You're looking at the map, tracing the coastline of Prince William Sound, and you see it. Whittier. It’s that tiny, strange town tucked between the mountains and the sea, famous for having almost its entire population living in a single fourteen-story building. You want to go. Naturally, your first instinct is to look up how to fly to Whittier Alaska.
Here is the thing. You can't. Well, not in the way you’re probably thinking.
Whittier doesn't have a commercial airport. There aren't any Delta or Alaska Airlines flights landing on a paved strip next to the harbor. If you try to book a ticket on Expedia, the search engine will probably just blink at you or suggest you fly into Anchorage and figure it out from there. It's one of those logistical quirks that makes Alaska both a dream and a headache for travelers. This town was built as a secret military port during World War II, and its geography is... restrictive. To get there, you either go through a mountain via a one-way tunnel, come in by boat, or—if you’re feeling adventurous—charter a very specific kind of plane.
The Reality of the "Whittier Airport"
If you open Google Earth and zoom in on the western edge of town, you'll see something that looks like a runway. That’s the Whittier Airport (PAWR). But calling it an airport is a bit of a stretch. It’s a 1,480-foot gravel strip. For context, a standard commercial runway is usually at least 5,000 feet. This strip is basically a patch of dirt that is frequently underwater or covered in snow.
Most pilots will tell you that Whittier is one of the sketchiest places to land in the state. The wind coming off the glaciers creates a "venturi effect," basically turning the valley into a giant wind tunnel. Then there are the "williwaws"—sudden, violent gusts that can shove a light aircraft toward the granite walls before you even realize what's happening. Because of this, almost no one actually tries to fly to Whittier Alaska for a casual vacation. The state even stopped maintaining the runway for a while because the weather is so consistently garbage.
If you're dead set on flying, your only real option is a bush plane charter. Companies like Rust’s Flying Service or Alaska Floats and Flies operate out of Anchorage, but they usually won't land on that gravel strip. Instead, they’ll take a floatplane and land you right in the water. It’s expensive. It’s loud. It’s arguably the coolest way to arrive, but it’s definitely not a "commuter" flight.
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The One-Way Tunnel Gauntlet
Since you probably aren't going to drop two grand on a private bush plane, you'll likely end up doing what everyone else does: the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel.
This is the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America. It’s 2.5 miles of solid rock. It’s also one-way. This means you have to time your arrival perfectly. If you show up at the staging area at 1:15 PM and the tunnel is currently letting traffic out of Whittier, you’re sitting in your car for 45 minutes. No exceptions.
- The Schedule: Traffic goes into Whittier on the half-hour (10:30, 11:30, etc.).
- The Exit: Traffic leaves Whittier on the hour (11:00, 12:00, etc.).
- The Cost: Expect to pay about $13 for a standard vehicle.
It’s an eerie experience. You drive your car onto tracks designed for trains. The lights are dim. The walls are raw rock. Honestly, it feels like you're entering a Bond villain's lair. It is the literal opposite of the freedom you feel when you fly to Whittier Alaska in a floatplane, but it’s the price of admission for one of the weirdest towns in America.
Why People Even Bother
You might be wondering why anyone goes through this much trouble. Why fight the wind to fly in or wait an hour at a tunnel?
Prince William Sound. That’s why.
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Whittier is the gateway to some of the densest concentrations of tidewater glaciers in the world. When you stand on the pier, you’re looking at a wilderness that hasn't changed in thousands of years. Most people use Whittier as a jumping-off point for the 26 Glacier Cruise (operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours). It’s exactly what it sounds like. You get on a high-speed catamaran and spend five hours seeing more ice than you’ve seen in your entire life.
There’s also the "Begich, Boggs Visitor Center" at Portage Glacier nearby. It’s named after two congressmen who—ironically—disappeared in a plane crash in 1972 while flying in Alaska. It’s a sobering reminder of why the flight path into these mountain towns is treated with such respect by local pilots.
The Weirdness of Begich Towers
You can't talk about Whittier without mentioning the Begich Towers. Since you can’t easily fly to Whittier Alaska and stay in a Hilton, this building is basically the town's nervous system.
Almost everyone who lives here year-round lives in this one building. It has the post office, the grocery store, and even a small church in the basement. During the winter, when the snow piles up so high you can't see out the first-floor windows, people don't even go outside. They just walk down the hall to get their mail and go to work. If you're staying overnight, there are a few condos in the towers that function as Airbnbs. It’s a strange, communal way of living that exists purely because the environment outside is so hostile.
Better Alternatives for Air Travel
If your heart was set on a scenic flight, don't give up. Just change your destination.
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Instead of trying to fly to Whittier Alaska directly, look at flightseeing tours out of Girdwood or Anchorage. Alpine Air Alaska operates out of Girdwood (which is on the way to Whittier) and they do glacier landings. You get the same dramatic views of the Chugach Mountains without the risk of trying to stick a landing on a flooded gravel strip in a crosswind.
Another option? Fly into Seward. Seward actually has a paved runway and much more reliable weather. You can fly from Anchorage to Seward in about 35 minutes on a scheduled charter. From there, it’s a stunning drive or boat ride over to the Whittier area if you still need to see the "town under one roof."
Navigating the Logistics: A Reality Check
Alaska is big. Like, "you don't realize how big it is until you're staring at a map for three hours" big. Distances are deceptive. Weather is the ultimate boss.
- Check the Tunnel App: There is an actual "Whittier Tunnel" app. Download it. It tells you if the tunnel is closed for maintenance or if a train is currently hogging the tracks.
- Book the Train: If you don’t want to drive, the Alaska Railroad runs the Glacier Discovery train. It’s arguably more relaxing than driving and you get the same tunnel experience without the stress of being the lead car on the tracks.
- Sea Kayaking: If you get to Whittier and want to see the glaciers without 300 other tourists, rent a kayak. Alaska Sea Kayakers is right in the harbor. They can drop you and a boat off deep in the sound so you can paddle among the icebergs in total silence.
Whittier is a place defined by its limitations. The lack of an easy way to fly to Whittier Alaska is part of its DNA. It’s a fortress of rock and ice. Whether you’re coming through the mountain or landing a floatplane in the harbor, the effort required to get there makes the arrival feel earned.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are planning this trip right now, stop looking for commercial flights to Whittier. Instead, do this:
- Book a flight into Anchorage (ANC). This is your base of operations.
- Rent a car or book a seat on the Alaska Railroad. The drive from Anchorage to Whittier via the Seward Highway is one of the top ten most scenic drives in the world.
- Coordinate your arrival with the tunnel opening. Aim to arrive at the Bear Valley staging area 20 minutes before the half-hour mark (e.g., 10:10 AM for the 10:30 AM opening).
- Pack layers. Even in July, the wind off the Blackstone Glacier will make it feel like 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Rain gear isn't optional; Whittier is one of the wettest places in the state.
- Confirm your glacier tour in advance. These boats fill up months ahead of time during the peak cruise ship season (May through September).
The reality of Alaska travel is that the journey is often more complicated than the destination. Whittier is the perfect example. It's a town that shouldn't exist, in a place that's hard to reach, and that is exactly why it’s worth the trip.