We are cruising in June and will arrive in Anchorage the day before departure. We thought that we could rent a car one-way from Anchorage to Seward thru Hertz. Hertz says no. Our choises are the train which takes 5 hours and could be fun, or hire a drive so we can stop at Exit Glacier etc.
Why does the train take 5 hours to do a 2-3 hour drive? Does it stop? We have all day, as our ship doesnt leave until 9pm.

We did the train - it left at 6 am and got it shortly after 11. The views were extremely beautiful and scenic.

You can take a taxi ride to Exit Glacier on your own once you get to Seward. I hooked up with a tour for $20 a pp through Kenai Fiords tour/Windsong Lodge. I would probably just take a taxi next time. Exit Glacier is defintely worth seeing.

The train goes slower and on a different route. Scenery is superior from the train. As I responded elsewhere- I have NEVER made the drive in 2 hours, 3 is the norm. It clearly isn't all 55mph driving. Have done it many times. I also suggested- you keep checking with Hertz- cancelations are possible, also change your pick up times perhaps??

We took the train from Anchorage to Seward before our Princess cruise in 2002. It's a beautiful and scenic trip, along the coastline then cutting inland -- different views from the driving trip. We loved it.
It was a comfortable ride, with plenty of room. If you drive, someone has to pay attention to the road ahead. On the train, you can both exclaim over the scenery and run around taking pictures... The train dropped us right at the pier.

Thanks all: the train it is !

I would take the train without question. It goes on a completely different route and you will see wildlife and beautiful scenery.

Have a great trip.

Tom

This train is part of the Alaskan RR- I understand that it does NOT have a domed car, not a luxury train, nonetheless, it sounds like the train provides beautiful scenery.

Is there a dining car or do we need to bring like a box lunch? We leave Anchorage at 12:00 and arrive Seward at 5pm, so my crew will want to eat something.

There is a domed car. You are on a cruise contracted train though- with their own cars and all that I know of have domed cars. Yes there is a dining room. Costly - so you could take your own if desired. When leaving Seward I most always pick up a subway- sub.

I went with Alaska RR from Anchorage to Seward (not through the cruise line) and we had 2 domed cars. Though in reality, the large windows in the regular cars were fine.