Need Advice On Alaska Trip
 

My husband and I are going to Alaska in August and have some questions on different things.
1. There is a train that goes from Seward to Anchorage and a bus. Is the train ride worth the extra money (additional $40). Also, how do you get from the dock (as we are on a cruise) to the train station?
2. We are going to rent a car in Anchorage and drive to Denili Park. Has anyone done that lately? Is it a good driving road?
3. In Denili Park there are two bus tours. One is 5 hours the other is 8 hours through the park. If anyone has done these tours can you tell me if the longer tour is worth it and are the buses comfortable.
4. There are three hotels in Denili...the Grand Denili Lodge, Denili Bluffs and Princess Lodge. Has anyone stayed at any of these places lately? Any recommendations?
Thank you for any advice you can offer.

2. The road to Denali is fine, unless you get stuck behind a line of rvs.

3. I would take as long a tour as possible, there is one that is more than 8 hours that I would choose. Do pick up sandwiches and snacks. Expect to be on your basic school bus and leave as early as possible as the animals generally are more active at dawn and dusk.

4. There are several hotels/motels near Denali and some more 10 miles or so away in the town of Healy.

We took the train from Anchorage to Seward and thoroughly enjoyed it. It takes you through some remote and scenic areas that you wouldn't see from the road. As a matter of fact, we are going again on June 1 and have bought upgraded tickets for Gold Star (the dome car) on the train this time.

On the other hand, we haven't taken the bus, so cannot compare the two.

See http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ain-or-bus.cfm
For a discussion of the Anchorage-Seward trip.

My husband and I are going to Alaska in August and have some questions on different things.

1. If the choice is only train or bus, I'd take the train (I don't like buses!). Train station to dock (approx. 0.5 - 1 mile - taxi)

2. The road is just fine. It's mostly a 2 lane highway (1 lane each way), subject to lots of summer road construction and traffic.

3. I would not do any "tours" within Denali. I would stick to using their shuttle system (see: http://www.reservedenali.com/shuttles.aspx ). I'd recommend booking a shuttle to Wonder Lake. If the weather's poor or you get tired, then get of at the Eielson Visitor Center and catch another shuttle that is returning. The busses are very similar to school busses.