An ideal transportation option for travelers heading north to Denali or ending their trip in Anchorage, the evening Coastal Classic train also coordinates perfectly with Kenai Fjords National Park day cruises and Seward kayaking or guided hiking excursions. Passengers enjoy roomy assigned seats in either Adventure Class or luxury GoldStar Dome cars, casual and full-service dining options, and the sort of scenery that makes this popular route one of the railroad's most beautiful.
As relaxing a journey as it is picturesque.
The evening begins as the train pulls out of town, passing through lush temperature rainforest on the way past Kenai Lake and into the tiny town of Moose Pass. At this point, the track crosses to the east side of Upper Trail Lake and moves into the pristine, road-free wilderness of the Kenai Mountains.
Through picture windows, passengers see forest give way to alpine valleys, canyons, and glaciers. Photographers, take note: Bartlett Glacier, the closest of those ancient icy cascades, comes into view along a particularly dramatic twist of train track at mile 48.
The route descends from the mountains into the verdant Placer River Valley before arcing northeast at Old Portage Station. From here, the route covers 50 winding miles along the rocky bank of the Turnagain Arm. With the evening sun casting a warm glow, it's a particularly beautiful time of the day to see this everchanging waterway. The train pulls into the Anchorage Depot at about 10:15 PM.
More Details
The Alaska Railroad offers two levels of service between Anchorage and Seward: 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. Dinner (soup or salad, entrée, dessert, and beverages) is 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 Seward 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
The Seward Depot is located adjacent to the north end of the Small Boat Harbor. Upon arrival into Anchorage, passengers can transfer to their next destination by taxi, rideshare, or hotel shuttle (where available).
Seward Train Depot 410 Port Avenue Seward, AK 99664
Anchorage Train Depot 411 West 1st Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501
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.
Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.
"The train stopped so that we could watch and get great pictures of mom brown bear and cubs. The high school workers were great, and we loved their knowledge of the area."
