Awesome Alaska Adventures By Train

If you want to see Alaska without spending your entire vacation behind the wheel, an Alaska rail vacation is a fantastic option! The Alaska Railroad operates passenger trains between Seward and Fairbanks, with routes passing through Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, and several other beautiful areas along the way. Instead of worrying about traffic or watching the road, you can sit back, relax, and watch Alaska’s mountains, rivers, forests, glaciers, and wildlife pass by your window.

For many travelers, riding an Alaska Railroad train is an adventure all by itself. You can take a scenic day trip, use the railroad to travel between destinations, or make train travel one part of a larger Alaska vacation. No matter which option you choose, there is something pretty special about seeing the Last Frontier from the comfort of a railroad car.

Why Take An Alaska Rail Vacation?

Alaska is enormous, and getting from one destination to another can take quite a bit of time. While driving gives you plenty of freedom, it also means that someone has to keep their eyes on the road. An Alaska rail vacation gives you another way to experience the state while making the journey itself part of your adventure.

The Alaska Railroad’s main line stretches for about 470 miles between Seward and Fairbanks. Along the way, passengers can travel through some of the most spectacular scenery in Southcentral and Interior Alaska. Depending on your route, you may see towering mountains, rushing rivers, glaciers, waterfalls, and vast stretches of wilderness that are difficult to appreciate from a car.

And there is another advantage: you can actually enjoy the scenery. Grab a seat, head to the observation area, take some photographs, and keep an eye out for wildlife while the train carries you toward your next destination!

What Are The Alaska Railroad Train Routes?

The Alaska Railroad operates several passenger routes, and each one offers something a little different. Some are designed to connect major destinations, while others are particularly popular with travelers who want to spend the day enjoying Alaska’s scenery.

• The Coastal Classic – The Coastal Classic travels south from Anchorage toward Seward, following Turnagain Arm before continuing into the Kenai Peninsula. This is one of the most scenic routes in the state, with views of mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and wilderness along the way. Once you arrive in Seward, you can spend the day exploring the area or continue on to Kenai Fjords National Park.
• The Glacier Discovery – If you want a shorter Alaska train adventure, the Glacier Discovery is a great option. The train travels south from Anchorage toward Whittier, with stops at Girdwood, Portage, Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, and Grandview. It is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience an Alaska Railroad train without spending an entire day traveling between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
• The Denali Star – The Denali Star is the Alaska Railroad’s flagship train and one of the most popular choices for visitors. The route travels between Anchorage and Fairbanks, stopping at Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Denali National Park. On a clear day, passengers may even get spectacular views of Denali, the highest mountain in North America. If exploring Denali is high on your Alaska bucket list, check out the Denali Discovery Adventure.
• The Hurricane Turn – The Hurricane Turn is a little different from the other Alaska Railroad routes because it serves both visitors and Alaskans living in remote areas. The train travels north from Talkeetna into the backcountry, reaching places that are not accessible by road. If you want to get away from the more heavily traveled tourist routes, this can be a fascinating way to experience a more remote side of Alaska.
• The Aurora Winter Train – Most people associate Alaska train travel with summer, but the Aurora Winter Train offers another option. It connects Anchorage and Fairbanks during the winter season, allowing passengers to watch the snowy Alaska landscape from the warmth of a comfortable railroad car. If you are planning a winter trip to Fairbanks, this can be a particularly memorable way to arrive.

What Are The Best Alaska Rail Vacations?

There is no single best Alaska rail vacation because every traveler has different priorities. Some people want to see Denali, while others are more interested in glaciers and coastal scenery. Still others simply want to experience the railroad itself and enjoy a relaxing journey through the Alaskan wilderness.

Here are a few of the most popular ways to include an Alaska Railroad train in your vacation:

• Take the Denali Star from Anchorage to Denali – This is a fantastic option if Denali National Park is one of the highlights of your trip. The train travels north from Anchorage through the Alaska Range, passing rivers, forests, valleys, and the impressive Hurricane Gulch trestle. Keep your camera handy because the scenery changes constantly as you travel farther into the Interior.
• Take the Coastal Classic to Seward – This route is perfect if you want to combine train travel with the spectacular scenery of the Kenai Peninsula. The train follows Turnagain Arm and then heads into more remote country before arriving in Seward. From there, you can explore the area or continue your adventure into Kenai Fjords National Park.
• Take a scenic train day trip – You do not have to plan your entire Alaska vacation around the railroad. A train journey can be a great day trip that gives you a chance to experience the scenery without committing to a long road journey. Check out our guide to Alaska train day trips for more ideas.

When Is The Best Time To Take An Alaska Rail Vacation?

The summer months are the most popular time to take an Alaska rail vacation. From late spring through early fall, the days are long, the landscapes are green, and the railroad provides convenient connections between many of Alaska’s most popular destinations.

Summer is also a great time to combine train travel with other Alaska adventures. You can ride the Coastal Classic to Seward, travel north toward Denali, or use the railroad as one part of a larger wildlife or wilderness adventure.

Winter is a completely different experience. Snow blankets the mountains and forests, daylight becomes limited, and the landscape takes on a quiet, almost magical quality. If your primary reason for visiting Alaska is to see the Northern Lights, traveling by train during the winter can be a wonderful way to experience another side of the state. Our guide to planning a winter vacation to Fairbanks has more information about what to expect.

What Can You See From An Alaska Railroad Train?

This is probably one of the biggest reasons to take an Alaska Railroad train in the first place! The scenery outside your window can change dramatically throughout the journey. One minute you may be traveling beside a river, and the next you are surrounded by mountains or passing through a remote stretch of wilderness.

The Coastal Classic is particularly impressive for travelers who love glaciers and coastal landscapes. The Denali Star offers views of the Alaska Range and the wilderness surrounding Denali National Park, while the Glacier Discovery takes passengers toward the dramatic landscapes around Whittier and Prince William Sound.

You may also see wildlife along the way. Moose, Dall sheep, bears, eagles, and other animals live throughout the regions crossed by the railroad. Of course, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but that is part of the fun! Keep your eyes on the landscape and your camera close by because you never know what might appear outside your window.

Can You Combine An Alaska Train Ride With Other Activities?

Absolutely! In fact, one of the best things about an Alaska rail vacation is that the train does not have to be the entire trip. It can simply be one part of a larger Alaska adventure.

For example, you can ride the Coastal Classic to Seward and then explore the Kenai Peninsula. You can travel north on the Denali Star and spend time exploring Denali National Park. Or, you can build a winter itinerary around Fairbanks and combine an Alaska train ride with Northern Lights viewing.

This flexibility makes train travel especially appealing for travelers who want to see several sides of Alaska without spending the entire vacation driving from one place to another.

Is An Alaska Rail Vacation Right For You?

If you want to experience Alaska at a slower pace, an Alaska rail vacation is definitely worth considering. You get to travel between some of the state’s most popular destinations while enjoying the scenery along the way, and you do not have to worry about navigating unfamiliar roads.

Whether you choose the Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery, Denali Star, Hurricane Turn, or Aurora Winter Train, you are going to see a side of Alaska that is difficult to appreciate when you are focused on driving. For many travelers, the train ride becomes one of the highlights of the entire vacation.

So grab your camera, find a comfortable seat, and get ready to watch the Last Frontier roll past your window! An Alaska rail vacation is a unique way to experience this incredible state, and it may just become one of your favorite Alaska memories.

Ready to head to Alaska? Download our travel brochure to learn more about our Alaska travel dates and itineraries.