The one real option
Whittier doesn't have competing lots or operators the way a bigger port does — there's a single supervised lot, and either it works for your trip or you're better off not driving.
Supervised lot, Whittier Street
- Located across the railroad tracks along Whittier Street, a short walk south of the small boat harbor and the dock
- Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover accepted (no American Express); paid in advance
- Seasonal operation, roughly mid-April through late October, staffed 7 days a week during the season
- No porter service — self-serve luggage carts are provided at the terminal instead
No park-and-cruise hotel packages
- Unlike bigger embarkation cities, no hotel near the Whittier terminal offers a park-and-cruise package
- There's also no competing off-site operator or shuttle-lot arrangement — the one lot above is the whole official picture
- Some travelers instead leave a vehicle in Anchorage and take a cruise-line or third-party transfer the rest of the way
Pricing is subject to change, per the operator's own notice — call the terminal directly at (907) 472-2327 to confirm the current rate before you go. Review periodically
RV and trailer parking
Whittier is a genuine stop on the Alaska road-trip circuit as well as a cruise port, so RV and trailer parking is a real, separate offering rather than an afterthought. A dedicated long-term area for trailers, RVs, and camping sits across the railroad tracks near the waterfront, apart from the standard vehicle lot described above.
That separation matters: it's a different space with its own arrangement, not simply the standard car rate applied to a bigger vehicle. If you're arriving with an RV or trailer for a Whittier sailing, confirm the current rate and availability directly with Whittier Parking rather than assuming the car rate carries over.
Should you actually drive to Whittier?
Driving to Whittier means routing through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel's fixed one-way schedule (see the full guide's getting-here section for the departure times and toll), then finding and paying for a week or more of parking once you arrive. Most cruise lines already run their own transfers from Anchorage — some via the Alaska Railroad's own train cars — which sidesteps both the tunnel timing and the parking question in one move.
- Driving works well for: travelers already road-tripping through Southcentral Alaska who want their own vehicle for pre- or post-cruise exploring, and who don't mind timing their arrival to the tunnel's schedule.
- A transfer works better for: anyone flying into Anchorage specifically for the cruise — it removes the tunnel-timing risk entirely and is often already built into a cruisetour package.
Sources: Whittier Parking's own site (whittierparking.com); Cruise Critic's Whittier terminal and parking guide; alaska.org's Whittier Tunnel page — verified September 24, 2026.
Hotels that hold the car
We’ve since checked 38 hotels in Seward, Whittier, Girdwood and Anchorage, one by one, on their own sites. None in Whittier publishes a price to leave the car while you cruise; by the Anchorage airport, Coast Inn at Lake Hood mentions discounted long-term parking without a printed price.
Whittier Parking’s own site doesn’t print a rate now, and Anchorage’s airport long-term lot is $13 a day with a $78 weekly cap, per the airport. The 20 best hotels for a Whittier cruise scores every one, and prices the airport’s two lots for your cruise length.
The top six, by our ranking
The ride to the ship, free breakfast and distance decide the order. Tap one for the full review, or hold a room for the night before.
Still deciding how to get to the ship?
Tell us how you're arriving.
Driving in with an RV, flying into Anchorage the morning of, or already road-tripping through Alaska — tell us the actual situation and we'll tell you straight which option fits.
Answers verified against current pricing and itineraries before you book.
Parking FAQ
Is there official parking for Whittier cruise passengers?
Yes, one option: a supervised lot on Whittier Street, a short walk from the dock, operated by Whittier Parking. It's the only dedicated cruise-passenger lot in town — there's no second option or competing operator the way larger ports have.
How much does Whittier cruise parking cost?
Whittier Parking's site doesn't print a rate, so call (907) 472-2327 for the current price before you go. The lot takes cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover (not American Express), paid in advance.
Can I park an RV or trailer in Whittier?
Yes — a separate long-term area for trailers, RVs, and camping is available across the railroad tracks near the waterfront, apart from the standard vehicle lot. It's a different space with its own arrangement, so confirm details directly with Whittier Parking rather than assuming the standard car rate applies.
Should I just drive to Whittier and park, or leave my car in Anchorage?
For most travelers, leaving the car in Anchorage (or not renting one at all) works out simpler. Whittier's lot is real and supervised, but the drive itself runs through the Anton Anderson Tunnel's fixed one-way schedule, and most cruise lines already run their own transfers from Anchorage — some via the Alaska Railroad's train — which sidesteps both the tunnel timing and the parking question entirely.
Are there hotel park-and-cruise packages in Whittier?
No — Whittier doesn't have park-and-cruise hotel packages the way larger embarkation cities do. The supervised lot on Whittier Street, or arranging parking in Anchorage before your transfer, are the two realistic options.