With almost 500 miles of track between Seward and Fairbanks, the Alaska Railroad goes where you want to go in the Last Frontier. With stops in towns like Seward and Talkeetna, it's the ideal way to connect the best of Alaska. The Alaska Collection's team of Trip Planning Experts have developed top-notch itineraries showcasing the ease and wonder of rail travel and combining it with the best lodges.
Travelling by rail in Alaska is all about the journey. Seats are large and comfortable. The train moves at a leisurely pace. It's a chance to slow down and soak it all in. Here are some of the things we love the most about riding the rails in Alaska:
Sit back and relax: There's something timeless and classic about riding the train. You don't have to worry about directions, or be concerned about traffic or running out of gas. It's all about relaxing and enjoying yourself in comfortable seats with unforgettable scenery rolling by. Talk about treating yourself well!
Friendly faces: Most of the Alaska Railroad's tour guides are local students participating in a decades-old program that's a school-business partnership. Graduates shine with knowledge of subjects like geography, Alaska history, plants and engineering, and with their authentic friendliness. Alaska Railroad Tour Guides seem to genuinely love their jobs! And some of them have really bad jokes as well.
Grandeur of little-seen areas: The tracks take you off the 'beaten-path' because they often go far from the roads, higher into the mountains and deeper into the wilderness. At places like the 296-feet high Hurricane Gulch Bridge north of Talkeetna and Chugach National Forest south of Girdwood, the train takes you to places few get to see.
History comes alive: The first tracks of the Alaska Railroad (formerly known a "Alaska Central Railway") were laid in Seward in 1903. The expansion of the railroad is directly connected to the growth of places like Anchorage and Fairbanks. You could say the railroad is the backbone of the history of the Last Frontier!
Ease and simplicity: It's simple to see the best of Denali and the highlights of Kenai Fjords when you connect them via rail. Our incredible lodges in the Alaska backcountry, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge and the Denali Backcountry Lodge, can be easily added into your railroad itinerary. Just hop off the train in Seward or Denali and we'll meet you right there!
Kids love it: Kids of all ages, that is! No worries about snacks or itchy feet. there's plenty of room to get up and explore, sit back and relax or even take a nap. Tunnels, tall bridges, S-turns and coastal curves keep every mile fresh and exciting.
Photos: If you're after a photo of amazing Alaska scenery, the rail is the way to go. Passengers in the Alaska Railroad's Goldstar class are particularly well positioned for photography—that's because they're mostly above treeline for the duration of their trip, affording extraordinary views as well as photos without any glass in the way!
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