Seward
Seward is a port town on Resurrection Bay, at the southern end of the Alaska Railroad, where fjord boat tours and Exit Glacier draw summer visitors.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Seward is a small city in Alaska on the southern coast of the Kenai Peninsula, on Resurrection Bay, a fjord off the Gulf of Alaska. It lies about 120 miles (190 km) by road from Anchorage, and it is the southern end of the Alaska Railroad. Mount Marathon rises steeply behind town. Kenai Fjords National Park, made a national park in 1980 to protect glaciers of the Harding Icefield, uses Seward as its gateway. Exit Glacier, inside the park, is easy to reach.
Most hotels, restaurants and shops open for the summer season, roughly mid-May to mid-September. Rain and snow are heavy here, with the largest amounts in fall and winter, so pack rain gear. Boat tours leave Seward Harbor and sail Resurrection Bay toward Holgate Glacier and Bear Glacier. The Seward Highway from Anchorage and the Alaska Railroad both reach town.
Seward in five
- Choose the Coastal Classic train or the Seward HighwayThe Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic runs Anchorage, Girdwood and Seward along Turnagain Arm, with the return departure from Seward at 6 pm. Driving is more flexible, and the train frees you to watch the scenery.Anchorage travel guide
- Book a Kenai Fjords boat tour earlyWildlife and glacier cruises sell out in peak summer, and the seas can be rough on longer routes. Reserve a slot, then leave a flexible day for weather and a backup short cruise.
- Know that Kenai Fjords has no entrance feeThe NPS says an entrance pass is not required to enter Kenai Fjords National Park. Boat tours, cabins and parking at private lots still cost money, so budget for them separately.
- Check Exit Glacier road and trail alertsThe park posts road status and closures for Exit Glacier, and conditions change with snow and floods. Look at the NPS alerts the morning you go, and carry layers in any season.
- Land at Anchorage and sort your ESTA firstAnchorage is the gateway airport, and many visitors rent a car or take the train south. Confirm your entry authorization before you book connecting travel.ESTA explained
Need to know
- Airport
- Anchorage (ANC) is the gateway; Seward is a drive or train ride south
- Getting there
- Seward Highway from Anchorage, or the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic
- Getting around
- Walkable harborfront; a car, shuttle or tour for Exit Glacier
- Best base
- Seward itself, close to the boat dock and restaurants
- Time needed
- 2 nights; a long day trip from Anchorage works but is rushed
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow19 rainy days14 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-6°Cold, darkJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -3°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 382 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 14
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dark
- FebruarySnow16 rainy days11 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-6°Cold, darkFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 235 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 11
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dark
- MarchSnow15 rainy days10 snowy daysHigh0°Low-5°Snow, quietMarchSnow
Mixed
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 230 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 10
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- AprilSnow17 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh4°Low-1°Thaw, quietAprilSnow
Mixed
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 223 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, quiet
- MayRain20 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low3°Tours beginMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 264 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Tours begin
- JuneRain17 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 187 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Peak, cruisesJulyRain
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 211 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, cruises
- AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Peak, salmonAugustRain
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 377 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, salmon
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Fall, quieterSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 381 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall, quieter
- OctoberRain19 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low1°Cold, shoulderOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 382 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, shoulder
- NovemberSnow17 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh0°Low-5°SnowNovemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 350 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow
- DecemberSnow20 rainy days13 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-6°Cold, darkDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 349 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 13
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dark
Average daily high and low in Seward, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Seward
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
2
- Feels like
- -2°
- Humidity
- 100%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Seward
11:36 AM
Monday, November 2
- Today4°-1°100%Monday: Rain. High 4°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue5°3°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 5°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed5°0°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 5°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu5°0°88%Thursday: Rain. High 5°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri5°0°71%Friday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sat4°-2°71%Saturday: Drizzle. High 4°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 71%.
Updated 08:48 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Exit Glaciera short drive from townThe most accessible glacier in the park, with trails that depend on season and conditions.
- Kenai Fjords boat toura half-day to a full day by boatGlaciers, sea otters and whales are the draw; longer routes go further out.
- Girdwooda stop on the Coastal ClassicA resort village on Turnagain Arm, handy for a break between Anchorage and Seward.
Before you go to Seward
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Seward, checked
- An entrance pass is not required to enter Kenai Fjords National Park; other National Park Service sites may charge their own fees.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- The Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic runs Anchorage, Girdwood and Seward, with the return departure from Seward at 6 pm.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Seward
The gateway city and start of the Seward Highway
Read the guideDenali National Park & PreserveInterior Alaska, usually a separate leg
Read the guideJuneauCapital city on the Inside Passage
Read the guideGetting around the USACars, trains and planes for long trips
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it and how to apply before you fly
Read the guideAll of the USAParks, cities and trip planning for visitors
Read the guideSeward FAQ
How many days do you need in Seward?
Two nights cover a boat tour, Exit Glacier and a walk around the harbor. A third night gives you slack for weather or a sea-kayak day, and you can see the highlights on a rushed day trip from Anchorage.
Is the Coastal Classic train worth it?
It is worth it if you want the Turnagain Arm views without driving. The route stops at Girdwood and Seward, and the return departure from Seward is at 6 pm, which fits a long day but leaves little free time.
Does Kenai Fjords National Park charge an entrance fee?
No. The NPS fee page says an entrance pass is not required. Boat tours, public use cabins and some parking cost money, so check each operator or booking page rather than assuming the park is free.
When is the best time to visit Seward?
June to August has the longest days and the most boat tours and wildlife cruises. May and September are quieter and cheaper, but some services are limited, and winter is cold and dark with few tours.
Can you do Seward as a day trip from Anchorage?
Yes, by car or by train, but you will see little beyond a boat tour or Exit Glacier. Stay at least one night if you want a longer cruise and a relaxed evening on the harbor.