises depart from the Cliffside Marina located at 100 W Camp Rd, Whittier, Alaska 99693. As you approach Whittier from the tunnel, you will see the Cliffside Marina on your left. Look for the big yellow triangle on the red roof of our ticket office located in the back of the Cliffside Marina parking lot.

Landmarks on your left as you arrive: Cliffside Marina, then Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal, Inn at Whittier, and the town is further down the road. Landmarks on your right as you arrive: Alaska Railroad stop, Whittier Creek, Cross the rail tracks to access Whittier Camping and Parking, and the Prince William Sound Museum.

Our Whittier office opens at 10:00 AM daily to purchase last-minute tickets and check-in for your cruise. Proceed to Express Check-in on the backside of the ticket office and present your Photo ID to receive your boarding cards. We recommend purchasing tickets before arriving in Whittier to guarantee we have space available. Cruise tickets may also be purchased online until 12:00 PM if space is available or by calling our Anchorage office at 907-276-8023.

Where should we park in Whittier?
We recommend our day cruise guests use the Whittier Parking and Camping $10/day lot on Whittier Street. The Cliffside Marina allows for drop-off and pick-up of our guests and provides clean restrooms for use before or after their cruise. Parking in the Cliffside Marina is reserved for marina slip owners with a few spots designated for our guests with limited mobility for $15 per day.

Once you arrive in Whittier, please stop by the Cliffside Marina to get your boarding cards or use the restrooms we have provided for our day cruise guests. If time allows, feel free to explore our quaint seaside town before parking on Whittier street and returning to the Cliffside Marina to board your cruise.

For more details, please review the “Know Before You Go” document linked to your cruise confirmation and/or the travel reminder we send the evening before your cruise. Phillips Cruises & Tours, LLC does not own the parking lots. As a courtesy to our guests, we have provided details on the two parking lots that are the most convenient for our guests to use during their day cruise.

Are there restrooms near the cruise boarding area or on the cruise?
Yes. Phillips Cruises & Tours, LLC provides clean restrooms for our guests in the Cliffside Marina parking lot and each vessel has multiple restrooms for your convenience.

Should we eat before the cruise?
Every cruise includes a hot meal featuring wild Alaska smoked salmon chowder served shortly after the cruise departures.  Due to our remote location, vegetarian or kids’ meals must be requested at least 48 hours prior to cruise departure. Complimentary coffee, tea, and ice water are available throughout the cruise. On the cruise, a full-service bar features Alaskan ales on tap, craft beers, ciders, wine, and a variety of specialty cocktails for purchase. You may bring your own food if you have dietary restrictions, however no personal alcohol can be brought on or off the vessels due to our liquor license.

Depart from Cliffside Marina

Phillips Cruises and Tours, Cliffside Marina, 100 West Camp Road, Whittier, Alaska 99693

The Beautiful Drive to Whittier

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5 Things to See from
Anchorage to Whittier

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND

26 GLACIER CRUISE SELF-DRIVE

May 3 – October 5, 2025

$199 + tax/fees | Adult
$125 + tax/fees | Child (2-11)

10:30 AM Tunnel
Check in by 11:30 AM

$13 Tunnel Toll, $10-$15 Parking

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND

GLACIER QUEST CRUISE SELF-DRIVE

May 17 -September 14, 2025

$159 + tax/fees | Adult
$89 + tax/fees | Child (2-11)

11:30 AM Tunnel
Check in by 12:30 PM

$13 Tunnel Toll, $10-$15 Parking