AMHS's Prince William Sound calendar for the M/V Aurora, checked October 15, 2026 and published through April 30, 2027: no Whittier-Valdez sailings from October 12, 2026 to March 6, 2027, then direct sailings on set dates, mostly Sundays from Valdez and Thursdays from Whittier. The run takes 5 hours 45 minutes; arrival times for the 2027 dates were not itemized. · Representative sailings only — check the operator for today's full schedule
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~345 min
Operator
Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), Alaska DOT&PF
Map – Whittier-Valdez Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult passenger (12-64), one way (quoted September 28, 2026) | $65.00 |
| Car or SUV up to 15 ft with one adult (total quoted September 28, 2026), one way | $201.00 |
AMHS publishes no fare table: its Sailing Search tool prices each sailing by date, passengers and vehicle length. On September 28, 2026 it quoted $65.00 for one adult (12-64) in either direction and $201.00 for one adult plus a 15-foot gas or diesel car or SUV (the driver's own fare is included in that total). Those were quotes for 2026 sailings, so check the tool for your date. Reservations are made online or by phone at 800-642-0066, and online booking closes 4 hours before departure. AMHS's policy text does not say a reservation is mandatory for walk-on passengers; reserved vehicles that miss check-in can lose their space to standby customers. All fares in US dollars (USD).
The Whittier to Valdez ferry is a leg of the Alaska Marine Highway System's Prince William Sound service, run by the M/V Aurora. It links the rail-and-tunnel port of Whittier with Valdez, at the end of the Richardson Highway, in 5 hours 45 minutes. It is the boat that lets a driver leave Anchorage's road network at Whittier and reach the Valdez side of the Sound without driving around by road through Glennallen.
The important fact is that it does not run daily. The Aurora's home circuit also serves Cordova, and on most days it sails Cordova-Whittier without stopping in Valdez at all; AMHS's calendar shows direct links only on selected days. From October 12, 2026 to March 6, 2027 the calendar lists no Aurora sailings between the two ports. In July 2026 AMHS said the Aurora would undergo an extended overhaul after extensive wasted steel was found during maintenance, and its winter plan has the ship back in Prince William Sound service on March 6. The next direct links on the calendar are Sunday, March 7, 2027 (Valdez to Whittier) and Thursday, March 11, 2027 (Whittier to Valdez), then mostly Sundays from Valdez and Thursdays from Whittier through April. Plan around the calendar, not a weekday, and confirm the return date before booking.
There is no published fare table: AMHS's Sailing Search tool prices each sailing by date, passengers and vehicle length. On September 28, 2026 it quoted $65 for an adult each way and $201 for a 15-foot gas or diesel car with one adult. Vehicles have to check in 1.5 hours before departure at both terminals, walk-on passengers an hour ahead. Online booking closes four hours before sailing; within four hours you contact the terminal directly (Whittier 907-472-2378, Valdez 907-835-4436). AMHS restricts each vessel to two electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles per sailing and asks for the vehicle's make, model, powertrain and length when you book; incorrect or incomplete details can lead to denial of boarding.
Sailings are few, so book early and check AMHS's service notices, which also carry weather cancellations, before you drive to the terminal.
- Arrive at the terminal several minutes before departure; vehicle lanes close earlier than the foot-passenger gate.
- Check the operator's service alerts before you set out — weather, tides and vessel maintenance change sailings.
- Confirm accepted payment methods: some crossings are card-only and some take cash only.
Frequently asked questions
No. The M/V Aurora links Whittier and Valdez directly only on certain dates, and none are listed between October 12, 2026 and March 6, 2027. In spring 2027 the calendar has Valdez to Whittier mostly on Sundays from March 7 and Whittier to Valdez on Thursdays from March 11.
5 hours 45 minutes. A 2:45 p.m. departure from Whittier arrives in Valdez at 8:30 p.m., and a 7:00 a.m. departure from Valdez reaches Whittier at 12:45 p.m.
AMHS has no fare table; its booking tool prices each sailing. On September 28, 2026 it quoted $65.00 for one adult (12-64) each way and $201.00 for one adult plus a 15-foot gas or diesel car or SUV. The vehicle price rises with length, so check the tool for your date.
Not this winter. AMHS's calendar lists no Aurora sailings between Whittier and Valdez from October 12, 2026 to March 6, 2027, and AMHS said in July 2026 that the Aurora would undergo an extended overhaul. The next direct trips on the calendar are Sunday March 7, 2027 from Valdez and Thursday March 11, 2027 from Whittier; confirm before planning, as the return depends on the overhaul.
AMHS does not state that one is mandatory, but vehicles are booked by reservation and a reserved space can be given to a standby customer if you miss check-in. Book online up to 4 hours before departure or call 800-642-0066 (the AMHS home page lists weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.); inside 4 hours, call the departing terminal.
Vehicles with reservations must check in 1.5 hours before departure at both Whittier and Valdez. Walk-on passengers check in 1 hour before, pass security at least 30 minutes ahead and must be aboard 15 minutes before sailing.
The M/V Aurora, the vessel on AMHS's Prince William Sound schedule. It also serves Cordova, and on some days it goes between Cordova and Whittier without calling at Valdez, so check that your date shows a Valdez stop.
The Whittier terminal number is 907-472-2378 and the Valdez terminal number is 907-835-4436. The AMHS reservations line, 800-642-0066, is listed on the AMHS home page as open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.