Overview
Riding the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Fairbanks is an experience described as something like being in a movie from days gone by. For nearly 50 years, the two cities were connected solely by train, and while the route offers the same superior service and scenery of the past, it's the modern cars and many amenities that make it memorable today.
Like being part of a movie from days gone by.
The railroad's prized Denali Star train runs the scenic 350-mile route from Anchorage to Fairbanks once daily. After passengers board and settle into comfortable seats in either Adventure Class or GoldStar Dome cars, the train promptly departs the historic Anchorage Depot. The track heads around the Knik Arm and through Wasilla before turning due north into the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Onboard hosts tell the story of the railroad, pointing out both scenic and historic points of interest along the way.
In route to Talkeetna, the trip's first major stop, passengers can visit the Wilderness Café for coffee, or take their morning meal in the seated dining car. After a brief pause, the train heads on again, crossing the Susitna River and soaring Hurricane Gulch bridge. The route draws ever closer to Denali, at one point coming within 40 rugged miles of the summit. The track climbs out of the forest at Broad Pass and traverses a wide-open taiga plateau before pulling into the Denali Depot.
The final leg of this iconic rail journey continues out of the Denali Park area and into the steep and twisting Nenana River Gorge. The views along this section make for especially great photos. Finally, after exiting the gorge and once more moving swiftly through the open tundra of interior Alaska, the train pulls into the Fairbanks depot at 8 PM.
More Details
The Alaska Railroad offers two levels of service between Anchorage and Fairbanks: Adventure Class and GoldStar Dome. Adventure Class passengers enjoy spacious cars with tall windows and large seats, access to a shared dome observation car, and the ability to easily walk between different cars on the train. The GoldStar Dome offers passengers luxury rail service with reserved upper deck seating beneath large dome windows and all-inclusive meals. Alaska Tour & Travel is happy to offer our guests the choice of service to best suit their needs and budget. Click here for more train service details.
Snacks and beverages are available for purchase onboard in the Wilderness Café. Full-service meals are served in the lower level of the GoldStar dome car for GoldStar passengers only. Breakfast, lunch, dinner (soup or salad, entrée, and dessert), all non-alcoholic beverages, and two alcoholic beverages are included in the GoldStar ticket price.
What to Bring
Bring a camera, medications, and government issued photo ID. Bring a credit or debit card for additional onboard purchases (cash not accepted). It is a good idea to dress in layers, since the temperature can vary depending on the weather and the train car's heating and cooling system.
Special Instructions
Check in at the depot with a valid government issued photo ID one hour prior to departure. Boarding passes with seat assignments will be issued then. All Adventure Class and GoldStar Dome passengers are assigned seats by the Alaska Railroad upon check in at the depot. The Alaska Railroad offers checked baggage service. Passengers are allowed two checked bags plus one carry on, with dimension and weight restrictions like those of airlines. The Alaska Railroad charges $20 per item for oversized or excess baggage.
Departure/Arrival Points
Passengers can transfer to the Anchorage Depot by taxi, rideshare, or hotel shuttle (where available). Upon arrival into Fairbanks, passengers can transfer to their next destination by taxi, rideshare, or hotel shuttle (where available).
Anchorage Train Depot
411 West 1st Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Fairbanks Train Depot
1031 Alaska Railroad Depot Road
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Rates & Dates
Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.
Child rates apply to children under the age of 12. Infants under the age of 2 may travel for free but must sit on an adult's lap.
| Dates |
Adult |
Child |
Infant |
| 5/14/25 (W) to 5/31/25 (Sa)5/14/25 (W) to 5/31/25 (Sa) |
Adult: $221.00 |
Child: $111.00 |
Infant: $0.00 |
| 6/1/25 (Su) to 9/3/25 (W)6/1/25 (Su) to 9/3/25 (W) |
Adult: $285.00 |
Child: $143.00 |
Infant: $0.00 |
| 9/4/25 (Th) to 9/17/25 (W)9/4/25 (Th) to 9/17/25 (W) |
Adult: $221.00 |
Child: $111.00 |
Infant: $0.00 |
| The rates above are subject to change without notice. |
| Dates |
Adult |
Child |
Infant |
| 5/14/25 (W) to 5/31/25 (Sa)5/14/25 (W) to 5/31/25 (Sa) |
Adult: $445.00 |
Child: $266.00 |
Infant: $0.00 |
| 6/1/25 (Su) to 9/3/25 (W)6/1/25 (Su) to 9/3/25 (W) |
Adult: $532.00 |
Child: $303.00 |
Infant: $0.00 |
| 9/4/25 (Th) to 9/17/25 (W)9/4/25 (Th) to 9/17/25 (W) |
Adult: $445.00 |
Child: $266.00 |
Infant: $0.00 |
| The rates above are subject to change without notice. |
