Alaska Trains

Most people are surprised to learn of the number of different trains, routes, and classes of service in Alaska. The Alaska Railroad is the star of the show, running three popular summertime train routes:

• The Denali Star offers service between Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks.
• To the south, the Coastal Classic travels from Anchorage to Seward, while the Glacier Discovery operates between Anchorage, Whittier, and Grandview.

All Alaska Railroad trains offer their standard Adventure Class service. Denali Star and Coastal Classic trains also have GoldStar Dome Service complete with reserved dome seating, open air viewing platforms, and included gourmet meal service.

Alaska Private Dome Trains

Your luxury dome railcar options don't end with the GoldStar service. Click below for more ways to see Alaska by train.

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The Wilderness Express features luxury dome railcars privately owned and operated by a local Alaskan travel company. Generally, these railcars are the last two cars on the Denali Star train. The Wilderness Express is a great value for travelers looking to upgrade to dome service. Although meals are not included, the quality and amenities of the railcars are similar to the GoldStar Dome, with ticket prices often closer to Adventure Class.

The McKinley Explorer is another privately operated dome railcar option for travel between Anchorage and Denali National Park. It operates on a slightly different schedule.

To compare train fares, schedules, and availability, check out the Alaska Transportation Finder. This is the only search tool that includes all Alaska train in one place. You can easily book tickets online, too.

Combining Train and Bus Transportation

If you are researching train service in Alaska, you have likely read about the Park Connection. This premier motorcoach service provides scheduled transportation between Anchorage, Denali Park, Talkeetna, Seward, and Whittier. Most rail guests that travel roundtrip to a destination like Denali Park combine both the train and the bus. This saves you time, money, and showcases new scenery along the way. The Park Connection Motorcoach is also unique among scheduled transportation options in that it provides same-day travel between Denali Park or Talkeetna and Seward or Whittier. If you were to take the train, you'd have to spend an additional night in Anchorage.

Alaska Train FAQs

What is the White Pass Railroad? The White Pass Railroad departs Skagway for day trips up to the Yukon Territory. One of the most popular ways to experience this trip is on a shore excursion from an Alaska cruise from Vancouver or Seattle.

Can I take a train to Alaska? This is a very common question and the answer, unfortunately, is no. While there has been some talk of connecting the Alaska Railroad with rail service through Canada, it is currently not an option.

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