Even though a cruise is one of the easiest and most approachable ways to see Alaska, exploring America’s 49th state by train offers a different and sometimes deeper way to connect with the destination.
Train travel allows you to take things a little slower, stay in a destination longer, and see parts of the interior that you won’t get to see if you only stick to Alaska's port cities.
I've visited Alaska four times, twice by cruise and twice on overland itineraries that included the Alaska Railroad.
While every trip delivered the scenery and wildlife Alaska is known for, traveling by train gave me a different perspective on the state. I spent more time in each destination, saw parts of the interior most cruise passengers never reach, and found myself slowing down enough to appreciate the journey itself.
In this article
- The Alaska Railroad Operates Five Train Routes
- What You Get With Your Ticket
- How to Spend Your Time Onboard (Hint: You’re Going Analog)
- Alaska Railroad’s Relationship with Local Lodges
- You’ll See A Different Side of Alaska
- The Appeal of Rail and Sail
- The Alaska Railroad is Mostly a Summer Experience With Some Exceptions
- The Shortcut
The Alaska Railroad Operates Five Train Routes
Owned by the State of Alaska, the historic Alaska Railroad was completed in 1923 and remains one of the state's most iconic ways to travel between Seward, Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks.
These days, the Alaska Railroad has five routes that cover many (but not all) areas of the state: Denali Star, Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery, Hurricane Turn, and the Aurora Winter Train.
Hurricane Turn is a flagstop route that primarily serves remote communities and backcountry adventurers. The other stops serve established cities and towns.
On my most recent Alaska trip, I flew into Anchorage and took the Coastal Classic to Seward and then back to Anchorage. The train for that particular leg is about four hours each way.
After an overnight in Anchorage, I then took the Denali Star to Talkeetna, where I spent three days before continuing on to Fairbanks. The nine-hour ride from Talkeetna to Fairbanks sounded daunting at first but went by surprisingly quickly. This is apples and oranges from a nine-hour flight, which is something to just get through. A long train ride through Alaska is something to enjoy. The train is designed for sightseeing and the constantly changing scenery and the possibility of spotting wildlife kept me engaged and entertained.
Travel between Anchorage and Fairbanks is around 12 hours and allows you to see a great deal of Alaska, with airport access on either end if you need it.
What You Get With Your Ticket
The Alaska Railroad has two fare categories: Adventure Class and GoldStar.
Adventure Class is the more budget-friendly option, with roomy reclining seats, tray tables, and large windows for scenic viewing.
Passengers also have access to a shared upper-level dome viewing car, although you're asked to limit your visit to 30 minutes when it's busy. Grab-n-go food and seated dining is available for an additional fee.
GoldStar passengers, however, may stay in upper-level dome cars for the entire ride and enjoy panoramic views throughout the journey. Dining is included, along with two alcoholic beverages and unlimited soft drinks. Attendants provide beverage service at your seat. On my trip aboard the Denali Star from Talkeetna to Fairbanks (8.5 hours), both lunch and dinner were included.
Having traveled in both classes, I found the seat comfort to be similar. The biggest advantages of GoldStar were the included meals and access to the outdoor viewing deck, which was my favorite place to watch Alaska roll by. Although pricing is dynamic and varies with demand and booking time, a good ballpark figure is that GoldStar will cost between $150 and $300 more per passenger per trip.
How to Spend Your Time Onboard (Hint: You’re Going Analog)
You're not likely to spend this train trip scrolling social media or doing work.
There's no Wi-Fi and limited cell service along much of the route. There aren’t outlets in each seat either, but the on-board staff can assist you with finding one of the limited outlets on board. I recommend boarding with fully charged devices and bringing a backup power bank if you plan to take photos and videos.
You’ll probably spend most of your time gazing out the window. The onboard staff provides near-constant narration about the passing scenery, local history, and Alaska's geography. On my ride, the attendants were knowledgeable and genuinely interested in helping passengers learn more about the state, often stopping to answer questions or point out wildlife.
The guides stay in communication with the conductors and engineers, who are often the first to spot animals up ahead. During my trip, I saw moose, bald eagles, and Dall sheep.
We were also treated to an exceptionally clear bluebird day with unobstructed views of Mt. Denali. I was so absorbed in the scenery that the hours passed much faster than I expected.
Alaska Railroad’s Relationship with Local Lodges
One of the most convenient things about traveling with the Alaska Railroad is its partnership with several lodges and hotels along the route.
In many cases, passengers can check their luggage before boarding and have it delivered directly to their accommodations upon arrival, eliminating the need to claim bags at the station and transport them yourself.
I loved the convenience of this service. When I boarded the train to Seward, my suitcase was tagged directly to the Windsong Lodge. Instead of worrying about my luggage when I arrived, I was able to get off the train and immediately hop on a tour of Kenai Fjords National Park.
When I checked into the lodge later that evening, my bag was waiting for me. I had the same seamless experience at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, where hotel staff handled getting my luggage back to the train station when it was time to leave, eliminating that “checkout morning” stress.
Not every property participates, so it's worth checking ahead. But if your hotel offers this service, it helps you make the most of your time in Alaska, especially if you are only in town for a short stay.
You’ll See A Different Side of Alaska
Before my most recent trip on the Alaska Railroad, I'd read plenty about "slow travel" and assumed it was mostly a buzz phrase. Spending time in Alaska's interior though via train finally made the concept click for me.
On one hand, Alaska cruises are great for seeing multiple destinations in a short amount of time. But train travel encourages you to stay a little longer. Instead of spending a few hours in a port before heading back to the ship, you're more likely to spend a night, or several nights, in a destination and can get to know it beyond just the highlights.
For me, that place was Talkeetna, the starting point for Denali climbers.
Most train passengers arrive around lunchtime and continue on to Denali National Park the next day. I stayed three nights and the extra time changed my experience. I had time to take a flightseeing tour, explore the town on foot, and hire a local hiking guide. By my second day, locals were asking if I lived there because visitors rarely stay that long.
Train travel slows the pace enough that you’re not in “check this off my list” mode and you start feeling connected. Talkeetna isn't a stop you'll make on a cruise, and it ended up being my favorite part of my trip.
The Appeal of Rail and Sail
If you've already traveled all the way to Alaska, it's easy to see the appeal of extending the adventure beyond a cruise. That's one reason rail-and-sail itineraries have become popular.
Major cruise lines, including Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, offer long-established Alaska land programs that combine an Alaska cruise with stays at company-owned wilderness lodges and hotels in the interior.
These bundled packages often include transportation, hotel stays, and Alaska Railroad segments, making it possible to experience destinations such as Denali without having to coordinate all the logistics yourself. Celebrity Cruises also offers cruise tours that pair a voyage with time on land.
The biggest advantage of this approach is convenience. Instead of researching train schedules, hotels, and transfers separately, much of the planning is done for you.
For travelers who want to experience both Alaska's coastline and its interior but don't want to build an itinerary from scratch, a rail-and-sail trip can be an appealing option.
The Alaska Railroad is Mostly a Summer Experience With Some Exceptions
Most Alaska Railroad routes operate during the popular summer season. There are winter routes, but you'll see fewer departures on the schedule.
Travelers visiting Interior Alaska during northern lights season can still use the railroad to reach destinations such as Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks. The seasonal Aurora Winter Train runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks on weekends from September through May, adding midweek departures in February and March.
Beyond the Northern Lights, winter passengers can enjoy snowy landscapes, frozen rivers, and watch for moose and bald eagles.
Stops also include Talkeetna and Healy, where visitors can book dog sled excursions, flightseeing, or snowshoeing in Denali National Park.
The Shortcut
GoldStar tickets include meals, beverage service, and unlimited access to dome-car seating, while cheaper fares offer a budget-friendly way to experience the same scenery.
One of the biggest advantages of seeing Alaska by train is the ability to spend multiple days in interior destinations such as Talkeetna and Denali rather than making brief cruise port stops. A winter train also offers the chance to see the Northern Lights.
There's no Wi-Fi and spotty cell service for most of the ride. Charge devices before boarding and bring a backup battery if you want photos or video.
Some hotels along the route will bring your luggage straight to your room. Check with your lodge before boarding so you can skip baggage claim entirely.
Jill Robbins was hosted by Pursuit Alaska. All opinions and recommendations in this article are her own.
