After a day spent cruising Prince William Sound and exploring the bayside town of Whittier, this train ride makes for a relaxing return to Anchorage. The train, which runs the Glacier Discovery route, departs the Whittier Depot at 6:45 PM. It then enters a single-lane, 2.5-mile tunnel through a mountain to Portage Valley. The weather can be quite different on the other side, often offering a peek of sunshine compared to the misty climate common in Whittier.
Relaxing return to Anchorage after a day in Whittier.
The scenery through Portage Valley is a striking mix of clear creeks, cottonwoods, thousand-foot-tall mountains, and dozens of hanging glaciers. The train soon reaches the Turnagain Arm where it connects with the main track toward Anchorage.
From here, the route covers 50 blustery miles along the rocky bank of the Turnagain. With the late evening sun casting a warm glow, it's a particularly beautiful time of the day to enjoy the unique landscape. The trip concludes as the train pulls into the historic Anchorage Depot at about 9:00 PM.
More Details
The Alaska Railroad offers one level of service on the route from Whittier to Anchorage. All passengers are seated in spacious Adventure Class cars with tall windows and large seats. Everyone enjoys access to a shared dome observation car and the ability to easily walk between different cars on the train. Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard in the Wilderness Café.
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 Whittier Depot with a valid government issued photo ID at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Boarding passes with seat assignments will be issued then. 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 Whittier Depot is centrally located across the street from the cruise terminal and boat harbor. Upon arrival into Anchorage, passengers can transfer to their next destination by taxi, rideshare, or hotel shuttle (where available).
Whittier Train Depot Mile 1.3 West Camp Road Whittier, AK 99693
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.
Rates & Dates
Dates
Adult
Child
Infant
5/12/25 (M) to 9/15/25 (M)5/12/25 (M) to 9/15/25 (M)
Adult: $111.00
Child: $52.00
Infant: $0.00
The rates above are subject to change without notice.
Departure Times
Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.
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.
