Last year I took the embarkation day train from the Airport to Seward. That gets you to Seward just in time to board the ship. This time I’m going a day early and I want to maximize my time in Seward. A train takes five hours and a bus takes three hours.

The best option for me this time was the Park Connection bus. Park Connection has several options including a Seward Express Bus that leaves from the Convention Center at 7am and arrives in Seward at 10:30am for $75. That’s what I booked.     

I arrived at the convention center at 6:45am and found my bus waiting out front.

This bus is packed. I was lucky to get a window seat and my own row. I have power and a cup holder. If you want to pick your own seat, I recommend getting here at least 30 minutes early. I would suggest sitting on the right side of the bus for more scenery. 

My cup doesn’t fit in the cup holder.

This will allow me to keep my phone charged without burning my mobile chargers.

This is our bus driver. He has a French accent. He said he lives on the other side of the fjord but comes here to shop at Costco. 

It’s surprising to see these prices in an oil producing state. I paid less than $2.40 before I came here.

They have the fences along the highway to keep moose out of the road. 

I was hoping for a better picture but this is a moose gate. That’s a one way gate that helps the moose exit the wrong side of the fence but it doesn’t open the other way.

These are the Chugach Mountains.

On the right side of the bus we have Turnagain Arm. This is why you want to be on the right side if you can.

We are passing an Alaskan Railroad train. The Alaskan Railroad is the only railroad in the country owned by a state.

We are now passing Chugach National Forest. This is on my side of the bus.

We have now crossed over to the Kenai Peninsula.

We are making a bathroom stop at the forks.

This is one of the top rivers in the country for white water rafting.

It’s time to get back on the road.

This is Lower Summit Lake.

This is Upper Trail Lake.

This is Lower Trail Lake.

This is Kenai Lake.

We are now crossing over the Kenai River.

Here we can see some hanging glaciers. 

There’s an eagle on the top of that tree.

There’s an eagle’s nest.

This is Resurrection Bay which means we’re close to Seward.

The first passenger drop off is the Windsong Lodge. When booking you had three dropoff options. This one is outside of town. I picked the Gateway Hotel which is in town.

And we are pulling into Seward at 10:15am.

Next stop is the Gateway Hotel.

I was off of the bus at 10:20am.

That was a good trip. I was just expecting it to be transportation but the driver talked the entire three hours. It was like a tour not just transportation. I prefer the train ride but I would recommend this if you want to get into Seward earlier the day before the cruise.