Alaska Railroad
Alaska Railroad
Alaska Railroad
Alaska Railroad
Alaska Railroad
Alaska Railroad
Alaska Railroad

Alaska Railroad | USA

With over 800 kilometres linking many of Alaska's most popular destinations - the Alaska Railroad is your ticket to adventure. The captivating beauty and scenic allure of this immense and magnificent territory are enhanced through panoramic windows and enriched by the historical accounts shared by the knowledgeable tour guides. Whether you desire to visit Anchorage, Seward, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, or any of the captivating stops in between, the Alaska Railroad offers two distinct classes of service to accommodate your travel needs.


Onboard the Alaskan Railroad, the journey should be as spectacular as the destination. This means comfortable, reliable transportation; knowledgeable and helpful onboard staff; and exceptional dining experiences. It doesn’t hurt that the tracks travel through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

Life on board

Goldstar Service guests enjoy forward-facing seats on the upper level of a two story, glass-domed railcar. Glass ceilings allow for panoramic views as Alaska unfolds along the tracks, and an outdoor, upper-level viewing platform - the only one of its kind in the world – this is an excellent opportunity to take in some fresh air and an excellent vantage point for photos.

Adventure Class cars offer comfortable seating and large picture windows. Adventure Class guests are encouraged to travel between railcars, whether to take advantage of the open seating in the Vista Dome cars or visit the Wilderness Café. 

Dining: 

GoldStar Service guests dine on the lower level of GoldStar railcars. Passengers enjoy a full-service dining room; GoldStar tickets include meals, all soft beverages and two complimentary adult beverages per trip for passengers over 21.

For Adventure Class - The Alaska Railroad offers dining and bar service for purchase on every passenger train with the exception of the Hurricane Turn Train; the full-service dining room may not be available for Adventure Class passengers on every departure, but all guests are welcome to visit the Wilderness Cafe onboard for tasty grab-and-go items.

Please note that the trains are cashless; for your convenience, all major credit cards including debit and pre-paid cards are accepted. 


Alaska Railroad FAQs

View All

What kind of guides does the Alaska Railroad provide?

Alaska Railroad staff provide narration while onboard the train, sharing the stories behind the sights along the Railbelt. During the summer, this narration is provided by local high schoolers who have successfully completed the Alaska Railroad Tour Guide Program.

Is it necessary to check in for the train an hour early?

Passengers are required to check-in at the ticket window and show a government issued photo ID (for those age 18 and older) to receive boarding passes. If you have luggage, it must be checked through to your destination.

Please check-in at the ticket counter one hour early at the Anchorage and Fairbanks depots, and 30-45 minutes at Talkeetna, Seward or Denali. At depots, boarding for all trains occurs 20-30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Reservations and seat assignments may be altered if passengers and baggage are not checked in 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

If departing from a location with no ticket window (Portage, Whittier, Girdwood, Wasilla), passengers are required to be there 15 minutes prior to departure to wait for the train to pull up. At these stations, passenger check-in will be with the conductor on the train.

How much luggage can I bring?

Each passenger may check two pieces of luggage, no more than 50 pounds/23kgs each, and may carry one additional piece on board. Up to two additional bags per passenger may be checked for an extra fee. Bags of an odd shape, bicycles, strollers and pet kennels can be checked for an additional fee as well.

What kind of clothing should we bring?

Dressing in layers will help you prepare for Alaska's weather changes.

Can travellers with special needs be accommodated?

There are wheelchair lifts at all stations. Accessibility on other connecting modes of transport can vary, so please check with an agent locally for details. Alaska Railroad’s passenger trains are wheelchair accessible and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service animals are welcome aboard.

Can I bring a stroller for my child on the train?

Yes, you may bring a stroller on the train; however, it must fold up if it is your carry-on, or it may be checked as luggage. For safety, strollers may not be used while onboard the train.

Is smoking permitted on the train?

No. Smoking is not permitted on any Alaska Railroad train. Passengers may smoke in designated smoking areas outside the depots prior to boarding the train. Passengers traveling on board the Denali Star may disembark for a few minutes at the Talkeetna and/or Denali depots whilst new passengers are being boarded. There are no such stops on the Coastal Classic or Glacier Discovery trains.

Are transfers to and from the train depots provided?

No, the Alaska Railroad does not provide any transfers. Taxis are available in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and the majority of hotels do provide transfers to and from the depot and sometimes the airport as well. Onboard staff will call ahead for you to notify your hotels that you are arriving by train and to send a shuttle if possible. However, you should not rely 100% on hotel shuttles as they are limited in supply and there can be delays during busy times of the day. Taxis are readily available and may be your fastest option.

How far is it from the train depot to the cruise ship dock in Whittier? In Seward?

In Whittier, the Glacier Discovery Train stops just across the street from the large cruise ship dock, and a 5-minute level walk from the small boat harbor.

In Seward, the train depot is approximately 1/2-mile (almost 1 kilometre) from the large cruise ship dock, with a level, curbed and guttered sidewalk available should you decide to walk. The depot is also a short walk from the small boat harbor.

Will I need travel insurance?

As with all holidays and trips abroad, we strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. Please consult with our agents at time of booking and we can assist you with this.

When experience matters
INDUSTRY ACCREDITED
AWARD WINNING
TRAVEL SUPPORT
50 YEARS EXPERIENCE
HANDPICKED SUPPLIERS
UNRIVALLED EXPERIENCES