How to get from Denali to Anchorage

The route from Denali Park to Anchorage is well-traveled by summer visitors, connecting one of the state's most popular visitor attractions with Alaska's largest city. The trip takes under eight hours by train, or between five and six hours by bus or car. Regardless of how you travel, spectacular views of Denali are possible when the weather is clear. As you can see below, there are several travel options, and sometimes the best choice is determined by when you want to depart Denali Park or arrive in Anchorage.

7.5 hours by train | 6 hours by bus | 5 hours by car

Keep reading for more details, or if you are ready to book train or bus seats, visit our Train & Bus Express Checkout page.

Take the Train

The 12:30 PM departure time of the Denali Star train allows travelers to participate in a morning activity at the park if they choose, such as a raft trip or scenic flight. Adventure Class and GoldStar Dome services are available on the train, as well as the privately-operated Wilderness Express dome railcars which typically make up the last two cars of the train. The trip takes about eight hours, with an arrival in Anchorage around 8:00 PM. If you would like to arrive a bit earlier, check out the McKinley Explorer. These dome railcars operate on a separate train and schedule, departing Denali Park at 9:15 AM and arriving in Anchorage around 5:00 PM.

Ride the Bus

The Park Connection Motorcoach offers both morning and afternoon departures. It picks up at most major hotels near the Denali Park entrance. The morning trip departs Denali Park at 7:00 AM and arrives in Anchorage around 1:30 PM, making it perfect for travelers who are looking for an early arrival in Anchorage. The afternoon trip departs at 1:45 PM and arrives in Anchorage around 8:30 PM, with a schedule that connects with transportation from the Kantishna lodges in the Denali National Park backcountry.

Drive Yourself

Driving from Denali Park to Anchorage covers about 240 road miles, usually taking just over five hours, with time for a few stops along the way. Consider a short detour to the historic town of Talkeetna for lunch. One-way car rentals from Denali to Anchorage are generally not available, but we do have numerous other options on our Alaska car rental page, including one-way car rentals from Fairbanks to Anchorage.