Removed from the rest of the states, Alaska offers an ever-tempting escape from the speed of the modern world — the chance to slow down among the vast and seemingly unending wilderness of the North. While many venture into the wilds by car, a train winding through the backcountry invites visitors to experience another side of Alaska.
Post Updated: March 2025
Perched prettily up north about 3,000 miles from Washington State, Alaska tempts travelers with fresh mountain air, wide open spaces, low population numbers, and abundant spectacular sights and activities.
For rail travel enthusiasts, Alaska's expansive open landscapes backed by rugged mountains offer visitors an unbeatable opportunity to experience the great land from the comfort and class of a train through the wilds.
Whether you want to find wildlife, see Denali, or discover ancient glaciers in Kenai Fjords, these 6 unforgettable Alaska train tours will show you the very best of the Last Frontier.
Credit: Alaska Railroad / Glenn Aronwits
Alaska Railroad Routes
Trains in Alaska run from Seward to Fairbanks, passing through Whittier, Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali National Park. There are three train routes — the Denali Star, Coastal Classic, and Glacier Discovery — each offering either Adventure Class or comfort and class of GoldStar Service, the premium service included in our packages.
Denali Star
Ride Alaska Railroad's flagship train between Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks. Cross the Knik River with views of the Chugach Mountains, watch Denali rise above the Susitna River, catch sights of Hurricane Gulch from atop a 296-foot bridge, and enjoy panoramic views of the Alaska Range at Broad Pass. On a clear day, passengers can see the train’s namesake peak, Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, towering above the rest.
Coastal Classic
Discover why National Geographic Traveler ranked the Coastal Classic among their Top Ten Train Rides in North America on a journey from Anchorage to Seward. Winding along Turnagain Arm, the steep mountains of the Chugach Range plunge into the sea before the train veers away from the road into backcountry wilderness. Upon arrival in Seward, the train stops on the shores of Resurrection Bay, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.
Glacier Discovery
From Anchorage, the Glacier Discovery train stops briefly at the resort town of Girdwood before continuing on to the remote Portage valley. Here, guests may disembark to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, home to black and brown bears, moose, caribou, wood bison, and more. The train then travels through a mountain tunnel to Whittier, providing a perfect connection for a glacier and wildlife cruise in Prince William Sound.
6 Alaska Train Tours Designed by Travel Experts
These are our favorite 6 Alaska train trips designed by our in-house experts in all things Alaska. For more information, view the full package details linked in each heading.
https://cdn.discoverholidays.io/media/general/a/alaska-railroad---glenn-aronwits-2.jpg Credit: Alaska Railroad / Glenn Aronwits
1. Best of Alaska Rail & Glaciers, First-Time Favorites
6 Days | 5 Nights
- Day 1 | Arrive Anchorage
- Day 2 | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise
- Day 3 | Anchorage | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 10 Excursions
- Day 4 | Anchorage to Denali National Park Entrance
- Day 5 | Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
- Day 6 | Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks
First time in Alaska? We know just what you need to see. Hop aboard Alaska Railroad in Anchorage – the largest city and cosmopolitan center of Alaska – to ride all the way to Prince William Sound for a 26 Glacier Cruise. Find yourself face-to-face with magnificent masses of ice, so close that you can hear the glaciers move and see their brilliant blue color. The next day, choose how you want to see Anchorage — with your 10 options ranging from a brewery tour in town to a flightseeing safari to a fly-in fishing excursion, you will be sure to find what calls to you.
Back on Alaska Railroad, take the Denali Star train to Denali National Park. Enjoy a backcountry adventure by coach to search for bear, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and other wildlife, learning about the region's geology from your expert guide as you go. Return to the Denali Park Entrance on board a small bush plane, then spend your final day whitewater rafting, helicopter flightseeing, or hiking before re-boarding the train bound for Fairbanks.
Credit: Denali Jeep Excursions
2. Alaska by Train Glaciers, Fjords & Denali
7 Days | 6 Nights
- Day 1 | Anchorage to Seward
- Day 2 | Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 11 Excursions
- Day 3 | Seward to Anchorage
- Day 4 | Anchorage | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 10 Excursions
- Day 5 | Anchorage to Denali National Park Entrance
- Day 6 | Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
- Day 7 | Denali to Anchorage | Choose 1 of 2 Options
Alaska's land is every bit as beautiful as its sea. This rail vacation is a full-circle tour from Anchorage of the mountains and waters, combining Alaska Railroad tours with Kenai Fjords National Park, Prince William Sound, and Denali National Park.
The adventure begins on Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic train for a breathtaking ride to Seward. Here you'll disembark for a 6-hour cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park with its abundant wildlife and ancient glaciers.
On day two, choose your way of seeing the Kenai Fjords and their wildlife, then spend the third day back on the train to another cruise — this time in Prince William Sound.
Back in Anchorage, enjoy freedom of choice in how you see the city, then take a detour out to Denali National Park for a guided tour of the wilderness, customized to your tastes.
3. Prince William Sound Denali Explorer
7 Days | 6 Nights
- Day 1 | Arrive Anchorage
- Day 2 | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise
- Day 3 | Anchorage | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 10 Excursions
- Day 4 | Anchorage to Talkeetna
- Day 5 | Talkeetna to Denali National Park Entrance
- Day 6 | Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
- Day 7 | Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks
Ride the rails into an exciting world of wildlife viewing, glacier cruising, and flightseeing in Alaska! This package is similar to the first on our list, but with a day added in Talkeetna.
On the fourth day, this package strays from the first itinerary as you ride Alaska Railroad north to Talkeetna, giving you time to experience the town's charm.
While it is best known as the base camp for climbers attempting to scale Mount Denali and its stunning mountain views, the town itself is home to a delightful two-block 'Main Street' with local brews, great eats, and an infectious atmosphere. We recommend heading to either the Denali Brewpub for a sit-down meal or the Talkeetna Tako stand to enjoy your meal while enjoying the town's atmosphere from the outdoor benches. From here, your tour returns goes to Denali National Park, for the same amazing backcountry adventure we mentioned earlier.
One of our Travel Designer’s views during a Kenai Fjords cruise
4. Kenai Fjords Denali Explorer
7 Days | 6 Nights
- Day 1 | Anchorage to Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 11 Excursions
- Day 2 | Seward | Northwestern Fjord Cruise
- Day 3 | Seward to Anchorage | Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre
- Day 4 | Anchorage | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 10 Excursions
- Day 5 | Anchorage to Denali National Park Entrance
- Day 6 | Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
- Day 7 | Denali to Anchorage
This 7-day tour combines two of Alaska’s most visited destinations – Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park. Beginning in Anchorage, head to Seward for your choice of excursions — choosing to wander various waterways, see brilliant glaciers up close, or head out in search of wildlife — and a dedicated 8-hour trip through the Northwestern Fjord by boat, enjoying meals on board as you voyage deeper into the Kenai Fjords National Park than any other cruise.
After all that cruising, switch to coach for the drive from Seward to Talkeetna, making a short stop in Anchorage on the way. Spend a night in this unique gold mining community, then board Alaska Railroad's Denali Star train for the scenic journey to Denali National Park. Enjoy your choice of wilderness tours complete with grizzly bear, moose, wolves, caribou and Dall sheep sightings, or a flightseeing tour before you board Alaska Railroad to return to Anchorage.
5. Grand Alaska Rail Cruise Connector
5 Days | 4 Nights
- Day 1 | Seward or Whittier to Anchorage
- Day 2 | Anchorage | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 10 Excursions
- Day 3 | Anchorage to Denali National Park Entrance
- Day 4 | Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
- Day 5 | Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks
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A perfect program for before or after a cruise, this 5-day adventure begins in Seward or Whittier and combines Anchorage and Denali National Park with travel on Alaska Railroad.
On day one, choose between a small group tour out of the Seward or Whittier cruise ship terminal, both bringing you to Anchorage. You'll then have the entire second day to explore Alaska's largest city or its surrounding wilds — your choice!
On day three, you'll depart from Anchorage on a Alaska Railroad tour and head to the Denali National Park Entrance. On arrival, Experience why the restricted Park Road is called one of the grandest drives on earth, exploring by 4x4 and spotting grizzly bear, moose, wolves, caribou, and Dall sheep. Or, take a helicopter tour for incredible views of Mount Denali and land on a glacier for a show-stopping end to your trip. Your trip concludes as you venture north on Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks.
Credit: Alaska Railroad
6. Aurora Rail Adventure - Bettles Lodge
7 Days | 6 Nights
- Day 1 | Anchorage
- Day 2 | Anchorage to Fairbanks
- Day 3 | Fairbanks to Bettles Lodge
- Days 4 – 5 | Bettles Lodge | Activities
- Day 6 | Bettles Lodge to Fairbanks | Flight
- Day 7 | Fairbanks | Departure
If you're searching for something a little more unique, consider a winter trip in Alaska. With fewer people, more availability and plenty of seasonal magic, this may just be the perfect option for those seeking extra space.
Beginning in Anchorage, you'll board the magical Aurora Winter Train bound for Fairbanks and Bettles Lodge.
Located directly under the Auroral Band with the most clear weather days and cloud-free nights, Bettles Lodge is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. On this 7-day trip, offered by our partner brand Alaska by Design, you'll have multiple chances to see the lights, plus enjoy authentic winter activities like snow shoeing, cross country skiing or warming yourself by the fire pit under the stars. After a final breakfast at the lodge it's time to return by air to Fairbanks.
Plan Your Trip with Alaska Train Trips
If you're interested in Alaska train tours, contact a Travel Designer to personalize your dream Alaska rail vacation. Not ready yet? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with trip inspiration and deals!
FAQs
Do you sleep on the Alaska train?
No, you cannot sleep on the Alaska train. However, our train tours include stays in hotels along the way, so you can rest comfortably between days onboard.
How long is the Denali Star train ride?
The Denali Star is a 12-hour journey between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Where does the Alaska Railroad begin and end?
The railroad starts in Seward, in the Southcentral Region, and ends in Fairbanks in the Interior. The route's full length encompasses 470 miles of track and an additional 12-mile stretch to the town of Whittier.
Is the Alaska Railroad Accessible?
Yes, Alaska Railroad complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides accommodations for travelers requiring assistance. At least one car per train is wheelchair accessible, and all train cars welcome service animals and provide personal stop announcements for travelers who are hard of hearing, visually impaired, or otherwise need additional assistance.