Alaska land itinerary July 2025

Question

We are a family of 8 traveling together to Alaska in July.

Our Princess cruise ends in Whittier. We are looking to spend 7 days on land after that. We are ages 40s, 50s, kids ages 8-14. We are active and can hike strenuous hikes and plan to rent cars. We are running into difficulties with renting a car in Whittier. Avis is sold out and another local company is available(unsure if we should use them). We are hoping to go to Seward from Whittier. Is that worth doing?

Itinerary in progress is below. Please advise:

July 12 arrive Whittier. Hopefully rent a car there and drive to Seward or go to Anchorage instead and rent there.

13 - Seward/Kenai Fjords area

14 - Drive to Talkeetna -stay overnight

15-16 - Drive to Denali, stay 2 nights

17 - Denali to Anchorage, stay 2 nights

18 - day flight to Homer?

19 - evening red eye flight home

Answer

Your 7-day Alaska land itinerary after the cruise is ambitious but doable, especially with an active family. I’ll break down the key considerations, recommendations, and alternatives to help you make the most of your trip.

Car Rental from Whittier:

Whittier is a very small town with limited car rental options. Avis being sold out is common during peak summer months. Local operators exist, but they may have limited insurance coverage, fewer vehicles, or strict policies. A safer alternative is to take the cruise tender into Whittier and arrange a shuttle or ride to Anchorage (about 1–1.5 hours) and rent a car there. This gives you more flexibility, vehicle choice, and reliable insurance.

Seward Consideration:

Driving from Whittier to Seward is feasible and scenic (roughly 2–2.5 hours). Seward is worth visiting if you want:

Kenai Fjords National Park boat tours (day cruises for glaciers and wildlife, typically 6–7 hours)
Short hikes like Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail
Scenic small-town experience with waterfront restaurants and shops

If you skip Seward, you could head directly to Anchorage or Talkeetna, but you’d miss the Kenai Fjords experience, which is unique and family-friendly.

Day-by-Day Suggestions:

July 12: Arrive Whittier. If renting in Whittier is unreliable, shuttle to Anchorage and rent a car. Drive to Seward if timing allows; otherwise overnight in Anchorage and drive to Seward early the next morning.
July 13: Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour. Exit Glacier hike in the afternoon. Overnight in Seward.
July 14: Drive to Talkeetna (~5–6 hours). Talkeetna is a charming small town with options for light hiking, riverfront walks, or a flightseeing tour of Denali if desired. Overnight in Talkeetna.
July 15–16: Drive to Denali National Park (2–3 hours). Spend 2 nights in the Denali area. Use the shuttle bus system inside the park for wildlife viewing and short hikes. For active hikers, consider shorter hikes near the visitor center or along the Savage River Trail. Overnight near Denali.
July 17: Drive back to Anchorage (~4–5 hours). Consider stopping at scenic points along the Parks Highway or Hatcher Pass. Overnight in Anchorage.
July 18: Day trip to Homer (optional) or explore Anchorage area (flights to Homer are ~1 hour). In Homer, you can do hiking, visit Kachemak Bay, or see the famous Homer Spit.
July 19: Return rental car if necessary and depart from Anchorage evening flight.

Additional Notes:

The itinerary is quite packed; ensure the family is prepared for multiple drives of 2–5 hours in a day.
Boat tours in Seward should be booked well in advance, especially for a large family in July.
Talkeetna is a good overnight stop to break up long drives and offers a unique Alaskan small-town vibe with potential flightseeing tours.
Denali requires some flexibility—if you want to see wildlife, plan the shuttle bus ride early in the day. Hiking options are mostly near the entrance for shorter trails; longer trails require permits and more planning.
Homer day trip is ambitious; alternatively, you could spend an extra day around Anchorage to reduce travel stress.

Summary Recommendations:

Use Anchorage for car rental if Whittier options are limited.
Seward is highly recommended for Kenai Fjords NP and glacier views—worth the detour.
Talkeetna makes a good overnight stop en route to Denali.
Denali: 2 nights is ideal for wildlife viewing and short hikes.
Consider skipping Homer if the family prefers less travel stress, especially with children.

This plan balances scenic drives, active outdoor experiences, and family-friendly activities while keeping each day manageable.