Denali Tour Bus vs. Shuttle Bus

[Fer2005]

We can't stay in the park and we want to do a bus tour, tour bus vs. shuttle bus.

I've heard good things about the shuttle buses. Does anybody have experience doing both? Experiences with either would be great. We're traveling as a group of 5 adults so no kids issues.

Thanks.

[lizzie]

We loved the shuttle buses in 2013 and will be taking it again on Monday. lizzie

[bobsallyh]

Summer of 2014 we used the concessionaire bus tour from the visitor center to the end at Kant(whatever)). Great all day trip. Buy your ticket at the visitors center, cheaper than thru the tour outfits. There will be no price listed for the different trips at the kiosk at the visitors center. Just ask for the pricing at the kiosk. We found the "no prices" puzzling until we asked. They are not posted because the tour companies inflate the prices on their ads and then when the tourists see the prices they squawk. It was very interesting to say the least!

[2gypsies1]

bee_46 wrote:
We only do the shuttle buses in Denali. We have done 3 trips into Wonder Lake and one in Kantishna. The shuttle bus drivers are extremely knowledgeable about the park and will stop to allow photos of wildlife along the way. The shuttle buses also go farther into the park. The tour buses will provide you with a box lunch, I believe, and you have to provide your own food on the shuttle bus. I would rather decide what I want to eat anyway. Shuttle buses are also cheaper than the tour buses.

Having not done the tour bus I can't compare, but I would do the shuttle again if I get back to Denali one day.

Exactly as we would suggest. We spent 10 nights in Denali at both Riley Creek and Teklanika campgrounds. We rode the shuttles every day and sometimes more than once a day from Teklanika. When staying there you buy one special TEK pass and you can ride as often as you want.

The drivers were very informative and excellent at spotting the critters. They would park and let you take pictures.

We liked that we could get off the bus wherever we wanted and just walk down the road for a while and pick up another shuttle passing by. You can't imagine the silence and vastness when out there by yourself with no vehicles around.

The shuttle cost is a lot less but then again, you have to pack your own lunch. 🙂

Personally, although we did ride to the end of the park one day, we wouldn't do it again. We saw all the animals before getting there. It makes for a very long day.

[bee_46]

We only do the shuttle buses in Denali. We have done 3 trips into Wonder Lake and one in Kantishna. The shuttle bus drivers are extremely knowledgeable about the park and will stop to allow photos of wildlife along the way. The shuttle buses also go farther into the park. The tour buses will provide you with a box lunch, I believe, and you have to provide your own food on the shuttle bus. I would rather decide what I want to eat anyway. Shuttle buses are also cheaper than the tour buses.

Having not done the tour bus I can't compare, but I would do the shuttle again if I get back to Denali one day.

[BB_TX]

We have only ridden a bus for one of the lodges at the end of the road.

But here is some good info from Trip Advisor.