Getting to Girdwood Alaska
1. Car Rental
The vastness of Alaska makes having a rental car a real advantage in terms of flexibility and making more things available. With the exception of the largest cities, public transit in Alaska is almost non existent, thereby making independent traveling plans without your own vehicle a bit challenging. For convenience, you can’t beat the rental facility at Ted Stevens Airport. Many of the major rental companies are housed right at the airport, across from the arrival terminal so you don’t even have to take a shuttle to get a car. This makes dropping your car off before your flight a snap as well. If you want to avoid the additional tax levied against rentals from the airport there are several other options around Anchorage. Avis and Hertz both offer rentals from downtown Anchorage without the additional airport tax. ABC Motor Home Rentals is a great company for renting a recreational vehicle, which is another very popular option when visiting Girdwood and Alaska. There are great places to camp around the state and an RV is a great way to explore some of Alaska’s more wild places.
2. Train
The Alaska Railroad operates train lines across the state, from Seward to Fairbanks and even beyond during the summer months. The train is a leisurely way to take in the scenery in and around Girdwood and can be a great option for long trips as well. There is a small station in Girdwood that trains stop at between Whittier and Anchorage and Seward and Anchorage. The train has a very set schedule, however, that can make using it as a main means of transportation troublesome. Visit their website for more information about schedules, pricing, etc.
3. Glacier Valley Transit
Once you’re in Girdwood you’ll have no trouble getting around. In addition to the paved bike trail that runs the length of Girdwood, there is the shuttle service called Glacier Valley Transit. The shuttle operates year round, from 7 AM to 10 PM (depending on season). The price is right ($1.00/person/ride) and the shuttle runs from one edge of town all the way to the other, with lots of stops in between. Most of the places around Girdwood are close to Timberline Drive Vacation Rental but the shuttle offers a nice alternative to walking or biking. |
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